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Climate Change
Global Issues
02 July, 2015

Compact of States and Regions Releases First Round of Targets

The Compact of States and Regions, the only global platform to record greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets and inventory data from sub-national governments, has today announced that 20 governments, representing over 220 million people and $8.3 trillion GDP, have committed to a series of ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions.

These reporting governments currently represent about 1.81 GtCO2e, or 5%, of all global emissions, and with many more due to report over the summer, the potential emission savings through the Compact are set to be one of the most significant commitments presented ahead of COP21.

Presented at the World Summit Climate and Territories in Lyon, France, the initial round of targets include:

  • All reporting governments have a series of reduction targets across their operations in place – some as ambitious as 90% by 2050 and 100% by 2060.
  • 90% have also reported renewable energy targets. 
  • In total, 85 GHG reduction, energy efficiency and renewable targets have been reported – the total amount of climate recorded actions exceeded 200.

In addition, the Compact will be a platform for governments to report climate data going beyond 2015 – ensuring that they continue to accurately report against their climate targets with reliable, publically available data.

Source:
The Climate Group
Climate Change
Environment & Migration
Security
Middle East & North Africa
26 August, 2019

"We can't disengage from our shared environment" – Interview with Palestinian, Jordanian and Israeli EcoPeace Directors

adelphi

In this interview, EcoPeace Directors Nada Majdalani (Palestine), Yana Abu-Taleb (Jordan) and Gidon Bromberg (Israel) explain why disengaging from a shared environment can aggravate the region’s security challenges.

Climate Change
Security
Oceania & Pacific
22 August, 2019

Pacific Islands Forum issues strongest-ever statement on climate, cites security threat

Delia Paul, IISD

At the conclusion of the 50th Pacific Islands Forum, Pacific leaders issued a Forum Communiqué and the ‘Kainaki II Declaration for Urgent Climate Change Action Now’ – the strongest collective statement the Forum has issued on climate change. Pacific leaders highlight the UN Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit, the SAMOA Pathway Review, and 25th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 25) to the UNFCCC as “global turning points to ensure meaningful, measurable and effective climate change action”.

Climate Diplomacy
Private Sector
South America
Central America & Caribbean
20 August, 2019

A double-edged sword: The climate politics of the Mercosur-EU Agreement

Adriana Erthal Abdenur, Igarapé Institute

If ratified, the Mercosur-EU trade deal may reinforce the parties’ commitment to climate action. Yet, its potential relevance is weakened by a language that often stops short of concrete commitments, as well as political resistance.

Climate Change
Water
Middle East & North Africa
14 August, 2019

Climate Change Is Exacerbating Iraq’s Complicated Water Politics

Theodore Karasik and Jacopo Spezia Depretto, Fair Observer

Iraq is on the verge of an environmental breakdown, and climate change is not helping. The country's fragile environment and the increasing scarcity of natural resources — particularly water — are a result of poor environmental management, as well as several political and historical factors. However, as climate change impacts add to the existing pressures, the environmental collapse turns into a security issue.