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The Uniform World Model: A Methodology for Predicting the Health Impacts of Air Pollution
The Uniform World Model (UWM) is a simplified environmental impact assessment tool designed to calculate health impacts and damage costs from air pollution. It uses a few key input parameters and assumes a uniform distribution of receptors to provide a transparent alternative to complex 'black-box' software. The author validates the UWM by comparing its results with established models like CALPUFF, ISC3, EMEP, and GAINS across various scales and regions, including Europe, China, India, and the USA. Findings indicate that the UWM is robust, typically falling within a ±50% deviation range, and is particularly accurate for regional or continental estimates and tall stack emissions.
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Document type: Research paper
Zuma's Paris Visit: The Africa Background
The document examines the tensions in France's Africa policy, noting a pattern of maintaining ties with authoritarian leaders in countries such as Chad and Gabon despite promises of reform. It highlights the specific diplomatic friction between France and South Africa over the recognition of Alassane Ouattara's presidential victory in Côte d’Ivoire, contrasting France's recognition with South Africa's call for compromise.
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Document type: Briefing
Carbon Pricing for Low-Carbon Investment
The report evaluates the EU ETS's impact on corporate investment behavior, finding that while it successfully reduced investment in carbon-intensive assets, its ability to trigger a shift toward low-carbon strategies is hindered by insufficient stringency and the use of free allowances. It highlights that the current cap reduction trajectory is insufficient to meet the EU's 80-95% emission reduction goal by 2050 and argues that the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) creates uncertainty and reduces effective emission targets. The authors recommend tightening the ETS cap, phasing out offsets, reforming IFRS accounting practices to reflect the true value of allowances, and combining carbon pricing with technology-specific support schemes to create a more enabling environment for low-carbon projects.
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Document type: Executive summary
Elurikas linn
The document outlines strategies for urban biodiversity, focusing on nature-friendly gardening, landscaping, and construction. It provides detailed guidance on creating habitats for insects, birds, amphibians, and mammals, while addressing conflicts with 'problem' species and the impact of urban infrastructure on wildlife.
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Document type: Guide
Humans cause climate change. How do we know?
The document outlines how scientists use climate models, atmospheric records, and carbon isotope signatures to prove that human-induced greenhouse gas emissions are the primary driver of global warming since the mid-20th century. It highlights the consensus among the scientific community and major bodies like the IPCC, while noting that attribution science can now link specific extreme weather events to climate change.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Death of Savimbi Renews Hope for Peace in Angola - And yet, can the Black Cockerel Fly?
Following the death of Jonas Savimbi on 22 February 2002, the Angolan government initiated a 15 Point Plan to end the 28-year civil war, including a unilateral truce and a proposed blanket amnesty for UNITA fighters. While pre-negotiations between the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) and UNITA forces (FALA) began in March 2002, the process is complicated by deep divisions within UNITA. The movement is split between the military faction (UNITA-Savimbista), parliamentarians in Luanda, an external mission led by Isaias Samakuva in Paris, and the government-recognized UNITA-Renovada under Eugenio Manuvakola. The document notes that the lack of a clear, unified leadership within UNITA and the potential for the government to delay peacetime administrative reforms may hinder a swift transition to peace.
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Document type: Report
PEACE, HUMAN SECURITY AND CONFLICT PREVENTION IN AFRICA
The provided text is the front matter and credits for the proceedings of a UNESCO and Institute for Security Studies (ISS) expert meeting held in Pretoria, South Africa, on 23-24 July 2001, titled 'Peace, Human Security and Conflict Prevention in Africa'.
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Document type: Report
Superhot Rock Geothermal in France
The document highlights that just 1% of France's superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 227 GW of energy capacity, exceeding the country's 2021 electricity demand. It argues that this technology could replace all coal and gas used for electricity production, reducing emissions by approximately 36 megatonnes of CO2eq and enhancing energy independence. Additionally, it notes the technology's low land footprint compared to other energy sources and its ability to provide reliable 24/7 power to the grid.
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Document type: Fact sheet
matimba-health-risk-assessment_6-e4803f6ab69f5bcb.pdf
This report reviews risk factors to quantify the potential health impacts of particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions from various Eskom operations. It synthesizes global epidemiological data from organizations like the WHO and USEPA to establish risk estimates for mortality and morbidity, while incorporating South African provincial population and health data to support a health risk assessment.
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Document type: Report
Financial Centres for Sustainability Europe & Green Bonds
The document outlines the role of green bonds in transforming financial centres into sustainable hubs, highlighting European market leadership and specific city-level case studies in listing, sovereign issuance, and development banking.
