Climate Policy
Articles tagged with Climate Policy
EU rules could make fossil-free aviation fuels unnecessarily expensive and energy-intensive
Deforestation policies are failing to protect against a potentially bigger threat to the Brazilian Amazon
A study found that policies reducing deforestation in Brazil have failed to stop forest degradation, a slower and more dangerous form of destruction. Forests are becoming increasingly fragile due to fires, logging, and other human activities.
New study suggests climate finance from developed countries may help reduce resource-related conflict risk in developing countries
A new empirical study found a direct link between climate finance and lower conflict risk in developing countries. Climate finance that alleviates water stress and boosts renewable energy projects contributes to peace and stability, with greater impact at higher levels of funding.
Frontiers in Science Deep Dive webinar series: Halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 critical to avoid disastrous effects on human well-being
A global paradigm shift is needed to protect intact ecosystems and prioritize Nature Positive framework, integrating Indigenous knowledge and finance. The webinar series on May 28, 2026, will explore effective actions for people and nature, guided by the Three Conditions Framework.
Halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 critical to avoid disastrous effects on human well-being
A new paper warns that halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 is urgent to avoid destabilizing the Earth's vital systems. The authors call for a unified 'Nature Positive' approach to global environmental goals and governance.
How can science support and enable the High Seas Treaty?
A new study provides a solutions-focused pathway to implementing the High Seas Treaty, highlighting the need for enhanced data resources and sharing. The researchers identify major scientific and technical developments that can help address challenges in biodiversity monitoring and connectivity between areas.
Aging societies and more people living alone could slow decarbonization and worsen energy poverty
Demographic changes are linked to increased household energy requirements, CO2 emissions, and financial burdens in Japan and the UK. Older single-person households have higher energy use and costs due to greater heating and cooling needs.
How Europe can use emissions trading to also manage carbon removals
A new model study suggests that the EU's emissions trading system can be used to capture CO2 on a large scale, with potential removals ranging from 68-86 million tonnes annually by 2050. The system could provide industry with planning security for residual emissions if dedicated support programmes are implemented.
We have just 20 years to stop spiraling decline in British biodiversity
A new study warns of a 20-year window to act on climate and land use policies to prevent further biodiversity loss in Britain. Sustainable practices like strong emissions action and reduced meat consumption could save up to 69 fewer species from extinction.
From simulation to strategy: climate modeling motivates action at the top
A new study by MIT Sloan School of Management found that facilitated En-ROADS simulations enhanced learning and led to stronger understanding of climate solutions, personal connection, and increased climate-related action among decision-makers. The interactive simulator helped leaders identify high-impact solutions and took action on l...
Study links past emissions to trillions in future economic damages
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.
AMS Science Preview: Mississippi River, ocean carbon storage, gender and floods
Researchers investigated the Mississippi River's hydrological trends, ocean carbon storage, and gender dynamics in flood mortality. A study found that precipitation increases, but soil moisture decreases, while high-resolution models reveal stronger Southern Ocean carbon absorption. Additionally, data showed men are overrepresented in ...
American Meteorological Society responds to NSF regarding the future of NCAR
The American Meteorological Society strongly opposes the dismantling of NCAR, highlighting its central role in atmospheric sciences and its impact on the nation's economy. The AMS recommends that NSF engage in a rigorous process to develop a strategy for enhancing scientific innovation in the weather enterprise.
Sustainability research overlooks key actors and actions in the face of the environmental crisis
A new study reveals major blind spots in global sustainable research, overlooking key strategies and sectors needed to address the environmental crisis. The study finds that sustainability researchers are neglecting potentially powerful actors, including civil society, and failing to assign clear responsibilities across sectors.
Climate policies are cutting carbon – new study shows
A new study by UK and EU researchers finds that countries with better-targeted climate policies cut carbon emissions significantly faster than those without. The study analyzed over 3,900 climate policies adopted since 2000 in leading economies and found that these policies avoided approximately 3 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2022 alone.
New study assesses potential dust control options for Great Salt Lake
A new collaborative study evaluates potential dust control measures for the Great Salt Lake, considering effectiveness, cost, water demand, maintenance needs, and ecological impacts. The analysis emphasizes the importance of long-term planning, sustained maintenance, and careful consideration of unintended consequences.
