Climate Change Policy Research Articles

Do climate change policies affect labour market distortions? Empirical evidence from China's low-carbon city pilots

ABSTRACT To mitigate climate change while ensuring that the substantial benefits of a green economic transition are widely shared, the concept of a just transition has emerged as a pivotal element in climate strategies. Although the effectiveness of climate policies has been a subject of ongoing debate, the integration of just transition principles is often overlooked as a key component. This study employs China’s Low-Carbon City Pilot policy (LCCP) as a quasi-natural experiment and uses a time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) methodology to assess the impact of LCCP on wage distortions within firms. Using data from listed companies between 2006 and 2022, our analysis shows that the low-carbon policy itself may be a source of inequity, disproportionately benefiting capital at the expense of labour, thus exacerbating wage distortions and preventing labour from receiving fair compensation. This inequity undermines the principles of a just transition, as the allocation of policy resources tends to favour large firms, enhancing their pricing power and diminishing labour market flexibility. The economic outcomes of LCCP are mixed: while it accelerates the growth of capital share, it also leads to an unequal distribution between capital and labour. Furthermore, our exploration of the role of export trade in mitigating these distortions reveals that exports actually widen the disparity in wage distortions. Our study underscores the urgent need to prioritize equity in climate policies and improve labour allocation efficiency within climate action frameworks. We aim to provide decision-making support for the design and implementation of more equitable low-carbon policies in developing countries.

Role of the warm Arctic cold Eurasian-like pattern on the near future warming rate of East Asian surface temperature

Abstract Internal climate variability (ICV) plays an important role in either accelerating or slowing down the rate of surface temperature warming in East Asia in the near future. To examine the influence of ICV on East Asian surface temperature in the near future, we mainly analyzed the data sets obtained from Max Planck Institute Grand Ensemble model simulations under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 scenario. It is found that the ICV associated with the so-called Warm Arctic-Cold Eurasian (WACE)-like pattern contributes to the near-future warming rate of East Asian surface temperature. Similar results are also obtained from large ensemble model simulations participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 5-8.5 scenario. This implies that the near-term warming rate in East Asia could vary depending on how the climate model simulates the WACE-like pattern, indicating that the ability to accurately simulate ICV in climate models is crucial for future climate mitigation and adaptation policies.

Advocating for planetary health is an essential part of advocating for children's health.

Burning of fossil fuels along with deforestation and ecological disruption have led to the warming of the Earth and climate change. Children are especially vulnerable to adverse health effects of climate change associated changes in the air, soil, and water as their organs are still developing, have a faster breathing rate, higher per pound ingested and inhaled exposures, and greater relative body surface area. To protect this vulnerable population, health care professionals need to play a leading role. In 2015, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their original 2007 Global Climate Change and Children's Health policy statement (again updated in 2024) stating that, "failure to take prompt, substantive action would be an act of injustice to all children." Health care professionals need to educate themselves and their patients of the health risks posed by climate change and incorporate climate change counseling into their practice. They also need to go beyond the framework of the healthcare system and work collaboratively with communities, corporations, and governments to advocate for policies and solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The health and wellbeing of future generations rests upon the actions we take today. IMPACT: Summarizes the adverse effects of increased anthropogenic activity and burning of fossil fuels on planetary and human health Details the increased vulnerability of children to environmental assaults and their long-term effects Provides guidance and resources to health care professionals to empower them to act as advocates for systemic and structural changes that protect children's health.

Fossil Fuel Layoff: Capturing Decarbonization Impacts on Workers Through a Refinery Closure

We surveyed and interviewed oil refinery workers who lost their jobs when a refinery in California shutdown in October 2020 to document post-layoff employment outcomes. Workers experienced post-layoff median hourly wage losses of 24 percent, a 26 percent unemployment rate, and reported frustrating job search experiences marked by a difficulty to convey skills to new employers. Our study harbingers future transition experiences of fossil workers and identifies social insurance responses that could inhere within climate change policies to shield workers from economic risk. Workers identified a need for third-party certification of their skills, benefits negotiators, and wage supports.