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Document type: Briefing
HEALTH AND CLIMATE AT COP21 AND BEYOND
The Global Climate and Health Alliance calls for a universal climate agreement that prioritizes health, urging governments to phase out coal and fossil fuel subsidies while integrating health impact assessments into national climate planning. The document highlights that tackling climate change is a major global health opportunity, with the potential to prevent millions of premature deaths through emissions reductions and the transition to renewable energy.
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Document type: Briefing
Trump Voters & Global Warming
The report finds that a significant portion of Donald Trump's 2016 voters hold views on climate change that diverge from his public positions. Nearly half believe global warming is happening, and many support international agreements, carbon taxes, and renewable energy deployment, despite also supporting fossil fuel extraction on public lands.
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Document type: Report
Trump Voters & Global Warming
The report finds that a significant portion of Trump voters believe global warming is happening and support various climate-friendly policies, including the Paris agreement and renewable energy expansion, despite the candidate's public skepticism.
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Document type: Report
MAKING BIOWEAPONS OBSOLETE
The report details a workshop focused on the evolving biothreat, the convergence of biotechnology with AI and robotics, and the need for a multi-layered U.S. biodefense strategy. It emphasizes the importance of U.S. technical leadership, the development of rapid medical countermeasures, and the establishment of international norms to deter both state and non-state actors.
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Document type: Report
150+ CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS CALL ON CALIFORNIA TO ENDORSE THE FOSSIL FUEL NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY PROPOSAL
A coalition of more than 150 civil society organizations is urging California to support Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 2 (Gonzalez). This resolution calls for an end to fossil fuel expansion, a fair phase-out of coal, oil, and gas, and the establishment of an international Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to address the climate crisis at its root. The signatories argue that because fossil fuels are omitted from the Paris Agreement, a specific international mechanism is required to stop production expansion and ensure a just energy transition, particularly for Indigenous Peoples and communities of color.
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Document type: Statement
CONTRIBUCIONES PREVISTAS Y DETERMINADAS A NIVEL NACIONAL vs DISTRIBUCIÓN JUSTA
This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International examines the role of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) in the lead-up to the Paris Agreement. It argues that the current system of self-proposed national plans is insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5°C and that developed nations are failing to acknowledge their historical responsibility. The document advocates for a 'fair share' approach based on a global carbon budget to determine equitable national responsibilities for mitigation, adaptation, and finance.
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Document type: Fact sheet
QUICK FoEI FACTSHEET INDCs vs. Fair Shares
The factsheet defines Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) as national climate plans proposed by governments for the Paris agreement. It criticizes current pledges from developed countries as insufficient and narrow in scope, often ignoring adaptation and historical responsibility. The document advocates for a 'fair shares' approach, which involves setting a global carbon budget to limit warming to 1.5°C and dividing that budget among nations based on their responsibility and capacity, rather than relying on self-proposed contributions.
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Document type: Fact sheet
INDC contre Partage équitable
The fact sheet critiques the INDC process, noting that many developed nations have submitted insufficient commitments that focus solely on mitigation while ignoring adaptation and historical responsibility. It argues that allowing countries to self-determine their contributions risks a global temperature increase of 4 to 6°C. As an alternative, it advocates for a 'fair share' system where a global carbon budget is allocated based on responsibility, capacity, and the right to sustainable societies, supporting a broader energy revolution focused on justice and community-owned renewables.
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Document type: Fact sheet
FICHA INFORMATIVA AMIGOS DA TERRA INDCs vs. Parcelas Justas
The document critiques the INDC process, noting that current commitments from developed nations are inadequate and often ignore adaptation, finance, and loss and damage. It argues that allowing countries to self-determine their contributions cannot guarantee the global effort needed to limit warming to 1.5°C. Instead, it proposes a "fair shares" approach, which involves establishing a global carbon budget and dividing it among countries based on their historical responsibility, capacity, and right to a sustainable society.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Seventh Report of the Green Climate Fund to the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
The GCF approved USD 3.7 billion for 76 projects across 79 developing countries, targeting a reduction of 1.3 billion metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Key operational developments include the launch of the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) Pilot Scheme, the adoption of an Indigenous Peoples Policy, and the establishment of an Environmental and Social Policy. The fund is also preparing for its first formal replenishment process and expanding its private sector engagement through dedicated pilot programmes for MSMEs and resource mobilization at scale.
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Document type: Report