Climate Change & Environment


Latest additions to the site

HEAT: A Hands-on Energy Adaptation Toolkit

World Bank

This toolkit is designed to lead policymakers through an assessment of climate vulnerabilities and adaptation options in a country's energy sector

Climate Change & Environment , Energy Posted: 2010-08-31

Obama's New Climate Policy

SWP

This 47-page German paper discusses the opportunities and challenges presented by climate policy change in the US

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-08-24

Mekong Tipping Point: Hydropower Dams, Human Security and Regional Stability

Stimson Center

This US paper describes how Mekong governments are making economic development decisions now that, if not soon reconsidered based on more careful study, will imperil food security and livelihoods, threaten domestic political stability, and put great stress on still distrustful regional relationships

Energy , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-08-24

Moscow After the Smoke: A Change of Thinking is Needed

FIIA

A 2-page Finnish commentary on Russia's preparedness to deal with rapid climate fluctuations

Climate Change & Environment , Governance & Politics Posted: 2010-08-23

Informing an Effective Response to Climate Change

The National Academy of Sciences et al.

This 4-page abbreviated report examines information needs relating to climate change and calls on the US federal government to build upon its existing efforts and those of state and local government, the private sector and citizens by establishing clear federal leadership, responsibility, and coordination for climate related decisions, climate risk management, information systems, and services

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-08-22

Global Warming and Extreme Events: Rethinking the Timing and Intensity of Environmental Policy

CESifo

This 34-page working paper assesses the implications of low-probability extreme events on environmental policy

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-08-18

The Arctic Ozone Layer

Environment Canada

A 52-page Canadian report on how the Arctic Ozone Layer is Responding to Ozone-Depleting Chemicals and Climate Change

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-08-18

Climate Change, Well-being and Human Rights

PRI

A 17-page Canadian discussion paper on how the physical effects of climate change will intersect with society and economies and the potentially significant environmental and human impacts that will result

Climate Change & Environment , Health Posted: 2010-08-18

After Copenhagen

CFR

This US working paper examines alternatives to the current multilateral frameworks for addressing climate change

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-08-14

Global Climate Change and the Resurgence of Tropical Disease: An Economic Approach

CESifo

A 21-page working paper studying the impact of global climate change on the prevalence of tropical diseases

Climate Change & Environment , Health Posted: 2010-08-04

Concentrating Solar Power in China and India

CGD

A 24-page working paper offering a spatial analysis of the technical potential and the cost of deploying solar power in China and India

Energy , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-08-02

Revisiting the NAFTA Agenda on Climate Change

Peterson Institute

This 11-page US policy brief examines channels for energy and environmental cooperation among the three North American countries in light of the limited progress in international climate talks and scaled back energy legislation being considered in the US Senate

Climate Change & Environment , Energy Posted: 2010-08-01

Benchmarking in the EU: Lessons from the EU Emissions Trading System for the Global Climate Change Agenda

CEPS

A 64-page report identifying the key issues arising from the current benchmarking exercise under the EU ETS and analyses the principal controversial topics on benchmark-based allocation, leading to a number of concrete recommendations

Climate Change & Environment , European Union Posted: 2010-07-30

Trade and the Environment

WTO

An article describing the interaction between trade and the environment

Climate Change & Environment , Globalisation & International Trade Posted: 2010-07-26

Climate Change, Migration, and Conflict: Receiving Communities under Pressure

GMF

One of a series of eight eight background papers investigating the causes and repercussions of environmental migration

Climate Change & Environment , Immigration & Refugees Posted: 2010-07-23

U.S. Global Climate Change Policy: Evolving Views on Cost, Competitiveness, and Comprehensiveness

CRS

A 18-page US overview of evolving domestic views on salient aspects of U.S. Global Climate Change Policy

Climate Change & Environment , Energy Posted: 2010-07-22

Environmental Regulation and Competitiveness: Evidence from Romania

IZA

A 22-page discussion paper studying whether stringency in environmental regulation affects trade flows and plant location

Climate Change & Environment , Globalisation & International Trade Posted: 2010-07-15

Summarizing the Investigations on Climate Science

WRI

A US article summarizing the findings of series of international investigations into recent climate science controversies

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-07-15

Rapid Climate Change: What Can We Learn from the Past?

