Search Climate Insights Directory

The briefing highlights three priority areas for the 79th UN General Assembly and Climate Week: the High-Level Meeting on Sea-Level Rise, climate finance negotiations, and the Summit of the Future. It emphasizes the security implications of sea-level rise for Pacific Island states, the critical funding gap for developing nations facing debt crises, and the potential for the 'Pact for the Future' to address the climate-security nexus in UN peace operations.

The document analyzes the 'Room for the River' project in the Noordwaard region of the Netherlands, where agricultural land was converted into a floodplain to reduce flood risk for over 60,000 people. It evaluates the project through the lenses of distributive, procedural, and ecological justice, noting that while biodiversity improved and flood risk decreased, the relocation process relied heavily on market-value financial compensation and lacked psychological support for displaced residents. The author argues that planned relocation, or 'managed retreat', is a necessary adaptation to sea-level rise and climate change, but requires a justice-oriented approach to avoid exacerbating social inequalities, particularly for tenants and vulnerable populations in the Global South.

Ministers from 13 nations met on 26 May 2024 in Antigua and Barbuda to reaffirm their commitment to a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. The group expressed concern that planned fossil fuel production by 2030 exceeds Paris Agreement limits and highlighted how debt burdens hinder the transition for small island nations. They agreed to establish an expert working group on financing a just transition and to seek legal advice on the most effective pathway to develop the treaty over the next 12 months.

The fact sheet asserts that fossil fuels exacerbate and sustain global conflicts, with an estimated 25-50% of interstate wars since 1973 linked to oil. It argues that the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty can serve as a 'climate tool for peace' by managing a fast, funded, and fair transition away from fossil fuels, complementing the Paris Agreement by focusing on the supply side rather than just emissions. The document outlines the systemic impacts of extractivism—including gendered violence, human rights violations, and the militarization of extraction sites—and calls for governments to join a growing bloc of champion countries, including Vanuatu and Tuvalu, to negotiate the treaty.

The toolkit outlines a structured, phased approach to integrating MEL into national adaptation planning. It emphasizes the use of logic models, such as Theories of Change, to link adaptation actions to outcomes and impacts. The guide provides detailed methodologies for selecting SMART indicators, collecting diverse qualitative and quantitative data, and conducting evaluations that integrate climate risks. It specifically highlights the necessity of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) and the importance of deliberate learning to enable adaptive management of climate risks.

The document outlines a structured approach to integrating monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) into National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes. It emphasizes a sequential, pragmatic approach to system design, the use of Theory of Change (ToC) models, and the selection of SMART indicators. The guide details how to link MEL with impact, vulnerability, and risk assessments (IVRAs) and provides strategies for data collection, management, and inclusive communication. It specifically highlights the necessity of integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) to ensure equitable adaptation outcomes.

The document outlines a 36-month Readiness and Preparatory Support project for Tuvalu, managed by the Ministry of Finance. It aims to address critical gaps in human, technical, and institutional capacity that have limited the country's success in accessing Green Climate Fund (GCF) financing. Key initiatives include establishing a dedicated climate finance Program Management Unit (PMU), training 100 stakeholders, supporting the accreditation of a private sector direct access entity, and developing a private sector investment roadmap. The project also intends to advance the project pipeline by developing at least two bankable concept notes and conducting pre-feasibility studies for priority sectors such as water security, agriculture, and energy.

In a speech at COP28, Colombian President Gustavo Petro calls for a global Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to end the exploitation of oil, coal, and gas. He argues that current fossil fuel deposits are sufficient to lead the planet to a 3°C temperature increase and subsequent collapse. Petro frames the climate crisis as a struggle between 'fossil capital' and human life, highlighting the imminent threat of 'ethnocide' for island nations like Tuvalu and the necessity of a rational transition for oil-dependent economies, including Colombia.

The briefing analyzes the communique from the 52nd Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ Meeting, noting the historic mention of a "Fossil Fuel Free Pacific" while criticizing qualifiers that weaken the commitment. It highlights the use of terms like "aspire" and "in our energy systems" as loopholes that allow countries, particularly Australia and New Zealand, to avoid committing to a phase-out of fossil fuel production. The document also criticizes Australia for using climate resilience funding and resettlement offers for Tuvalu to mask its continued support for fossil fuel companies and its pursuit of carbon dioxide dumping legislation.

The report examines the pathways for a just energy transition in the Pacific, highlighting that while 14 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) contribute only 0.23% of global emissions, they are disproportionately affected by climate change. It estimates the upfront cost of replacing fossil fuel electricity generation in eight profiled PICs between $691 million and $1 billion USD. The document argues that a just transition must go beyond technology swaps to include economic diversification, poverty eradication, and the protection of workers, particularly in Papua New Guinea's fossil fuel sector. It also warns of a 'double exposure' where the region faces both climate impacts and potential environmental damage from increased mining of Energy Transition Metals (ETMs).

