UN Climate Change Research Articles

The green libraries partnership and green libraries campaign

The Green Libraries Partnership, rebranded as the Green Libraries Campaign in 2023, was established in February 2022 in response to the UN Climate Change Conference and the climate emergency declarations by local authorities in England. The initiative, led by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and supported by key organisations, aims to foster a sustainable future for libraries and their communities. Central to its mission are four key aims: enhancing sustainability efforts within libraries, facilitating community engagement, aligning with local environmental initiatives, and positioning libraries as vital contributors to climate action. Over its first eighteen months, the Partnership conducted research, launched a Green Libraries Manifesto, established a grant fund, and hosted the inaugural Green Libraries Conference, reflecting its commitment to environmental action. The Green Libraries Campaign seeks to expand the programme’s reach across the UK library sector, encouraging collaboration and innovation to address climate change effectively. This article outlines the objectives of the Partnership and Campaign, evaluates achievements thus far, and discusses future aspirations, emphasising the importance of libraries in promoting climate awareness and action. As the initiative evolves, it aspires to ensure financial sustainability while fostering an inclusive network of libraries dedicated to environmental stewardship. The programme is also committed to learning from global library initiatives to support diverse communities in their sustainability efforts and the measures being taken across the international library sector to work towards achieving new zero across library buildings and services.

Spatial Analysis and Trend Prediction of UN Climate Change News based on Proximization Theory

Climate change is a major global challenge. The United Nations plays a key role in conveying information on climate change. This study using Piotr Cap’s Proximization Theory analyzes UN News samples, focusing on the usage of Proximization Theory and how the United Nations constructs the threat of peripheral entities under the Proximization Theory. The UN’s reports predominantly employ spatial proximization, supplemented by temporal proximization, emphasizing climate change’s impact on people’s lives and urging immediate attention. Spatial proximization highlights the impact of human activities on the environment, urging urgency. Axiological proximization constructs positive and negative values, justifying defensive action. Temporal proximization focuses on imminent dangers, urging immediate response.

Characterization of wood plastic composites made with recycled waste tire rubber

Abstract Green materials are currently demanded for construction as well as other products since the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in 2021. Using renewable and sustainable resources to innovate new materials such as composites is encouraged. This study aimed to investigate the physical and mechanical characteristics of wood plastic composites (WPCs) when adding waste tire rubber as filler for 10% or 20% by weight. The results showed that the density of the WPC samples (50 wt% wood − 50 wt% high density polyethylene) increased with the addition of the waste tire rubber (WTR) while the dimensional stability of samples was reduced. The mechanical properties of the WPC samples were determined, including flexural strength, flexural modulus, elongation at break, tensile strength, tensile modulus, and impact strength. The WTR as filler in the WPC tended to decrease the tensile strength and flexural strength whereas it improved the impact strength of materials. The results indicated that the WTR as recycled material in WPC affected the physical and mechanical properties of the WPCs. Although the use of the WTR in the production of the WPC adversely affects the mechanical properties, the use of 10 wt% WTR was acceptable. The results of the study showed that the addition of the WTR to the WPC production process can be useful for its recycling and for reducing the cost of the WPC.

Estimating the daily flooding probability by the compound effect of rainfall and tides in an Amazonian metropolis

Belém, the capital of the state of Pará, host of the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), which is located in the Brazilian Amazon, suffers from flooding caused by rainfall and tides. The objective was to estimate the daily flooding probability in Belém based on the two assumptions, i.e., the compound effect of rainfall and tides and rainfall only. In this case, rainfalls were analysed considering intensity and duration. Thus, it was possible to evaluate the flooding probability for each assumption and propose technological solutions to reduce this probability. Rainfall and tide height data for the 2003 to 2021 period were used. The minimum level causing flooding was defined analysing the compound effect (rainfall + tide height). The effects of rainfall and tides were also separately analysed with the aim of isolating the entry of tides into city canals. The daily flooding probability was estimated based on the study of the a priori probability derived from the ratio between the number of flooding events and the number of possible floods. The results showed that certain areas of Belém-PA could be flooded with a minimum value of rainfall plus tide height is 640.4 mm, if the rainfall intensity reaches at least 30 mm/h. Regarding the rainfall duration, the minimum value of rainfall plus tide height is 1398 mm for flooding to occur if rainfall lasts at least two hours. The flooding events were validated by examining local newspaper reports and photographic records describing and capturing flooding, respectively. The highest daily flooding probability occurred during the wettest period in the city, from January to May. The daily flooding probability was greatly reduced when only rainfall was considered. Thus, if city canals encompass floodgate systems, flood damage could be reduced. A floodgate systems project would be an important COP30 legacy for Belém. This system could help reduce the losses suffered by the poorest populations in Belém, who live in floodplain areas.

