Effective Climate Policy Research Articles

From Retrofitting to Renewables: Navigating Energy Transition Pathways for European Residential Space Heating

Transformative actions are crucial across all sectors emitting greenhouse gases. Nonetheless, energy transition research to date displays a notable imbalance, with a larger emphasis on the supply side than on the demand side. The present study addresses this inequity by focusing on residential sector space heating demand, a frequently overlooked energy service that currently contributes substantially to global greenhouse gas emissions. Our primary objective is to pinpoint effective climate policies and space heating strategies that align with the EU’s ambitious targets for emission reduction. We employ the recently developed TIMES-Europe model to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the residential sector’s policy frameworks, technological advancements, and associated costs. This analysis aims to determine the measures necessary to meet ambitious climate objectives within the European context. To achieve this, we formulate four distinct scenarios, each representing varying levels of ambition and collaboration among EU member states, thereby providing insight into the pathways toward achieving these targets. By implementing current intended EU policies on the renovation of dwellings, we project a substantial reduction of at most 850 PJ, or, i.e., a 19% decrease, in yearly energy demand for space heating between 2020 and 2050. In contrast, if the recent pace of dwelling renovation within the EU were to continue, space heating energy savings from renovation would only amount to less than 400 PJ/yr (i.e., a 9% reduction) in the same period. In our more ambitious climate scenarios, phasing out fossil fuels leads to widespread electrification of the European residential sector, and by 2050, electricity from heat pumps and electric boilers accounts for over 68% of the total residential sector space heating demand. The outcomes of our study underline the importance of implementing the currently planned EU policies. We also demonstrate the necessity for collaboration among EU member states in order to attain the common European climate targets under the most effective resource allocation.

Effective climate finance coordination? Stakeholder perceptions, climate change policy implementation and the underlying political economy factors in Kenya

ABSTRACT The last two decades have seen an increase in climate financing channelled to the Global South from multiple sources, putting a spotlight on climate finance coordination challenges in recipient countries. However, the climate finance coordination debate has largely been centred at climate finance provision at the global level. Emerging literature has called on recipient countries to establish effective climate finance coordination mechanisms. Yet, the calls have not clarified what accounts for an effective coordination mechanism. This paper addresses the gap by analyzing stakeholder perceptions of effective climate finance coordination in Kenya. Kenya has instituted a legal and institutional framework to guide climate finance coordination, but challenges of coordination persist. Using the political economy framework, the paper analyzes political economy factors influencing stakeholder perceptions and climate change policy implementation to identify political contestations that need to be reconciled. Data is drawn from relevant literature, 29 key informant interviews and 4 focus group discussions at the national level in Nairobi and at the sub-national level in Turkana County. Deductive thematic analysis is adopted for coding and analyzing data. Results indicate that different ideologies, interests, incentives, politics, power relations and contestation over resources largely influence stakeholder perceptions of an effective climate finance coordination mechanism and climate policy implementation. The operationalization of the National Climate Change Council and the National Climate Change Fund are the most contested. The paper calls on policy actors to reconcile political issues of contention for recipient countries to institute coordination mechanisms that gain ownership and widespread legitimacy from stakeholders.

Towards a Resilient City: Analyzing Semarang Preparedness in Facing Disaster Related to Climate Change, Indonesia

Semarang, a populous Indonesian coastal city, faces rising sea levels, tidal floods, and potential increases in rainfall intensity due to climate change. Measuring urban resilience is crucial to understand current and future disaster risks, informing the development of effective climate and disaster resilience policies. This study analyzes Semarang City's preparedness for climate-related disasters using a qualitative approach. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and surveys involving stakeholders and representatives from each sub-district were conducted. The Climate Disaster Resilience Index (CDRI) framework was employed to assess preparedness across natural, social, economic, institutional, and physical dimensions. The findings reveal that preparedness in Semarang is a multi-faceted and ongoing effort. While initial analysis suggests a moderate level of preparedness, areas for improvement include strengthening the climate action plan, expanding early warning system reach, and enhancing community flood coping capacity. These actions are essential to safeguard society and the environment, bolstering the city's resilience and adaptability to climate change impacts.

