Articles tagged with Climate Policy
The study finds that only seven percent of announced green hydrogen production capacity has been completed on time, highlighting the need for more competitive projects. Researchers recommend using demand-side instruments like binding quotas to channel green hydrogen into sectors with high energy demands.
Researchers emphasize global importance of tree crops for achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals, while promoting biodiversity conservation and mitigating climate change. Tree crops provide stable habitats, prevent soil erosion, and contribute to greenhouse gas reduction.
A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that lower access to air conditioning increases the need for emergency care for wildfire smoke exposure. People living in areas with low air conditioning availability are at higher risk, especially children and the Black population.
The project creates a comprehensive U.S.-Japan flood risk data inventory and develops a two-way coupled, multi-scale, agent-based model that considers marginalized groups. Researchers will use the developed model to evaluate the impact of insurance policies on these groups.
The study found that climate policies would lead to a smaller increase in consumer food prices in wealthier countries, with prices rising by 1.25 times, compared to 2.45 times in lower-income countries. This means consumers in wealthier countries are shielded from fluctuations in farm prices.
A new study by University of California, Davis, found that the current estimate of the social cost of carbon is too low, increasing to over $280 per ton of CO2 emitted. This higher estimate reflects the impact of climate change on human welfare, including economic growth and unique natural systems.
A combination of policies is necessary to encourage widespread adoption of environmentally friendly technologies like solar panels and heat pumps. Removing barriers for renters, such as subsidies and investment requirements, can make these technologies more accessible and affordable.
A new UN report highlights the economic benefits of investing in sustainable land and water management to reduce drought costs. The study estimates that nature-based solutions can generate up to $10.1 trillion in business value by 2030, while creating millions of jobs.
A study by University of Copenhagen researchers highlights the challenges in investing in green hydrogen projects, citing market risks, regulatory uncertainty, and high costs. Oil and gas companies are better positioned to finance large-scale hydrogen projects due to their expertise and infrastructure.
A new seven-point strategy devised by international experts outlines steps for safe, equitable, and sustainable global water management. The plan emphasizes local collaboration, community engagement, and inclusive policies to foster peace and security.
A new legal framework proposes addressing climate change through the lens of unjust enrichment, circumventing challenges of quantifying abstract harms and allowing for accountability without strict proof of wrongdoing. This approach offers a means to address environmental violations even when specific damages are difficult to establish.
A study by Cornell University researchers recommends that the costs of new power lines be borne by those who benefit from them, resolving disagreements over cost allocation. The 'beneficiary pays' approach encourages investment in the grid without disputes over cost-sharing.
A resilience index is proposed as a more suitable indicator of policy success than GDP, incorporating social and environmental components. This approach aims to steer decision-makers within the planet's 'safe operating space', balancing competing interests and trade-offs.
A recent study by Sharon Baute found that 95% of German respondents agree climate change is partly man-made, but public approval heavily depends on policy design features. Social components, such as investing in human capital or providing subsidies for low-income households, can significantly increase support for EU climate policy.
Young people face significant obstacles in participating in UN climate conferences due to economic barriers and red tape. The majority of participants are older than 26, and those who do participate often have limited influence on decisions affecting their future.
A new study warns that Colorado's West Slope basins, supporting a $5 billion agriculture economy, face a potential tipping point due to drought vulnerability. The research suggests that even moderate climate change and streamflow declines can threaten water storage, agriculture, and municipal supplies.
A comprehensive study published in Science finds that implementing four global policies can reduce mismanaged plastic waste by 91% and plastic-related greenhouse gas emissions by one-third. The policies include increasing post-consumer recycled plastic, capping new plastic production, investing in waste management, and implementing a s...
Pensoft Publishers will host a side event at COP29, showcasing the impact of open science on effective policy-making. The event aims to demonstrate how open-access research informs evidence-based policies, enabling successful implementation of biodiversity and climate frameworks.
A study published in PLOS Climate found that single corporate climate policies have limited value for policymakers and investors. Companies with a range of climate policies, however, show an average of over 20% emission reductions. This suggests that a comprehensive policy mix is more effective for supporting climate action.
A policy brief by the Complexity Science Hub calls on G20 countries to collect granular supply chain data to identify key weaknesses and prioritize resilience-building investments. The move aims to prevent economic collapse in the face of future climate shocks, affecting millions worldwide.