A satellite imagery-driven framework for rapid resource allocation in flood scenarios to enhance loss and damage fund effectiveness

The impact of climate change and urbanization has increased the risk of flooding. During the UN Climate Change Conference 28 (COP 28), an agreement was reached to establish “The Loss and Damage Fund” to assist low-income countries impacted by climate change. However, allocating the resources required for post-flood reconstruction and reimbursement is challenging due to the limited availability of data and the absence of a comprehensive tool. Here, we propose a novel resource allocation framework based on remote sensing and geospatial data near the flood peak, such as buildings and population. The quantification of resource distribution utilizes an exposure index for each municipality, which interacts with various drivers, including flood hazard drivers, buildings exposure, and population exposure. The proposed framework asses the flood extension using pre- and post-flood Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this framework, an analysis was conducted on the flood that occurred in the Thessaly region of Greece in September 2023. The study revealed that the municipality of Palamas has the highest need for resource allocation, with an exposure index rating of 5/8. Any government can use this framework for rapid decision-making and to expedite post-flood recovery.

Europejski Zielony Ład, czyli jak Unia Europejska zamierza uczynić z Europy pierwszy neutralny kontynent dla klimatu?

THE EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL, OR HOW DOES THE EUROPEAN UNION INTEND TO MAKE EUROPE THE FIRST CLIMATE-NEUTRAL CONTINENT? The research aim of the paper is to analyze the objectives of the European Union (EU) climate policy and the instruments for their implementation, as well as to present the challenges on the way to achieving climate neutrality by the EU. In 2015, during the 21st UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, an agreement was agreed, the purpose of which is to limit global warming, aiming, among other things, for limiting the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and preferably to no more than 1.5°C. All EU Member States have ratified the above agreement, while agreeing to take action to make the EU the world’s first climate-neutral economy and society by 2050. To achieve this, the “European Green Deal” strategy was adopted, followed by the European Climate Law and the “Fit for 55” package of legislative proposals. In addition, a more ambitious EU climate target for 2030 has been agreed, namely a reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% compared to 1990 levels. Based on this, the following research hypothesis should be put forward, assuming that if all initiated projects, climate programs and mechanisms are fully implemented, the EU will become the first climate neutral continent by 2050. The first part of the article focuses on the goals of the European Green Deal and their implementation. The second part discusses the assumptions of European Climate Law and the elements of the “Fit for 55” package, as well as presents the most important financial instruments of the EU climate policy. The third part contains an analysis of the challenges standing in the way of the EU achieving climate neutrality by 2050, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Combating Global Warming and Modern Wars is much about Sedimentology

The Paris Agreement on climate change came into force on 4 November 2016 which was adopted by 196 Parties at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015. Under this agreement, 175 countries are legally bound to commit themselves to limit the increase of global warming temperatures to under 2 °C above pre-industrial levels. To achieve this goal, mitigation and adaptation policies have been adopted at the national and international levels. Mitigation measures include decarbonisation policy, for example the large-scale development of low-carbon energies to replace fossil fuel energy in a sustainable way. At present, efforts are focussed on the energy transition from fossil fuel driven energy to low-carbon energy which is mineral intensive. Rare earth elements (REEs) are core components of clean energy technologies such as solar, wind turbines and electric vehicles in the process of energy transition. In the quest for slow down the global temperature rise, development of low-carbon energy to achieve carbon emission reduction goals, rare earth elements are the key components to the energy transition. The criticality of supply and demand of raw materials is the key issue in planning the sustainable transition from fossil fuel driven energy to green energy. Over the past few years many countries established critical raw materials lists, in which rare earth elements have been given most attention.

A Commentary and Critique on Progress in Ocean and Climate Change Action at Recent COP Meetings

Abstract The ocean was finally recognized within the formal UN climate change negotiations at COP 25 in 2019. This result was due to a decades long multinational, collaborative effort spearheaded by the Global Ocean Forum under the inspired leadership of Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain. This article describes some of the major events leading up to COP 25 and the developments in ocean-climate change activities at the following two COP meetings in Glasgow, Scotland (COP 26) and Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt (COP 27). Observations about each of the COP meetings are presented, and successes and failures are identified along the way. In particular, the importance of the formal dialogues on ocean and climate change are assessed, and the urgency of translating hopes and aspirations into real climate action for the ocean is highlighted in preparation for the COP 28 in Dubai in 2023.

