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Politicians vastly overestimate public opposition to climate policies, study finds

Members of Parliament from the UK's three biggest parties overestimated public resistance to climate change policies by a significant margin. Researchers found that politicians consistently overestimated public opposition to climate policies, believing voters and other parliamentarians felt more strongly opposed than they actually did....

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalCommunications Sustainability·DateAug 19, 2026

This is how fair climate action works: Findings for 88 countries with 5 billion people

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.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 24, 2026

How the EU’s carbon price on imports strengthens climate policies globally

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.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalJournal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 1, 2026

Climate change costs lives by breaking down social connection

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.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Human Behaviour·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 15, 2026

EU rules could make fossil-free aviation fuels unnecessarily expensive and energy-intensive

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.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalFuel·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 14, 2026

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.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·Journalnpj Ocean Sustainability·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 2, 2026

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...

SourceMIT Sloan School of Management·Journalnpj Climate Action·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 26, 2026

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.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalNature Sustainability·DateFeb 27, 2026

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.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 24, 2026

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.

SourcePotsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)·JournalNature Food·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 20, 2026

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.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 12, 2026

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.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJoule·DateOct 15, 2025

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.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeSurvey·DateOct 2, 2025

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.

SourceUtrecht University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 3, 2025