Fostering teacher agency in school‐based climate change education in England, UK

AbstractDrawing on conceptualisations of teacher agency through the ecological approach, and in the context of recent policy activity, we explored primary and secondary school teachers' experiences of agency in relation to climate change education in England. Data collection occurred over two distinct but related phases. Firstly, we completed a series of interviews with the same three secondary geography teachers at the outset of their careers (15 interviews during 2020–2022) which included 1 year of Initial Teacher Education and 2 years as Early Career Teachers (ECTs). Secondly, we captured the experiences of further 24 in‐service science and geography teachers (with expertise beyond the ECT period) through two online workshops held in November 2022, the first for primary teachers (n = 10) and the second for secondary teachers (n = 10). Interviews were held with four teachers (two primary and two secondary) who could not attend the workshops (n = 4). Our findings underline the importance of structures (e.g. school leadership) and culture (e.g. ideas and values) in fostering teacher agency. Teachers across primary and secondary phases and at different career stages highlighted the value of curricular and extra‐curricular spaces for climate change education. If all children and young people are to access effective climate change education, researchers and policy makers will need to further consider ways to ensure teachers can achieve agency, including through access to transformative professional learning which fosters agency in relation to climate change education.

Polish climate policy in the opinion of young Poles - a pilot survey

As established in the Europe 2020 Strategy and the European Green Deal, combating climate change is one of the central elements of the European Union’s policy. As a member, Poland is obliged to develop and implement climate policy in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions so climate neutrality can be achieved by 2050. In the context of low political priority for the Polish government, the study aims to identify the level of awareness, perceptions, and attitudes of young Poles towards climate change, as well as their assessment of climate policy. To achieve this aim, a non-random sampling pilot survey was conducted among young Poles in spring 2022, using an electronic questionnaire made available via social media. While the results show respondents’ awareness of and rather high interest in the threats posed by climate change, in-depth knowledge of climate change, climate policy, and its socio-economic implications is lacking. The progress in and effectiveness of climate policy in Poland is rather assessed negatively. Based on the results, key directions for future actions are suggested for the young generation to become a force in creating a more effective climate policy.

Climate change and Indigenous mental health in Australia: In the aftermath of the defeat of the Voice referendum.

This manuscript delves into the intricate connection between climate change and Indigenous mental health in Australia, with a focus on the aftermath of the defeat of the 'Voice' referendum. Climate change, recognized for its broad impact on mental health determinants, poses heightened risks to vulnerable communities, including Indigenous populations. The defeat of 'The Voice' referendum adds complexity, highlighting concerns about the lack of meaningful rights for the First Peoples of Australia. The bushfires further underscore ecological consequences, affecting Indigenous ecosystems and intensifying existing environmental challenges. Climate change exacerbates existing health challenges for Indigenous peoples, introducing new issues like ecological sorrow and anxiety. The manuscript advocates for prioritized research in Indigenous communities to explore the link between climate change and mental health. It emphasizes interdisciplinary and collaborative research, giving voice to those directly affected by climate change. The lack of trust between Indigenous populations and authorities, along with the implications on self-determination, is crucial research focus. Renewable energy emerges as a potential solution deeply ingrained in Indigenous practices. The manuscript discusses challenges in achieving eco-friendly resettlement, emphasizing collaboration difficulties between the government and remote communities. The indigenous worldview, with its interconnectedness, is crucial for sustainable strategies. Indigenous perspectives on planetary health are crucial, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous knowledge in shaping effective climate policies. The manuscript stresses dialogues between policymakers and Indigenous elders for formulating respectful land laws. It calls for global attention to the role of Indigenous peoples as biodiversity caretakers and urges recognition of their knowledge in climate change. Future directions include data collection for ecosystem protection, improving mental health outcomes post-climate events, and supporting impacted communities. Mental health care approaches in remote communities and practitioner training for climate-related issues are emphasized. The manuscript calls for increased funding for interdisciplinary research to understand the long-term impact of climate change on mental health, especially among vulnerable populations.

