Articles tagged with Climate Policy
A new portable sensor has been found to accurately measure black carbon concentrations as well as a regulatory standard sensor, filling a massive gap in air quality monitoring. The sensor's portability and affordability make it suitable for remote or inaccessible sites, allowing for more comprehensive data collection.
A new study suggests China will need to build eight to ten times more wind and solar power installations than in 2022 to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. The report also highlights the importance of coordinating land use policies nationwide, with a focus on areas within 100 miles of major population centers.
A study published in Natural Resources Forum found that renewable energy production reduces carbon dioxide emissions in OECD countries but increases them in emerging economies. Economic growth also enhances environmental quality in both sets of countries, while institutional quality is linked to fewer emissions in OECD countries.
A study suggests that promoting prosocial preferences in smallholder farming communities can minimize economic losses from extreme weather events. By diversifying risk transfer mechanisms and implementing formal insurance, communities can shield farmers from individual risks while protecting against collective-scale volatility.
A team of researchers at Kyushu University found that Japan's current policy may not be enough to reduce CO2 emissions and achieve decarbonization goals. To address this, the government must extend vehicle longevity, invest in a cleaner energy mix, and decarbonize the supply chain.
A new web-based tool aims to increase climate awareness and action globally by highlighting messaging themes shown to be effective through experimental research. The tool was developed from a study involving nearly 250 researchers and over 59,000 participants from 63 countries.
A new study reveals conflicting national and sectorial targets, as well as differing availability of abatement options, hinder companies' ability to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers propose introducing a carbon measurement and management process alongside a dynamic framework to align climate targets and actions.
A new study reveals tiny plankton (0.02mm) make up majority of ocean plankton, playing critical role in ecosystem health and oxygen production. The research emphasizes the need to take these tiny organisms seriously and incorporate them into global ocean policy.
The study identifies areas with high carbon footprints, including those reliant on fossil fuels and manufacturing, highlighting the need for targeted economic assistance programs. The research provides a precise way to assess industrial composition, helping policymakers incorporate considerations into future policies.
David M. Hart's $159,488 funding aims to bridge the gap between research and policy communities through a weeklong boot camp for early-career researchers. The program will provide valuable insights into public policy-making and support participants in advancing their research while contributing to policy development.
A new study sheds light on the preferences of five East African countries, finding that education and information about revenue usage are crucial factors in making climate policies acceptable. The researchers also discovered that investments in social programs, rather than environmental programs, increase policy acceptance.
A study of 38 Ontario municipalities found that almost all publish their sustainability goals but under half formally report on progress. Researchers from the University of Waterloo aim to help Canadian municipalities monitor and measure their climate mitigation efforts through a new partnership.
A new commentary highlights that shifting focus from energy supply to consumption can effectively reduce carbon emissions and improve wellbeing. Reducing energy demand could save households and businesses money, create employment, and reduce emissions, while also limiting global warming in line with Paris Agreement targets.
Researchers suggest that US climate policies may not work effectively due to factors such as consumer behavior and political polarization. They propose potential solutions, including avoiding framing these laws as climate policies, to reduce resistance and increase their impact.
The American Meteorological Society's Presidential Forum will discuss how to overcome barriers limiting the use of climate science. The event aims to advance society's acceptance and use of climate science, amidst misinformation and disinformation campaigns.
A new UK research hub aims to bridge the gap between science and policy to achieve Net Zero. The 'Land Use for Net Zero' Hub will provide evidence on land use and agriculture, helping to drive transformations needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study from the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology highlights the importance of ancient cities in understanding contemporary urban challenges. The research provides numerical datasets on road lengths, building types, population sizes, economic output, and environmental impacts to inform urban planning and policy.
New research shows that migrants can be a transformative force for sustainability, bringing energy and ideas to new locations. However, poorly managed migration deepens inequality and increases environmental harm. The studies emphasize the need for comprehensive policies that manage migration in the interests of people and the planet.
IIASA researchers propose a conceptual framework to address justice in climate science, synthesizing distributional, procedural, corrective, recognitional, and transitional justice. The framework aims to enhance interdisciplinary understanding and promote awareness of justice considerations in climate policy.
A study published in Nature predicts that climate change will lead to a 9% loss of ecosystem services by 2100, with the poorest 50% of countries expected to bear 90% of the damages. The study's findings highlight the importance of accounting for natural systems and human well-being within economic frameworks.
