Search Climate Insights Directory

The document argues that offshore oil and gas production poses severe risks, including underreported greenhouse gas emissions from flaring and methane leaks, the high potential for devastating well blowouts—especially in deep waters—and chronic marine pollution from produced water. It highlights the failure of current cleanup technologies and the long-term socio-economic damage to coastal communities, concluding that halting offshore expansion is essential to meeting the 1.5°C global warming limit.

Saint Lucia is transitioning its energy system to reduce diesel dependency and increase climate resilience. A key milestone was the 2018 completion of a 4 megawatt utility-scale solar farm, which produced 24.7 million kWh of electricity in its first three years. The island aims to have 35 percent of its electricity supplied by renewable energy by 2025 and to reduce climate pollution by 23 percent by 2050. Current efforts include the planning of eight solar microgrids to power critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and schools, to ensure operational continuity during disasters. The document highlights the role of 'catalytic' philanthropic capital in unlocking private investment and the importance of the Climate Finance Access Network (CFAN) in helping small island developing states navigate the complexities of securing climate finance.

The report finds that while Trinidad and Tobago's GDP grew between 1995 and 2020, its real comprehensive wealth per capita has declined by 36% since the 2008 global recession. This divergence is attributed to an over-reliance on fossil fuel assets, which have seen a nearly 98% loss in value over the study period. The analysis highlights a 'Dutch Disease' effect, where investment in the petroleum sector has crowded out agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Human capital, the largest component of wealth, also declined by 29% from its 2008 peak. The report recommends that the government integrate comprehensive wealth measures into official policy-making to diversify the economy and ensure long-term sustainability.

The logistics note outlines the schedule, dress code, and practical arrangements for a field trip to the Green Market in Santa Cruz on November 1, 2017. It specifies transportation from the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre, provides guidance on electricity voltage (110 Volts), and notes that meals will be provided by CANARI.

The GEC Steering Group discussed a strategic proposal to map Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to a capitals model to provide a macroeconomic framework for green and fair economies. The group approved commissioning research from the Oxford Martin School to investigate the substitutability of different capitals and the limits of natural capital. Additionally, the group welcomed the Scottish Wildlife Trust as a new partner and noted upcoming events in Germany and Trinidad.

The report argues that traditional conservation policies relying on regulation and financial incentives are often insufficient because they ignore the psychological and social drivers of human behavior. It proposes a 'soft policy' approach using 'nudges'—small changes in the decision-making context—to encourage voluntary pro-environmental actions. The authors identify five primary 'areas of influence' for behavior change: attitudes, personal agency, emotions, social norms, and the environmental/decision context. To improve conservation outcomes, the report recommends that practitioners explicitly use social science evidence, track social indicators alongside ecological ones, and employ experimental or quasi-experimental designs to identify causal relationships between interventions and behavioral changes.

The document argues that Caribbean states are highly vulnerable to ecological limits, climate change, and economic instability, necessitating a shift toward a 'green economy'. It identifies systemic barriers such as political disincentives, brain drain, and outdated regulations, while proposing a foundation based on human security, good governance, and pan-Caribbean cooperation. The proposed green economy model emphasizes reducing dependency on high-carbon energy imports, optimizing domestic supply chains, and implementing 'triple bottom line' business principles to ensure long-term prosperity and social equity.

The document examines how the 2010 FIFA World Cup created opportunities for corruption and conflicts of interest in South Africa. It details irregularities in stadium tenders in Johannesburg, Durban, and the Eastern Cape, and critiques the lack of transparency in FIFA's global operations and its relationship with exclusive suppliers like Match Event Services. The report argues that the pressure to meet FIFA's stringent requirements often led the South African government to prioritize the interests of the event organizers over the long-term public interest and developmental needs of the host cities.