2015 ended on a very positive note in terms of climate diplomacy efforts. The adoption of the Paris Agreement is widely considered to be a great success. It hasn’t all been easy, but it’s been necessary for 2016 to keep the pace. Thankfully, numerous people, institutions and countries have stepped forward to ensure the debate hasn’t run dry.
The Climate Diplomacy platform has also been dedicated to monitoring and supporting this debate, by gathering and promoting stories, which touch on different aspects of climate diplomacy. Thus, to again end the year on a positive note and maintain the motivation for 2017, we’ve compiled our top ten climate diplomacy stories published on our platform over the past year:
By Benjamin Pohl
Why do some measures which address the causes of migration still ignore climate change? Do we need a policy revolution to achieve integrated, long-term solutions? Benjamin Pohl looked at recent action by the EU.
By Kaj Fischer
Most of the progressive policies and significant challenges with regard to climate change are found in cities. A study by adelphi looks at ways of integrating urban actors in international climate governance to find more effective climate solutions. Kaj Fischer summed up the results.
By Dhanasree Jayaram
In the run up to and during the COP21 negotiations, many eyes were on India, as it was perceived to be a potential “bridging” nation, but also as a “challenge”. Dhanasree Jayaram sheds some insight on what India’s aspirations might be after the Paris Summit.
By Johannes Ackva
Mission Innovation is an initiative by twenty leading countries to double their research and development (R&D) budgets for clean energy innovation in the next five years. In this opinion piece, Johannes Ackva lays out why this initiative is essential in order to complement carbon pricing and deployment policies, and, thus, should receive far more attention.
By Stephan Wolters and Dennis Tänzler
The success of the landmark Paris Agreement ultimately hinges on sustained efforts in the years to come. Stephan Wolters and Dennis Tänzler suggested five elements for EU Climate Diplomacy to keep up the positive momentum.
By Lukas Rüttinger
What are the links between climate change and extractive industries and why is this relevant for international politics? Lukas Rüttinger summed up the findings of a 2016 report and highlights four entry points for foreign policy.
By Sabine Blumstein
Climate change is expected to intensify droughts and other water-related challenges in many international river basins, making adaptive capacity building crucial. Sabine Blumstein summarised the findings of a report by adelphi that outlines different water policy tools used in many river basins to support climate change adaptation, but also explains a number of deficiencies.
By Stephan Wolters
The new EU Global Strategy “Shared Vision, Common Action: A Stronger Europe” recognises the strategic importance of climate change. This is an important step to integrate climate diplomacy into the EU's overall foreign policy thinking, according to Stephan Wolters.
By Jonathan Rozen
The realization of the SDGs, and with them the conditions for peaceful societies, is directly threatened by worsening climatic conditions. Climate change directly impacts socio-economic development outcomes, such as food and livelihood security. Author Jonathan Rozen argues that efforts on sustaining peace and advancing sustainable development require bold climate action that looks beyond short-term political constraints.
By Stephan Wolters
How to deal with the impacts of climate change on peace and stability? What are the key climate-fragility risks to development in Africa and how can integrated policy responses be designed and implemented? Two side events at COP22 discussed entry points for addressing climate-security risks on the ground.
Pakistan’s unprecedented climate shocks make it clear: regional cooperation for managing shared waters is desperately needed. To halt the increasing impacts on agriculture and livelihoods that cripple the country’s economy, diplomacy is of paramount importance. In our interview, Moeen Khan explains how territorial and ethnic tensions with India hinder much-needed transboundary solutions – and how the international community can help.
Environmental defenders in Brazil are at risk — last year, 57 were assassinated and the numbers are increasing. The UN has launched a new initiative to address the escalating violence. This article shows the challenges faced by an activist from the Amazon region who fights for justice, and it notes how the Brazilian government can save lives while preventing unregulated exploitation in the region.
Changes are occurring that could make climate action a driver of the domestic agenda for economic and social progress and for international cooperation. With the help of market forces and technological advances, the tide is moving toward climate action. Paul Joffe argues that a key to success is a strategy that draws public support and makes climate policy a force in a larger industrial renaissance.
The world can achieve slower climate warming, preventing temperatures from rising by more than 1.5˚C, a global scientific panel says. But time is short.