CICERO

This Norwegian article considers how rapidly large-scale, regional change from an ice age to an interglacial climate can take place

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-07-13

Confronting the Crisis of International Climate Policy

Lowy Institute

This 24-page Australian policy brief proposes an international climate policy framework based on carbon prices rather than emissions targets

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-07-09

China and the United States: A Comparison of Green Energy Programs and Policies

CRS

This 24-page US report compares the green energy programmes and policies of the US and China

Climate Change & Environment , Energy Posted: 2010-07-09

International Carbon Emissions Trading and Strategic Incentives to Subsidize Green Energy

CESifo

This 24-page working paper examines strategic incentives to subsidize green energy in a group of countries that operates an international carbon emissions trading scheme

Climate Change & Environment , Energy Posted: 2010-06-25

Fresh Water Futures: Imagining Responses to Demand Growth, Climate Change, and the Politics of Water Resource Management

Stimson Center

The 27-page report of a US conference held to focus on the future of global fresh water resources and the politics of water resource management

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-06-14

Elephant in the Room: The New G77 and China Dynamics in Climate Talks

FIIA

A 9-page Finnish briefing paper assessing the stance of developing countries in respect of climate change talks and agreements

Climate Change & Environment , International Development Posted: 2010-06-10

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries

The Australia Institute

This 20-page Australian policy brief draws on the Australian experience with deforestation to identify some of the issues that might obstruct progress on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-06-03

A Seat at the Table: Including the Poor in Decisions for Development and Environment

WRI

This 28-page report closely examines access rights to environmental decision making in four countries: Cameroon, Paraguay, Philippines, and Sri Lanka

Climate Change & Environment , International Development Posted: 2010-05-19

The Multiplicity of Climate and Rural Risk

DIIS

This 42-page Danish working paper explores the interplay between climate and other aspects of rural risk

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-05-18

Less Smoke, More Mirrors: Where India Really Stands on Solar Power and Other Renewables

CGD

A 17-page US working paper assessing India’s proposed renewable energy standard

Climate Change & Environment , Energy Posted: 2010-05-04

Climate Crisis, Credit Crisis: The Quest for Green Growth

Brookings

A US report on the challenges facing attempts to control global warming in the current economic climate

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-04-29

International Climate Finance: Principles for European Support to Developing Countries

EDC

A 19-page working paper examining Europe’s approach to the provision of new finance in support of climate change actions in developing countries

Climate Change & Environment , International Development Posted: 2010-04-27

Investment Contracts and Sustainable Development: How to Make Contracts for Fairer and More Sustainable Natural Resource Investments

IEED

This 104-page report discusses how to structure investment contracts for natural resource projects in ways that maximise the investment’s contribution to sustainable development

Climate Change & Environment , International Development Posted: 2010-04-26

International Climate Policy: Priorities of Key Negotiating Parties

SWP

This 111-page German research paper presents the climate policy priorities of the six major emitters and the EU

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-04-21

From Angst to Action: Moving Forward After Copenhagen

WRI

This US article discusses where things stand after the UN climate conference in Copenhagen, and the key steps to ensure progress in Cancun

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-04-11

Harnessing International Institutions to Address Climate Change

CFR

This 27-page US working paper examines the existing climate-related efforts and capabilities, as well as the future potential, of a variety of international institutions

Climate Change & Environment , Governance & Politics Posted: 2010-04-06

Monitoring the Impact of Air Pollution on Asthma in Australia, A Methods Paper

AIHW

This 40-page paper discusses the challenges associated with monitoring the impact of air pollution on asthma, outlines the work that has so far been done in Australia in this area and presents a method for estimating the contribution of air pollution to asthma hospitalisations

