Partisanship shapes US attitudes to climate policy

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Policy ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Party Affiliation ◽  
Policy Decisions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Policies ◽  
State And Local

Significance Although acceptance of the reality of climate change is growing, views on how government should respond divide sharply by party affiliation. US polling data suggest that partisanship is a stronger factor in shaping public attitudes toward the risks and policies associated with climate change than an individual’s age or location. Impacts The recently enacted Biden infrastructure bill includes significant funds to improve resilience and advance clean energy. One-quarter of the USD2tn spending bill now before the Senate is earmarked for issues associated with climate change. Work on climate issues in response to regional concerns will result in a patchwork of state and local policies. Changes in insurance availability for homes and businesses in vulnerable areas will be an increasing factor in policy decisions.

India will defy external pressure over climate policy

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Greenhouse Gases ◽  
Climate Policy ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
External Pressure ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Emissions Intensity

Significance The G7 wants leading emitters of greenhouse gases (GHGs) to achieve net-zero emissions by around mid-century, preferably 2050. India’s targeted Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to action against climate change includes reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 33-35%, relative to 2005 levels, by 2030. Impacts India will steadily reduce its palm oil imports. Coal will continue to dominate India’s energy mix in the medium term. Delhi will try to step up cooperation over clean energy with key partners such as Washington.

Extreme weather highlights longer-term Canada concerns

2022 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Focused Attention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Extreme Cold ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ways Of Life ◽  
Impacts Of Climate Change

Significance The extreme cold comes as the province is still dealing with the damage caused by unprecedented levels of heat and wildfires last summer and then record levels of rainfall and flooding in November. Its experience has focused attention on Canada’s wider vulnerability to the impact of shifting weather patterns and climate change. Impacts The natural resource sectors that are vital to Canada’s economy face an increasingly difficult environment for extraction. Indigenous peoples across the country will see their traditional ways of life further disrupted by climate change. The increasingly evident impacts of climate change on day-to-day life will see voters demand greater action from government. Significant investment in green initiatives, clean energy and climate resiliency initiatives will boost green industries.

Informing Climate Change Policy Through Economics and Engineering Perspectives on Energy Efficiency

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priya Sreedharan ◽  
Alan H. Sanstad ◽  
Joe Bryson
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Public Policy ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Policy Process ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Change Policy ◽  
State And Local ◽  
End Use

Energy “sustainability” and energy supply have again emerged as central public policy issues and are at the intersection of the economic, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation and the world. The goal of significantly reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with energy production and consumption, while maintaining affordable and reliable energy supplies, is one of the most important issues. Among the strategies for achieving this goal, increasing the efficiency of energy consumption in buildings is being emphasized to a degree not seen since the 1970s. “End-use” efficiency is the core of the State of California’s landmark effort to reduce its GHG emissions, of other state and local climate-change initiatives, and is emphasized in emerging federal GHG abatement legislation. Both economic and engineering methods are used to analyze energy efficiency, but the two paradigms provide different perspectives on the market and technological factors that affect the diffusion of energy efficiency. These disparate perspectives influence what is considered the appropriate role and design of public policy for leveraging not just efficient end-use technology, but other sustainable energy technologies. We review the two approaches and their current roles in the GHG policy process by describing, for illustrative purposes, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s assessment of energy efficiency in the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 Discussion Draft. We highlight opportunities and needs for improved coordination between the engineering, economic and policy communities. Our view is that a better understanding of disciplinary differences and complementarities in perspectives and analytical methods between these communities will benefit the climate change policy process.

