Search Climate Insights Directory

The report analyzes the fragmented state of Libya, characterized by a stalemate between General Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) and the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA). It details how the conflict has evolved into a proxy war involving regional powers like Turkey, Egypt, the UAE, and Russia, and examines the resulting humanitarian crises, including mass migration and the resurgence of jihadist networks. Additionally, it highlights the geopolitical tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean triggered by a maritime delimitation agreement between Turkey and the GNA.

The guide identifies significant energy access gaps in South Asia, with 152 million people lacking electricity and 990 million lacking clean cooking as of 2018. It proposes that governments allocate 25% of stimulus budgets to renewables and target 30% localization of clean energy value chains. Key benefits cited include a GDP multiplier where every USD 1 invested in renewables yields USD 0.93 in additional growth, and the creation of 2 to 2.5 times more jobs than fossil fuel investments. The document recommends eight enablers for this transition, including the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, a moratorium on new coal-fired power, and the adoption of cost-reflective tariffs.

The 'science oath for the climate' is a pledge signed by nearly 600 scientists and engineers to act against catastrophic climate disruption. Signatories commit to communicating scientific evidence without compromise, resisting political or economic pragmatism when discussing the 1.5°C and 2°C Paris Agreement targets, and reducing their own carbon emissions. The document includes a comprehensive list of signatories from various global academic and professional institutions.

The report examines the role of the EU's captive tiger population in the global trade of tigers and their derivatives. It identifies significant regulatory loopholes in the keeping and disposal of tigers, particularly in private facilities and circuses, which may be exploited by organised criminal groups to supply Asian markets. While accredited zoos are well-regulated, the report finds inconsistent national laws across the EU, a lack of centralised traceability registers, and weak oversight of deceased specimens. Trade data from 2013–2017 confirms the EU's continued commercial export of captive-bred tigers and parts to countries like Viet Nam and Thailand, which may stimulate demand and increase poaching pressure on wild populations.

The author argues that while the EU views renewable energy as a path to energy security and industrial strength, it currently lacks a clear objective or blueprint for its future integrated energy system. This absence of a systemic plan creates domestic risks, such as redundant spending and political friction between Western and Eastern member states, and external vulnerabilities in the face of competition from China and the US. The text suggests that the EU must integrate its energy, infrastructure, and industrial policies to secure critical materials and market share, potentially utilizing the European Green Deal and the Just Transition Fund to mitigate internal disparities.

Following a 13.5% result in the 2019 European elections, Europe Ecologie Les Verts (EELV) faces the challenge of converting temporary electoral momentum into long-term power. The author argues that while the party 'owns' environmental issues in the French electoral arena, it must manage a volatile and ideologically diverse electorate—ranging from the far left to the center—by prioritizing an ecology-centered discourse and opening the party to younger generations and external experts to avoid historical patterns of electoral decline.

Following a strong performance in the 2019 European elections, Europe Écologie-Les Verts (EELV) faces the challenge of converting this success into long-term electoral stability. The author notes that French green parties historically perform better in European elections than in national ones. To break this cycle, the document suggests EELV should leverage its 'ownership' of ecological issues, appeal to a diverse and volatile electorate—including young voters and former supporters of Emmanuel Macron and Jean-Luc Mélenchon—and shift from internal focus to a strategic ambition for power.

The We Mean Business coalition has mobilised over 1,140 companies representing $20.1 trillion in market cap to commit to climate action, including science-based targets and transitions to renewable electricity. The coalition advocates for an 'Ambition Loop' where bold government policies drive corporate action, which in turn encourages further policy ambition. For 2020, the coalition calls on governments to commit to economy-wide net-zero emissions by 2050, strengthen 2030 targets in line with a 1.5ºC trajectory, and establish the necessary national laws and plans to achieve these goals.

The commentary asserts that bold climate action is not a trade-off with economic growth but an engine for it, potentially delivering $26 trillion in net global economic benefits by 2030. It advocates for 'people-centered climate action' that uses inclusive processes to unlock benefits for marginalized groups, such as recycling carbon pricing revenues to support low-income households. The text provides sector-specific opportunities in energy, urban planning, and food systems, while emphasizing that adaptation investments of $1.8 trillion could yield $7.1 trillion in benefits. It highlights real-world examples from Indonesia, Canada, and Spain to demonstrate how low-carbon transitions can reduce poverty and create millions of green jobs.