MUDANÇAS CLIMÁTICAS: O PAPEL DA LEGISLAÇÃO BRASILEIRA NA PROTEÇÃO DAS FLORESTAS

This article explores how climate change affects the planet on a global scale, causing rising temperatures, rising sea levels, and ocean acidification, among other issues. It analyzes how the United Nations (UN) has sought to mobilize countries to address these challenges. In this context, Brazilian legislation plays a crucial role by establishing norms to protect forests, biodiversity, and the quality of life for the population, ensuring the right to an ecologically balanced environment as stipulated in the Federal Constitution of 1988. Despite the existence of laws such as the Forest Code and the National Climate Change Policy (PNMC), which aim to reduce pollutant emissions and curb practices that contribute to the greenhouse effect, implementation still lacks effectiveness and direct incentives to promote sustainable practices. Additionally, the Public Prosecutor’s Office is essential in defending the environment and preventing illegal deforestation. This research adopts a qualitative approach, based on literature reviews and case analysis. The findings indicate that Brazilian legislation, although robust, requires more effective implementation and collaboration from society to tackle the challenges posed by climate change and ensure a sustainable future.

CO2 variability over a tropical coastal station in India: Synergy of observation and model

Carbon dioxide (CO2), being the prime greenhouse gas, has largest contribution in radiative forcing and global warming due to increased anthropogenic emissions leading to regional and global climate change. We performed CO2 measurements using a continuous monitoring instrument at a tropical coastal station at the southern tip of India (Thumba; 8.54° N, 76.86° E) during 2017–2021. Combining measurements with model simulations and satellite observations, present study aims to understand CO2 variabilities, contribution of various sources and role of dynamics. The observed trend of 2.19 ppm y−1 is well simulated (2.47 ppm y−1) by the chemistry-transport model (MIROC4-ACTM), which is contributed by trends in fossil fuel (4.59 ppm y−1), biosphere (−1.46 ppm y−1) and ocean (−0.66 ppm y−1) tracers of CO2 flux. Mean seasonal cycle with amplitude of about 8 ppm is observed, with a maximum during premonsoon (April) and minimum at the end of the monsoon season (September). The model reproduced the observed seasonal cycle well (r2 = 0.89) and showed that the seasonal peak is predominantly contributed by the land biospheric flux seasonality. Biospheric sink during postmonsoon is counterbalanced by emissions from fossil fuel burning. Biosphere and fossil fuel are major contributors in shaping the observed seasonal pattern with negligible seasonality in oceanic tracer due to its uniform flux patterns in the Indian Ocean. Mean diurnal pattern of CO2 exhibits lower values during daytime (cleaner marine airmass) and higher values during nighttime (continental airmass) with deeper diurnal amplitude in the winter (~50 ppm) than in the summer (~31 ppm). Seasonal pattern in total column CO2 from OCO-2 (Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2) is similar to the surface observations but shows nearly half of the observed seasonal amplitude. Long-term continuous measurements over distinct environments are desirable for further deepening the understanding of CO2 variability, estimation of regional carbon budget and for climate mitigation policies.

A cost-effective climate mitigation pathway for China with co-benefits for sustainability

Climate mitigation policies have broad environmental and socioeconomic impacts and thus underpin progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through national-scale integrated modeling, we explore the spillover effects of China’s long-term climate mitigation pathways (CMPs) on achieving all 17 SDGs, and then identify a cost-effective CMP for China with co-benefits for sustainability. Our analysis indicates that the 9 original CMPs and 180 bundled CMPs can both substantially boost the SDGs, resulting in an increase of 6.33–8.86 and 5.90–9.33 points in overall SDG score (0=no progress, 100=full achievement) by 2060, compared to the Reference pathway of 70.75 points, respectively. The identified cost-effective CMP deals with the trade-offs among sustainability, CO2 emissions and mitigation cost, and maximizes the synergies between them. This CMP can inform future directions for China’s policy-makers to maximize the potential synergies between carbon neutrality and long-term sustainable development.