Health , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-03-26

Low Carbon Jobs in an Interconnected World

Global Climate Network

This 37-page discussion paper focuses on the emerging debate concerning the creation of ‘low-carbon’ jobs

Climate Change & Environment , Energy Posted: 2010-03-25

Making Carbon Offsets Work in the Developing World: Lessons from the Chinese Wind Controversy

FSI

This 41-page US working paper examines the application of additionality in the Chinese wind power market and draws implications for the design of effective global carbon offset policy

Energy , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-03-22

Combining Policies for Renewable Energy: Is the Whole Less than the Sum of Its Parts?

RFF

This 41-page US article reviews the recent environmental economics literature on the effectiveness of RES-E policies and the interactions between them, with a focus on the increasing use of tradable quotas for both emissions reduction and RES-E expansion

Climate Change & Environment , Energy Posted: 2010-03-20

The Climate Challenge Now Offers the EU a Global Role

Europe's World

An article arguing that climate change offers Europe a chance to play a major role on the global scene in a fast-changing world

Climate Change & Environment , European Union Posted: 2010-03-19

Biofuels Subsidies and the Green Paradox

CESifo

This 42-page working paper claims to demonstrate that, under a wide range of parameter values, biofuel subsidies will increase the rate of extraction of fossil fuels in the short and medium term, and possibly bring climate-change damages closer to the present

Climate Change & Environment , Energy Posted: 2010-03-19

Beyond Copenhagen: Why Less May Be More in Global Climate Talks

CFR

A 3-page U~S article arguing that in order to make real progress on pressing climate issues, policymakers must give up on a binding deal and begin to look outside the UN process

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-03-15

The EU and the Global Climate Regime: Getting Back in the Game

FIIA

An 8-page Finnish briefing paper examines the post-Copenhagen position of the EU

Climate Change & Environment , European Union Posted: 2010-03-13

Less Smoke, More Mirrors: Where India Really Stands on Solar Power and Other Renewables

CGD

A 17-page US paper offering an assessment of India’s proposed renewable energy standard

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-03-10

Copenhagen, the Accord, and the Way Forward

Peterson Institute

This 17-page US policy brief assesses the two-week Cpenhagen conference, evaluates the Copenhagen Accord that resulted, and discusses key issues the international community will face moving forward

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-03-10

Climate Change and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS): Looking to 2020

CRS

This 22-page US report considers the lessons to be learnt from the EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-03-08

Future Impacts of Climate Change across Europe,

CEPS

A 27-page working paper reviewing the potential impacts of climate change on 11 key indicator categories and 3 large regions covering the entire European Union

Climate Change & Environment , European Union Posted: 2010-03-03

Understanding India’s Climate Agenda

CEPS

This 6-page policy brief discusses some of the factors that are key to understanding India’s climate agenda with an emphasis on the country’s challenges in development, adaptation, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-03-03

Trade and Deforestation: What Have We Found?

WTO

A research article on the linkage between trade and deforestation

Climate Change & Environment , Globalisation & International Trade Posted: 2010-02-26

From Declaration to Real Protection

DIIS

This 48-page Danish report finds that genuine protection of declared protected areas depends on an explicit focus on how to manage actors and their mutual relations

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-02-26

Five Years of Kyoto

Brookings

A US article reflecting on the wider meaning and significance of the Kyoto Protocol, an instrument into which perhaps too many expectations were invested

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-02-25

Copenhagen's Climate Finance Promise: Six Key Questions

IIED

This 4-page briefing explores the wording in the Copenhagen Accord to unearth six big questions about the promise of climate finance – any one of which could seriously challenge the trust these funds were designed to build

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-02-25

Integrating Environment and Development in Viet Nam: Achievements, Challenges and Next Steps

IIED

This 60-psge report reviews what has worked well in integrating environment and development objectives in Viet Nam, as well as what currently constrains integration. It assesses future needs, given rapidly changing demographic, economic and environmental situations

