Articles tagged with Climate Policy
North Americans breathed unhealthy air for nearly 106 million person-days as Ontario wildfires exposed people on both sides of the border. Canada's slow fire season intensified within weeks, with Toronto recording the poorest air quality in the world.
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.
A study of almost 2800 Australians over four years found no evidence that personal environmental actions like recycling and using public transport hinder support for broader climate action. Everyday behaviours are expressions of existing values rather than catalysts or obstacles for political engagement.
A University of Utah-led survey found that 69% of Salt Lake County residents are concerned about the Great Salt Lake's decline, with habitat loss and risks to human health ranking as top issues. Concern varies by social group, birthplace, and personal experiences.
Climate-related damages could further weaken Italy's already fragile economic growth and worsen debt sustainability, with potential losses of up to 15% by the end of the century. The study highlights the need for mitigation and adaptation measures to protect economic growth and financial stability.
A study of 17,000 EU citizens found that most view economic growth as compatible with sustainability, with values like equality and collective welfare driving support. Citizens in wealthier societies tend to be less supportive, suggesting they feel more secure when basic needs are met.
The study analyzes household consumption and carbon intensity in 88 countries, revealing that income disparities within groups are more significant than between rich and poor. The research provides guidance on socially balancing climate policy, including factors like car ownership, energy use, and geographical location.
The EU can achieve significant emission reductions by financing climate protection projects abroad and receiving performance-based rewards. The proposed Jurisdictional Reward Funds framework would provide a stable mechanism for ambitious climate policy in Brussels.
A new study finds that approximately 15% of current global warming is attributed to 'indirect greenhouse gases,' including carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. The authors call for integrating these gases into climate policy frameworks, emphasizing their significant impact on warming.
A major new analysis of over 3000 scientific papers on climate change mitigation found that policy recommendations are often non-existent, disconnected from the study's findings, or 'wish lists'. The researchers created a tool to assess the quality of policy recommendations and identified key challenges, including unclear uncertainty a...
A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research finds that the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) can trigger other countries to adopt carbon pricing. This could lead to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions, with up to 73% more emissions avoided compared to current policies.
The study reveals climate change is a growing social crisis, disrupting connections and community belonging, with impacts felt through heatwaves, air pollution, and economic strain. Vulnerable populations, such as those on low incomes or living with disability, are disproportionately affected by climate-related isolation.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.