Search Climate Insights Directory

The report analyzes the landscape of cosmetic pesticide bans in Canada, evaluating the effectiveness of various provincial and municipal regulatory frameworks. It argues that the most protective laws utilize 'white lists' of approved low-risk pesticides, maintain a broad scope of coverage across all landscaping elements, and combine legal prohibitions with robust public education and enforcement. The document highlights significant gaps in jurisdictions like Alberta and British Columbia, while praising the comprehensive approaches of Ontario and Nova Scotia.

A coalition of European NGOs calls on the EU to intervene in ICAO negotiations to prevent the weakening of the Global Market Based Measure (GMBM). The authors demand the resolution of exemptions through fair differentiation, a strict 2020 deadline for any pilot phases, the protection of the EU's right to implement more ambitious regional measures, and the alignment of accounting methods between ICAO and the UNFCCC to avoid double counting.

A coalition of 64 organizations and European Parliament members calls on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to implement a stringent global market-based mechanism (GMBM) for aviation emissions. The letter argues that aviation is a top ten global polluter and warns that emissions could grow by 300% by 2050 if left unaddressed. The signatories demand binding targets aligned with the 1.5°C Paris agreement goal, mandatory credit quality criteria to ensure environmental integrity, robust accounting to prevent double counting, and transparent decision-making processes.

The document argues that international aviation emissions grew by over 75% between 1990 and 2012 and could increase by 300% by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario. It critiques the ICAO's proposed global market-based mechanism (GMBM), which aims for 'carbon neutral growth 2020' starting in 2021, citing concerns over lack of transparency, non-binding goals, and low environmental standards. Carbon Market Watch recommends that the GMBM include mandatory targets, a 'negative list' of ineligible project types (such as fossil fuel power plants and most LULUCF projects), and strict credit quality criteria to ensure real and permanent emission reductions.

The document argues that international aviation emissions grew by over 75% between 1990 and 2012 and could increase by up to 300% by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario. It critiques the ICAO's proposed global market-based mechanism (GMBM), specifically the 'carbon neutral growth 2020' goal, for lacking binding targets and sufficient environmental standards for offset credits. Carbon Market Watch recommends that the GMBM include a mandatory target to limit warming to 1.5°C, a review clause every three years, and a 'negative list' to ban low-quality offset projects such as large hydro and REDD+. The toolkit urges NGOs to lobby governments and airlines ahead of the 39th ICAO General Assembly in October 2016 to ensure transparency and environmental integrity in the aviation sector's climate response.

The document argues that Internet policy must move beyond technical management to include broad societal impacts on rights, security, and sustainable development. It advocates for a multistakeholder model involving government, the private sector, civil society, and academia to ensure legitimacy and effectiveness. The toolkit details eight specific tools—ranging from expert roundtables and policy mapping to online surveys and public forums—designed to generate evidence and foster public consent. It emphasizes 'adaptive policy making' and the principle of subsidiarity, suggesting that policy action should occur at the lowest jurisdictional level consistent with effectiveness.

The study examines three scenarios for greening data centres at Dalhousie University, the University of Ottawa, and the University of Alberta. It finds that relocating to remote renewable sites (Scenario 1) or urban low-emission grids (Scenario 2) is economically unviable due to high capital costs. Only on-site waste heat recovery (Scenario 3) showed a positive net present value for one institution. The report suggests a 'green community cloud' managed by CANARIE as a more viable alternative to individual university efforts.

The document proposes the creation of an Environment Outlook for Canada (EOC), an integrated environmental assessment designed to move beyond traditional state-of-the-environment reporting by focusing on future-oriented scenarios. It details the potential scope of the EOC, including key topical issues like climate change and water quality, and suggests a time horizon of 20 to 30 years. The paper emphasizes the need for a participatory process involving policy-makers, shapers, and takers to ensure the assessment is salient, credible, and legitimate. It recommends a feasibility analysis and the development of a formal proposal by fall 2007, suggesting that the EOC could be hosted by an independent secretariat to maintain credibility.