Climate policy support is linked to emotions - study
A study by Anglia Ruskin University found that feeling fearful is associated with greater support for climate policies, while feelings of dread lead to lower support. The researchers suggest that evoking manageable levels of fear can motivate people to engage and support solutions.
Science made simple: book dispels five misconceptions about carbon pricing
The new book corrects five common misconceptions about carbon pricing as a core instrument of climate policy. It presents the latest research findings from renowned journals and explains why comprehensive government capacities are needed to reduce CO2 emissions efficiently.
How markets should be designed for non-permanent carbon removals
A new study provides guidance on designing markets for non-permanent carbon removals, highlighting the importance of permanent storage in policy design. The research emphasizes the need for accurate monitoring and verification to prevent liabilities and adverse incentives.
World enters era of “Global Water Bankruptcy,” declares UN report led by CCNY's Kaveh Madani
A new UN report warns that humanity has entered a state of 'Global Water Bankruptcy' due to unsustainable water use. The report highlights the urgent need for a global reset in water management, shifting from crisis management to bankruptcy management.
Full value added tax on meat: a first step towards pricing the environmental damages caused by diets
A study suggests that implementing a full value-added tax on meat could reduce the environmental impacts from diets by 3 to 6 percent, depending on category. The research team analyzed consumption patterns and used an input-output model to estimate the associated impact on climate and ecosystems.
New study reveals major gaps in global forest maps
A new study from the University of Notre Dame found that satellite-derived forest maps often disagree, creating uncertainty for conservation, climate, and development policies. The discrepancies can be as high as a factor of 10, affecting millions of hectares and human lives.
NTU Singapore-led study reveals El Niño could reduce life expectancy gains by 2.8 years by 2100, cause trillions in economic losses
A new study led by NTU Singapore reveals that El Niño events can persistently slow long-term improvements in mortality rates, leading to enduring reductions in life expectancy. The research estimates that El Niño could reduce life expectancy gains by 2.8 years and cause economic losses of up to US$35 trillion by 2100.
AMS Science Preview: Volcanic rain, dust storms, and unstable Antarctic air
Recent research reveals that volcanic eruptions can cause unpredictable weather patterns, including volcanic rain, dust storms, and unstable Antarctic air. The study also found that the Antarctic surface atmosphere has become less stable and more prone to gravity waves since the 1950s.
Flood risks in delta cities are increasing, study finds
Research shows that flooding in delta cities like Shanghai can expand by up to 80% and be much deeper by 2100 due to extreme climate events, sea-level rise and land subsidence. A major adaptation effort is required to raise defences and construct mobile flood barriers.
Want actionable climate knowledge at scale? Consider these three pathways
Researchers identified three generalized pathways for creating actionable climate knowledge that is scalable. These pathways involve getting a lot of people involved and using approaches like crowdsourcing food production at potlucks to broaden participation.
Global move towards plant-based diets could reshape farming jobs and reduce labor costs worldwide, Oxford study finds
A new study from the University of Oxford estimates that adopting more plant-based diets could reduce global agricultural labor needs by 5-28% by 2030, which is equivalent to 18-106 million full-time jobs. This shift could also cut global labor costs by $290-995 billion per year.
‘Derailment’ warning as world faces threats to its ability to act on climate change
Researchers warn that global warming breaching 1.5°C could create a vicious cycle where dealing with climate impacts hinders action to tackle the underlying problem, leading to 'derailment'. The report highlights the need for a strategy to navigate this 'climate storm' and avoid derailment.
Deep emission cuts before mid-century decisive to reduce long-term sea-level rise legacy
New research shows that near-term mitigation could spare future generations around 0.6 meters of sea-level rise caused by emissions between 2020 and 2090 following current policies. The study provides a direct link between today's policy choices and sea levels hundreds of years from now.
Locking carbon in trees and soils could help ‘stabilize climate for centuries’ – but only if combined with underground storage
A new study offers a risk management approach to assess carbon removal portfolios and their potential to limit global warming over centuries. The framework suggests combining nature-based carbon storage like forestry with technology-based solutions like Direct Air Capture can provide long-term temperature stabilization.
