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According to the IPCC, the concentration of greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere is directly linked to the average global temperature on Earth, and the concentration has been rising steadily. The most abundant greenhouse gas, accounting for about two-thirds of greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, is largely the product of burning fossil fuels.
There is alarming evidence that important tipping points, leading to irreversible changes in major ecosystems and the planetary climate system, may already have been reached or passed. One of the most urgent challenges facing countries across the world today is how to achieve economic prosperity and development while also combating climate change.
The Paris climate change agreement commits nations to limit global temperature rise to no more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with countries pledging to cut or curb their greenhouse gas emissions – through a combination of mitigation and adaptation measures – by 2030.
Created a Post in Climate Change, Sustainable Finance
Climate change is a whole-economy problem. Tackling it will require looking at every financial decision through a climate lens. Does the decision result in greenhouse gas emissions or will it reduce them? Will it improve resilience to climatic shocks or worsen vulnerability?
As countries move to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change, they need to know the answers to such questions. They need to be able to track and understand domestic flows of finance so they can better align them with their climate goals, identify gaps and unlock the private investment needed for green, resilient development.
Created a Post in Climate Change
As part of its PIPFAREF program, the NGO Climate Change Africa Opportunities (CCAO) sets up Local Committees to fight against Deforestation in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Created a Post in Cities and Urban Development, Climate Change
If a city’s population doubles but incomes stay constant, the city’s floor space per person declines by 40%; If per capita income doubles but population stays constant, the city’s total floor space per person increases by 29% - these are just two key takeaways from the new World Bank report "Pancakes to Pyramids : City Form to Promote Sustainable Growth" that draws on new evidence, econometric analysis, and predictive modeling to relate the economic growth of cities to their past spatial evolution. Which one is more sustainable for urban future - horizontal growth or vertical layering?
Created a Post in Blue Economy, Climate Change
In recent months, the global 30x30 campaign to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 has gained tremendous support, with a number of countries pledging to fulfill this goal. What hasn’t been clear, however, is whether these countries are fully prepared to ensure the target is met in ocean areas beyond national jurisdictions, also known as the high seas.
However, due to the unique governance structure of the Southern Ocean that surrounds the Antarctic continent, there are already ambitious proposals for significant high seas marine protected areas (MPAs). If adopted, these MPAs would collectively protect almost 4 million square kilometers of ocean, including habitat for large numbers of penguins, whales, seals and other unique Antarctic species. This would be the largest act of ocean protection in history.
G7 finance ministers made a commitment at the meeting to make it mandatory for corporates to report climate impacts and investment decisions, alongside new measures to strengthen central company beneficial ownership registries to crackdown on environmental crime.
Created a Post in Climate Change, Energy
The IEA's recent "Net Zero by 2050" report designated Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) as one of seven pillars needed to achieve mid-century climate neutrality and limit global heating. Can CCS really be used as the technological fix to mitigate climate change while many oil and gas industries are using the technology to produce more fossil fuels?
Interesting article in the Guardian that highlights the delicate politics that can make or break real progress on achieving net zero emissions by 2050
Created a Post in Climate Change, Green Recovery from COVID-19
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to dominate headlines with distressing messages about the negative effects on health and the economy. But sometimes a positive message creeps through.
The long months of lockdown and reduced economic activity have reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. In many areas, improved air quality has been hailed as a key side benefit of the crisis.
But as economic activity picks up again, are lower pollution levels really the silver lining of the Covid pandemic?
Created a Post in Natural Capital, Agriculture, Climate Change
The new State of Finance for Nature report finds that if the world is to meet the climate change, biodiversity, and land degradation targets, it needs to close a USD 4.1 trillion financing gap in nature by 2050. The current investments in Nature-based solutions amount to USD 133 billion – most of which comes from public sources.
In recent years least developed countries have watched their key climate demands and needs go unanswered by other nations. These nations are least responsible for creating the climate change problem, but they are often the most affected by its impacts like sea level rise, floods, droughts and more. It is time for vulnerable countries to be heard ahead of the COP 26 Climate Negotiations.