Energy security: new challenges and global trends

In the conditions of a permanent world energy crisis and its strengthening against the background of full-scale aggression of russia in Ukraine, questions regarding risks to national energy security come to the fore in the world. At the same time, the world is undergoing the fourth energy transition, which requires the develop­ment of a new concept of energy security by countries that are both suppliers of energy resources and their consumers. The aim of the research is to develop the conceptual principles of energy security, taking into account modern challenges caused by simultaneously growing crises in energy, economy and geopolitics. The creation of such a basis makes it possible to identify a number of solutions for neutralizing new threats that arise, in particular, in the context of the "green" transition. The research was conducted using the methods of scientific abstraction and systematization, analysis and synthesis, generalization, comparison. Concep­tual features of energy security management in conditions of radically changed context, streng­the­ning of crisis phenomena and threats of various natures are presented. The hypothesis that energy security is a complex category that expresses the ability of the fuel and energy complex of the region to supply the domestic market with the necessary volume and range of energy resources at stable and acceptable prices, to quickly mitigate unexpected fluctua­tions in demand for fuel and energy resources and to ensure uninterrupted energy supply and energy carrier parameters in real time. Based on the analysis of scientific publications and practical models of energy security, theoretical provisions, methodological principles and ener­gy security management tools that meet modern requirements have been developed. In particu­lar, the key global trends of changes in the energy markets are defined, the types and forms of modern energy threats and risks are outlined. It outlines the impact of the "green" transition that many countries have undertaken and confirmed at the UN Climate Change Confe­rence (COP28), emphasizing further energy security, taking into account both the reduction of dependence on fossil fuels and the new challenges associated with renewable energy sources. The results of the research are of prac­tical interest during the development of ener­gy policy, plans and specific actions aimed at ensuring energy security in a turbulent global environment.

How natural resource, renewable energy, and energy productivity integrate with environmental quality under the load capacity curve in OECD nations

Previous research highlights the impact of renewable energy (REN) sources and natural resources (NRP) on environmental sustainability, but it leaves out the possible consequences of energy production (EP). Additionally, clean environment is addressed by Sustainable Development Goals 7 and 12. This study evaluates the outcomes of meeting the OECD's carbon zero targets by 2050 as well as the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties' 2030 carbon neutrality target. Therefore, evaluating how these factors affect the load capacity factor (LCF) may have pertinent ramifications for the government's pursuit of sustainable development objectives. Therefore, the effects of REN, NRP, and energy efficiency on LCF were examined for Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. The method of momentum quantile regression (MMQR) is applied during the period of 1990–2022. The results show that REN is increasing LCF by 0.157%–0.161% in four quantiles and NRP is also contributing to environmental quality by 0.385%–0.233% in 25th to 90th quantiles. EP is lowering LCF by 0.091%–0.073% in the long run. The paper provides policy implications for a cleaner environment in OECD nations.

Discourse Analysis of COP28 News Reports from the Perspective of Attitude in Appraisal Theory

Conference of the Parties is the world’s largest and most important annual climate-related conference. Taking the attitude system of Martin’s Appraisal Theory as the theoretical framework, this study collects news reports on the 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties from China Daily as the corpus. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis of the corpus, this study explores the distribution pattern and realization of attitudinal resources in these news reports, aiming to reveal the attitude and stance of China Daily towards COP28. According to the study, attitudinal resources consist mostly of appreciation resources, which comprise over half of the total. Affect and judgement resources follow, with a greater proportion of positive than negative resources. Additionally, China Daily frequently adopts a positive viewpoint regarding COP28 through the use of attitudinal materials. This research aids in the efficient comprehension and expression of attitudes and positions in discourses.

Japan-Brazil Relations at a Time of Historical Change in the International Order: With G20 Summit, COP30, and BRICS Summit in Mind

The international order is currently undergoing a historic transition, and in addition to the 2024 G20 Rio de Janeiro summit in November 2024, Brazil is scheduled to host the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP30) and the 17th BRICS summit in 2025. The world’s attention will inevitably be focused on Brazil. In this article, the author will take a look at the domestic political and economic situation in Brazil.