Integration of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) into climate change mitigation and adaptation endeavours: milestones and gaps in South Africa and Zimbabwe’s climate policy frameworks

AbstractThis article was poised to unravel the merits of integrating IKS and the demerits of its exclusion in climate change programmes and policies. The harrowing impacts of climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa make adaptation and mitigation unescapable discourses. As such, climate change policies demonstrate governments’ commitment to fostering adaptation and mitigating climate change impacts evident in every sector of society. The effectiveness of climate policies is measured by their responsiveness to the different needs, aspirations and circumstances of populations plagued by climate change. In the absence of technoscience-based adaptation and mitigation mechanisms, African communities still rely on the repository of indigenous knowledge systems as a source of information, decision-making, and prediction tools for predicting weather changes. For this reason, in formulating climate change mitigation and adaptation endeavours at policy level, it is critical to identify specific strategies where IKS has been used as a warrant towards its usage. This study was qualitative and operated within the traditional descriptive, analytical and interpretive approaches. It relied on a desktop review of journal articles on climate change and IKS, and climate change policies of South Africa and Zimbabwe. These were purposively sampled based on their relevance to the aim of the study. The Discourse Content Analysis was utilised to analyse data from which the findings were derived. The article established that despite the wide recognition of the role played by IKS in climate change adaptation, mitigation and disaster risk reduction, IKS has not featured predominantly South Africa’s climate change policies as compared to Zimbabwe’s climate policies. Notably, disregarding IKS in climate change policies makes them bereft of effectiveness in vulnerability reduction, fostering adaptation and resilience building for African communities that rely on IKS, among other capitals essential in fostering mitigation and adaptation in the face of climate change.

An input-output approach to study the impact of carbon taxes in (almost) every country

Some forty carbon tax initiatives have been adopted, and more countries are evaluating the possibility of implementing this instrument every year. However, there is significant heterogeneity in tax rates, type of covered emissions, and regulated sectors, which is explained by the different levels of environmental concern and cost that each country is willing to assume. In this context, the present study simulates various scenarios of carbon taxes in (almost) every country in the world to contribute to the global design of climate change policies. Specifically, input-output tables and sectoral CO2 emissions of each country are used to calibrate the environmental extension of the Leontief price model, obtaining the impacts on prices, production, and emissions at the sectoral, national, or global level. The results show that the same effective tax rate can have very different effects in each country, mainly explained by the composition of the energy matrix. In addition, global CO2 emissions would be reduced by 0.10% ∼ 0.23% for each dollar of CO2 tax applied to all sectors and countries. Finally, a more outstanding commitment from rich countries and larger developing countries is required to contribute more decisively to combating climate change in the short term.

Evaluating the effectiveness of climate change policies and initiatives in the United States: A comprehensive review

Climate change presents profound challenges, demanding effective policies to mitigate its impacts. This paper reviews the effectiveness of climate policies in the United States, analyzing scholarly articles, government reports, and relevant literature. The review covers diverse policies such as greenhouse gas regulations, renewable energy initiatives, energy efficiency programs, and adaptation measures. It assesses their success in reducing carbon emissions, advancing a low-carbon economy, and enhancing resilience to climate impacts. Key findings highlight significant successes, such as the rise in renewable energy due to renewable portfolio standards and reduced emissions from vehicle fuel efficiency standards. State-level initiatives, like carbon pricing and renewable energy targets, also show promising outcomes. However, the review identifies substantial challenges, including political and economic obstacles, inconsistent policies across states, and the need for better federal-state-local collaboration. Additionally, disparities in policy benefits, with marginalized communities facing greater burdens and limited access to renewable resources, are significant concerns. To enhance the effectiveness of climate policies, the study recommends fostering coherent policies across all government levels, promoting equitable and inclusive climate solutions, raising public awareness, and supporting innovation in clean technologies. This comprehensive review provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to develop strategies that effectively address climate change, promote sustainability, and ensure a fair transition to a low-carbon future.

