Search Climate Insights Directory

The Climate Accountability Scorecard evaluates the climate-related actions and disclosures of several major fossil fuel companies, including BP, Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Arch Coal, CONSOL Energy, and Peabody Energy. The report assigns scores based on criteria such as support for the Paris Agreement, the use of internal carbon pricing, and the transparency of greenhouse gas emissions reporting. Findings indicate a widespread lack of company-wide emissions reduction plans and varying levels of transparency regarding low-carbon research and development investments.

The document argues that the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the globe and will experience a temperature increase of 3.75C to nearly 5C even if the Paris Agreement targets are met. This amplification leads to critical global feedbacks, including sea level rise from the Greenland ice sheet and the release of carbon from thawing permafrost. The authors call for an immediate scale-up of decarbonization, the development of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies, and the establishment of a strategic, stakeholder-driven adaptation program for Arctic societies. It also emphasizes the need for a coordinated Arctic Observing System with early warning components to track rapid changes and the creation of a unified Arctic coalition to influence global climate policy.

The report details a presentation by Professor Roger Clarke on the contested meaning of 'security' and a case study of Australian national security initiatives. Clarke argues that 'security' is often used ambiguously to justify the erosion of human rights. He presents survey results showing that Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) in Australia are rarely conducted and, when they are, are typically deficient, failing to protect civil liberties from intrusive government measures.

The report evaluates alternatives to gas-driven pneumatic controllers, which are the second-largest source of methane emissions in the US oil and gas industry. It identifies electronic controllers and instrument air as the two most mature and widely applicable zero-emission technologies. An economic analysis of 2,032 site configurations found that these solutions are cost-effective—with abatement costs below the US EPA's social cost of methane ($1,354/tCH4)—in the vast majority of cases, particularly for sites with four or more controllers or those incorporating chemical injection pumps.

The document argues that Southern Africa remains largely excluded from global value chains due to poor infrastructure, weak manufacturing, and a lack of regional integration. It suggests that while governments should focus on enabling sectors like energy and transport, the region needs better data collection—noting that only South Africa participates in the OECD's TiVA database—and a strategic rebranding effort similar to Costa Rica's approach to attract lead firms. The text highlights agro-processing and services as key areas for competitive advantage and growth.

The document argues that voluntary ESG reporting is insufficient due to lack of comparability and completeness, and that mandatory disclosure is necessary to address material financial risks associated with climate change, resource scarcity, and social justice norms.

The report analyzes various policy scenarios for China's energy transition, highlighting that carbon pricing and renewable energy standards are the most powerful tools for reducing emissions. It emphasizes that regulatory policies, particularly energy efficiency standards in buildings and industry, are highly cost-effective. The analysis suggests a transition toward a service-based economy and a decarbonized electricity grid to meet emissions peaking goals by 2030.

The EU-Turkey deal, implemented in March 2016, aimed to reduce irregular arrivals by establishing a 'one in, one out' resettlement formula for Syrian refugees. While the author notes the deal and accompanying border closures in Eastern and South Eastern Europe have successfully deterred arrivals, this has come at a high humanitarian cost. Refugees are now stranded in squalid conditions in Greece, Macedonia, and Serbia, or are forced onto more dangerous smuggling routes, including the Libya-Italy crossing. The author argues that the deal may undermine the international principle of 'non-refoulement' and that the EU's focus on deterrence has created a 'homemade humanitarian crisis'.

The report evaluates alternative electricity rate designs for mass-market customers, focusing on time-based rates and demand charges. It finds that well-designed time-based rates can significantly reduce peak load (0-50%) and total energy consumption (0-10%) without harming customer acceptance. Key drivers of success include high peak/off-peak price ratios, active enabling technologies, and opt-out enrollment. In contrast, the report notes a significant lack of empirical evidence regarding the impact of mass-market demand charges on peak reduction or customer acceptance, describing current claims as largely speculative. The document provides a framework of design dimensions—such as cost allocation, peak coincidence, and financial mechanisms—to guide utilities and regulators in implementing more sophisticated pricing structures that reflect system costs.

The document examines the Antarctic Treaty (1959) and its ancillary agreements, such as the Madrid Protocol, which prohibit mineral exploitation until at least 2048. It analyzes how emerging powers like China, India, and Brazil are increasing their scientific presence to gain political influence. The paper details South Africa's historical role as a founding member and its current focus on science, while arguing that South Africa should integrate its Antarctic activities more deeply into its broader foreign policy and the 'Africa Agenda' to promote a more inclusive global governance regime.

Between 1919 and 1920, a civil society-led humanitarian effort rescued approximately 200,000 malnourished children from Central Europe, particularly Vienna, by hosting them in various European countries. Italian cities like Milan, Bologna, and Reggio Emilia played a significant role through 'trains of brotherhood,' providing relief and temporary shelter to children from a former enemy state. This initiative facilitated diplomatic reconciliation between Italy and Austria, though it faced opposition from fascist groups and was closed by the Italian government in June 1920. The author draws a parallel between this historical event and contemporary Italian civil society efforts to establish humanitarian corridors for refugees from Syria and East/Sub-Saharan Africa.

