A recent study by Emory University researchers analyzed socio-economic data and environmental indicators in Portland, Oregon, to understand current urban patterns of privilege and disadvantage. The study found that redlining, while a significant factor, is not the only contributor to urban inequality, and that gentrification and displa...
A new study proposes a detailed public policy plan to meet Catalonia's needs in a resilient manner while respecting planetary boundaries. The report, part of the REAL post-growth research project, analyzes potential alternatives and quantifies resources required by current modes of living and production.
Researchers analyzed 40,000 industrial plants and 5,000 U.S. House elections to find that firms in Democratic districts have lower emissions due to increased inspections and enforcement actions. This reallocation had potential financial impacts for firms and public health concerns for local communities.
A new research study by Trinity College Dublin and University of Bern found that colonial exploitation of biodiversity in rich countries created poverty legacies that persist today. The study assessed datasets from 168 countries and found that regions targeted by colonial powers were generally the richest in biodiversity. This has cont...
A new study from Murdoch University found that ESG downgrades trigger larger share price losses for optimistic investors, with positive sentiment amplifying market losses. The study analyzed over 6,700 ESG rating events and found that investors react most strongly to ESG downgrades when they contradict a positive view of the firm.
A study by Pusan National University researchers found that Korea's emission trading reforms could reduce fossil fuel usage by increasing carbon pricing, while uniform benchmarking and auctioning ratio changes would affect power generation companies differently. The reforms aim to maximize their impact with complementary measures.
A study by the University of Texas at Austin found that Moody's new rating policy led companies to borrow an average 22% more, increasing their investments despite no change in financial health. The shift from counting preferred stock as debt to equity reduced a company's perceived risk and improved its credit rating.
Researchers at West Virginia University are studying loss-chasing behavior in West Virginia to identify trends and triggers that cause gamblers to place risky bets. The goal is to promote responsible gaming and consumer protection in gaming markets.
Industrial-scale illegal fishing accounts for 8-15% of global marine wild capture, with impacts unevenly distributed globally. Eliminating harmful subsidies and strengthening enforcement are key to addressing the issue.
A new study finds that global inequality has increased by 170-270% since 1960, challenging the idea of catch-up development. The research highlights the role of neoliberal policies and geopolitical strategies in perpetuating core-periphery inequality.
Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new approach to stress testing, which simulates multiple financial risks simultaneously to predict bank resilience. This method outperformed existing stress tests in identifying worst-case losses and captured more severe losses.
The MESSAGEix-China-Building-R31 model integrates provincial-level analysis of building stock, energy demand, material demand, and carbon emissions. The study validates the model using regional data and sensitivity analyses, highlighting its reliability for multi-scenario and cross-regional analysis.
A study by Tsinghua University explores China's power supply security amid a shift to renewable energy. The research suggests that current capacity payment mechanisms may not support emerging flexible resources like battery storage, and instead recommends piloting market-based capacity mechanisms.
The COMPASS framework offers a unified and collaborative modeling approach, balancing macroeconomic consistency and technological granularity. It has been widely applied to evaluate the socioeconomic impacts of climate policies and simulate sectoral energy transition pathways.
Research by Cornell University found that China's efforts to improve water quality led to a 58% drop in agricultural value added and reduced hiring of agricultural workers in upstream counties
A study by Murdoch University found that companies with aggressive tax avoidance strategies are more likely to use greenwashing as a way to manage their public image. This link was stronger for companies using 'defender' business strategies, which focus on efficiency and cost control.
The top 10% of global consumers are responsible for $1.7-$5.7 trillion in annual environmental damage, exceeding current climate and biodiversity financing commitments. Biodiversity loss accounts for 47-56% of total damages, while climate change accounts for 36-45%.
Researchers unveil a rigorous framework to fix global forest carbon credit systems, addressing methodological defects and promoting biodiversity conservation. The new standards aim to produce high-integrity climate assets while safeguarding community interests.
A Stanford-led study suggests that burning 500,000 acres of California conifer forests each year with prescribed fire could cut deadly pollution from wildfire smoke by roughly 10% over a decade. The risk of very severe fires immediately drops 92% in areas burned in low-severity fires, with risks remaining lower for up to a decade and e...
An interdisciplinary research team from the University of Minnesota analyzed 146 countries and found large potential gains in biodiversity, climate, and economic development from improved land use and management. The analysis showed that simultaneous gains in environment and economy are possible, with potential to increase climate miti...