A new study published in PNAS found that a climate policy aimed at reducing carbon emissions would also lower nitrate levels in the Mississippi River Basin, benefiting the Gulf of Mexico. The policy could lead to a 3-4% reduction in the Gulf's dead zone.
A new study by the National Institute for Environmental Studies shows that current infrastructure deployment is insufficient to meet Paris Agreement targets, requiring a shift in how materials are used or consumed. The study estimates that feasible supply of steel and cement within a carbon budget will fall short of expected global dem...
Research finds national parks and protected areas in Thailand are more prone to forest fires when located far from indigenous communities. Collaborative work with local communities reduces forest fires and air pollution, highlighting the importance of indigenous practices.
The report highlights six key recommendations to change course, including coordinated action to trigger positive tipping points. Averting the crisis and doing so equitably must be the core goal of COP28 and ongoing global cooperation.
Fossil CO2 emissions from global carbon budgets have reached a record high in 2023, with global warming exceeding 1.5°C target becoming increasingly likely within seven years. The study projects that total global CO2 emissions will be 40.9 billion tonnes, far from the reductions needed to meet climate targets.
A study by UNIGE researchers found that six psychological interventions had a small and temporary impact in preventing the spread of climate misinformation. The interventions targeted factors such as trust in climate scientists, transparency, and accuracy, but only one group showed a slight advantage in resisting disinformation.
A new study finds that public incentives for negative emissions can exacerbate economic inequality, especially in countries with concentrated equity ownership and expensive mitigation options. Researchers propose alternative policy provisions to mitigate the increase in inequality while ensuring decarbonization at reasonable cost.
A new study finds that well-designed climate policies can reduce global inequality, with low-income households benefiting from avoided climate impacts and targeted redistributions. By mid-century, a majority of the global population is expected to benefit from such policies.
A new framework for urban climate action planning has been developed to aid local governments in developing and assessing their climate action plans. The framework includes 43 globally recognized criteria across three stages of climate planning, with over half of existing urban plans having a medium level of suitability.
A Concordia-led study found that human rights are frequently absent from national climate change adaptation policies. The researchers assessed 147 countries and discovered that vulnerable groups, including poor people, elderly individuals, and Indigenous communities, are often excluded from planning and decision-making processes. This ...
A new study finds that wind and solar projects can generate millions of dollars by leveraging bitcoin mining during the precommercial phase. The research suggests strategic placement of mining farms to maximize productivity, with Texas emerging as a top state for profitability. The authors recommend policy incentives to encourage envir...
A new study found that accounting for long-term impacts of tropical cyclones raises the global Social Cost of Carbon by more than 20%. The increase is mainly driven by projected rise of tropical-cyclone damages to major economies, particularly India, USA, China, Taiwan, and Japan under global warming.
A new paper from climate economists at the University of Oxford identifies sensitive intervention points that could unlock significant progress towards the Paris Agreement with the least risk and highest impact. These include critical tipping points in renewable energy, networks of powerful political figures, and windows of opportunity...
Recent US legislation aims to increase fire management and tree planting to reduce large destructive fires and promote carbon sequestration. Fuel reduction activities are projected to remove 194-288 million metric tons of carbon from western forests over the next decade.
A study analyzing European Parliament politicians' views on degrowth and green growth reveals a surprising lack of consensus on both sides. Despite its popularity among centre-right MEPs, green growth is seen as a more divisive concept than previously thought, with no clear majority supporting it.
Prescribed fire can improve forest health and reduce catastrophic wildfires, but barriers hinder its use. Four strategies can overcome these obstacles: fostering a supportive culture, providing dedicated funding, building capacity and cooperation, and implementing monitoring and adaptive management.
A new study maps uncertainty in current climate modeling and proposes a framework to better predict future global warming risk. International experts identify 26 distinct processes that could drive significant warming after net zero.
A new analysis suggests that the US low-carbon transition is likely to create consistent job growth, particularly in the utilities and construction sectors. However, major fossil fuel-producing states may need to prepare for fewer mining jobs and plan carefully to ensure a 'just' transition for all workers.
A new study reveals that consumers place a higher value on products from circular economies due to the concept of psychological ownership. This finding suggests that businesses and policymakers can align strategies with consumer values to promote sustainable initiatives.
Researchers find that halting deforestation and restoring native vegetation are critical for Brazil to achieve its 2050 net zero goal. The study suggests that nature-based solutions can mitigate nearly 80% of Brazil's net zero pledge and reduce carbon emissions by 781 million tons per year.