The text discusses the historical significance of the December 2007 expansion of the Schengen Area, which integrated 9 of the 10 countries that joined the EU in 2004. It frames the removal of internal border controls as a realization of the 'four freedoms' and a step toward a unified European identity, particularly for citizens of Central and Eastern Europe who previously lived under Soviet domination. However, the author notes that this internal openness necessitates stricter external borders, raising concerns about the creation of a 'Fortress Europe' and a 'new iron curtain' affecting relations with non-EU neighbors like Ukraine.

The report analyzes Estonia's energy transition from a system heavily dependent on oil shale to one based on low-carbon sources by 2050. Using LEAP, Balmorel, and EMPS models, it evaluates four scenarios: Baseline (BAU), Carbon Neutral (CN), 100% renewable (RES), and 100% renewable with increased demand (RES+). Key findings highlight that while wind and biomass have significant potential, achieving a carbon-neutral sector requires phasing out oil shale by 2040, expanding interconnections with the Nordic Power System (specifically Sweden and Finland), and implementing policy reforms such as removing fossil fuel subsidies and increasing investment support for small-scale renewables and energy efficiency.

The report analyzes international climate finance for land use in Indonesia, finding that while international support is well-targeted toward building 'enabling environments' (capacity building and policy), it is significantly smaller than domestic funding and often bypasses local government institutions. The authors recommend longer project durations, better coordination through a centralized government database, and capacity building for local organizations to access international funds directly.

The green bond market experienced substantial growth in 2016, with issuance on track to double from 2015 levels, driven largely by China and other emerging markets. While mitigation projects in clean energy and energy efficiency receive the majority of capital, adaptation financing is increasing, particularly through US municipalities. The private sector now accounts for 66% of issuance. To meet Paris Agreement targets, the report advocates for governments to develop green investment pipelines and implement five key actions: issuing demonstration bonds, applying green standards, enabling domestic verifiers, providing market infrastructure, and promoting international collaboration.

The Green Economy Barometer 2016 reports that while the transition to green economies is accelerating—marked by record investments in renewables and a maturing international policy architecture—it remains insufficient in depth and breadth. The report highlights a significant shift in investment toward developing countries and the emergence of ambitious national sectoral targets. However, it argues that structural reform is lacking, as most national plans ignore the informal economy and the needs of the poorest populations. The document concludes that the green economy remains politically fringe and requires a more inclusive narrative to achieve large-scale societal transformation.

The report analyzes the growth and effectiveness of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) in the seafood industry, noting that certified production grew from 0.5% of global production in 2003 to 14% in 2015. While wild catch certification is dominated by the MSC and FOS, aquaculture certification is led by GLOBALG.A.P. and ASC. The analysis reveals a strong emphasis on environmental criteria, particularly ecosystem integrity, but a significant lack of social and economic requirements, especially in wild catch fisheries. Governance is characterized by a high concentration of developed-country and male representation on boards, and a general lack of responsiveness to smallholder needs. The report argues that while VSS provide essential traceability and assurance, their ability to drive comprehensive sustainability depends on public investment in infrastructure and the alignment of trade policies, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, with sustainability goals.

The authors contrast the 'abuse of memory'—where past injustices are manipulated to legitimize violence—with an 'anamnetic' approach that uses personal and collective memory to find common human ground. Drawing on Paul Ricoeur, they argue that memory carries a 'duty of justice' toward others, particularly victims. To provide a practical alternative to divisive memory, the authors analyze the works of Augustine, Dante, and Petrarch, arguing that these thinkers view memory as a path from particular, personal experience toward universal truths and divine love. The paper concludes that while ideological memory separates, a conscious 'work of memory' can facilitate dialogue and reconciliation by recognizing shared human patterns of existence.

The document argues that protecting minority rights is a prerequisite for lasting stability and a key element of a security-oriented foreign policy. It examines various power-sharing models—inclusion, portioning, and restrictions—concluding that rights-based restrictions on power are most effective for long-term peace. Case studies on Iraq, Syria, and Myanmar illustrate how the lack of minority protections can exacerbate conflict dynamics and how democratic transitions via majority-rule elections can paradoxically increase the vulnerability of minorities, such as the Rohingya.

The study explores 'practiced citizenship' among Polish migrants in Oslo, Bergen, Bristol, and Sheffield, arguing that integration is a multi-layered process of 'balancing acts' between local, national, and transnational dimensions. While both countries show similar reliance on social networks for migration, the UK is perceived as more accommodating of socio-cultural diversity, whereas Polish migrants in Norway reported exclusionary experiences related to their names and a lack of trust in state institutions, specifically the child protection services. Socio-economic patterns differ by demographic, with the UK attracting more young, highly educated graduates and Norway seeing a higher proportion of skilled male construction workers. Political engagement is frequently mediated through online platforms, particularly in the UK, where some migrants view the political environment as more enabling than in Poland.