The Peer Learning Summit (PLS) convened representatives from 10 countries to exchange knowledge on vertical integration in the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process. The workshop focused on five interdependent areas: coordination mechanisms with sub-national governments, capacity strengthening, engagement with the local private sector, engagement with civil society organizations (CSOs), and financial flows to sub-national levels. Key discussions highlighted the necessity of long-term monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems to track progress across governance levels and the importance of gender-responsive and socially inclusive (GESI) approaches. Participating countries, including Kenya, Ghana, and Tuvalu, shared specific milestones and challenges, such as limited local funding and technical capacity gaps. The event concluded with countries identifying actionable next steps for their respective NAP processes through June 2024.

The document argues that fossil fuel advertising normalizes the use of coal, oil, and gas, and falsely presents these industries as leaders in the energy transition. It advocates for a 'tobacco-style' ban on fossil fuel promotions, asserting that healthcare workers are uniquely trusted messengers to communicate the health risks of air pollution and climate disruption. The guide outlines a five-step strategy for mobilization: connecting with health groups, developing a strategy with early movers, launching with press-worthy actions, building pressure through local or national lobbying, and evaluating progress. It highlights successful campaigns from Declare Comms in Australasia, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) in Canada, and 'Van wie is de lucht?' in the Netherlands, while also mentioning international efforts like the Global Climate and Health Alliance and the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The report explores how repeating national climate risk assessments (CRAs) can support the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) of national adaptation efforts. While CRAs are traditionally used to inform planning, the author argues they can also track changes in vulnerability over time to assess adaptation success. Analysis of 12 countries reveals a shift toward viewing CRAs as continuous learning processes rather than static reports, with a growing consensus that updates should occur roughly every five years to align with policy cycles. However, the report finds that fully standardized approaches to repeating CRAs are often impractical due to evolving science and shifting policy priorities. Instead, it suggests a flexible approach where only specific components are standardized. Early adopters like Germany and the United Kingdom have begun using CRAs to evaluate NAP effectiveness, though they face methodological challenges, including the time lag between implementing measures and seeing tangible risk reductions.

The document argues that greenhouse gas emissions constitute pollution under UNCLOS, thereby obligating State Parties to reduce emissions in line with the Paris Agreement's temperature goals. It examines the request for an advisory opinion by the Commission of Small Island States (COSIS) to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), asserting that the duty of due diligence must be informed by the best available science to prevent ocean warming, acidification, and sea level rise.

The briefing advocates for a global Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty based on three pillars: ending new exploration and production, phasing out existing production equitably, and enabling a just global transition. It outlines the necessity of international coordination to address the supply side of climate change, noting that current global production plans exceed 1.5°C limits. The document provides a roadmap for governments to support the treaty through public endorsements, diplomatic engagement, and domestic policy measures such as removing subsidies and restricting new infrastructure.

The briefing advocates for an international treaty to end the proliferation of coal, oil, and gas, phase out existing production equitably, and enable a global just transition. It outlines the necessary 'ingredients' for such a treaty, proposes specific diplomatic and domestic actions for governments, and provides suggested language for multilateral statements.

The briefing advocates for an international treaty to end fossil fuel proliferation through three pillars: prohibiting new exploration and production, phasing out existing production equitably, and facilitating a just transition for dependent countries and communities. It outlines the necessary ingredients for such a treaty—including civil society movements and 'champion' countries like Vanuatu and Tuvalu—and provides a roadmap of diplomatic and national policy actions for governments to reduce fossil fuel dependency.

The briefing advocates for an international treaty to end the proliferation of fossil fuels through three pillars: prohibiting new exploration and production, phasing out existing production equitably, and facilitating a just transition for dependent countries and workers. It outlines a diplomatic strategy for 'champion countries' to drive this process, suggests specific national policy actions to reduce supply-side dependence, and provides model text for governments to use in multilateral negotiations.

The briefing proposes a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty based on three pillars: preventing new exploration licenses, phasing out existing production equitably, and ensuring a just transition for workers and dependent communities. It outlines a strategy for 'precursor countries' to drive international cooperation, suggests specific diplomatic actions for national governments, and provides a menu of domestic policy options to reduce fossil fuel dependency.

The briefing advocates for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty based on three pillars: non-proliferation of new fossil fuels, a fair phase-out of existing production, and a global just transition. It positions the treaty as a necessary supply-side complement to the Paris Agreement, arguing that current production plans exceed the 1.5°C carbon budget. The document outlines a business case for support, citing risks such as stranded assets and increased climate litigation, while proposing specific actions for companies, including public advocacy and the implementation of absolute emission reductions.