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The document argues that voluntary industry commitments have failed to stop deforestation and child labour in the cocoa sector, calling for the EU to regulate agricultural commodity imports.

The briefing outlines four strategic priorities for the upcoming UN Climate Action and SDG Summits: ramping up ambition for systemic economic change, ensuring a just transition that protects vulnerable populations, scaling high-impact solutions across six key sectors, and establishing inclusive long-term goals for carbon neutrality and equity.

The document analyzes the tension between two competing sets of European values: 1960s liberal values (such as LGBT rights and feminism) and traditional Christian identity. It argues that populist movements use a 'concocted vision of the past' to frame Islam as culturally incompatible with Europe, while simultaneously ignoring the fact that they have embraced the very liberal values that traditional Christianity rejects. This paradox, combined with laws banning religious symbols to target Islam, results in the further dechristianisation of Europe, turning faith into mere 'folklore'.

A joint statement by civil society organizations challenging the claims of the International Hydropower Association that large dams are 'clean and green' solutions for the Paris Climate Agreement and UN SDGs. The authors demand a redirection of funding from large-scale hydro to decentralized renewables and the legal protection of free-flowing rivers.

The document outlines the legal requirements for public participation in the development of national long-term strategies (LTS) for greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2050. It asserts that the EU Governance Regulation (GR) is insufficiently clear and may not fully comply with the Aarhus Convention, which mandates early public involvement when all options are open. ClientEarth provides a consolidated procedure for compliant participation, including open access to all interested parties, active dissemination of relevant documents, and specific timeframes for consultation. The briefing notes that previous strategies submitted under the Paris Agreement are insufficient to meet current GR requirements and urges that public participation for the 2020 deadline should have commenced by September 2019.

The analysis argues that while a broad coalition of Eurosceptic parties could obstruct EU integration, only radical-right populists pose a substantive threat to liberal democratic values, though their ability to implement an 'illiberal' model in Western Europe remains limited by public opinion.

Vigeo Eiris conducted a limited assurance procedure on the Republic of Chile's 2019 first Green Bond, concluding that it conforms in all material respects to the Climate Bonds Standard (CBS) version 2.1. The bond's proceeds are intended for 14 eligible green expenditures across solar energy, low carbon land transport, green buildings, and water management. The verification confirmed the existence of a documented decision-making process led by a Green Bond Committee and verified that the nominated projects meet specific sector criteria, such as a 30% carbon reduction target for buildings and a limit of 15% non-renewable electricity for solar projects. The report also validates the internal processes for tracking proceeds and the commitment to post-issuance compliance reviews.

The study analyzes PM2.5 concentrations in Paris and the Île-de-France region from 2009 to 2018, finding that reductions in annual averages and high-concentration days were primarily driven by local emission decreases. However, regional transport remains a significant factor, contributing up to 70% of annual PM2.5 at urban background sites, suggesting that regional emission reductions are necessary to meet WHO guidelines.

The Green Economy Coalition responds to the UK Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) recommendation for the UK to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. While welcoming the target as a roadmap for other economies, the Coalition argues that net-zero by 2050 is a minimum starting point and may be too cautious regarding technology and societal change. The document emphasizes that decarbonization alone is insufficient, calling for a transition to a green economy that addresses biodiversity loss, ensures a just transition through deliberative democracy, and implements Green New Deal policies to prevent corporate monopolies over new green infrastructure.

The Higher Administrative Court of Münster scheduled a two-day evidence hearing on 9-10 May 2019 featuring science and health experts to resolve debates over air quality rules and diesel restrictions in Germany. This follows legal actions in 35 German cities supported by ClientEarth and Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) to enforce air quality limits. While some officials and specialists have questioned the science linking nitrogen dioxide (NO2) to health issues, the briefing notes that the majority of researchers, the European Commission, and Germany's environment minister maintain that limits are based on sound science. The hearing aims to provide the evidence necessary to adjudicate appeals regarding diesel restrictions in 14 cities in North Rhine-Westphalia.

ClientEarth's contribution to the European Commission's evaluation of food contact materials (FCM) rules highlights critical gaps in public health protection. The organization argues that the current lack of EU-wide harmonisation for 13 of the 17 listed FCM categories allows for inconsistent safety standards and a 'race to the bottom' due to the principle of mutual recognition. Furthermore, ClientEarth criticizes the current risk assessment model based on 'migration' limits, which allows hazardous chemicals like CMRs and EDCs to be used if exposure is deemed acceptable. They propose a 'cut-off' criterion—similar to that used in pesticides regulation—to completely prohibit these substances in FCM to better protect human health and incentivize safer innovation.

