UN Climate Change Research Articles

The Application of the Environment Act 2021 Principles to Carbon Capture and Storage

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a new technology considered to have the potential to decarbonise economies. However, nationally and internationally the use of CCS has also been raising concerns about its potential global risks and adverse impacts on the environment. CCS was part of the discussions at the fourth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in March 2019 and in side-events in the 26th UN Climate Change Conference that took place in Glasgow in November 2021. The UK Government aims to deploy CCS at scale during the 2030s, subject to cost reduction. At the same time, the UK Government has recently enacted the Environment Act 2021, which provides a set of five environmental principles: the integration principle, the principle of preventative action, the precautionary principle, the rectification at source principle and the polluter pays principle. This work seeks to analyse the application of the UK environmental law principles to carbon capture and storage policies in the United Kingdom and its balance with other considerations. Given the concerns surrounding the use of CCS, the debate about its legality may arise in the United Kingdom and in other countries. To this end, this paper initially carries out a systematic review of CCS policy documents to discover the policy considerations that support the development of CCS. It then examines the application of the UK environmental law principles to CCS initiatives and its balance with other considerations, such as reduction of carbon emissions, security of energy supply, economic growth and technological leadership. In doing so, this paper aims at contributing to the debate surrounding recent technological developments that have been utilised to help address climate change and some of the legal challenges emerging through the use of CCS under UK environmental law.

Glasgow climate pact: a step on the way towards a lower carbon dioxide world

Geoffrey Hammond at the University of Bath and Marcus Newborough of ITM Power review what happened at the UN climate change conference in Glasgow last year, and what the resulting ‘Glasgow climate pact’ means for global warming and climate change.

Clear consensus among international public for government action at COP26: patriotic and public health frames produce marginal gains in support

This work surveys over 14,000 respondents in seven countries to assess support for government action to protect the environment, and for different policies at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow. Baseline results reveal overwhelming support for action. At least nine out of ten respondents in six countries, and 79% in the USA, agree that all governments should do more. In each country, at least 50% of respondents express support for four policies: protecting wildlife; planting trees; spending more on clean technologies; and reducing the production of greenhouse gases over thirty years. A survey-experiment tests whether support changes when respondents are exposed to short texts framed in different ways. On average, exposure to a patriotism or public health text significantly raises support for action, albeit by only 1.6 and 1.3 percentage points respectively. On policies, exposure to either a public health text or a text based on current UN messaging increases support for tree planting by 2.3 and 2.9 percentage points respectively. These results suggest that international public opinion is overwhelmingly in favour of government action at COP26. They highlight policies that are likely to attract majority support, and suggest that message-framing can have a very small impact.

Platforming youth voices in planetary health leadership and advocacy: an untapped reservoir for changemaking

Although there was an effort to include diverse voices at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), many youths’ pleas for ambitious climate action were not met in the updated commitments, highlighting the reality that time at the podium does not necessarily influence the key policy and finance decisions that shape our climate-dependent future.

Mitigation of Climate Change: too little or too much

Professor Emmanuel Epstein gave a conference entitled “Too little or too much” referring to plant nutrition and essential elements in 1990 [1], serves this as a tribute to this professor emeritus, and this concept fit well with the actions related to mitigation of Climate Change. After the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties [2] held in Glasgow under the slogan “UNITING THE WORLD TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE”, it is time to reflect deeply on the subject and act.

Adaptation and Anticipatory Action: Integrating Human Rights Duties into the Climate Change Regime

Abstract This article analyses international obligations related to adaptation in the UN climate change regime. It argues that the interpretation and application of these obligations can compel and shape anticipatory, proactive state measures on, and support for, adaptation. To accomplish this, the article begins from the premise that the regime’s climate treaties are a dynamic part of a system of international law that should strive for coherence. Accordingly, it takes an evolutive approach to interpreting obligations. The article applies the tools of treaty interpretation, and systemic integration in particular, to incorporate positive duties from human rights law into an understanding of adaptation obligations. It also applies the regime’s operative principles alongside integration. Taken together, they help to shape adaptation obligations, strengthening arguments for action in advance of foreseeable harm and for support based on differentiation. Such an approach can lead to adaptation that better avoids risks to people and their rights, to prioritize those most vulnerable and to ensure access to essential resources.