Exploring Burden of Disease Metrics in EU legislation: A Systematic Analysis

Abstract Background The burden of disease (BoD) methodology is a valuable tool for evidence-based policymaking. However, there is currently no systematic analysis available regarding its use in the European Union (EU) legislation framework. This study aims to describe the implementation of BoD methodology in EU legislation. Methods A search was conducted on EUR-Lex, the official and most comprehensive platform to access EU legal documents. The main inclusion criteria in the analyses were date of publication (between 2004 and 2023, accounting for EU-25) and inclusion of BoD metrics (years of life lost - YLL, years lived with disability - YLD or disability-adjusted life years - DALY). Descriptive and network analysis were conducted to analyse the legislation content. Results Out of 2592 documents, 191 met the set criteria. Ten were legally binding, and 69% were published after 2018. The European Commission (n = 152) was the most regular issuing institution. BoD was mainly used as an argument (n = 93) and for impact assessment (n = 50). The metrics were commonly presented in the main text (n = 122) and in the annex (n = 48). EuroVoc domains like environment and social questions prevailed. The most frequent EuroVoc terms were climate change policy (n = 45), EU environmental policy (n = 32) and pollution control measures (n = 32). Discussion Despite the growing recognition of BoD metrics in supporting policymaking, only 191 documents published over the past 20 years within the EU legislation make reference to this methodology. Greater efforts in knowledge dissemination and directing research towards specific policy uptake may increase the application of BoD studies in EU policies. By advocating for increased awareness, promoting collaboration between researchers and policymakers, and targeting research efforts towards specific policy needs, a more comprehensive integration of BoD methodologies into EU legislation can be achieved, contributing for evidence-informed policies. Key messages • There were only 191 documents of the EU legislative documents published in the past 20 years mention burden of disease metrics, mainly addressing environmental and social issues. • There is a need to increase EU policy uptake from BoD studies, by conducting policy-oriented research, and building capacity among researchers and policymakers on BoD methodology.

Capturing the health and well-being impact of climate change: a health impact assessment in Wales

Abstract Climate change is one of the biggest threats to global health in the 21st century and is likely to impact on health through a range of factors (societal, economic or environmental). The need to take action on climate and nature emergencies in order to protect population health and well-being and prevent negative impacts are becoming more urgent. Public Health Wales carried out a comprehensive mixed-method Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of climate change in Wales. HIA is a systematic process which considers the impact of a policy on the health and well-being of a population. It appraised the potential impacts of climate change on health and inequalities in Wales. This involved participatory workshops, engagement with stakeholders, statistical data, systematic literature reviews and case studies. The HIA findings indicate significant potential impacts across the determinants of health and mental well-being. For example, air quality, flooding, economic productivity, working conditions, access to services and community resilience. Impacts were identified across population groups, settings, and areas including urban and rural contexts, outdoor workers, children and young people, older people, schools, hospitals and workplaces. These findings have been beneficial to inform decision-makers to prepare for climate change plans and policies using a preventative evidence-informed approach. The work has demonstrated the value of HIA for significant, complex policies by mobilising a range of evidence through a transparent process, resulting in government and organizational action and transferrable learning for others. Key messages • HIA is a beneficial tool to identify at a granular level the health impacts of climate change. • The HIA has been used by the government of Wales and organisations to respond to and plan for climate change.

Variation and Forecasting of Land Surface Temperature in Malaysia

Long-term variations in temperature and weather patterns provide evidence that the planet is experiencing global warming. The detrimental consequences of global warming on the ecosystem have affected people, plants, and animals. The rising Land Surface Temperature (LST) in a region has become a crucial indicator for determining specific climate change policies. Malaysia is divided into Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah Sarawak, located on Borneo Island, comprising four super-regions and 36 sub-regions. The distance between sub-regions, measured in latitudes and longitudes, is 150 pixels (equivalent to 95 kilometres), covering the entire country. This study uses data from NASA’s Terra satellites’ Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometers (MODIS) covering 2000–2022. Eight, four, and three knots were deployed on the cubic spline equation to analyse cyclical data, variation, and the LST forecast from 2022 to 2030. The global mean rise in LST variation per decade is 0.445°C, with a significance level of 5%, from a confidence interval of [0.377, 0.507]°C. The average predicted fluctuation in LST indicates a significant rise of 0.383°C per decade. Malaysia has not shown a significant decrease in LST acceleration at the 0.05 significance level, and a p-value of 0.06 suggests that LST variation is still increasing. Compared to the Sabah Sarawak group, which experiences LST deceleration, most Peninsular Malaysia group experiences LST acceleration.