UK food needs radical transformation on scale not seen since Second World War, new report finds
The UK food system is under pressure due to climate change, global shocks, and poor diets. A new report calls for radical transformation in three key areas: more resilient farming, smarter land use, and healthier diets.
‘New reality’ as world reaches first climate tipping point
The world has reached its first climate tipping point, with warm-water coral reefs passing their thermal limit and widespread dieback taking place. Global warming is set to breach 1.5°C, posing devastating risks for people and nature.
MPs and public overestimate time left for climate action, study finds
A study found that UK MPs and the public overestimated the time needed for global greenhouse emissions to peak. Labour MPs were more likely to know the correct answer than Conservative MPs. The researchers suggest that institutions like the IPCC need to improve communication about climate change to policymakers and the public.
AGU and AMS invite proposals for the U.S. Climate Collection
The US Climate Collection aims to publish U.S.-focused climate assessment science and research synthesis papers to inform future national and sub-national assessments. The collection welcomes studies that advance the evidence-based design of future U.S. assessments of climate risks and solutions.
Equity implications of where long-term fossil fuel plants are located found to differ based on time period studied
Researchers found little evidence of disproportionate siting in Black counties, but a growing share of the Black population over time. Long-term demographic shifts after power plant openings led to higher Black population shares, with an average rise of 4% in 50-70 years.
Countries’ carbon budget math is broken
A study by Utrecht University researchers found that previous fairness and ambition assessments were biased, rewarding high emitters at the expense of vulnerable ones. The proposed method avoids delaying emission reduction obligations and calculates immediate ambition gaps that can be filled by climate measures and international finance.
Stress-tolerant corals could help buy time for reefs in a warming world
New research demonstrates that corals naturally thriving in extreme environments can be used to boost the resilience of reef sites. Despite being transplanted to more stable conditions, these corals retained their heat tolerance and activated pathways associated with DNA repair and homeostasis.
American Meteorological Society responds to DOE Climate Synthesis Report
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has released a statement highlighting five foundational flaws in the Department of Energy's 2025 Climate Synthesis report. These flaws are inconsistent with scientific principles and practices, and require rectification before the report can accurately characterize scientific understanding.
Urgent manifesto on climate change responds to extreme regional weather
A renowned climate scientist is sounding the alarm on extreme weather events in Asia, proposing an eight-point plan to address climate change. The plan focuses on investing in climate science, accelerating renewable energy, transforming urban mobility, and strengthening climate resilience.
Air purifiers may reduce heart risks for people exposed to traffic pollution
A new study published in JACC found that using portable HEPA air filters at home can significantly lower systolic blood pressure in adults with elevated readings. The study found an average 2.8 mmHg reduction in SBP after one month of HEPA filtration.
Experts urge shift in heatwave strategy to save lives
Heat-related deaths are projected to rise four-fold by 2050 if global temperatures reach 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Experts recommend a physiology-based approach that focuses on hot people, using tools like HeatWatch, to enhance heat adaptation and minimize carbon intensity.
The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics to track impact of plastic production and pollution on human health
The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics monitors the effects of plastic pollution on human health, citing $1.5 trillion in annual economic losses. Researchers track the life cycle of plastics to identify key drivers of harm, including production, use, and disposal.
Challenges in governing rapidly emerging marine-climate interventions
Rapidly emerging marine-climate interventions pose unprecedented governance challenges due to untested strategies and large-scale projects. Morrison et al. advocate for dynamic governance principles that prioritize responsible transformation for improved social, equity, and biodiversity outcomes.
USC teams up with ShadeLA coalition to cool Los Angeles ahead of 2028
ShadeLA aims to reduce heat risk by expanding tree canopy and shade infrastructure in key public spaces, targeting major sporting events and heat waves. The initiative builds on USC's Urban Trees Initiative and engages community-based organizations to create locally driven solutions for a more comfortable L.A.