The EU's sustainable finance framework urgently needs to expand to address climate goals. The current taxonomy will not meet the Paris Climate Agreement target of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.
A recent study found that every 1°C increase in heat exposure increases preterm birth by 4%, while a heatwave can lead to a 26% increased risk. The review also highlights marked increases in gestational diabetes, stillbirths, and congenital anomalies.
Scientists from leading institutions and societies urge governments to adopt scalable, innovative microbial technologies to combat climate change. These solutions have shown promise in carbon sequestration, methane mitigation, bioenergy production, bioremediation, and more.
Climate change exacerbates systemic inequalities, particularly for women, girls, and gender minorities. Researchers call for greater inclusion of their voices in climate governance discussions to address disproportionate health impacts and promote gender equity.
Researchers found that windfall profits from oil and gas companies in 2022 would be enough to cover climate payments for nearly five years. Governments can redistribute these excess profits to fight the climate crisis, with a tax on windfall profits being a proposed solution.
New research from the University of Michigan shows that small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) are economically viable and can be deployed by 2050. SMRs have the potential to reduce US carbon dioxide emissions by up to 59 million metric tons annually, making them a low-cost option for meeting energy demands and emission goals.
The ForestPaths project evaluates the effects of current legislation on European forests, focusing on climate change mitigation and biodiversity. The study identifies 17 green initiatives with prominent relations to forest conditions, emphasizing conservation, active management, afforestation, and wood processing activities.
The $1 trillion investment in climate change mitigation depends on state and local government spending. Local jurisdictions must adopt an experimental attitude to design policies that incentivize consumers and businesses to produce and use more renewable energy. Evaluation of program outcomes is crucial for decarbonization.
A Dartmouth study has quantified the global economic fallout of El Niño, finding it costs the economy $4.1 trillion and $5.7 trillion in the half-decade after each event. The study's findings are included in the 10 New Insights in Climate Science report ahead of COP29.
The Berlin Declaration aims to achieve carbon neutrality through basic research and international cooperation. The declaration highlights the importance of developing effective measures to reduce CO2 emissions in all sectors, including energy and industry.
A new commentary found that power plants' use of air pollution control devices (APCDs) saved up to 9,100 lives and up to $100 billion in health costs in 2023. The researchers estimated that APCD use could plummet and severely jeopardize the health of the public if Project 2025 or the America First Agenda is enacted.
A new study by UC Davis engineers and economists finds that producing materials like steel, plastics, and cement inflicts $79 billion a year on the global climate. The team calculated climate costs using the Environmental Protection Agency's Social Cost of Carbon standard.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health finds significant improvement in air quality in NYC from 1998-2021 due to enacted policies. The research also highlights a cumulative beneficial effect on residents disproportionately affected by air pollution.
A new study analyzed climate factors' impact on internal migration, revealing regions prone to drought-induced migration, such as Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. The research highlights the need for policies addressing drivers of migration and consequences for destination regions.
The second ForestPaths Policy Lab brought together diverse stakeholders to share visions for forests by 2050, focusing on climate change, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Participants explored policy actions necessary to achieve these visions through modelling and pathway analysis.
New research led by energy systems modelers at Princeton University demonstrates that retiring coal plants based on minimizing costs could leave other climate and equity benefits on the table. Retiring half of Pennsylvania's coal plants under a climate- or equity-focused strategy could reduce carbon emissions, air pollution, and deaths...
A new study found that extreme heat increases mortality risk for people experiencing homelessness, particularly in hot-climate US counties like Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Heat exposure is estimated to be 10-100 times greater among unhoused individuals than in the general population.
A new study published in Nature highlights the risks of exceeding 1.5°C warming, which may result in irreversible climate damage, including rising sea levels. The researchers emphasize that ambitious emissions reductions and carbon dioxide removal technologies are necessary to limit damages.
A circular bioeconomy aims to reduce waste, transform industries, and regenerate natural systems for environmentally sustainable food and energy production. The concept needs a values-based economic lens with the right policies and incentives to persuade consumers and producers.
A new report warns of an unprecedented climate emergency, with key findings including widespread forest dieback and major ice sheet collapse. The authors emphasize the need for decisive action to safeguard the natural world and ensure a livable future.
A new study highlights the emergence of 'just transition litigation', challenging climate policies and projects that disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. The phenomenon emphasizes the need for balancing climate action with social justice considerations, particularly for Indigenous Peoples, workers, and local residents.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change examines the distributional impacts of climate policies and climate risks. Implementing ambitious climate policies can reduce inequality by redistributing carbon revenues, lowering the Gini index by nearly 2 points.
