Search Climate Insights Directory

A study by World Weather Attribution found that human-induced climate change made a January 2026 heatwave in south-eastern Australia approximately 1.6°C hotter and about 5 times more likely than in a preindustrial climate. Despite a weak La Niña phase reducing the event's severity by 0.3–0.5°C, the warming driven by climate change remained the dominant factor. The event caused a 25% increase in emergencies in Melbourne and created dangerous fire weather in Victoria and New South Wales comparable to the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. The report also notes that abundant renewable generation, with solar providing over 60% of midday electricity, helped meet record demand more smoothly than in previous heatwaves.

The document argues that Colombia's previous energy auctions, which focused exclusively on price, failed to account for social risks, leading to significant project delays and cancellations, particularly in La Guajira. It proposes a three-phase transition from a price-only model to a multi-criteria evaluation system. This transition includes introducing basic documentary requirements, then structured community relationship and capacity-building plans, and finally requiring verifiable territorial evidence and community co-ownership as eligibility criteria. The report emphasizes that these co-benefits should complement, not replace, existing legal obligations like prior consultation and environmental licensing.

The document analyzes how climate-induced stressors, such as desertification in the north and sea-level rise in the south, exacerbate security threats in Nigeria, including farmer-herder conflicts and insurgency. It evaluates the current security architecture, finding that while the National Security Strategy recognizes climate change, there is a significant lack of actionable integration within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies. The brief highlights gaps in institutional coordination, resource allocation, and risk assessment, while suggesting lessons from South Africa, Kenya, and Australia to build a more resilient, community-engaged policing model.

Colombia is projected to face a gas supply deficit starting in 2030, with domestic production and import capacity unable to meet demand. The report argues that this vulnerability can be mitigated by implementing energy efficiency measures in the industrial sector and electrifying cooking and water heating in the residential sector. Together, these actions could reduce 2030 gas demand by 21,545 GBtu, which is 1.5 times the projected deficit for that year. The authors recommend a planned exit from gas, including a national appliance replacement programme, the reorientation of subsidies toward electrification, and the limitation of new fossil fuel infrastructure to avoid carbon lock-in.

Colombia faces a projected gas supply deficit from 2030 onwards as domestic production declines. The report argues that the country can mitigate this risk and avoid costly imports by implementing energy efficiency in industry and electrifying cooking and water heating in the residential sector. It recommends a planned, just transition that includes a national appliance replacement programme, the reorientation of subsidies, and the limitation of new fossil fuel infrastructure to avoid carbon lock-in.

Climate Central analysis shows that 88% of 242 analyzed U.S. cities have seen an increase in extremely hot days since 1970, posing significant risks of heat-related illness and death for student athletes, particularly youth and teens.

The report details a surge in targeted harassment and protests against all-ages drag events, such as Drag Queen Story Hours (DQSH), in Australia. It identifies a coalition of actors including neo-Nazis, COVID-19 conspiracy theorists, fringe politicians, and certain Christian groups who employ tactics like review-bombing, bomb threats, and the disruption of local council meetings. The document argues that this movement is heavily influenced by the importation of transphobic rhetoric and 'groomer' narratives from the United States and United Kingdom. While the mobilisers remain a fringe element of society, the report highlights a 'chilling effect' where venues and councils cancel events due to security concerns and threats of violence.

The document outlines a roadmap for Indonesia to transition to a low-carbon economy without leaving vulnerable workers and communities behind. It defines the dimensions of just transition—procedural, distributive, and restorative—and provides a set of principles and a planning checklist. The guide analyses Indonesia's current policy landscape, highlighting the dominance of the energy sector in transition discussions and the need for a more cross-sectoral approach. It also presents international case studies from Germany, Canada, Sweden, the USA, and Australia to illustrate different leadership models and outcomes. Key recommendations include establishing a national governing body, creating a centralised database of affected workers, and enhancing social dialogue to ensure inclusive decision-making.

The document outlines the principles of a just transition, drawing on international case studies from Germany, Canada, Sweden, the US, and Australia to inform Indonesia's approach. It identifies key challenges in Indonesia, such as the lack of centralized data on affected workers and the need for cross-sectoral coordination. The guide proposes specific actions for government, non-governmental actors, and businesses, and introduces the Energy Transition Mechanism Country Platform (ETM-CP) and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) as primary financial frameworks for Indonesia's energy shift.

Australia has become a global leader in decarbonizing high-end commercial buildings through 'ambition loops'—positive feedback cycles where government regulation, industry collaboration, and market demand reinforce each other. Early leadership from the Victoria state government and the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) helped overcome initial knowledge gaps and lack of demand. The implementation of mandatory efficiency codes and transparency tools, such as the Commercial Building Disclosure Program and the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS), created a competitive environment where sustainable buildings attract more corporate tenants and investors. This model has since influenced residential and construction sectors in Australia and exported rating systems to New Zealand and the UK.