The stringency and potential impact of climate laws and policies in the European Union and the 21OECD countries

In this paper, I offer a way to measure the stringency of climate change legislation for macro-comparative studies using publicly available data. The paper is innovative in that it examines the complex interrelationship between national, subnational, and supranational legislation using data from the FaoLex database on environmental laws and policies. It is also novel in that it conducts a contextualized comparison that takes into account different national conditions for climate change policies. The resulting index is the Gross Potential Impact (GPI), which is a measure of the stimulus of legislation before taking into account implementation issues. To demonstrate the validity of the index, findings from case study research on the European Union’s 2020 and 2030 climate and energy frameworks are used. The rest of the paper presents the GPI for 21 OECD countries for the period between 1990 and 2020.

The Evolution of Potable Water Security: A Temporal Analysis of Key Indices and Trends

Water security is a critical global issue that has gained increasing attention from researchers, policymakers, and practitioners over the past few decades. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the evolution of potable water security indices from the 1980s to the 2020s, focusing on the key research themes, trends, and influential factors in the field. We conducted a comprehensive search of the relevant literature and examined the development of water security indices to provide insights into the current state of research and identify future research directions. This paper will explore the historical context, key indicators, sector-specific challenges, climate change implications, governance and policy considerations, technological advancements, community engagement efforts, and future directions for research in this critical field. Researchers and policymakers will find this review valuable as it offers insights into the existing knowledge and the areas that require further exploration to address global water security challenges.

Integrated understanding of climate change and disaster risk for building resilience of cultural heritage sites

AbstractHeritage assets are vulnerable to climate change and disaster risks. However, existing literature has long been separating climate change from disaster risks, which were mainly considered as natural disasters. Recently, the framework of integrated understanding of climate change and disaster risk reduction in international policies started to be discussed in sustainable development discussion, while mentioning opportunities to build resilience of cultural heritage sites (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction 2020). But this framework is yet to be implemented and detailed in the context of heritage sites. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to analyze how the integrated understanding of climate change and disaster risk reduction policies can contribute to building climate resilience of cultural heritage sites by reviewing the key themes emerging from the literature. The question this paper answers are how can the integrated understanding of climate change and disaster risks reduction tackle barriers to the resilience of heritage sites? And what can be done to fill the gaps identified in the literature? To understand it, four elements from the literature are analyzed, including methodological contributions, temporalities, challenges and gaps, and opportunities. The findings of this review help in understanding the gap and interplay between science and policy in decision-making processes. We conclude by discussing the ways forward for the applicability of the framework in building resilience of cultural heritage sites.

Translations of climate change consequences at the local level: Climate change adaptation in Bergen and Stavanger municipalities in Norway

AbstractThis paper uncovers a local‐level approach to the likely adverse effects of climate change through climate change policies, measures and practices concerning climate change adaptation. The study is sustained by the literature that addresses climate change through a securitization lens, which has identified security discourses on climate change in terms of threat or risk. To understand the origin of local discourse, we have adopted the concepts of translations and translation zones from security studies, allowing us to define encounters between different conceptual expressions of ways to handle threats and risks. In this paper, ‘translations’ mean negotiations of meanings between security, threat and risk, and ‘translation zones’ indicate where these negotiations take place. Discourses are studied in the two Norwegian municipalities of Bergen and Stavanger. Both experience similar consequences of climate change and are bound to follow national laws and regulations for developing adaptive responses. Despite these similarities, translations and translation zones unveil differences in the organisation of adaptation work. Risk discourses thus allow several possible translation pathways, and adaptation remains a distinctly local phenomenon despite commonalities in risk discourse and translation processes.

