Five Canadian banks risk being forced to leave UN net-zero banking club

The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), formed ahead of last year's UN climate conference in Scotland, is part of a larger network called Race to Zero that seeks to rally companies, cities, financial institutions and other civil society groups to steer the world to a climate-safe future. To be a member of GFANZ … Continue reading Five Canadian banks risk being forced to leave UN net-zero banking club →

India providing mixed signals in setting the tone for emerging economies to show leadership in climate action

India has the potential to set the tone for emerging economies’ climate action over the coming decade. However, its NDC commitments significantly understate the ambition in its own national climate policies. Tarun Gopalakrishnan, Junior Fellow, Climate Lab at Tufts University, in an article on The Conversation website, discusses India’s climate policies. A tale of … Continue reading India providing mixed signals in setting the tone for emerging economies to show leadership in climate action →

How will the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) work and what will it achieve in terms of reining in global temperatures?

Matt McGrath writes on the BBC News website about what will be achieved by the landmark US climate bill both in the US and globally. US climate bill success masks scale of warming challenge Many are hailing a landmark US bill approved by the US Senate as a game changer for American and global … Continue reading How will the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) work and what will it achieve in terms of reining in global temperatures? →

The world’s most influential banks need to substantially accelerate climate efforts

Many of the world's biggest banks are falling far short of aligning their practices with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting the Earth's warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a new report from the IIGCC warns. The report is discussed in an Associated Press news item on The Independent website. Banks far … Continue reading The world’s most influential banks need to substantially accelerate climate efforts →

We have a lot of work cut out for us to get the energy efficiency improvements we need

Minimum energy performance standards for buildings coupled with generous tax rebates for renovations – 110% in Italy – could unlock the energy service company market in Europe. Sonja van Renssen discusses the main issues with Jessica Stromback in an article on the Energy Monitor website. Expect a “seismic shift” on energy efficiency – Jessica … Continue reading We have a lot of work cut out for us to get the energy efficiency improvements we need →

New report from EIB on what drives firms’ investment in climate change

The European Investment Bank has recently published its most recent EIB investment survey. From extreme heatwaves and wildfires to in North America to the deadly flooding in Western Europe and Asia in 2021, the dramatic rise in catastrophic weather events has repercussions for firms. At the same time, cutting emissions sufficiently to limit global warming … Continue reading New report from EIB on what drives firms’ investment in climate change →

Modernisation of Energy Charter Treaty seen as “a real threat” to the landmark Paris climate agreement

The members of the Energy Charter Treaty on Friday struck a deal to “modernise” the energy charter treaty. The 1994 agreement allows investors to sue governments for changes in energy policy that harm their profits. The compromise agreement, which was largely designed by the EU, reduces the protection afforded to companies that have invested in … Continue reading Modernisation of Energy Charter Treaty seen as “a real threat” to the landmark Paris climate agreement →

The problem with renewable energy certificates

Anders Bjørn, Postdoctoral fellow in environmental science, Concordia University; H. Damon Matthews, Professor, Concordia University; Matthew Brander, University of Edinburgh; and Shannon M Lloyd, Concordia University, write on The Conversation website about a new study that shows that companies largely rely on renewable energy certificates to report steep electricity emissions reductions and that this is … Continue reading The problem with renewable energy certificates →

The world’s most climate vulnerable countries want rich, high-emission nations to pay for climate damages

The UN climate change conference now underway in Bonn, Germany has been a war of words in terms of who pays for climate disasters. This follows similar concerns raised at COP26 in Glasgow last year. Stuart Braun discusses latest developments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Climate vulnerable nations demand compensation for … Continue reading The world’s most climate vulnerable countries want rich, high-emission nations to pay for climate damages →

A new twist to ESG investing

When making a quick judgement on a company or other investment proposition, don’t take any assertions of ethical behaviour at face value, writes Hamish McRae in an article on The Independent website. Ethical investing is harder than it looks – here’s why It is a tough one. Do investors have to choose between ethics … Continue reading A new twist to ESG investing →