The report outlines key barriers and opportunities in scaling climate finance, emphasizing the need for development finance institutions (DFIs) to increase risk appetite and for the financial system to shift from risk disclosure to incentive-driven action. It highlights the importance of blended finance, sustainable land use, and urban infrastructure frameworks to achieve net-zero emissions by midcentury.

The analysis of draft NECPs reveals that the EU is set to miss its 2030 coal phase-out goals, with 11 Member States planning no phase-out and 60 GW of coal capacity projected to remain. The report highlights a disconnect where countries receiving EU just transition funding, such as Poland and Czechia, lack credible phase-out plans in their NECPs.

The author argues that Poland and Ukraine's dependence on Russian gas and oil creates significant security vulnerabilities, which Russia exploits for political pressure. While Poland is investing in infrastructure like the Świnoujście LNG terminal and Baltic Pipe to end gas imports by 2022, Ukraine remains more vulnerable due to limited financial and regulatory capacity. The document posits that long-term resilience against 'hybrid war' requires a shift from centralized energy systems to distributed networks based on renewables and improved energy efficiency, particularly in the housing sector.

The IAI Directorate implemented several initiatives between 2018 and 2019 to strengthen science-policy interfaces and regional cooperation. Key activities included signing a Memorandum of Understanding with IPBES, co-hosting a South-South Cooperation workshop on climate and sustainable development in Uruguay, and joining the Belmont Forum Steering Committee. The Directorate also explored becoming a Readiness Delivery Partner for the Green Climate Fund in Latin America and engaged with the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research on a new climate change initiative. Efforts to improve science communication included a social media campaign and discussions with the American Chemical Society and the Earth Journalism Network.

The IAI Executive Directorate reports on its 2018-2019 efforts to strengthen science-policy interfaces and international partnerships. Key activities include signing a Memorandum of Understanding with IPBES, collaborating with UNOSSC on South-South cooperation for urban climate resilience in South American megacities, and pursuing an Associate status with the Green Climate Fund. The IAI also joined the Belmont Forum Steering Committee and explored a cooperative research action on food security and climate change with France's National Research Agency, attracting interest from Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Additionally, the report details engagements with the IPCC, the European Commission, and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research to foster intercontinental cooperation on climate risks.

The document outlines the climate-related risks facing health care facilities (HCFs) and provides a framework for mitigation and adaptation. It highlights that 90% of health care life-cycle GHG emissions in Canada are generated upstream in the supply chain, with pharmaceuticals and hospitals being major contributors. The guide recommends using resiliency checklists, vulnerability assessments, and sustainable procurement to reduce environmental footprints. It also discusses specific interventions in energy efficiency, transportation (including telemedicine), and the reduction of potent inhalation anesthetic gases.

The document explains the greenhouse effect and the role of human activities in increasing radiative forcing, noting that global warming has reached approximately 1°C since pre-industrial times. It details the global emissions profile by sector and the projected risks associated with 1.5°C versus 2°C warming, emphasizing that the latter significantly increases risks to human health, food security, and biodiversity. The text outlines the evolution of international climate governance from the UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement and its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). To limit warming to 1.5°C, the document argues for a transformative shift in the energy mix by 2050, including a drastic reduction in fossil fuel consumption and a move toward renewable energy and carbon dioxide removal technologies.

The document outlines adaptation strategies for various climate-related health risks in Canada, including extreme temperature events, flooding, wildfires, food insecurity, vector-borne diseases, and water quality issues. It provides specific examples of municipal actions—such as Toronto's green roof bylaws and Vancouver's warming centres—and offers actionable tips for health professionals to support vulnerable patients and advocate for resilient community policies.

The document is a comprehensive guide for healthcare professionals to address climate change. It covers the science of climate change, its global and Canadian health impacts, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trends in Canada, and practical solutions. It emphasizes 'co-benefits'—where climate actions like promoting plant-based diets or active transport immediately improve public health. The guide provides specific strategies for making healthcare facilities more resilient and sustainable, such as reducing the carbon footprint of anesthesia and supply chains, and offers a framework for community-level adaptation and professional advocacy.