Новые очертания экологической политики в контексте пандемии COVID-19

The article examines the connection between the environmental processes during the COVID‑19 pandemic (2019–2022) and the “greening” of the political sphere. A specific feature of environmental policy is its close linkage with the economy, since economic activity is the direct cause of anthropogenic pollution of natural environments. The environmental changes that have arisen in response to economic realities of the pandemic period have led to transformation of socio-political attitudes towards strengthening the “green” direction in the policies of the world’s leading states – the European Union member countries, the United States, Russia, China and other. The global “green agenda” was substantiated at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2020 and 2021, as well as at the following 26th UN Climate Change Conference 2021 (COP26) in Glasgow, actually shaping a new world order based on the environmental goals and obligations. In West European countries, with prominent green parties’ political positions, the environmental policy is formed largely from grassroots. In the United States, it depends entirely on the political situation (mostly on the sitting president’s party affiliation). Whereas the European Union and the EU states (primarily Germany and France) have seized the initiative of directing the world environmental policy, striving to take the lead in this sphere (particularly, in climate protection), the new U.S. government is now seriously challenging the European leadership. Noteworthy is that the COVID‑19 crisis has updated the green political and economic agenda globally, regardless of differences between the states, which verifies the importance and necessity of agreeing a conceptually new common approach to interaction with the environment in the short and long term.

Editorial

Editorial

Сценарии выбросов парниковых газов для России

The purpose of this study is to develop and quantify possible scenarios for the implementation of climate policy, as well as the opportunities for achieving carbon neutrality by the middle of the 21st century or earlier. For this purpose, two scenarios are considered — basic and transformational. The baseline scenario includes measures that least affect the existing socio-political and economic interests with the greatest contribution from deforestation, modernization of technologies for the use of hydrocarbons in industry and cleaner transport. The limitations of the baseline scenario will not allow achieving carbon neutrality by the middle of the 21st century. The transformational scenario takes into account the most realistic options for closing the gap between the offi cial scenario developed by the Government of the Russian Federation shortly before the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference and more ambitious options for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 or earlier. In our transformational scenario, Russia reaches carbon neutrality 10 years earlier, by 2040, and subsequently turns into a net sink of greenhouse gases, including due to the huge potential of forest plantations.

Too Little, Too Slow? Climate Adaptation at the United Nations Climate Change Negotiations Since the Adoption of the Paris Agreement

Adaptation to climate change has become a top priority of negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. However, most of the literature on global climate governance focuses on mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions. This article therefore proposes a framework for tracking negotiation outcomes on adaptation based on the four dimensions of the Adaptation Gap Report of the United Nations Environment Programme (planning, finance, implementation, and effectiveness) and on key governance functions outlined in the climate policy literature. By comparing the adaptation outcomes of the three most recent Conferences of the Parties (COP25 – COP27) with the baseline of adaptation provisions in the Paris Agreement and its rulebook, the extent and type of decisions on adaptation are assessed and the evolution of relevant agenda items is analysed. Decisions adopted since 2019 have concentrated on support and transparency while the Paris Agreement made greater use of signalling and rule-setting. The extent to which adaptation gaps identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change can be reduced through decisions at UN climate change negotiations is influenced by the potential and limits of governing a context-specific subject matter at the global level. Reflecting about how adaptation can be facilitated through multiple governance functions will be vital for the development of an effective framework for the global goal on adaptation.

A Review of World-wide Advanced Pumped Storage Hydropower Technologies

After the 21st UN Climate Change Conference, Net Zero Emissions (NZE) has become a hot issue in the power industry all over the world. The use of renewable energy for power generation will highly increase in the future. However, renewable energy power generation is limited by the uncertainty of renewable resources, which is easy to cause an imbalance between supply and demand. In order to eliminate the impact of renewable energy generators on the power system, the development of energy storage systems is most important. Pumped storage hydropower (PSH) is very popular because of its large capacity and low cost. The current main pumped storage hydropower technologies are conventional pumped storage hydropower (C-PSH), adjustable speed pumped storage hydropower (AS-PSH) and ternary pumped storage hydropower (T-PSH). This paper aims to analyze the principles, advantages and disadvantages of various PSH technologies, and provide a selection reference for future PSH expansion and replacement. In addition, this paper using a case for explain the T-PSH operating.