The report details a COP25 workshop focused on domestic climate finance mapping. It outlines various tracking tools—such as Climate Budget Tagging and Climate Public Expenditure and Institutional Reviews—and discusses how these initiatives help countries identify funding gaps, build investor trust, and mainstream climate goals into national budgets. The document also identifies systemic challenges, including data gaps and the need for inter-ministerial coordination, while proposing the creation of a community of practice to share best practices.

ClientEarth has called on France to urge the Council of the EU to publish documents related to the 2020 Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in the Northeast Atlantic. This request follows a European Ombudsman recommendation for greater transparency in the decision-making process for fishing quotas, noting that past processes were neither transparent nor participatory and that documents were systematically classified as LIMITE.

The document argues that current oil and gas expansion plans are incompatible with Paris Agreement goals, as emissions from existing fields alone would likely exceed the 1.5°C limit. It highlights a projected USD 1.4 trillion investment in new extraction between 2020 and 2024, primarily in North America, and calls for a managed phase-out of fossil fuels supported by government bans on new licenses and a shift toward renewable energy.

The briefing identifies significant challenges in tracking adaptation finance, such as context dependency and lack of standardized reporting. It proposes a three-category framework to distinguish between asset-focused, system-focused, and sectoral benchmark investments. To capture missing data, the authors suggest four technical approaches: keyword searches, sales data analysis, policy matching, and geographic matching. Initial assessments of Climate Bonds Initiative and CDP data show potential for capturing private finance, while the document recommends integrating adaptation into national planning and collaborating with data providers to enhance transparency.

Vigeo Eiris conducted a limited assurance procedure from November 15 to November 29, 2019, concluding that Banco Votorantim's first 2019 Green Bond is in material conformance with the Climate Bonds Standard (CBS) version 2.1. The bond's proceeds are intended for the construction and operation of photovoltaic and wind energy generation systems. The verification covered the selection of assets, internal controls, and reporting procedures, confirming that eligible expenditures in the solar and wind sectors will not have more than 15% of electricity generated from non-renewable sources. Approximately 35% of the net proceeds are expected to be used for refinancing.

The commentary analyzes Case C-616/17, where the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that the EU Pesticides Regulation did not commit a manifest error of assessment regarding the precautionary principle. While the court clarified that competent authorities must conduct independent and transparent health risk assessments, the author argues that the case illustrates a systemic failure in EU law: environmental NGOs and individuals often cannot challenge EU measures directly under Article 263 TFEU and may only gain access to the CJEU by infringing laws to trigger national criminal or civil proceedings.

A coalition of environmental and health NGOs calls on the European Commission to establish a long-term chemicals regulatory framework for 2030. The document argues that current EU legislation, including REACH, has significant compliance gaps and fails to protect vulnerable populations from hazardous substances like endocrine disruptors and nanomaterials. The authors propose a 'non-toxic circular economy' that eliminates 'toxic recycling' through full chemical disclosure and stricter standards for recycled materials. Key demands include the phase-out of the most dangerous chemical groups, the creation of an industry-funded independent safety testing system, and the reorganization of Commission governance to give DG Environment full responsibility for chemical pollution policies.

The review examines the impact of once-daily milking (1X) compared to twice-daily milking (2X) in goats and sheep. It finds a general reduction in milk production, though the magnitude varies by breed and lactation stage. While milk composition shows a slight trend toward increased protein and stable fat, animal health and welfare generally remain unaffected. The document also explores the potential for labor and energy savings, as well as the effects of omitting occasional milkings (12-13 times per week).

The report evaluates the fashion industry's transition to responsible viscose production, noting increased engagement from brands and some progress by producers toward EU Best Available Techniques (BAT) standards. While some European brands are leading in transparency and policy, many others—including several luxury and US-based brands—remain laggards. The document emphasizes that voluntary self-regulation is insufficient and calls for government legislation to ensure industry-wide compliance with environmental standards.

The document provides statistical annexes detailing the frequency and magnitude of Member State requests for Total Allowable Catches (TACs) that exceeded scientific advice between 2017 and 2019. It tracks metrics for France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and Denmark, focusing on the number of comparisons where TACs were greater than advice and the average percentage by which they exceeded that advice.

The report finds that progress toward ending overfishing by 2020 has been too slow, with a majority of agreed TACs for 2019 still exceeding scientific advice. It highlights a systemic lack of ambition for stocks subject to precautionary advice and those classified as bycatch, while identifying specific Member States—including France, Ireland, and Spain—as frequent advocates for unsustainable catch limits. The document also criticizes the lack of transparency in the TAC-setting process and the potential for misleading reporting by the European Commission.