A new study suggests that balancing wetland conservation with economic development is possible through a locally adjusted policy featuring both tradeable offsets and taxes. The study estimates that this approach would retain two-thirds of private gains from trade while preventing about $1.6 billion in flood damage.
A study reveals that farmers' moral motivations are equally important as financial interests when adopting organic practices. The research found a strong balance between utilitarian and moral dimensions, highlighting the need for tailored policies to promote sustainable farming practices in Andalusia.
A new study by University of British Columbia researchers links multinational activity to greater deforestation and biodiversity loss in Africa. Multinational firms are found to have a much larger environmental impact than domestic firms, driven by factors such as sector concentration and the 'pollution haven' effect.
University of Oklahoma economist Georgia Kosmopoulou will study the environmental and economic impacts of industries like agriculture and mining in Peru. Her research aims to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and bring economics into existing partnerships.
A recent study published in PNAS has found no meaningful health impacts from exposure to wind turbines. The researchers analyzed data from over 120,000 households and found no correlations between turbine installation and health problems such as headaches, depression, or sleep disturbances.
China's national ETS is plagued by weak liquidity, unstable price signals, and slow sectoral expansion. Introducing carbon derivatives and strengthening policy stability are key to making the market work. Japan and South Korea offer valuable insights into how carbon markets can evolve.
A new study reveals that the Global North has drained over 900 million tonnes of materials, 4 million km2 of land, and 53 billion hours of labor from Latin America through international trade. This unequal exchange reinforces the existing power imbalance in the global economy.
The EU's plans for domestic production of fossil-free aviation fuels risk steering development towards more expensive and energy-intensive pathways. A study from Chalmers University of Technology found that the current regulatory framework favours combustion-based alternatives over gasification, leading to increased costs and energy use.
A new study by MIT researchers finds that electric vehicles generate less greenhouse gas emissions and do not cost more than comparable gas-powered vehicles for most US drivers. The analysis considers individual driving patterns, meteorological data, and fuel prices to provide a comprehensive picture of emissions and costs.
Studies show that when fuel prices rise, hybrid drivers increasingly rely on electric charging to improve vehicle performance and reduce emissions. However, only about 32% of hybrid mileage is driven using the vehicle's electric mode.
A large-scale study found that forest fuel treatments can prevent significant wildfires by reducing fire severity and spread. Every dollar spent on prevention saves about $3.75, with treatments estimated to have prevented $2.8 billion in damages.
A new study warns that land-use changes in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts could reduce the region's ability to store carbon, with measurable environmental and economic consequences by 2043. The study found that deep forest cover has declined while built-up areas, agricultural land, and scattered trees have expanded.
A new tool has been developed to fund wetland conservation and restoration projects through verifiable Coastal Resilience Assets. This approach uses engineering methods to quantify the impacts of conservation and restoration projects on property value protected from flooding, providing a clear and tangible use case for asset buyers.
The study found that regulated facilities in Saitama reduced heavy oil use, but increased electricity consumption. Despite concerns over negative impacts on employment, the research discovered a statistically significant positive effect of 5.67% employee growth in the second compliance period.
Researchers found that more accurate weather forecasts can significantly reduce heat-related deaths. The study suggests that technological advancements in forecasting can offset projected increases in heat-related fatalities due to climate change. In fact, the economic value of saving lives through improved forecasting is substantial a...
A new study reveals that natural disasters lead to a 69% spike in public protests across Latin America. Smaller communities tend to face the longest economic recoveries, with damage persisting for up to four months.
Hong Kong Climate Week 2026 aims to harness the city's strengths as an international financial centre and global connectivity hub. The event focuses on bridging global consensus and local implementation, highlighting the need for adaptation and innovation in addressing climate change.
A new Stanford University study puts a dollar value on the harm done by carbon dioxide emitted over time, estimating $10 trillion in global economic damages since 1990. The research highlights the critical timing of deploying technologies to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere to mitigate damage.
A new study by Beijing University of Chemical Technology proves that feeding methane to bacteria outperforms traditional soy and fish meal in both ecological savings and financial returns. The bacterial alternative eliminates the need for arable land and fresh water, effectively halting deforestation and marine depletion.
A new study by Nirma University reveals that policy synchronization is key to reducing pollution costs in Mediterranean nations. The research found that when a country's environmental taxes, green protection spending, and renewable energy adoption move in perfect synchronization, the overarching cost of pollution drops significantly.