Impact of Climate Change Education on Pregnant Women's Anxiety and Awareness.

To evaluate the impact of climate change education on pregnant women's climate change awareness and anxiety. Quasi-experimental research with pre- and post-test design. This study was conducted among pregnant women who visited a tertiary maternity hospital between April and June 2023 to assess climate change awareness, perception, knowledge, behavioral and policy expectations, and anxiety before and after the introduction of climate change education. The first phase of the study was conducted by distributing a set of questions related to sociodemographics and completing the Climate Change Awareness Scale and the Climate Change Worry Scale, followed by climate change education where pregnant women were exposed to a brochure entitled "Pregnancy and Climate Change". After the intervention, pregnant women were assessed using the same questionnaire. There was a significant decrease in pregnant women's anxiety regarding climate change (p<0.001). Participants' awareness (p<0.001), perception (p<0.001), knowledge (p<0.001), and policy expectations regarding climate change significantly increased (p<0.001), while their anxiety levels decreased (p<0.001). The study suggests that climate change education may reduce climate change anxiety among pregnant women while also enhancing their awareness, and improving their perceptions, knowledge, behaviors, and policy expectations about climate change.

Mainstreaming Indigenous Knowledge of Pastoralists into Climate Change Policies in Cameroon

Indigenous pastoralists are hardest hit by the impacts of climate change because of their dependence on nature and limited adaptation. This paper seeks to examine the level of integration of traditional knowledge systems into adaptation policies in Cameroon, using the specific case of Mbororo pastoralists in the Western Highlands. Using a mainly qualitative approach in data collection, in-depth interviews were conducted with 28 purposively selected pastoralists from 4 divisions with intense pastoral activity, comprising 19 Mbororo pastoralists, 2 members of the Mbororo Social and Cultural Association (MBOSCUDA), 2 Mbororo traditional rulers, 5 Mbororo women and one focus group discussion. Discussions were recorded and voice notes were transcribed, coded and treated according to content and thematic with the aid of Atlas. Ti software. Results show that Mbororo pastoralists migrated into the region in the 1950s as nomadic herders and occupied marginal lands due to the nature of their activity. With climatic aberrations being acute, their closeness to nature permitted them to develop a wide array of knowledge and traditional practices to adapt and exploit existing opportunities. Semi-nomadic and transhumance methods of rearing, cross-breeding local species with high-breed species to produce resistant breeds of cattle, cultivating resistant pasture species, rotational grazing and using traditional medicines to treat cattle diseases have reduced resource degradation and curbed the effects of climatic aberrations. Nevertheless, these indigenous knowledge systems are eroding fast due to poor indigenous institutions and non-integration into policy. This work will reinforce capacities of decentralized communities in developing and implementing local adaptation plans on climate change.

The influence of partisan news on climate mitigation support: An investigation into the mediating role of perceived risk and efficacy.

Perceptions of efficacy play a central role in motivating people to engage in climate actions. However, there has been little investigation into how different climate efficacy beliefs are formed and how they may be associated with support for climate mitigation policies. This study, based on the motivated control framework, examines how risk perceptions may differentially be associated with four types of efficacy constructs (self-efficacy, personal outcome expectancy, collective efficacy, and collective outcome efficacy). It also places the motivated control framework in the context of the partisan information sphere and examines how exposure to partisan news may influence mitigation policy support through the mediators of risk perceptions and the efficacy constructs. Results suggest that liberal- and conservative-leaning news exposure, respectively, associate with higher and lower supports for policies. Overall, risk perception was a significant mediator, and the mediating function of efficacy varied depending on the specific construct being examined. For liberal news use, increased risk perceptions had a positive association with policy support through self-efficacy and collective outcome expectancy but also had an unexpected negative association with policy support through personal outcome expectancy and collective efficacy. For conservative news use, decreased risk perceptions resulted in further decreased beliefs of self-efficacy and collective outcome expectancy, resulting in lower levels of support for climate policies. We also find that political ideology is a significant moderator for the mediation model. Implications for climate change communication are discussed.