Footprints of Artificial Intelligence in Climate Change

Abstract: Climate change and digital modifications are the two most dominant trends of our century and have become a global concern. The strategy in which humans can manage them, and their enlarged interactions will play a key role in mankind’s future. Primarily we have to make pathways to combine the climate and digital transformations in a way that validates our social and democratic values. In the present situation, climate change is the major concern that leads to the depletion of various environmental resources which is an alarming situation for living beings. Technology has changed a lot in the past few decades, changing our lives and us along with it. Artificial Intelligence is already playing a key role in Education, Health, and various other industries. Artificial intelligence (AI) is bringing about many changes in our perception of technology and lifestyle. Advancements in AI and Machine Learning (ML) are promising, and their applications are continually redefining the way we interact with our devices, people, and the planet. Various initiatives of Artificial Intelligence for tackling climate change have started, like the UN Climate Change Initiative on Artificial Intelligence for Climate Action. These investigate how AI might be used as a potent instrument to advance and intensify climate action that is revolutionary in poor nations. This paper mainly identifies the effective impacts of Artificial Intelligence on climate change and its sustainability.

Climate change and the financial performance of basic materials companies: empirical evidence in Vietnam

PurposeThis study examines the evidence of the impact of climate change on the financial performance of basic materials companies in Vietnam.Design/methodology/approachThe research sample includes eighty-two basic materials companies listed on the Vietnamese stock market from 2003 to 2022. This study used one-way and two-way fixed-effects feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) estimation methods.FindingsClimate change, measured through variables including changes in temperature, average rainfall, greenhouse gas emissions and rising sea levels, has a negative impact on the financial performance of companies in this industry. The study also found that, with rising temperatures, the financial performance of steel manufacturing companies decreased less than that of coal mining and forestry companies, but increasing greenhouse gases and rising sea levels reduced the financial performance of steel companies. We did not find evidence of any difference in the impact of climate change on the financial performance of basic materials companies before and after the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 21). This is a new finding, which is consistent with empirical studies in Vietnam and different from previous studies in that it provides new evidence on the impact of climate change on the financial performance of basic materials companies in the Vietnamese market and cross-checks the impact of climate change by sector and over time.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first articles on climate change and the financial performance of basic materials companies.

Does renewable energy proactively contribute to mitigating carbon emissions in major fossil fuels consuming countries?

The success of global climate initiatives (SDG-13, COP28) heavily depends on the actions of major fossil fuels consuming countries, as their continued reliance on these energy sources greatly impedes progress towards global climate objectives. Transitioning from the dominance of fossil fuels to the expansion of renewable energy is crucial for ensuring Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Conference on Parties (COP) objectives under UN climate change initiatives, as well as for achieving environmental sustainability. This study investigates the proactive role of renewable energy in enhancing environmental sustainability and evaluates the impact of fossil fuel consumption, real gross domestic product (RGDP), square of RGDP, and patents on carbon emissions in major fossil fuels consuming countries from 1990 to 2020 after considering and disregarding the EKC model. Two-way additive and interactive fixed effect models demonstrate a statistically significant negative effect of renewable energy on carbon emissions. A method of moments quantile regression endorses the asymmetric negative effects of renewable energy across different quantiles of CO2 emissions. According to the quantile regression, a low CO2 emitting country's environmental quality is largely sensitive to the consumption of renewable energy. Also, after considering heterogeneity, cross-sectional dependence and endogeneity issues, the effect of renewable energy remains unchanged. On the contrary, unlike renewable energy, fossil fuel consumption, real GDP, square of real GDP, and patents have positive effects in most cases, worsening environmental quality by increasing CO2 levels. Therefore, based on these findings, our study emphasizes pivotal policy implications aimed at fostering a better environment in major fossil fuels consuming countries.

Настройка климатического финансирования: итоги СОР28

The purpose of the study is to systematize the main directions of the discussion that unfolded at the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai in November-December 2023 on the need to reform the financial mechanism of the UN climate convention. The relevance of this study is based on the fact that today the conditions have been formed to intensify Russia’s participation in the discussion at the international level on the goals and objectives of climate and sustainable finance, as there is growing dissatisfaction with the aggressive policy of developed countries trying to solve their development problems, including by distorting and replacing the global agenda previously agreed by the majority of the world's countries on the UN platform. The main conclusion of the study is as follows. When considering the problems of organization of both the climate finance mechanism and the sustainable finance mechanism in the context of the organization and functioning of the Technology Mechanism (UNFCCC) and the Technology Facilitation Mechanism (UN 2030 Agenda), embedded in the current discussion on the need to reform the financial mechanism of the UN climate convention, many issues related to the incorrectness, inconsistency and divergence of these concepts at the level of different countries can be effectively addressed by the UNFCCC. Returning the consideration of both climate and sustainable finance to the context of technological modernization tasks solved by society (as originally defined in the UN documents) will make it possible to return the process of transition of countries to a new sustainable development model to the original direction; to get rid of manipulations and substitution of concepts used by a group of developed countries; to reach consensus among all Parties to the Convention.

