Search Climate Insights Directory

The authors propose a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (FF-NPT) based on three pillars: non-proliferation of new reserves, disarmament of existing infrastructure, and financing low-carbon alternatives. This proposal addresses the gap in the Paris Agreement, which does not mention fossil fuels despite their role as the primary cause of the climate crisis. The authors highlight that 80% of coal, oil, and gas reserves are un-burnable if warming is to be kept below 2°C, and they point to existing national moratoria in countries like New Zealand and France as evidence of growing political momentum for supply-side climate policy.

Vigeo Eiris performed a pre-issuance verification of Société Générale SFH's 2019 Green Covered Bond, concluding that the bond's framework and nominated projects align with the Climate Bonds Standard version 2.1, specifically for low carbon residential buildings in France.

The analysis concludes that human-induced climate change has made the June 2019 heatwave in France more likely and more intense. Observational data suggests that a heatwave of this intensity is occurring at least 10 times more frequently today than a century ago, with temperatures approximately 4C higher. While climate models qualitatively agree on the strong human influence, they show smaller trends and fewer severe heatwaves than observations, simulating a probability increase of between a factor of 2 and 20. The study emphasizes that early-season heatwaves in June have more severe health and organizational impacts than mid-summer events.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of 'green jobs', highlighting that the U.S. energy efficiency sector employs over 3 million people and the global renewable energy sector employed 11 million people in 2018. It details specific employment figures for various technologies—such as solar, wind, and biofuels—and identifies China as the global leader in renewable energy employment. Additionally, it notes the emergence of climate adaptation and resilience jobs, though standardized data collection for these roles remains limited.

The report finds that German lignite plants became significantly unprofitable in the first half of 2019, with the entire fleet losing €664 million. Old units (pre-1990) were hardest hit, with gross profits falling 62% to €188 million. The analysis suggests that 24/7 baseload operation is no longer economic and predicts a €1.8 billion loss for old units between 2020 and 2022. Consequently, the author recommends that the German government push for faster closures, reject excessive compensation claims, and implement a minimum carbon price to prevent future profitability.

In the first half of 2019, EU coal generation fell by 19%, driven by the growth of wind and solar power, a shift toward fossil gas due to rising carbon prices, and specific plant closures. Germany experienced the largest absolute decline, while eastern European countries saw smaller reductions due to slower renewable energy deployment. The report argues that while carbon pricing has made coal less profitable, further declines require accelerated plant closures and increased investment in clean energy and grid infrastructure to ensure a full transition.

The report examines the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system, describing it as a "parallel justice system" that privileges wealthy investors and multinational corporations over public interests. Through ten case studies across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the document illustrates how ISDS is used to challenge environmental protections, public health measures, and land rights. It specifically criticizes the European Union's efforts to institutionalize the system through the Investment Court System (ICS) and a proposed Multilateral Investment Court, arguing these reforms do not address the fundamental imbalance of power. The report concludes that ISDS creates a "regulatory chill," where governments avoid passing progressive laws to avoid multi-billion dollar lawsuits, and calls for the complete dismantling of these "VIP courts."

The paper reviews 154 publications covering 181 country case studies to understand the consequences of mining decline. It finds that economic impacts, such as job loss and regional decline, are the most documented, while social and political effects are understudied. The authors argue that successful transitions require long-term planning, strong local leadership, and coordinated financial mechanisms, noting that recovery often takes a decade or more.

The authors contend that the EU is paralyzed by institutional inertia, the dominance of the Council, and the influence of vested interests. They critique Emmanuel Macron's reliance on a Franco-German bilateral engine, arguing that it ignores the reality of transnational politics and the effectiveness of coalitions like the Visegrád Group. The text suggests that breaking the deadlock requires leveraging the European Parliament, forming offensive and defensive coalitions, and using strategic unilateral action or the blocking of trade deals to force systemic change.

The author contends that the European Union's handling of the 2008 economic crisis eroded public trust and democratic legitimacy, leaving it ill-equipped to face urgent challenges like climate change. To avoid public rejection and the rise of the far-right, the document proposes transforming EU institutions to be more permeable to citizen participation and reconstructing a common narrative based on solidarity and shared European values.