Electrification policy impacts on land system in British Columbia, Canada

British Columbia (BC) is committed to transitioning to a low-carbon energy system to meet its CO2 emission reduction targets, but this shift towards renewable energy sources may have significant implications for land use. This paper investigates the land-use impacts of different electrification pathways and technology choices in BC's energy system using the BC Nexus model. Our analysis highlights the potential increase in land-use requirements associated with transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, with the occupied land of the power system potentially increasing up to six times larger than the current total build-up land (depending on the scale of electrification and technology choice). These findings have important implications for policymakers in terms of balancing the trade-offs between energy security, economic development, and environmental sustainability. By understanding the physical footprint of the energy transition, decision-makers can develop more effective climate policies and sustainable development strategies.

Organisational perceptions of adapting to a changing climate

Organisations, in the private, public and third sectors, are critical stakeholders and actors in the governance of climate change adaptation. Understanding organisational perceptions of preparedness, risk and response to climate change is important for effective climate adaptation-focused actions and policy design. Our study focuses on two research questions: what factors influence adaptation actions by organisations?, and what do organisations mean by the term ‘adaptation’? To address these, we developed and analysed a national survey of UK-based organisations’ perceptions of adapting to a changing climate, administered in spring 2021 (n = 2,429). Our findings confirm that awareness matters: respondents who reported that their organisation had high levels of concern about climate change risk or threat, and which had greater integration of adaptation within processes, are more likely to take adaptation action. In addition, we find a positive relationship between the occurrence and type of extreme event experienced and increased adaptation action by organisations. However, when asked about specific adaptation measures taken by organisations, examples of mitigation are more frequently mentioned compared to adaptation-type actions. Whether this may signal confusion or conflation of adaptation and mitigation by organisations requires further study. These findings offer critical insights into the perceptions of organisations as pivotal leaders of enacting responses to climate change. A renewed focus on organisational experiences, awareness, attitudes and capacity regarding adaptation can assist in better understanding how organisations can facilitate improved climate-resilient decision-making.

Strategic Management Practices for Climate Change Mitigation in Institutions of Higher Learning in Africa

This study explores the strategic management practices employed by higher education institutions in Africa to mitigate the effects of climate change. As the continent faces increasing environmental challenges, universities and colleges play a crucial role in spearheading sustainable initiatives. Through an extensive review of literature and empirical evidence, the research identifies four key objectives: enhancing strategic leadership, fostering stakeholder engagement, building capacity among staff and students, and formulating effective climate policies. Findings indicate that transformative leadership and collaborative partnerships are essential for driving successful climate action. Furthermore, programs focused on capacity building significantly enhance the knowledge and skills necessary for effective sustainability practices. The study concludes with recommendations for institutions to strengthen their climate initiatives by prioritizing inclusive engagement, investing in training, and aligning policies with national and international commitments. These insights aim to support academic leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders in promoting environmental sustainability and resilience within African higher education contexts.

A functional dynamic framework for understanding new government-market relationships of smart energy transitions in China

The urgency for China to attain carbon neutrality has driven the world’s largest carbon-emitting nation to seek more effective climate and energy policies. The adoption of smart grid (SG) technologies, aimed at enabling and accelerating the shift from fossil fuel-dependent energy systems to more sustainable ones, has garnered mounting policy interest in China. However, the full potential of SG development has yet to be realised amidst the ongoing electricity market reforms in the country. A key but largely unanswered question pertains to how and the extent to which the evolving dynamics between the government and the market have influenced SG advancements. This paper aims to develop and apply an integrated framework of policy mixes and functional dynamics for smart energy transitions, and apply it to reanalyse a case study of SG policy developments in China. Our study entails a synthesis of primary research findings, shedding light on how electricity market reforms create institutional contexts within which new government-market dynamics emerge and condition the progress of SGs in China. Our study reveals that the Chinese government has adopted a controlled dynamic approach to modulate the relationships between the government and the market within the power sector. This approach has both facilitated the creation of an enabling policy environment and imposed certain barriers to SG developments. The dominance of state-owned incumbents have on the one hand created state-driven market demand, reduction in technology costs and the influence of utility-led policy networks, but on the other hand, placing constraints on the growth of SG technologies. Our policy recommendations: China needs to formulate and implement SG policies which can effectively overcome key barriers which include under-developed regulatory frameworks, utilities’ disincentives to invest in renewable energy, and insufficiency in end-user engagements.