International Development , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-02-25

Attacks on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Obscure Real Science

UCSUSA

A series of explanatory backgrounders on specific allegations about the IPCC report (introductory page linking to individual backgounders)

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-02-18

Climate Adaptation and Federal Megsadisaster Policy: Lessons from Katrina

RFF

This 16-page US issue brief addresses the challenges of dealing with natural megadisasters

Climate Change & Environment , Public Safety & Disaster Mitigation Posted: 2010-02-15

Adaptation of Agriculture and the Food System to Climate Change: Policy Issues

RFF

A 12-page US issue brief discussing how government policies are likely to affect the ability of agriculture and food sector to adapt to climate change

Climate Change & Environment , Poverty & Hunger Posted: 2010-02-15

Transformative Technology for a Sustainable Future

Nautilus Institute

This 8-page US article looks at some of the possible technological breakthroughs that could pave the way to a sustainable future

Climate Change & Environment , Science & Technology Posted: 2010-02-11

Carbon Capture and Storage: Selected Economic and Institutional Aspects

wiiw

This 48-page Austrian study provides a general overview of CCS and of related economic and institutional challenges ahead of its probable commercial deployment

Climate Change & Environment , Energy Posted: 2010-02-04

Displacing Coal with Generation from Existing Natural Gas-Fired Power Plants

CRS

This US report provides an overview of the issues involved in displacing coal-fired generation with electricity from existing natural gas plants

Climate Change & Environment , Energy Posted: 2010-02-04

Enabling Green Growth: Sustainable Manufacturing and Eco-innovation

OECD

This 280-page report analyses the nature and processes of eco-innovation; discusses existing sustainable manufacturing indicators; examines methodologies for measuring eco-innovation; and takes stock of national strategies and policy initiatives for eco-innovation

Climate Change & Environment , Science & Technology Posted: 2010-02-03

Climate Change Update 2009

Parliamentary Library - Victoria

An Australian overview paper, which updates climate change, providing recent findings of research conducted by climate scientists world-wide. Key data presented on carbon dioxide emissions, global surface temperatures and sea level rise, with a brief guide to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-02-02

Intergenerational Report 2010

Treasury - Australia

This 190-page report assesses the challenges Australia will face over the next 40 years, including an ageing population, escalating pressures on the health system, and the environmental and economic challenges of climate change

Ageing , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-02-02

Global Security, Climate Change, and the Arctic

ACDIS

A 24-page US report on the complex set of global security challenges that are emerging as a result of warmer temperatures and melting ice in the Arctic region

Defence, Terrorism & Security , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-01-25

Smart Sensor Networks: Technologies and Applications for Green Growth

OECD

This 48-page report gives an overview of sensor technologies and applications, and quantifies their environmental impacts

Science & Technology , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-01-21

The Challenges of Environmental Mainstreaming

IIED

This 108-page UK report reviews the rapidly changing context and challenges to environmental mainstreaming, discusses what it takes to achieve effective mainstreaming, and provides a roadmap for selecting operational methods and tools

Climate Change & Environment , Governance & Politics Posted: 2010-01-19

Past Decade the Hottest on Record

EPI

A US note on global temperature trends and their consequences

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-01-15

The Economics of Adaptation to Extreme Weather Events in Developing Countries

CGDev

This 35-page paper assesses the economics of adaptation to extreme weather events in developing countries

Climate Change & Environment , International Development Posted: 2010-01-15

The Climate of Belief: American Public Opinion on Climate Change

Brookings

A 15-page report on a US study of American public opinion on various aspects of the climate change debate

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-01-14

Intellectual Property Rights and Climate Change: Principles for Innovation and Access to Low-Carbon Technology

CGDev

This 8-page note asserts that negotiators can harness the potential of intellectual property (IP) by creating “global access principles” for all UNFCCC-affiliated multilateral funds

