Report to boost climate action calls globally

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Human Influence ◽  
Carbon Removal ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Negotiations ◽  
Climate Targets ◽  
Contemporary Science ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
Removal Technology ◽  
Increased Pressure

Significance Drawing on more than 14,000 peer-reviewed studies, the report summarises contemporary science on climate change and finds that it is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, oceans and land. The report will underpin climate negotiations and policymaking, and place increased pressure on governments and businesses to act. Impacts Governments will face pressure to make climate targets more ambitious ahead of COP26. Increasing numbers of climate litigation cases from environmental campaigners will be filed against governments and businesses. Carbon removal technology threatens to give excuses to those reluctant to act on reducing emissions.

US backsliding will drag on global climate progress

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Paris Agreement ◽  
Donald Trump ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Federal Support ◽  
The Us ◽  
The World ◽  
Climate Action

Subject The Paris Agreement and US withdrawal. Significance President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change on June 1, prompting criticism from around the world. While current pledges are unlikely to change and the agreement will not see flight or withdrawal by other countries, US withdrawal imperils the ability of the agreement’s structure to accelerate climate action to a scale necessary to meet its objective of limiting global warming to below 2 degrees centigrade by 2100. Impacts The US private sector and sub-national polities will increase their climate action, though the loss of federal support will still be felt. A future US administration could re-enter the agreement, but substantial momentum will be lost diplomatically in the intervening years. Calls for greater adaptation -- rather than mitigation -- funds from climate-vulnerable states will grow more strident.

Russia will lag on climate action despite policy shift

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Russian Government ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Change Policy ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
Policy Shift ◽  
International Climate

Subject Climate change policy views in Russia. Significance After years of delay, the Russian government has acceded to the Paris Agreement to limit global warming. This is a positive step, although the decision is more symbolism than substance. Moscow's obligations under the agreement are very limited and powerful domestic interests are obstructing implementation of a more active climate policy. Impacts Due to warming in the Arctic, Russia plans to increase cargo traffic along its Arctic maritime route to 80 million tonnes per year by 2024. As Russia promotes itself as an international climate leader, state-owned Rusnano is promoting high-tech solutions to emissions reductions. Objections to radical policy change will not be couched in the language of climate change denial.

The Gulf will lag on climate action, despite exposure

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Oil Revenue ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
Gulf States ◽  
Summer Temperatures ◽  
Tackle Climate Change ◽  
Combat Climate Change

Significance On the same day, opening speakers in a high-profile forum in Abu Dhabi highlighted the emirate’s commitment to renewable energy. Despite the rhetoric and their own vulnerability, however, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are lagging behind global efforts to tackle climate change and remain heavily dependent on oil revenue. Impacts Forecast rises in summer temperatures will deter foreign investment and expatriate workers in future. A collapse in oil prices would cut the funding available to develop clean energy. Failure to stem wasteful hydrocarbons energy consumption will make it harder for renewables to compete. Gulf states’ populations will be largely disengaged from global efforts to combat climate change.

scholarly journals Overcoming barriers to climate smart agriculture in India

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-127
Author(s):  
Sunil Tankha ◽  
Denise Fernandes ◽  
N.C. Narayanan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Policy Instruments ◽  
Solution Space ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sociological Approach ◽  
Mitigation And Adaptation ◽  
Water Energy Nexus ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
Climate Change Politics