Mapping multiscalar power for fair, effective climate policy discourse

Mainstream climate policy discourse obscures power disparities between those who contribute the most to climate change and those who are hit the hardest, particularly in discussions regarding the appropriate targets for intervention, including behavioral change. We reflect and critique this obfuscation of power in policy debates, and as a corrective, we identify actors with high levels of climate responsibility and high capacity for mitigation and adaptation, and that intersect different scales of social organization. We visually map these overlaps to spur productive dialogue and generate new policy ideas to target the worst violators first and encourage action for others where it is rooted in what capacities they have. We include examples of how power disparities reflect and produce complex climate injustices, underscoring the importance of conceptualizing power through a multiscalar lens for fair and effective climate policy.

Decision making for net zero policy design and climate action: considerations for improving translation at the research-policy interface: a UK Carbon Dioxide Removal case study

The impacts of climate change on society and the natural environment are being experienced now, with extreme weather events increasing in frequency and severity across the globe. To keep the Paris Agreement's ambition of limiting warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels there is now also a need to establish and scale a new sector to remove CO2 at Giga-ton scale for over a century. Despite this mounting evidence and warnings, current climate policy in the UK and globally falls far short of achieving the required reductions in CO2 emissions or establishment of a new removal sector needed to stave off the risks posed by climate change. Some of the science on climate risk is well-evidenced, but the policy response is lacking in effectiveness. Other evidence to design policy, such as Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), is fraught with deep uncertainty. Why are the plethora of scientific evidence, assessments and decision support tools available to decision and policymakers not always translating into effective climate-net zero policy action? How can emergent evidence be introduced to shape new sectors such as CDR? What are the capacity gaps? Through a combination of literature review, interviews and UK policy workshops over 17 months these are some of the questions that this contribution sought insight. We set out three recommendations for policymakers and other stakeholders, including academic researchers and third sector organizations, to address the identified gaps associated with translating climate risk and net zero decision support into effective climate policy:• Enhance collaboration between decision-makers, policymakers, analysts, researchers, and other stakeholders to co-develop and co-design operational climate risk assessments and policies, relevant to context.• Identify the research and capacity gaps around climate risk decision-making under uncertainty, and work with stakeholders across the decision value chain to ensure those gaps are addressed.• Co-create effective translation mechanisms to embed decision-support tools into policy better, employing a participatory approach to ensure inclusion of diverse values and viewpoints.It is fundamental that there is improvement in our understanding about how we can make good decisions and operationalize them, rather than simply focus on further research on the climate risk and net zero problem.

An exploration of linkage between climate-related financial policies and natural rents: Evidence from the global database

In this article, we attempt to link climate-related financial policies to natural rents around the world. The study employs five distinct measures, namely natural rents, coal rents, mineral rents, gas rents, and forest rents, to reflect the diverse aspects of natural resource rents. Utilizing various econometric techniques, such as the panel-corrected standard errors (PCSE) model, feasible generalized least square estimates (FGLS) model, and the two-step General Method of Moment (the two-step GMM), a substantial reduction in the significance of natural rents has been associated with climate-related financial policies. The findings illustrate varied outcomes and influences of these policies on different categories of natural rents. Additionally, by using a dynamic fixed effect in an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach, the study suggests that the effects of climate-related financial policies are more prominent in the long run. The results are found to be robust and reliable, considering factors such as heterogeneity, fixed effects, and endogeneity. Notably, the effectiveness of climate policies is observed to be more pronounced in countries with well-developed institutions. This research examines the complexities and consequences of climate-related financial policies on natural rents, providing valuable insights for policymakers and researchers alike.