Guest Editorial: Smart Meters in the Smart Grid of the Future

While the past 50 years have been dominated by the so-called communication revolution, today, we are at the dawn of the energy revolution. The entire economy is energy driven, being electricity its most important energy vector. By the end of 2040, electricity is expected to contribute up to 40% of the increase in final energy consumption, and concepts, such as smart grid or internet of energy, are now commonplaces in our lexicon. The Paris UN climate change conference agreement has imposed three major changes into the electrical grid paradigm: the need to reduce carbon emissions; the need to decentralize electrical energy production, and the need to increase transport electrification.

Perils of an open Arctic

Perils of an open Arctic

What is Area to physical and environmental geography?

What is <i>Area</i> to physical and environmental geography?

Climate finance and peace—tackling the climate and humanitarian crisis

Climate finance and peace—tackling the climate and humanitarian crisis

Climate emotions: it is ok to feel the way you do

Recently, 120 world leaders met in Glasgow, Scotland, for the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference, discussing how to substantially reduce global emissions and, at the same time, limit the devastating effects of climate change.

Global Health Community Calls for Climate Action Ahead of COP26 to Avert “Biggest Health Threat Facing Humanity”

WHO Report Calls for Ambitious Climate Commitments as the only Path to Long-Term Recovery from Pandemic&#x0D; &#x0D; Geneva, 11 October 2021 - The Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery joined more than 300 organizations representing at least 45 million nurses, doctors and health professionals worldwide – about three quarters of the global health workforce – and signed an open letter to the 197 government leaders and national delegations ahead of the UN climate conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UK, warning that the climate crisis is the single biggest health threat facing humanity, and calling on world leaders to deliver on climate action.1&#x0D; The letter’s publication coincided with the October 11, 2021 release of a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO), which argues that countries can only ensure a long-term recovery from the pandemic by implementing ambitious climate commitments. The report delivers ten high-level recommendations, backed up by action points, resources and case studies, including the need to place health and social justice at the heart of the UN climate talks.2&#x0D; &#x0D; The letter states: “Wherever we deliver care, in our hospitals, clinics and communities around the world, we are already responding to the health harms caused by climate change.” It further says “Those people and nations who have benefited most from the activities that caused the climate crisis, especially fossil fuel extraction and use, have a great responsibility to do everything possible to help those who are now most at risk.”&#x0D; &#x0D; José Florencio Lapeña, Editor-in-Chief of the Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery echoed the statement:&#x0D; &#x0D; “Wildfires, flooding, heatwaves and droughts impacting people’s health have been on the rise around the world, compounding other health challenges such as the pandemic. In the Philippines, we are already seeing heightened El Niño and La Niña phenomena, with flooding and rising sea levels.&#x0D; &#x0D; By integrating health and equity into climate policy, the Philippines has the opportunity to protect peoples’ health, maximize returns on investments, and build public support for the urgently needed responses from governments to the climate crisis.”&#x0D; &#x0D; Both the letter and the report argue that health and equity must be at the center of climate change response; while the letter calls for action, the report provides the blueprint for delivering climate action that will protect the health of people around the world.&#x0D; &#x0D; The letter, which has been signed by diverse medical organizations and high profile individuals, such as WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Medical Association, the International Council of Nurses and Doctors forExtinction Rebellion Switzerland, calls on all governments to update their national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, in line with their fair share of limiting warming to 1.5°C. A recent report by UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) found that countries’ collective climate commitments are falling far short of this goal, and would lead to a global temperature rise of at least 2.7°C by the end of the century.3,4&#x0D; &#x0D; The 45 million health professionals represented in the letter are demanding a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels; for high income countries to provide the promised transfer of climate funds; for investments in resilient and low carbon health systems; and for pandemic recovery investments to support climate action and reduce social and health inequities. &#x0D; &#x0D; The signatories of the open letter represent every region of the world, and include the International Council of Nurses, the World Medical Association, the International Federation of Medical Students Associations, the International Confederation of Midwives, the International Pediatrics Association as well as the Philippine Journal of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. See full list of signatories at: https://healthyclimateletter.net/signatories/

A Role for Drylands in a Carbon Neutral World?