SPUN launches Underground Atlas: First global map of fungal biodiversity reveals 90% conservation gap
The SPUN Underground Atlas reveals that over 90% of mycorrhizal biodiversity hotspots lie outside protected areas, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts. The digital map provides insights into fungal diversity and environmental factors, enabling predictions for previously unmapped regions.
How secure is our energy supply?
The researchers developed a five-level pyramid model to assess energy supply security, taking into account dynamic effects and higher resolution. Switzerland can increase its energy security by diversifying its energy sources and increasing domestic production, with additional storage facilities also contributing.
University of Houston engineer creates a possible replacement for plastic
A University of Houston engineer has developed a method to create strong and eco-friendly materials from bacterial cellulose, which could replace plastic in various industries. The new material has high tensile strength flexibility, foldability, optical transparency, and long-term mechanical stability.
Cities at the climate crossroads: Can growth be sustainable?
A new study from ICTA-UAB reveals that urban growth can be unsustainable if not managed carefully, with environmental consequences including increased consumption and emissions. The research provides a comparative framework for understanding different approaches to urban growth, highlighting the need for evidence-based solutions.
New global index aims to help people and nature thrive together
A new paper proposes a global framework to measure how well people and nature are thriving together, introducing the Nature Relationship Index to complement the Human Development Index. The index assesses countries' relationships with ecosystems, access to nature, and environmental protection.
Climate change cuts global crop yields, even when farmers adapt
Research from Stanford University estimates that climate change will reduce global crop yields by 24% by 2100, even after accounting for economic development and adaptation by farmers. The study finds that regions in the US, Canada, China, and Russia will be among the hardest hit, while others may benefit.
Climate policy uncertainty fuels ESG upgrades in Chinese firms
This study investigates the relationship between climate policy uncertainty and corporate environmental, social, and governance performance in Chinese listed companies. It identifies actionable strategies for firms to enhance resilience and mitigate risks in a rapidly changing regulatory landscape.
Still on the right track? Researchers at the University of Graz enable reliable monitoring of the Paris climate goals
Researchers at the University of Graz have developed a new benchmark timeseries that tracks global surface air temperature change from 1850 to 2034. This enables reliable monitoring of the Paris climate goals, which are set to be exceeded by 2028. The study proposes a four-classes assessment scale to gauge compliance with the agreement.
Green hydrogen from Africa much more costly than previously assumed
A new study by TUM reveals that African green hydrogen production is much more costly than previously assumed, with only 2% of investigated locations being competitive. To make exports to Europe viable, governments and policymakers must provide price and offtake guarantees.
When, where and how wet is the forest?
A study by Göttingen University researchers combined satellite data with manual measurements to better understand forest soil moisture. The findings show that soil moisture is strongly influenced by weather and season, not exact location, and highlight the importance of monitoring soil moisture over time for effective forest management.
Climate policy can save half of the world’s glaciers
A new study published in Science finds that strong climate policy can preserve twice as much ice as current warming trajectories, even if temperatures stabilized today. At a 1.5°C temperature increase, 53% of global glacier mass could be preserved, alleviating hazards like flooding and freshwater deficiency.
Financial aid to key sectors threatens the planet's biodiversity
Subsidies to agriculture, fossil fuels, and other sectors cause significant environmental degradation, threatening biodiversity and public health. The study highlights the urgent need for a transformation of the current economic model to protect nature and ensure well-being.
Even without feds, states can take meaningful action on climate change
A new study found that state-led climate action can reduce carbon emissions by up to 46% by 2050, with different technologies adopted in each state. State-led efforts would focus on industrial decarbonization, while federally coordinated efforts rely more on clean energy production.
Household action can play major role in climate change fight - study
A new study found that adopting low-carbon lifestyles can reduce global carbon footprints by 10.4 gigatons of CO2 equivalent, equivalent to 40.1% of household consumption-based emissions in 116 countries analysed. Researchers identified 21 low-carbon actions that could achieve this reduction if adopted by the top 23.7% of global emitters.
World’s biggest polluters are least affected by environmental damage and conflict, new research warns
New research challenges conventional views on the link between environment and conflict, highlighting global inequalities that disproportionately harm countries in the Global South. The study finds that ecological sustainability and peace are not positively correlated, but comprehensively sustainable peace is possible.