Temperature-related death burden of various neurodegenerative diseases under climate warming: a nationwide modelling study

Limited knowledge exists regarding the ramifications of climate warming on death burden from neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we conducted a nationwide, individual-level, case-crossover study between 2013 and 2019 to investigate the effects of non-optimal temperatures on various neurodegenerative diseases and to predict the potential death burden under different climate change scenarios. Our findings reveal that both low and high temperatures are linked to increased risks of neurodegenerative diseases death. We project that heat-related neurodegenerative disease deaths would increase, while cold-related deaths would decrease. This is characterized by a steeper slope in the high-emission scenario, but a less pronounced trend in the scenarios involving mitigation strategies. Furthermore, we predict that the net changes in attributable death would increase after the mid-21st century, especially under the unrestricted-emission scenario. These results highlight the urgent need for effective climate and public health policies to address the growing challenges of neurodegenerative diseases associated with global warming.

The Influence of Non-State Actors in Climate Policymaking

Purpose: The main objective of this study is to explore the influence of non-state actors in climate policymaking.
 Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
 Findings: The findings revealed that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the influence of non-state actors in climate policymaking. Preliminary empirical review revealed that non-state actors, including civil society organizations, corporations, cities, and transnational networks, exert considerable influence through various mechanisms such as advocacy, mobilization, technical expertise, and collaboration with governments. Their involvement is driven by diverse motivations, including environmental stewardship, economic interests, and the pursuit of social and ethical values. One key takeaway from this study is that non-state actors are not merely peripheral actors in the climate policy landscape; rather, they are central to the process of crafting effective climate policies. Their contributions span from raising public awareness and holding governments accountable to providing innovative solutions and pushing for ambitious climate targets. However, the extent of their influence can vary significantly depending on the specific context, the level of government involved, and the particular issue at hand.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Network Governance theory, Interest Group theory and the Policy Diffusion theory maybe used to anchor future studies on climate policymaking. Recommendations made from the study include the following: enhancing transparency and accountability, strengthening collaboration, promoting inclusivity, supporting capacity building and global knowledge sharing.

How are climate policies assessed in emerging economies? A study of ex-ante policy appraisal in Brazil, China, and India

ABSTRACT Effective mitigation of climate change requires a robust set of policy interventions. Existing policy appraisal frameworks and approaches impact the design and choice of these policy options. However, their application to transformative climate policy can present several shortcomings. In light of criticism around current appraisal methods, we review the climate policy appraisal landscape and interview policy experts in three major emerging economies: Brazil, China and India. Little research has been done on the perception, approach, and practice of policy appraisal in these countries, even though they will have a significant impact on global progress to mitigate climate change. We find that policy appraisal in Brazil, China, and India is supported by guidelines, but the detail and implementation of those guidelines vary significantly. Cost–benefit analysis (CBA) is the prevailing decision-making framework in both Brazil and India whereas multi-criteria analysis is the dominant framework in China. Practitioners appear to understand CBA and its limitations well but also value its usability and the perception of robustness. Across all countries, political considerations can outweigh appraisal findings; respondents suggested this can be negative, in the sense that appraisal results are sometimes ignored, but can also be positive in the sense that other objectives are considered. Existing approaches present several limitations, particularly regarding transformational change, which could hamper progress to formulate and implement effective climate and energy policy.

Fossil Fuel Subsidy Inventories vs. Net Carbon Prices

Price incentives for reducing fossil fuel related carbon emissions are an important component of effective and efficient climate policy. Current incentives stem from a mixture of energy taxes and carbon pricing (incentivizing less emissions) and diverse support measures for fossil fuels (incentivizing more emissions). We develop a net carbon price indicator that complements existing subsidy and carbon pricing indicators. It can be calculated on different aggregation levels and compared across countries. We calculate the different components and our aggregate indicator for the year 2018 and for eight countries including the worlds’ six largest emitters. Our analysis reveals large differences in net carbon prices across countries and across sectors within countries. We argue that the sectoral differences can inform about adequate national policy reforms while the aggregate national indicator can be useful for international negotiations about comparable national efforts.