Drylands are a critical part of the earth system in terms of total area, socioeconomic and ecological importance. However, while drylands are known for their contribution to inter-annual atmospheric CO2 variability, they are sometimes overlooked in discussions of global carbon stocks. Here, in preparation for the November 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), we review dryland systems with emphasis on their role in current and future carbon storage, response to climate change and potential to contribute to a carbon neutral future. Current estimates of carbon in dryland soils and vegetation suggest they are significant at global scale, containing approximately 30% of global carbon in above and below-ground biomass, and surface-layer soil carbon (top 30 cm). As ecosystems that are limited by water, the drylands are vulnerable to climate change. Climate change impacts are, however, dependent on future trends in rainfall that include both drying and wetting trends at regional scales. Regional rainfall trends will initiate trends in dryland productivity, vegetation structure and soil carbon storage. However, while management of fire and herbivory can contribute to increased carbon sequestration, impacts are dependent on locally unique ecosystem responses and climate-soil-plant interactions. Similarly, while community based agroforestry initiatives have been successful in some areas, large-scale afforestation programs are logistically infeasible and sometimes ecologically inappropriate at larger scales. As climate changes, top-down prescriptive measures designed to increase carbon storage should be avoided in favour of locally-adapted approaches that balance carbon management priorities with local livelihoods, ecosystem function, biodiversity and cultural, social and economic priorities.

The Post-Pandemic Development of the Green Circular Economy and the Declarations Made During the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) as Security Determinants

Purpose: The aim of this article is to describe the important security determinants of post-pandemic development of the green circular economy in the context of the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Change (IPCC) I IPCC Working Group, Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis and declarations made during the UN Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow in early November 2021. Approach/Methodology/Design: The main research methodology was based on the analysis of the results of scientific research and a synthetic description of the key conclusions drawn from the review of the literature describing various aspects of the analyzed issues concerning the determinants of the climate change process, the issue of green economy development, the implementation of the principles of sustainable economic development, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and how they impact security aspects etc. Research methods used in the study included critical literature review, comparative analysis, and analysis of available data. Findings: The analysis of scientific data shows that the process of climate change has entered a strong upward trend and perhaps humanity has little effect on reversing this process in this century. The transformation of the environment into the economy should include, first of all, the energy sector through the development of renewable energy sources, the development of electromobility, ecological agriculture, improvement of waste segregation techniques, recycling, etc. A key issue in this process is the pursuit of sustainability. The factual implementation of the aforementioned shall enable to address the security threats that are largely intensified by climate change and lack of efficient level of sustainable development. The aforementioned shall be helpful in providing the necessary level of security and address the threats. Practical Implications: In order to slow down the progressing global warming process, and tame global security threats related to climate change it absolutely is necessary to reduce all or most of greenhouse gas emissions in the shortest possible time, reform the energy sector with the respect to energy security, implement eco-innovations and carry out other pro-environmental reforms as well as to increase the scale of achieving sustainable development goals implemented in accordance with the principles of a sustainable, green circular economy. The global socio-economic crisis caused by the development of the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) coronavirus pandemic should significantly change the pro-ecological awareness of people and the need to implement sustainable development in economic processes and everyday functioning of people. The need to continue the policy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions was discussed during the UN Conference COP26 in early November 2021. Originality/Value: For the purposes of this article, a multifaceted, synthetic and critical analysis of data available in the source literature was carried out. The proposed solutions are to contribute to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and slow down the process of global warming, and to reduce the scale of the drastic effects of climate change over the next several decades. This shall also lead to decrease of conflicts that otherwise would resource from global instabilities caused by climate change consequences.

Climate change, justice and public health

Abstract Recent events have put into sharp relief that the world is facing converging emergencies: health, rising inequalities, and climate change and environmental degradation. Tackling these challenges requires actions by governments, businesses, communities, and individuals, and concerted strategies across health, environmental, and social sectors. Public health has an important role to play in promoting health in a rapidly changing world, and in ensuring a broad approach to health which considers socio-economic and environmental determinants. This is particularly crucial to ensure that we achieve a net zero carbon economy while simultaneously addressing the social crisis we are facing and improving health and wellbeing for all: achieving a green, healthy and just transition, leaving no one behind regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, and income and education levels. On the closing day of the UN Climate Change Conference 2021 (COP26), this plenary will discuss the four COP26 goals of ‘Mitigation, Adaptation, Finance and Collaboration', exploring how health and equity can be further mainstreamed within these climate actions. It aims both to inform and to inspire, raising awareness about the interconnected challenges we are facing as well as discussing solutions and actions at different levels that we all can be a part of to ensure the transformational change that is needed. Speakers: Maria Neira Environmental and Social Determinants of Health, WHO Hans Bruyninckx European Environment Agency (EEA) Monica Scatasta Technical Assessment and Monitoring Directorate, Council of Europe Development Bank Karolina Fabianova Youth and Environment Europe