The report finds that while Canadian community foundations (CCFs) have grown their endowments to nearly CAD 7 billion as of 2020, they have largely failed to use these assets to combat climate change. Most CCFs rely on vague 'ESG integration' for risk mitigation rather than pursuing climate-positive investments. The analysis reveals significant capacity gaps and a lack of diversity on investment committees, which often act as barriers to strategic change. The report recommends moving toward positive screening, increasing transparency of holdings, and joining the Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change to align financial assets with community climate goals.

The WWF Australian Wildlife & Nature Recovery Fund raised $50 million to address the catastrophic 2019-2020 bushfires, which burned over 29 million acres of forest and killed or displaced nearly 3 billion animals. The fund's activities were divided into three phases: immediate emergency response (Phase I), landscape restoration and protection (Phase II), and long-term societal future-proofing (Phase III). Key investments included $10 million for Indigenous engagement to incorporate traditional fire management, $9 million for species recovery and adaptation, and $8 million to stabilize climate change. Specific projects included the deployment of seed drones to restore koala habitats, the establishment of a wildlife hospital in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, and the development of fire-resistant nest boxes for the greater glider. The fund's work has transitioned into a five-year comprehensive campaign called 'Regenerate Australia' to mitigate future climate events.

The report examines the status of women in the Australian large-scale mining sector from 2010/11 to 2020/21. It finds that while women's participation is increasing, the sector remains heavily male-dominated, with significant gender gaps in technical roles, pay, and leadership. Women are over-represented in clerical roles and part-time employment, and they face barriers such as the remoteness of mine sites and a lack of support for care responsibilities. The study highlights a significant gender pay gap and the underutilisation of STEM-qualified women. It recommends organisational policy reforms, targeted capacity building in mining technology, and improved gender-disaggregated data collection to foster a more inclusive industry.

The essay introduces 'indigenomics' as a framework that blends traditional Indigenous principles—such as circular, regenerative, and gift economies—with modern business practices. It asserts that Indigenous knowledge systems and rights are essential for effective climate adaptation and mitigation, as Indigenous peoples manage vital carbon-storing ecosystems and possess long-term territorial memory. The author highlights several leadership initiatives, including the Great Bear Forest carbon project and Indigenous Protected and Conservation Areas, to demonstrate how Indigenous governance can drive environmental justice. The document concludes that a successful transition to a green economy in Canada requires economic reconciliation and the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge in national climate and economic strategies.

The analysis of 404,375 tweets from 151 far-left and 75 far-right accounts reveals that both groups are primarily driven by oppositional narratives, where activity by one fringe inspires counter-mobilisation by the other. While the far right frequently engaged in hateful content targeting minorities and promoted conspiratorial views on COVID-19, the far left focused on social and economic justice, with only a small fraction of content meeting specific definitions of antisemitism. The report concludes that the far left does not pose a security threat equivalent to the far right and suggests that moderating far-right extremism could reduce overall counter-mobilisation.

The report examines framework climate laws in the UK, France, Mexico, Finland, Sweden, and Victoria (Australia), concluding that while such laws provide a critical political signal and a structured pathway for decarbonisation, most have struggled with implementation. Key failures include a lack of binding interim targets, overcomplexity in governance, and insufficient accountability mechanisms. The report recommends that future laws impose clear, enforceable duties on high-level government decision-makers, integrate independent scientific advisory bodies, and combine long-term goals with frequent short-term progress reporting to avoid 'paper tiger' legislation.

The report examines the mechanisms used to ensure mining companies provide sufficient funds for environmental rehabilitation if they fail to meet closure obligations. It details various financial instruments, cost estimation methodologies, and policy requirements from leading jurisdictions including Australia, Canada, Germany, South Africa, and the United States.

The report analyses a network of 40 geolocated Australian Gab accounts, finding that the platform serves as a hub for antisemitism, white supremacy, and COVID-19 disinformation. Activity spiked between June and August 2020, coinciding with global Black Lives Matter protests and Melbourne lockdowns. A small number of highly active accounts drove the majority of content, often promoting conspiracy theories about a 'Marxist' infiltration of Western institutions and calling for white separatism or violence.

The document details the response to the 2017 closure of the 1.6 GW coal-fired Hazelwood Power Station, which resulted in a net loss of approximately 500 jobs. It highlights a multi-sectoral approach involving federal and state funding, the creation of the Latrobe Valley Authority, and the innovative Latrobe Valley Worker Transfer Partnership Scheme, which redeployed younger workers to other power plants by offering early retirement to older employees. By November 2019, 74% of former Hazelwood employees were re-employed or retired.

The document examines the severe health consequences of the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires, noting that 80% of the population was affected by poor air quality. It highlights a critical gap in government preparation for long-term smoke exposure and recommends the implementation of 'Smoke Plans', real-time air quality monitoring, and the adoption of Indigenous 'cultural burns' to reduce fire intensity. The briefing concludes that Australia must transition away from fossil fuel subsidies and embrace renewable energy to mitigate future climate-driven wildfire risks.