A new study found that increased public attention led to a 22% decrease in fires in the Brazilian Amazon, avoiding approximately 24.8 million tons of CO2 emissions. The heightened scrutiny prompted the government to deploy fire brigades and implement subsequent measures.
A group of scientists and economists warn that green subsidies can have negative spillover effects and diminish overall effectiveness if not implemented cautiously. They suggest imposing time limits on subsidies to ensure they do not perpetuate harmful practices over the long term.
The study found that 'double sceptics' who distrust institutions in general are more likely to be antivaxxers and climate sceptics. A tailored approach is needed to overcome their scepticism, which may involve building trust with the economy over mitigation efforts.
A new synthesis of regional climate data highlights the need for climate adaptation policy based on the latest regional climate science. Emerging signals of climate change are expected to significantly alter monsoon intensity, leading to substantial societal impacts in tropical and subtropical regions.
A new study reveals that climate experts believe the Earth is headed for a rise in global temperatures far higher than the 2015 Paris Agreement targets. Two-thirds of respondents think we may succeed in achieving net zero CO2 emissions during the second half of this century, indicating some optimism about mitigation efforts.
A new study from Uppsala University found that nearly 40% of the public support rationing of goods like meat and fuel to reduce their climate impact. The study, which surveyed over 9,000 people in five countries, also showed that acceptability of rationing is on par with taxes for emissions-intensive food.
A new study reveals the flood insurance program's effects differ greatly among communities, with higher-population and wealthier areas benefiting more from discounts on premiums. Lower-income communities also see benefits, but only in areas with less racial and ethnic diversity, realizing a gain of about $6,000 per household.
A new study finds that carbon capture and storage technology will struggle to meet the 1.5°C and 2°C climate targets without significant expansion. The technology can sequester up to 600 Gt of CO2 over the 21st century, but current plans may not be enough to bridge the gap.
A study published in PLOS Climate found that climate legislation tends to receive more votes when linked with air pollution or environmental justice initiatives, but less support when associated with water pollution or transportation. The research suggests issue linkage affects political support for climate action, with Democrats consi...
The EU's Green Deal aims to reduce carbon emissions by 2050 but may increase emissions globally. An international team of scientists found that the deal could lead to a 244.8% increase in global emissions outside EU borders. However, adopting a plant-based diet and phasing out biofuels within the EU could significantly reduce emissions.
A new study found that most US cities are successfully limiting floodplain development by applying existing tools and strategies. In New Jersey, municipalities have consistently limited new housing in floodplains and impervious surface growth using conventional local ordinances and modest government capacity.
A recent study found that both the rich and poor significantly overestimate or underestimate each other's carbon footprints, highlighting a profound inequality. The researchers surveyed 4,000 people from four countries and discovered that those in the top 10% tended to support climate policies, possibly due to higher education levels.
A psychology study finds that framing climate action as a way to protect American values and traditions can increase belief in climate change and support for pro-environmental policies among both liberals and conservatives. The study, which analyzed data from 50,000 participants across 60 countries, suggests that messaging that aligns ...
Research shows that Global South cities have limited urban greenery, resulting in higher temperatures and increased heat-related illnesses. The study suggests vast potential for enhancing urban cooling through green spaces, particularly in slums where the risk of climate change-induced deaths is highest.
A study by Weikai Li aims to quantify the economic impacts of climate change on business and financial markets in Singapore. The research explores how carbon pricing policies affect firm profitability and market value, as well as their potential to support a low-carbon economy through increased costs, government revenue recycling, and ...
Researchers evaluated 1,500 climate policies over two decades and identified successful cases, such as China's pilot emissions trading systems and the UK's minimum carbon price, which delivered major emission reductions. The study highlights the importance of well-designed policy mixes in achieving climate neutrality.
A new study by Kyoto University reveals that major companies relying on low-quality offsets undermine the effectiveness of the voluntary carbon market. The research finds that these companies collectively account for over one-fifth of all retired offsets, most of which fail to meet well-known quality standards.
A new study by the University of Oxford recommends expanding climate reporting standards to capture companies' wider impact on global net zero. This includes their product power, purchasing power, and political influence. The goal is to incentivize systemic change through products, purchases, and policy lobbying.