A new study finds that heat-related cardiovascular deaths may more than double in the US by the middle of the century, with elderly and Black adults being most at risk. The projections suggest that reducing greenhouse gas emissions can mitigate this impact, but infrastructure interventions such as increasing tree cover may also be effe...
A new study finds that the global carbon budget for keeping warming below 1.5°C will be exhausted by 2029 if current emissions continue, committing the world to this level of warming. The remaining budget has approximately halved since 2020 due to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
A new net zero carbon planning policy in Bath & North East Somerset is expected to make new buildings much more energy efficient and boost the introduction of renewables. Despite concerns about increased costs, most planning applicants support the policy's intentions, with solar photovoltaics and heat pumps being key technologies.
A team of researchers warns that global coastal adaptations are inadequate to address climate change threats, citing short-sighted policies and projects. The experts call for decisive action by the international policy community to identify and tackle key risk areas.
A new study predicts that solar power will dominate the global energy mix by the middle of this century due to rapid innovation in solar technology. However, four barriers, including stable power grids and political resistance, could hamper this transition, highlighting the need for policies to overcome these hurdles.
Researchers found that adding a social cost to carbon emissions leads to a significant reduction in fertilizer runoff, resulting in improved water quality and a decrease in the Gulf of Mexico's dead zone. The study suggests that implementing a carbon price can help meet the US commitment to the Paris Accord while improving water quality.
A new study surveyed leading UK food experts, finding that logistical distribution issues are the most likely cause of civil unrest in the next 10 years, but catastrophic failure resulting from extreme weather is more likely over 50 years.
A new study by UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain finds that climate change is limiting the use of prescribed fires to prevent wildfires. The research projects a 17% reduction in favorable days across the Western US, with most reductions coming in spring and summer.
Recent state-sponsored infrastructure projects in Angola and Mozambique have been linked to climate-related humanitarian disasters. Research by Ruy Blanes highlights the need for local consideration in planning, as neglect can lead to devastating consequences.
A new UC San Diego study suggests that the transparency rules in the Paris Agreement can keep many countries on track to meet their climate goals. The study found that naming and shaming is particularly effective for countries with strong democratic institutions and ambitious climate commitments.
Deforestation contributes to climate change, producing 6-17% of global greenhouse gas emissions. New satellite-based technology tracks forest change globally, enabling policymakers to understand the problem and develop solutions.
The Resilience Justice Project at Brandeis School of Law will examine how eight US coastal cities ensure climate adaptation plans are fair and equitable. The team aims to produce a guidebook of best practices and webinars to help cities adapt planning for all neighborhoods.
The report reveals that policymakers can accelerate SDG implementation and achieve wellbeing for all by enacting five 'extraordinary turnarounds'. However, a key red flag is that global warming will plateau below 2°C under the Giant Leap scenario, giving humanity a chance to thrive again.
A new study suggests that substituting 50% of meat and dairy products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 31%, save forests, and improve nutrition for millions of people. The study also found that restoring land spared from livestock production could contribute up to 25% of glob...
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and others have developed new analytical frameworks to measure climate change impacts and adaptation. Their studies suggest that correcting market failures can incidentally induce climate adaptation, with significant welfare benefits.
A new framework aims to build climate resilience in Europe's health systems by developing policy-relevant indicators and decision-support tools. The framework combines a holistic approach to address the interconnectedness of animals, humans, and the environment.
A study found that high-income countries' emission reductions fall short of Paris Agreement targets, with many needing to reduce emissions by 30 times faster than achieved. Experts call for a post-growth approach to decarbonize and achieve urgent social and ecological goals.
A new study finds that warming temperatures may triple groundwater depletion rates in India under a business-as-usual scenario, with approximately 60% of the country's irrigated agriculture depending on the threatened groundwater. The study calls for policies to conserve groundwater and reduce energy subsidies.
A new study suggests that policymakers should emphasize the benefits of climate action beyond economic growth to motivate countries to protect the climate. The researchers analyzed 761 statements from UN member states and found that countries are influenced by how their allies frame issues.
A new framework by Concordia researchers shows that electrifying bus fleets can lead to significant reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions and maintenance costs. The study analyzed four Canadian cities and found a 18.7-34.6% reduction in cumulative GHG emissions from 2019 to 2030