Sovereign green bonds as an unconventional tool to address climate change

Creative efforts are necessary as global efforts seek to undertake projects focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. Among various financial products that provide funding for projects, green bonds, particularly sovereign green bonds (SGB or SGrB) issued with sovereign guarantees by central governments, have gained prominence. Proceeds from SGBs are used to finance green projects such as non-conventional and renewable energy projects, alternative energy solutions, greenhouse gas emission reduction, climate change mitigation, or reduced use of carbon-based energy sources. SGB will receive increasing global attention as governments attempt to meet UN climate change goals. This research uses descriptive research methodology to examine the evolution, operational aspects, challenges, and investor expectations associated with SGrBs by taking India as a case. The study period is taken from 2016 to 2023. It used a conceptual approach to discuss the market's evolution. The findings highlight how SGBs provide an unconventional way to link green finance with ecological priorities by combining fiscal policy, investment and science-based solutions. The insights are intended to inform future SGB frameworks and strategies to target funded green growth towards pressing global sustainability issues.

Power System Decarbonization Assessment: A Case Study from Taiwan

The first global stocktake (GST) at 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) pointed out that accelerating the phasing down of fossil fuels has become an important mitigation policy to maintain a maximum temperature limit of 1.5 °C. The optimal power portfolio for achieving Taiwan’s net-zero emissions by 2050 is evaluated from the perspective of sustainable development. This study is enhances the 2021 research findings of Wang et al. on the sustainable power model, incorporating homogenized cost and technical constraints for empirical analysis. The results indicated that renewable energy sources play a pivotal role in achieving net-zero emissions. Gas power generation requires careful consideration, including early decommissioning or the adoption of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology to prevent carbon lock-in and compete with hydrogen energy technology. Notably, coal combined with CCS technology offers a viable option for a cost-effective roadmap for a decarburized power generation portfolio by 2050, serving as a reference for national planning strategies for promoting net-zero emissions.

Sustainability Entrepreneurship and the Importance of International Policies in Sustainable Development

In the world of today, despite economic developments, there is an increase in negative social and environmental conditions. Sustainable development is to improve a better quality of life for current and future generations. Sustainable entrepreneurs develop products and services that are suitable for society and the environment instead of using traditional business processes and systems. Sustainable development and providing a liveable life for future generations depend on these entrepreneurs' use of innovation in their business processes and the effects of this situation on society. The aim of this study is to conceptually address the importance of international policies in sustainability entrepreneurship within the framework of the European Union's climate change and environmental sustainability policies, considering the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainable development.
 Literature review methodology provides the advancement of knowledge by scoping and analysing previous research on the study. A literature review will be conducted regarding the research method, and determinations and suggestions will be presented within the framework of the purpose of the study. The data is collected from European Commission and Eurostat database.
 Entrepreneurship plays an important role in the transformation of countries towards a more sustainable future by protecting the environment and in harmonizing social, economic, and ecological goals. Climate change is one of the most important challenges of the 21st century. As climate change becomes more evident, the European Union's environmental policy has also evolved. The EU's policies on climate change and environmental sustainability create opportunities for technological development and sustainable entrepreneurship.

International solidarity for a de-colonised Just Transition: electric vehicles and lithium in Mexico and Europe

ABSTRACT The term ‘Just Transition’ (JT) gained global prominence through the Silesia Declaration on Solidarity and Just Transition agreed at the 2018 UN Climate Change Conference (COP24). However, there has been a gap in both theory and practice regarding how to develop the global solidarity called for in this declaration. Some have even viewed JT as another form of neo-colonialism, benefitting the Global North through exploiting the Global South. This paper discusses how to avoid perpetuating colonial dynamics through JT by developing worker-led civil society solidarity across the Global North and South. It focusses on Mexico where vast increases in lithium extraction will be necessary to enable the enormous increase in the use of Electric Vehicles proposed for the Global North. While the main beneficiaries of this technology transition will be the companies, governments and consumers of the Global North, the costs will be borne by low-income communities in Mexico, among other Global South localities. Strategies are suggested for a de-colonised JT led by the relevant unions, including car workers.