Germany’s climate efforts could boost the opposition

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Economic Impact ◽  
Climate Policy ◽  
Industrial Firms ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
Fuel Costs

Significance Worth 54 billion euros (60 billion dollars) until 2023, the reforms are designed to help Germany reach its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% of 1990 levels by 2030. This comes after the government said it would fail to reach its 2020 goal of a 40% reduction. Impacts Germany’s ambition to become a front-runner in the global fight against climate change will likely continue to suffer. Protests similar to France's 'yellow vest' movement are unlikely as the proposals avoid pain for lower- and middle-income voters. The proposed policies could put pressure on industrial firms to lower their heating and fuel costs. Given the economic impact that ambitious climate policy could have on industry and consumers, reforms to the deal will likely be modest.

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.

US stance may shift on climate change post-Trump

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Policy ◽  
Content Type

Headline INTERNATIONAL: US climate policy may change post-Trump

Climate change to hit development in the global south

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
International Aid ◽  
Financial Assistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Carbon Neutrality ◽  
Transition Costs ◽  
Developed Nations

Significance In a scenario in which it becomes increasingly evident that carbon neutrality will not be reached by 2050, governments may switch the focus of spending from the energy transition towards measures designed to address a changing climate. This is more likely in the developing world, which has less chance of reaping the economic opportunities of energy transition. Impacts Governments will have to incorporate both transitioning to clean energy and resilience against climate change impacts into their policies. As economies recover from the pandemic, developing countries' calls for financial assistance with energy transition costs will rise. Developed nations will emerge from the pandemic with stretched budgets, and some will face pressure to spend less on international aid. The need for heightened international cooperation to deliver the energy transition worldwide will test existing institutions.

scholarly journals The U.S. Withdrawal From the Paris Agreement: Challenges and Opportunities for China

2018 ◽  
Vol 04 (02) ◽  
pp. 281-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyuan Yu
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
United States ◽  
Climate Policy ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Paris Agreement ◽  
Climate Governance ◽  
The U.S

President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change is both a major reversal of the Obama administration’s climate policy and a huge blow to global climate governance. The comprehensive regression of President Trump’s climate policy manifests mainly in three aspects: abolition of the clean energy plan, exit from the Paris Agreement, and a return to traditional energy policies, which reflect the cyclical and volatile nature of the U.S. climate policy. With its lasting negative impact, the China-U.S. cooperative leadership in global climate governance is stranded. In this light, China should strive for a bigger role in leading global efforts to address climate change and enhance cooperation through various mechanisms. Under the current U.S. policy environment, China can still strengthen cooperation with the United States in such fields as traditional energy, infrastructure investment, global energy market, and green finance.

scholarly journals Using the Market to Address Climate Change: Insights from Theory & Experience

Daedalus ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 141 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph E. Aldy ◽  
Robert N. Stavins
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Policy ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Shadow Price ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Carbon Intensity ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Carbon Taxes

Emissions of greenhouse gases linked with global climate change are affected by diverse aspects of economic activity, including individual consumption, business investment, and government spending. An effective climate policy will have to modify the decision calculus for these activities in the direction of more efficient generation and use of energy, lower carbon-intensity of energy, and a more carbon-lean economy. The only technically feasible and cost-effective approach to achieving this goal on a meaningful scale is carbon pricing: that is, market-based climate policies that place a shadow-price on carbon dioxide emissions. We examine alternative designs of three such instruments: carbon taxes, cap and trade, and clean energy standards. We note that the U.S. political response to possible market-based approaches to climate policy has been, and will continue to be, largely a function of issues and structural factors that transcend the scope of environmental and climate policy.

COVID-19 will not disrupt climate activism in Europe

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Economic Impact ◽  
Climate Policy ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Green Party ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Electoral Performance ◽  
The Eu

Significance Activists have pressed for involvement in policymaking via citizen assembilies and have stepped up their campaign against European governments and financial institutions which they regard as favouring carbon-intensive industries. Impacts Activists will be concerned by rising emissions that accompany higher consumption once lockdown restrictions are lifted. The social and economic impact of COVID-19 may reduce voter interest and engagement in climate change. A strong electoral performance by Germany’s Green Party would boost support for ambitious fiscal and climate policy at the EU-level.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document