Multi-stakeholder initiatives and decarbonization in the European food supply chain

The European Green Deal is a political milestone aiming to promote a carbon-neutral economy in the European Union. Decarbonizing the complex food sector requires the unified interaction among effective climate policies, economic instruments, and initiatives involving multiple stakeholders. Despite increasing efforts to highlight the importance of innovations and finance to achieve sustainable food supply chains (FSC), comprehensive information about related opportunities and barriers to mitigating emissions in the food sector is still under-explored. To cover this gap, this paper applies an existing industrial policy framework under the lens of the EU FSC to identify potential strategies that should help achieve the needed financial means and innovation actions, as well as to gauge political alignment across FSC stages. Methodologically, the pillars proposed in the framework are linked to multi-stakeholders’ initiatives engaged in achieving net-zero emissions. The paper highlights three main implications of the identified interlinkages. First, political directionality related to the food sector should be more comprehensively tailored to account for the specificities of all stages of the FSC. Second, research and development projects shall likewise cover all stages, instead of emphasizing only food production and agricultural systems. Finally, multiple stakeholders are crucial as promoters of technology and innovation towards a green economy. Nevertheless, initiatives should be integrated into political discussions in order to promote civil awareness, sustainable food and services demand, aligned to political guidelines.

Energy Emissions Profile and Floating Solar Mitigation Potential for a Malaysia's State

The establishment of the National Low Carbon City Master Plan (NLCCM) by Malaysia's government presents a significant opportunity to minimize carbon emissions at the subnational or local scales, while simultaneously fostering remarkable economic potential. However, the lack of data management and understanding of emissions at the subnational level are hindering effective climate policies and planning to achieve the nationally determined contribution and carbon neutrality goal. There is an urgent need for a subnational emission inventory to understand and manage subnational emissions, particularly that of the energy sector which contribute the biggest to Malaysia's emission. This research aims to estimate carbon emissions for Selangor state in accordance with the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC), for stationary energy activities. The study also evaluates the mitigation potential of Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) proposed for Selangor. It was found that the total stationary energy emission for Selangor for the year 2019 was 18,070.16 ktCO2e, contributed the most by the Manufacturing sub-sector (40%), followed by the Commercial and Institutional sub-sector; with 82% contribution coming from the Scope 2 emission. The highest sub-sector of Scope 1 emissions was contributed by Manufacturing while Scope 2 emissions from the Commercial and Institutional. Additionally, the highest fuel consumed was natural gas, which amounted to 1404.32 ktCO2e (44%) of total emissions. The FSPV assessment showed the potential generation of 2.213 TWh per year, by only utilizing 10% of the identified available ponds and dams in Selangor, equivalent to an emission reduction of 1726.02 ktCO2e, offsetting 11.6% Scope 2 electricity emission. The results from the study can be used to better evaluate existing policies at the sub-national level, discover mitigation opportunities, and guide the creation of future policies.

Do Islamic Values Matter for Environmental Protection? Empirical Evidence and Policy Suggestions Based on a Global Dataset

Environmental degradation increases all over the world with every passing day. Scholars have attempted to understand the parameters that impact environmental quality over the last three decades. The empirical models use different economic and technological parameters as explanatory variables to do so. However, in recent times, some studies mentioned the importance of social parameters in reducing environmental degradation. Religious principles and values are among the main social parameters that may impact the environment. Considering that climate change's repercussions are increasing daily, understanding the relationship between religion and the environment is essential for effective climate control measures and policies. Although environmental studies based on theological issues are common, there is hardly any empirical investigation related to eco-theological arguments with macro data. This study is the first initiative to uncover the environmental quality and religious teaching and values nexus by applying various panel econometric approaches at the global level. Accordingly, this study inspected the impact of Islamic Principles on the environment in 147 countries. The novel findings provided evidence that Islamic values help decrease CO2 emissions in 147 nations. These findings offer more effective practices and solutions to environmental problems.