The document argues that public spending in the post-2020 EMFF must align with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically opposing subsidies for fleet renewal and modernisation which the authors claim increase fishing capacity and undermine marine biodiversity.

This document is a written contribution from Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) to the UN's open-ended working group (IGWG) regarding a proposed legally binding treaty to regulate transnational corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises in relation to human rights. FoEI analyzes the 'Zero Draft' presented in 2018, arguing that it is too weak to end corporate impunity and represents a setback compared to previous 'Elements' papers. The document details specific legal gaps in the draft—such as the lack of direct obligations for corporations and insufficient definitions of value chains—and includes testimonies from affected peoples across different continents calling for an international court and the primacy of human rights over investment agreements.

This report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) provides a critical analysis of the 'Zero Draft' of a proposed UN legally binding instrument to regulate transnational corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises in relation to human rights. FoEI argues that the draft is too weak, lacks essential principles, and fails to provide effective mechanisms to end corporate impunity. The document includes general comments on the draft's structure, specific contributions from FoEI representatives across different continents, and recommendations for the revised version of the treaty to be presented at the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG).

This written submission by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) analyzes the 'Zero Draft' of a proposed UN legally binding instrument to regulate transnational corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises in regarding human rights. FoEI argues that the Zero Draft is too weak, lacks direct obligations for corporations, and fails to provide effective mechanisms to end corporate impunity, calling for a revised version that prioritizes human rights over commercial interests.

The report examines the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system, detailing ten case studies where corporations used international arbitration to challenge national laws and court rulings related to environmental protection, public health, and indigenous rights. It argues that ISDS creates a 'regulatory chill' where governments avoid passing public interest laws to avoid astronomical fines. The document specifically critiques the European Union's proposed Investment Court System (ICS) and Multilateral Investment Court, claiming these reforms only address procedural issues while maintaining the substantive imbalance that privileges investors over sovereign states and human rights.

The report examines the systemic injustices of the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) regime, using ten case studies to demonstrate how corporations use international arbitration to bypass domestic courts and challenge public interest laws. It highlights the 'regulatory chill' effect, where the threat of multi-billion dollar lawsuits deters governments from implementing climate, health, and environmental protections. The document specifically criticises the European Union's proposed reforms, arguing that the Investment Court System (ICS) and the Multilateral Investment Court maintain the same substantive investor privileges that allow corporations to claim compensation for lost future profits and ignore human rights obligations.

Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) critiques the 'Zero Draft' of the UN binding treaty on transnational corporations (TNCs) and human rights, describing it as a 'setback' and 'way too weak'. FoEI argues that the draft fails to establish direct legal obligations for TNCs, lacks a robust definition of 'value chains', and does not sufficiently prioritize human rights over trade and investment agreements. The document calls for the creation of an International Court on TNCs and Human Rights to end corporate impunity, particularly in the Global South. It further denounces the European Union's disengagement from the process and the influence of corporate lobbies, such as the International Organization of Employers, which FoEI claims threaten to 'capture' the treaty process.

Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) argues that the Zero Draft presented by the IGWG is too weak and fails to establish a robust mechanism to end the impunity of transnational corporations. The organization advocates for the primacy of human rights over trade and investment agreements, the establishment of an international tribunal for TNCs, and the inclusion of direct legal obligations for corporations rather than relying on voluntary principles or state-centric responsibilities. FoEI also criticizes the European Union for its lack of constructive participation and for favoring corporate interests over human rights.

Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) argues that the 'Zero Draft' presented by Ecuador for the UN binding treaty on transnational corporations (TNCs) is too weak to end corporate impunity. FoEI advocates for the treaty to establish direct legal obligations for TNCs, prioritize human rights over trade and investment agreements, and create an international tribunal for corporate human rights violations. The document criticizes the European Union for its lack of substantive participation and warns against 'corporate capture' of the negotiation process, emphasizing the need for a gender perspective and the protection of human rights defenders.

The document is a participant list for the 27th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, which took place in Brasilia, Brazil, from 5-6 June 2019. It enumerates representatives from party nations, advisory committees, observers, and intergovernmental organizations.