Search Climate Insights Directory

A briefing by Ember, E3G, RAP, and Bellona stating that the European Union can eliminate all Russian fossil gas imports by 2025 through the accelerated deployment of clean energy and efficiency measures, rather than new gas infrastructure.

A statement by Jeni Miller, Executive Director of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, arguing that the global health community is calling for an end to fossil fuels to protect human health and planetary stability, particularly in the context of geopolitical instability and the upcoming COP27.

An opinion piece co-signed by Executive Directors of the Think Sustainable Europe network arguing that the European Union should use the crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine to accelerate the European Green Deal and achieve green strategic autonomy.

This policy brief examines the global frameworks and challenges associated with protecting endangered species, focusing on the roles of the IUCN Red List, CITES, and CMS. It highlights the importance of international cooperation and funding, while arguing that conservation efforts must expand beyond iconic species to include lesser-known species that provide critical ecosystem services.

This report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) provides a mine-level assessment of global coal mine methane emissions, finding that operating mines emit 52.3 million tonnes of methane per year. This volume rivals emissions from the oil and gas sectors and is significantly higher than many national inventories report. The analysis identifies China, specifically Shanxi province, as the primary source of these emissions and warns that proposed new mine projects could add another 11.3 million tonnes annually, potentially locking in emissions equivalent to the coal-based CO2 emissions of the United States.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a violation of international law and human rights. CIEL argues that the crisis highlights how fossil fuels (oil and natural gas) undermine global peace by funding military action and serving as economic weapons. The organization calls for stronger international sanctions, noting that current efforts by the US and EU are inadequate.

This report by Ember analyzes electricity trends in the European Union during 2021, focusing on the impact of the fossil gas crisis, the growth of solar power, and the effect of declining nuclear output on decarbonization.

This report analyzes the global development of green taxonomies, highlighting three main approaches: whitelist-based, technical screening criteria (TSC), and principle-based. It focuses on the alignment between the EU and China taxonomies, noting that while the EU emphasizes six environmental objectives and strict 'do no significant harm' (DNSH) criteria, China focuses on three broader objectives aligned with its national pollution and climate goals. The report emphasizes the Common Ground Taxonomy (CGT) as a tool to reduce market fragmentation and facilitate cross-border investment. It also discusses implementation, noting mandatory disclosure requirements in the EU and mandatory labeling for onshore green bonds in China.

This report by Ember and the Europe Beyond Coal campaign evaluates whether the strategies of 21 major European coal-burning utilities align with the IEA's Net Zero Emissions by 2050 (NZE) roadmap. The analysis finds a significant gap between corporate net-zero pledges and actual phase-out timelines for coal and gas, as well as insufficient acceleration in wind and solar deployment to meet the 1.5°C warming limit.

This policy brief reviews fifty years of international efforts to regulate ocean dumping, focusing on the evolution from the 1972 London Convention to the more restrictive 1996 London Protocol. It examines the challenges of managing radioactive waste, the regulation of climate mitigation technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS), and the role of regional treaties in protecting marine ecosystems.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the environmental and climate impacts of the global livestock sector, arguing that a shift toward plant-based diets and alternative proteins is essential to meeting climate targets. It details the growth of meat production, the role of government subsidies in supporting industrial agriculture, and the emerging market for alternative proteins, while highlighting the need for systemic policy changes and a reduction in meat consumption, particularly in high-income regions.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the intersection of COVID-19 recovery and climate finance, arguing that the pandemic recovery period offers a critical window to 'build back better' through sustainable investment. It highlights the failure of developed nations to meet the $100 billion annual climate finance pledge and emphasizes the specific needs of African countries for increased adaptation funding and systemic reform of the global finance architecture.

This policy brief examines the development and implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury, a legally binding global treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from mercury emissions and releases. It details the transition from regional marine protections to a comprehensive global framework, the specific challenges posed by artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), and the reasons why mercury was addressed separately from other toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium.

This briefing argues that African governments should avoid a zero-sum approach to the geopolitical rivalry between the US and China, instead leveraging this competition to secure more resources and better trade agreements. The author suggests that by playing rivals against each other and implementing embedded domestic strategic plans, African nations can increase their agency and align foreign investment with national development priorities.

This policy brief examines the impact and nature of foreign military interventions in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, to combat an insurgency that began in October 2017. It analyzes the roles of private military companies, the Rwandan military, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), emphasizing a lack of transparency in agreements and the need for coordinated, human-rights-centered strategies.

This fact sheet provides guidance on Adaptation Communications (ADCOMs) under the UNFCCC, explaining their purpose, voluntary nature, and flexible submission options. It specifically details how countries can align ADCOMs with National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes to reduce reporting burdens and provide input for the first global stocktake.

The September 2021 Global Update from Climate Action Tracker reports that global climate action continues to lag behind the requirements for limiting warming to 1.5°C. While some countries have updated their NDCs, the 2030 emissions gap remains significant (20-23 GtCO2e). The report introduces a new rating system where only The Gambia is rated as overall 1.5°C compatible, while most developed nations are rated as 'Insufficient' or worse due to inadequate climate finance and policy implementation. It further critiques the lack of transparency and robustness in most national net zero targets and highlights the continued reliance on coal and gas in several major economies.

The G20, responsible for 75% of global GHG emissions, currently has commitments that put the world on a trajectory for 2.4°C of warming. While announced but non-formalized pledges could lower this to 2.1°C, only a comprehensive shift where all G20 members align with 1.5°C pathways and mid-century net zero targets could limit warming to 1.7°C. The report identifies a 23 GtCO2e emissions gap for 2030 and warns that many net zero pledges are unrealistic without significantly stronger near-term (2030) targets. Achieving the 1.5°C goal will require G20 leadership, action from non-G20 countries, and the fulfillment of climate finance commitments to developing nations.

This policy briefing examines the current state of global nuclear disarmament, framed by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Doomsday Clock being set to 100 seconds to midnight in January 2020. It analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diplomatic processes, the success of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (Ban Treaty), and the role of non-state actors and small nations in driving a 'humanitarian turn' in disarmament diplomacy.

The June 2021 Peace & Security Council Report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the African Union's (AU) role in managing crises in the Central African Republic, Sudan, and Chad, while analyzing the institutional challenges of the Pan-African Parliament and the strategic partnership between the AU and the United Nations.