SGR calls on the UK government to push for a climate agreement that combines technology with social, political, and economic changes, specifically supporting the 'Contraction and Convergence' model to balance equity for developing nations with the inclusion of major emitters like China and India. The letter argues that the UK must increase its own domestic efforts in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable transport to maintain credibility in these negotiations.

The Financial and Administrative Committee (FAC) report details the approval of revised employee and project management manuals in mid-2005, the ongoing development of a procurement manual, and the conduct of an external audit by KPMG in August 2005.

The FAC report details the approval of an Employee Handbook and a Project Management Manual in mid-2005, the ongoing drafting of a Contracting and Procurement Manual, and the completion of an external audit by KPMG in August 2005.

The report outlines a proposed model for Environmental Improvement Zones (EIZs) in Winnipeg, designed to shift environmental action from a top-down municipal approach to a neighbourhood-level service delivery model. Based on a review of local precedents like Business Improvement Zones and international examples such as Montreal's Eco-quartiers, the report recommends that EIZs be established through multi-partite agreements between the City of Winnipeg, the Province of Manitoba, and Environment Canada. The proposed model suggests anchoring EIZs in existing community-based organizations, governed by neighbourhood steering committees, and focusing on service innovation and delivery rather than broad sustainability mandates. It provides a detailed implementation roadmap for 2005-2006, including the selection of five pilot neighbourhoods and the hiring of a dedicated coordinator.

The Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) adopted seven resolutions concerning the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI). Key actions included the approval of the 2005-2006 basic budget and annual program, the appointment of Dr. Holm Tiessen as Executive Director for three years, and the election of four scientists to the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). Additionally, the CoP approved CPTEC/INPE as an Affiliated Institution for the Climate Variability Program in the Americas and updated rules regarding SAC nominations and voting procedures.

This document is a list of participants for the 20th Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC) Meeting, which took place in Montreal, Canada, on May 2-3, 2005.

The IAI Executive Committee (CE) approved the budget for the 2005/2006 fiscal year, established a committee to recommend candidates for the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), and endorsed the CPTEC/INPE's proposal to become an Affiliated Institution for the Program on Climate Variability in the Americas. The CE also supported proposals from Mexico to register the IAI with the UNFCCC and to implement annual science-policy activities.

The report recommends maintaining a reduced publication frequency of three issues per year for 2005 to manage costs and staff workload, while proposing improvements to content depth and a restructuring of the Editorial Board.

The report details the Chair's actions regarding the recovery of funds from CATHALAC, the transition of Executive Directors, the evaluation of CPTEC/INPE as an affiliated institution, and administrative updates on staff salaries in Brazil and voting procedures for the Scientific Advisory Committee.

A statement from global civil society organizations calling on the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) to adopt the World Commission on Dams (WCD) framework and policy principles within its developing Code of Ethics to prevent social and environmental harm.

The IAI Executive Council approved the meeting agenda and previous minutes, and initiated steps to establish a collaboration agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank. The Council also approved participation in upcoming environmental and Americas summits in Quebec and Montreal, directed the preparation of a project termination procedure for the 2001 Conference of the Parties, and called for increased member country engagement and the payment of voluntary budget contributions.

The report outlines a comprehensive engagement strategy for Canadian youth (ages 13-29) to combat climate change, moving beyond simple marketing to a model of active engagement. It identifies a significant 'knowledge-behaviour gap' where youth are aware of issues like recycling but do not act, often due to a lack of trust in institutional mechanisms and a perceived lack of action by elders. The proposed strategy is structured around three interrelated streams: information and awareness campaigns, capacity building for youth (focusing on employment and leadership), and community actions. Key recommendations include tailoring messages to specific segments—such as aboriginal youth and 'early adopters'—and integrating climate education into school curricula from Grade 1. The strategy emphasizes that youth should be recognized and rewarded for their contributions and that success requires visible commitment from older Canadians and institutions.