Climate Change & Environment , Science & Technology Posted: 2010-01-10

Warming Increases the Risk of Civil War in Africa

PNAS

A 5-page US article highlighting the risk of civil wars being sparked in Africa by global warming

Defence, Terrorism & Security , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-01-08

GE Crops Show Uncertain Prospects for Reducing Nitrogen Pollution

UCS

This 46-page US report finds no genetically engineered crops have increased nitrogen efficiency, while traditional plant breeding and other methods have shown success

Climate Change & Environment , Poverty & Hunger Posted: 2010-01-08

New-generation Reactors Help Reduce Nuclear Waste

Academy of Finland

A Finnish press release highlighting the development of advanced technologies that offer ways of reducing the quantity of nuclear waste

Energy , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-01-08

Sharing the Load: A Multi-country Survey of the Willingness to Pay for Slowing Climate Change

RFF

This 2-page US issue brief gives the results of a survey of US citizens and Swedes who were asked to define their willingness to pay to avaoid the consequences of global temperature changes

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-01-07

Climate Change Governance: Boundaries and Leakage

RFF

A 62-page US discussion paper addressing how to create incentives for the major developing countries to reduce carbon emissions

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2010-01-07

An African Union? The Shortcomings of Africa’s Strategy in Copenhagen

Stimson Center

A US commentary on Africa's strategy in Copenhagen

Climate Change & Environment , Regional Posted: 2010-01-05

Beyond Copenhagen: Securitising Climate Change

FRIDE

This 5-page Spanish policy brief explains that one of the main imperatives beyond Copenhagen will be to incorporate the geopolitical dimensions of climate change fully into a broadened external energy security policy

Climate Change & Environment , European Union Posted: 2010-01-04

The Copenhagen Accord - A First Stab at Deciphering the Implications for the EU

CEPS

This 8-page commentary is a first attempt at deciphering the implications of the Copenhagen Accord for the EU.

Climate Change & Environment , European Union Posted: 2009-12-29

Climate Change, Land and Security

SIPRI

A Swedish essay on the interaction of climate change and security

Climate Change & Environment , Defence, Terrorism & Security Posted: 2009-12-18

Climate Change and Hunger

IFPRI

This 108-page US report reviews current knowledge of the effects of climate change on hunger. It summarizes knowledge from global studies completed and provides an overview of actions that can be taken to address the challenge

Poverty & Hunger , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2009-12-18

Other Worlds are Possible: Human Progress in an Age of Climate Change

NEF

This 68-page report calls for new economic approaches to international development which are more in tune with the needs of people and the planet

Climate Change & Environment , Economic Policy Posted: 2009-12-15

Counting Carbon in the Marketplace – and at the Border

DIIS

A 4-page Danish policy brief explaining that developing countries need to prepare for the challenges that product carbon footprints (PCFs) pose

Climate Change & Environment , International Development Posted: 2009-12-14

Copenhagen's Many Agendas

CFR

A US backgrounder summarizing the Copenhagen negotiating positions of the principal participants

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2009-12-14

China Challenging the United States for World Wind Leadership

Earth Policy Institute

A US note on how leadership of the global wind market is changing

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2009-12-10

It's One Climate Policy World Out There—Almost

CGD

The results of a US survey of a broad sample of development and climate afficionados on what should be done about climate change

Climate Change & Environment , International Development Posted: 2009-12-09

Europe’s Share of the Climate Challenge

SEI, with FoEE

This 68-page Swedish report examines how Europe can show leadership in keeping global climate change within these limits: firstly, by undertaking domestic actions to rapidly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), and secondly, by fulfilling its international obligations to help other countries address the twin crises of climate change and development

Climate Change & Environment , European Union Posted: 2009-12-08

The Road to Copenhagen: Climate Change, Energy and South Africa’s Foreign Policy

SAIIA

This 30-page South African occasional paper considers the challenges facing South Africa in balancing domestic priorities with growing international pressure to reduce carbon emission