Purpose This paper aims to report on a case in which encouraging climate-smart agriculture in the form of better irrigation techniques in India can contribute to both climate change mitigation and adaptation goals by improving resource-use efficiency. It provides grounded institutional analysis on how these transformations can occur. Design/methodology/approach The authors based their research on three complementary approaches: institutional, sociological and technical. The institutional approach analyzed actors and interests in the water-energy nexus in India via over 25 semi-structured key informant interviews. The sociological approach surveyed over 50 farmers and equipment suppliers for insight into technology adoption. The technical component analyzed water and energy consumption data to calculate potential benefits from transitioning to more efficient techniques. Findings Because policymakers have a preference for voluntary policy instruments over coercive reforms, distortions in policy and market arenas can provide opportunities for embedded actors to leverage technology and craft policy bargains which facilitate Pareto superior reforms and, thereby, avoid stalemates in addressing climate change. Enlarging the solution space to include more actors and interests can facilitate such bargains more than traditional bilateral exchanges. Practical implications The analysis provides insights into crafting successful climate action policies in an inhospitable institutional terrain. Originality/value Studies about climate change politics generally focus on stalemates and portray the private sector as resistant and a barrier to climate action. This paper analyzes a contrary phenomenon, showing how reforms can be packaged in Pareto superior formats to overcome policy stalemates and generate technology-based climate and environmental co-benefits in even unpromising terrain such as technologically laggard and economically constrained populations.

Developing nations risk backsliding in COVID recovery

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Developing Nations ◽  
Global Poverty ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Targets ◽  
Public Revenue ◽  
Decisive Action ◽  
Interest Payments ◽  
A Share

Significance These dynamics harm developing states disproportionately and are driving a rise in global poverty. Traditional recovery policies tend to be harmful for the environment; these are especially problematic today, because the time for decisive action on climate change is limited. Impacts The UN saw developing states growing by 5% in 2015-30 at the SDG launch; this was not met by 2020 and is highly unlikely by 2025. In low-income states, debt interest payments doubled as a share of public revenue from 2008-17 and will rise more, squeezing other spending. Climate benefits of less activity were short-lived in past crises, and rebounds climate-unfriendly; clear climate targets should help now.

scholarly journals Creating space for reflection and dialogue: Examples of new modes of communication for empowering climate action

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-180
Author(s):  
Carolin Fraude ◽  
Thomas Bruhn ◽  
Dorota Stasiak ◽  
Christine Wamsler ◽  
Kathleen Mar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Albert Einstein ◽  
Transformative Change ◽  
Climate Negotiations ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
International Climate ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Sustainability Challenges ◽  
International Climate Negotiations

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results.” This quote by Albert Einstein highlights our need for new formats of communication to address the knowledge-action gap regarding climate change and other sustainability challenges. This includes reflection, and communication spaces, as well as methods and approaches that can catalyze the emergence of transformative change and action. In this article we present and reflect on experiments we carried out at international climate negotiations and conferences.

Sometimes, green is the outcome: climate action in records management and archives in Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lois M. Evans
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Records Management ◽  
Green Is ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Impact Reduction ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Sustainability Measurement ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change ◽  
Sustainability Initiatives

Purpose The paper aims to respond to three questions: Are Canadian organizations committed to sustainability? Are there any links between sustainability and records management and archives programs? And, to what extent are records managers, archivists and technologists engaged in climate action? The paper also provides background on climate change in the Canadian and global contexts, defines relevant terminology, and presents a literature review that positions sustainability, adaptation and mitigation in relation to records management and archives. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on qualitative participatory research involving expert interviews in 24 government agencies, universities and businesses located in 10 Canadian cities. Findings The organizations in the study are committed to sustainability and have developed significant programs and activities in support of this aim. Although the records managers, archivists and technologists interviewed are involved in related activities, there is a gap between what they are doing as a matter of course and the wider sustainability efforts of their parent organizations. As resources are tight, sustainability measurement entails more work and there are no real incentives to add sustainability components to programs, the participants are focused on delivering the programs they are hired to do. As a result, there is a sense of serendipity around outcomes that do occur – “sometimes, green is the outcome”. Research limitations/implications This paper presents the results of research conducted at 24 organizations in 10 Canadian cities, a small but meaningful sample that provides a springboard for considering climate action in records and archives. Based on the discussion, there is a need for a records and archives agenda that directly responds the United Nation's climate action targets: strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters; integrating climate change measures into policies, strategies and planning; and improving education, awareness-raising and human institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning. In support of this aim, the paper charts possible material topics from the literature and compares these with research findings. Practical implications From a top-down perspective, organizations need to expand sustainability programs to address all business areas, including records and archives. From a bottom-up perspective, records managers and archivists should include adaptation in disaster planning and consider the program benefits of developing economic, environmental and social sustainability initiatives to mitigate climate change. Originality/value The paper defines resilience, sustainability, adaption and mitigation and positions these terms in records management and archives. The paper examines how records managers, archivists and technologists think about sustainability; where sustainability intersects with records and archives work; and how records managers and archivists can engage in climate action.