A spatial analysis of 259 Chinese cities shows that digital transformation drives environmental progress by optimizing broader industrial structures. Governments should focus on upgrading entire industrial ecosystems rather than waiting for isolated technological miracles to solve the carbon crisis.
Aging silicon-rich biochar reduces cadmium uptake in leafy vegetables, improving plant resistance to heavy metal stress. The material reshapes soil microbial communities, contributing to reduced cadmium availability.
A coalition of experts warns that carbon markets may be penalizing First Nations' long-term stewardship due to their 'additionality' requirements. The definition of 'additionality' often rewards restoration on degraded land, excluding protected ecosystems and traditional owners' custodianship.
A new study found that specific management practices, such as no-till and cover crops, can strengthen plant defenses against pests by enhancing soil microbiome functions. The researchers linked these practices with improved pest-suppressing abilities in pea plants.
A new report by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) emphasizes the critical role of businesses in halting and reversing biodiversity loss. Businesses can either drive transformative change or risk extinction, as they rely on and impact nature. The report provides methods and 100+ actions for bu...
A new study finds that ESG rating providers play a crucial role in building and repairing trust in sustainable finance. By comparing EU and UK regulatory approaches, researchers show that 'enhanced self-regulation' combining public oversight with industry-led rules can support a credible market-led green transition.
A new study by RMIT University found that protections in place in Europe can help phase out harmful electricity disconnections without destabilizing power markets. The research highlights the need for evidence-led action to extend disconnection prohibitions and strengthen safeguards for vulnerable consumers.
The K-ETS has matured into a stable policy instrument with robust institutional infrastructure. Market trading volume expanded significantly, but price stability remains a challenge. Policy reforms aim to strengthen price stability and align the emissions cap with Korea's NDC.
A study by Seoul National University of Science & Technology found that expanding hydrogen fuel cell heavy-duty trucks could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 8.74 million tons. Public willingness to pay for this transition amounts to KRW 572.4 billion, far exceeding the prevailing carbon credit price.
A study by Binghamton University reveals that most renters in the US are unable to access energy efficiency improvements, leading to higher heating costs and poorer health. The 'split incentive' issue, where landlords prioritize profits over upgrades, is a major barrier to change.
A new global modeling study introduces a differentiated carbon pricing mechanism to coordinate regional carbon prices with cost-fairness. This approach helps raise climate ambition by reducing trade and welfare imbalances, particularly for energy-intensive and trade-exposed industries.
Scientists developed a cost-effective method to produce 3-Hydroxypropanoic acid (3-HP), an industrial chemical used in disposable diapers, microplastics, and acrylic paint. The new process using engineered microbes to ferment plant sugars into 3-HP has been validated for commercial potential.
A global study of 2,636 firms across 31 countries found that stronger ESG disclosure and performance correspond to higher intrinsic value. This aligns with theoretical analysis and signaling theory, highlighting the need for companies to communicate substantive progress honestly.
A new UConn study reveals how political donations from large landowners in the Amazon contribute to soybean farming and deforestation. The research found that campaign donations to winning politicians lead to increased development of soybean production, but also exacerbates land inequality in the region.
A new study reveals that contrails contribute substantially to aviation's climate impact, accounting for 15% of global emissions. Optimizing flight routes can reduce contrail formation and associated climate costs, providing airlines and policymakers with tools for climate optimization.
Researchers found that fossil fuel firms experience significant spikes in informed trading during COP meetings, with investors trading ahead of market. The study estimates that informed traders could have earned up to $25 billion across the COP meetings and 87 firms studied.
A Montana State University economist's research found that wetland restoration through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program can reduce ammonia and nitrogen concentrations in local waterways, resulting in decreased costs for communities. This can lead to tangible savings of up to $17,000 per year in smaller rural towns.
A framework has been developed to calculate fair distribution of the remaining greenhouse gas budget among European regions. The 'Equal Transition Opportunity Production-Based Allocation' (ETOPA) mechanism takes into account regional economic structures and risks in the transition to a climate-neutral economy.
A new study visualizes three decades of income inequality data, revealing worsening trends for half the world's population but also 'bright spots' where policy is closing the gap. Regional efforts in countries like India, China, and Brazil show promise in addressing disparities.
A comprehensive investigation reveals significant public support for degrowth's key ideas across the UK and US. The study challenges the notion that such policies lack popular backing. Majority support was found for the full proposal with or without labels, while the 'degrowth' label alone received lower support due to low awareness.