Search Climate Insights Directory

This policy brief argues that the current reliance on a single 100-year metric for greenhouse gas emissions obscures the distinct warming impacts of methane and carbon dioxide. The author advocates for a "multi-basket" approach with separate targets and dual metrics to address both short-term and long-term climate risks, asserting that simultaneous mitigation of both pollutants is essential to meet global temperature targets and reduce climate overshoot.

A survey of 23 companies by RMI and the Mission Possible Partnership indicates that airlines and corporate customers are willing to pay a 'green premium' for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and SAF certificates (SAFc). The findings suggest that waste-based feedstocks and shorter contract durations are preferred, and that current willingness to pay (WTP) could make certain SAF production pathways, particularly HEFA, financially bankable.

This briefing examines how Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) can serve as policy tools and 'laboratories' to promote climate action and inform multilateral negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO). It argues that while PTAs often have a broader scope for environmental provisions than the WTO, many current provisions remain vague and weak, requiring improved design in areas such as fossil fuel subsidies, environmental goods, and investment protections.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International and partners arguing that the current multilateral system, led by the United Nations, has failed to address global crises due to the dominance of corporate interests and geopolitical power struggles, calling for a democratic restructuring of global governance.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International, Transnational Institute, and IT for Change criticizing the current UN-led multilateral system as a failure that prioritizes corporate interests and neoliberalism over the needs of the Global South and the planet.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International, Transnational Institute, and IT for Change arguing that the current UN-led multilateral system has failed due to corporate capture and geopolitical conflict, and calling for a democratic global government to address climate and social crises.

This executive summary outlines a human dimensions project focused on improving the flow of climate information between scientists and policymakers in northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States. The project aims to enhance adaptive management of water resources by analyzing the combined impacts of East Pacific cyclones and the North American Monsoon on human systems, particularly in the context of chronic water scarcity and growing demand.

The ADAPTE project provides interdisciplinary expertise from the US and Latin America to help city authorities plan for the health impacts of extreme weather and air pollution, focusing on quantifying exposure, understanding socio-economic vulnerability, and assessing adaptation responses.

This report outlines the potential and challenges of the global bioeconomy, emphasizing the need for an integrated, equitable, and sustainable approach to financing and governance to support a low-carbon, nature-positive economy.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the link between fossil fuel emissions and extreme weather events in the United States, detailing the role of the oil and gas industry in climate damages and the current state of the US energy transition.

This policy brief analyzes the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and the UK Critical Minerals Strategy (CMS), evaluating their potential to support African industrialization. It argues that both frameworks are primarily driven by domestic energy and economic priorities, focusing on reducing dependency on China and mitigating geopolitical risks. The author contends that current capital allocations and the emphasis on domestic processing capacity are insufficient to attract private investment for African value addition and beneficiation, suggesting a need for a shift in political and commercial relations to align with African industrialization goals.

This guide describes the Energy Policy Simulator (EPS), a free, open-source System Dynamics computer model developed by Energy Innovation to help policymakers evaluate the effectiveness of climate and energy policies on greenhouse gas emissions, economic outcomes, and public health.

This case study describes how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) enables a new third-party financing model for solar energy, specifically benefiting low-income households and nonprofits. It highlights the installation of a 12kW solar array at the Watts-Willowbrook Church of Christ in Compton, California, as a primary example of this model in action.

This briefing analyzes the rise of climate litigation against major fossil fuel companies, noting that 86 lawsuits have been filed, with annual filings nearly tripling since 2015. The most prevalent cases seek compensation for climate damages (38%), followed by claims of misleading advertising (16%) and demands for emissions reductions (12%). The report highlights a shift toward criminal litigation, targeting executives for 'crimes against humanity' and involuntary manslaughter, and notes a growing trend in challenging project permits and corporate directors' liability.

This policy brief examines China's dominant role in Africa's critical minerals sector, highlighting the tension between increased investment and the lack of local value addition. It argues that while China's infrastructure-led approach and state support provide a competitive edge, African nations must shift from exporting raw materials to developing domestic processing and refining capabilities to avoid the 'resource curse' and benefit from the global energy transition.

This briefing by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the prevalence, health impacts, and regulatory landscape of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the United States as of 2024. It details the contamination of drinking water and soil, the associated cancer and endocrine risks, and the multi-level government efforts—including the EPA's 2024 National Primary Drinking Water Regulation—to mitigate these 'forever chemicals'.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines whether deep sea mining is necessary for the clean energy transition. It concludes that deep sea mining is unlikely to alleviate short-term mineral supply crunches because the technology for commercial extraction and processing is not yet available, and the steepest growth in mineral demand is expected before 2035. The document highlights that there is no physical scarcity of critical minerals in the earth's crust, but rather supply risks driven by lack of investment, recycling, and geopolitical concentration of processing in China. It suggests that sustainable land mining, supply diversification, recycling, and material substitution are more viable alternatives to deep sea mining, which carries significant unknown environmental risks.

This policy brief examines the global race to secure critical minerals for green and digital industrial revolutions, detailing the strategies of the US, EU, UK, Canada, and China. It argues that African countries can leverage their mineral wealth through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by adopting a 'climate-resilient developmental regionalism' approach to build regional value chains and achieve sustainable structural transformation.

RMI proposes a new financing model where tax-exempt entities (e.g., CDFIs, green banks, and local governments) act as third-party owners of solar assets for low-to-moderate income (LMI) households. By utilizing the Inflation Reduction Act's (IRA) 'direct pay' mechanism and bonus tax adders, these entities can monetize credits that LMI homeowners cannot, reducing energy burdens and increasing solar adoption. The paper details implementation steps, identifies potential owners, discusses challenges such as CDFI certification and domestic content requirements, and highlights early adopters in Georgia, Ohio, Minnesota, Maryland, and New York City.

The report "Financiando uma Bioeconomia Global Sustentável" (September 2024) analyzes the current and future interaction between finance and the bioeconomy. It advocates for a sustainable, equitable, and nature-positive bioeconomy as a cornerstone for a low-carbon global economy, emphasizing the role of the G20, international cooperation, and innovative financial instruments to bridge investment gaps and protect biodiversity.