Green bonds set for strong growth worldwide

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Developing Nations ◽  
Financial Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strong Growth ◽  
Climate Targets ◽  
Debt Market

Subject Green bond growth. Significance The global issuance of green bonds registered another year of strong growth in 2017, hitting record levels. The green debt market is growing in the high double-digits and will help both developed and developing nations in their efforts to meet global and national climate targets, making economies and financial systems more environmentally friendly. Impacts Firms’ need to demonstrate their green credentials will boost the popularity and prevalence of green bonds. Green debt issuances will help developing countries facing problems with urbanisation, climate change and natural disasters. Banks in emerging markets will play an increasing green bond role with support from multilaterals and trade groups.

Domestic concerns will drive China’s climate action

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Secretary General ◽  
Xi Jinping ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Climate Change Policies ◽  
International Pressure ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
Party Congress

Subject China's climate change policies. Significance UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month described China as "strongly committed to the leadership in climate action". President Xi Jinping asserted at the 19th Party Congress in October that China is in the “driving seat” when it comes to “international co-operation” on climate change. However, China's action on climate change so far has been driven primarily by domestic concerns rather than international pressure or concerns about the global effects of climate change. Impacts China could come to dominate clean energy industries worldwide, particularly renewables, electric mobility and electrification technologies. Efforts to combat air pollution will further restrict the supply of commodities, particularly steel, coal and aluminium. Anti-pollution efforts will be particularly energetic where they also reduce capacity in energy-intensive sectors with overcapacity.

Fiction or reality? Hotel leaders’ perception on climate action and sustainable business models

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-260
Author(s):  
Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde ◽  
Elin Merethe Oftedal ◽  
Giovanna Merethe Bertella
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Hotel Industry ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
The Bahamas ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Future ◽  
Climate Action ◽  
The Caribbean

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of key actors in the Caribbean’s hotel industry on the development of business models that are inclusive of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and resilient to climate change challenges. The objectives are to gain a better understanding of the central actors’ perspective and to explore the potential of scenario thinking as a pragmatic tool to provoke deep and practical reflections on business model innovation. Design/methodology/approach The research is based on a questionnaire survey conducted via email to senior personnel in the hotel industry across the region as well as to national and regional tourism and hospitality associations/agencies and government ministries. The questionnaire used a mix of close- and open-ended questions, as well as fictional scenarios to gain insight about perceptions from key actors in the tourism sector, including respondents’ personal beliefs about the reality of climate science and the need for action at the levels of individuals, governments, local, regional and multinational institutions. Findings The study found that while the awareness of climate change and willingness to action is high, respondents perceive that hotels are not prepared for the climate crisis. Respondents had an overall view that the hotel sector in the Caribbean was unprepared for the negative impacts of climate change. Recommendations from the study include the need for immediate action on the part of all to both raise awareness and implement focused climate action to secure the future of tourism in the Caribbean. Research limitations/implications The use of a survey has considerable challenges, including low response rates and the limitations of using perceptions to understand a phenomenon. The survey was conducted across the Caribbean from The Bahamas to Belize and down to Trinidad and Tobago so that views from across the similar, yet diverse, regions could be gathered, included and compared for a comprehensive view of perceptions and possible ideas for climate smart action. Practical implications The 2030 Agenda for SDGs is based on policy and academic debates. This study helps to bridge the academic and policy discussion with the needs of the industry. Originality/value This study contributes a consideration for climate-resilient business models for hotels in the tourism industry as a definitive action toward achieving SDG 13. This combined with the use of fictional climate change scenarios to access perceptions about the future of the hotel industry in the light of climate change, adds originality to the study.

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