Climate Change & Environment , Energy Posted: 2009-12-03

Flexible Mechanisms in Support of a New Climate Change Regime: The Clean Development Mechanism and Beyond

CEPS

The 68-page report of a task force created to consider the current operation and the continuation of the Kyoto mechanisms and well as the possibilities through the Bali Action Plan for introducing new mechanisms and tradable units after 2012

Climate Change & Environment , European Union Posted: 2009-12-02

What You Should Know About Nano

Ausralia Institute

This 36-page Australian paper aims to introduce and engage its audience in the experiment that is nanoscale sciences and technologies, particularly from the perspectives of consumer and environmental protection and occupational health and safety

Science & Technology , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2009-12-01

Warming Increases Risk of Civil War in Africa

PNAS

This 5-page US paper finds that climate change could increase the likelihood of civil war in sub-Saharan Africa by over 50 percent within the next two decade

Climate Change & Environment , Defence, Terrorism & Security Posted: 2009-11-26

Reconciling Climate Change and Trade Policy

CGD

This 45-page US working paper offers some preliminary quantification of the impact of possible climate change policy approaches on growth in developing countries

International Development , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2009-11-25

Responding to Threats of Climate Change Mega-Catastrophes

RFF

This 37-page US discussion paper presents a qualitative analysis of three options for mitigating the risk of climate mega-catastrophes—drastic abatement of greenhouse gas emissions, development and implementation of geoengineering, and large-scale ex ante adaptation—against the criteria of efficacy, cost, robustness, and flexibility

Climate Change & Environment , Public Safety & Disaster Mitigation Posted: 2009-11-25

Global Climate Negotiations and Tropical Deforestation

RFF

A 7-page US congressional testimony on the state of play of global climate negotiations and the status of international efforts to reduce emissions from tropical deforestation

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2009-11-25

Negotiating a Robust Climate Policy

Clingendael

A 23-page Dutch briefing paper on the possibility of robust decisions emerging from Copenhagen

Climate Change & Environment , Governance & Politics Posted: 2009-11-24

Converging Peril : Climate Change and Conflict in the Southern Philippines

RSIS

This 48-page Singaporean working paper studies how the provinces of the ARMM in the southern Philippines are experiencing convergence risks from climate change and violent conflict

Climate Change & Environment , Defence, Terrorism & Security Posted: 2009-11-24

Getting into the Right Lane for 2050

PBL, Stockholm Resilience Centre

This 106-page Dutch-Swedish study identifies key policy junctions at which the EU will soon face strategic choices. This assessment highlights the substantial potential the EU has through its regulatory powers to establish a long-term investment framework for essential infrastructure and to act as a global player

European Union , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2009-11-23

Energy Needs and Efficiency, Not Emissions: Re-framing the Climate Change Narrative

CGDEV

A 37-page US working paper suggesting some simple principles for determining equitable distribution of emission cuts between developed and developing countries to meet global targets

Climate Change & Environment , International Development Posted: 2009-11-18

The European Union's Potential for Strategic Emissions Trading Through Minimal Permit Sale Contracts

CESifo

This 37-page working paper explores how the EU could benefit from making permit trade agreements with non-EU countries

Climate Change & Environment , European Union Posted: 2009-11-17

Unconventional Gas Shales: Development,Technology, and Policy Issues

CRS

A 53-page US report on the issues affecting the development of unconventional gas shales

Energy , Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2009-11-14

33 Days to Copenhagen: Progress, Stalemate, and a Game-Changer?.

CGD

A report on recent developments before the much-anticipated COP15 climate change conference in Copenhagen

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2009-11-10

Carbon Capture and Storage: No Mere Pipedream

IRPP

A 4-page Canadian article on the benefits of carbon capture and storage

Climate Change & Environment , Energy Posted: 2009-11-06

Warm Homes, Green Jobs: The Economic Impacts of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act in the Residential Sector

Association for the Conservation of Energy

An 8-page report on the economic impact of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the residential sector in Scotland

Climate Change & Environment Posted: 2009-11-05