Initiatives to implement fast-action
“Fast-action” includes regulatory measures that can begin within 2–3 years, be substantially implemented in 5–10 years, and produce a climate response within decades. It’s the only way to keep the 1.5 °C guardrail in sight.
Supporting climate efforts around the world that target fast mitigation remedies.
Why Fast Mitigation Matters?
The fastest and most effective climate strategy is to combine the marathon to reduce carbon dioxide emissions with the sprint to rapidly cut non-CO2 super pollutants.
Strategies targeting super pollutant reductions can avoid 4 times more warming at 2050 than targeting CO2 alone.
Reducing HFCs can avoid nearly 0.1 °C of warming by 2050 and up to 0.5 °C by the end of the century.
Cutting methane emissions can avoid nearly 0.3 °C by the 2040s and more from emerging technologies to remove atmospheric methane.
Combining fast mitigation with decarbonization would reduce the rate of global warming by half from 2030 to 2050.
News & Updates
Stay up-to-date with the latest news, events, and policy developments.
On 1 February, the final day of the 2024 Arctic Frontiers Conference, Dr. Oran Young was awarded the International Mohn Prize by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who presented the award at The Arctic University of Norway. In explaining its selection of Dr. Young for the prize, the Scientific Committee of the Mohn Prize […]
News Press ReleasesThe Montreal Protocol is widely hailed as the world’s most effective environmental treaty, protecting both the stratospheric ozone layer and the global climate. Lesser known is that its financial mechanism, the MLF, is the world’s most efficient source of funding for climate mitigation, costing just $0.07 to $1 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) mitigated, according to a new report.
NewsOn 14 November 2023, the U.S.-China agreed on the Sunnylands Statement on Enhancing Cooperation to Address the Climate Crisis. The Sunnylands Statement is a significant announcement showing renewed U.S. and China commitment to climate leadership ahead of COP 28 and beyond, including hosting with the UAE a Methane and Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) Summit at COP 28.
NewsHarvard profiled four of their LL.M alumni working with IGSD who have played a critical role in the efforts to avert the worst effects of global warming and preserve a livable planet.
NewsOn January 9, 2023, the Governments of Chile and Colombia submitted a joint request for an advisory opinion before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on “The Climate Emergency and Human Rights”. The Court set 18 October 2023 as the deadline for submitting written observations. IGSD, the Center for Justice and International Law, and the Center for Human Rights and Environment are preparing amici, as well as helping other institutions and individuals with their amici submissions.
NewsEl 9 de enero de 2023, los Gobiernos de Chile y Colombia presentaron una solicitud conjunta de opinión consultiva ante la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos sobre “La Emergencia Climática y los Derechos Humanos”. La Corte acogió la solicitud en marzo de 2023 y fijó el 18 de octubre 2023 como fecha límite para la presentación de las observaciones escritas de los interesados. Para apoyar el proceso, IGSD ha preparado varios documentos complementarios que brindan antecedentes sobre consideraciones científicas y legales en el nexo entre el cambio climático y los derechos humanos.
NewsAt the launch of Virgin Unite Foundation’s new ‘planetary guardians’ initiative, the guardians took a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the Montreal Protocol as the shining example of how it is possible to come together to protect our planet.
NewsOctober 2, 1951 – July 13, 2023 Douglas Varchol, an American filmmaker whose documentary works educated and urged action by government and civil society leaders to support social and environmental justice, died 13 July 2023 in Los Angeles.
NewsDr. Yunho Hwang was awarded the 2023 Gustav Lorentzen Medal by the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) for outstanding and original achievements in academic or industrial research, innovation, and development of climate-friendly cooling technology.
NewsOn 31 October 2022, at the 34th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol in Montreal, the United Nations Environment Program Ozone Secretariat and the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD) launched the celebratory Montreal Protocol 35th Anniversary Book Protecting the Ozone Layer. The electronic version (Kindle Edition) of the book has now become available for purchase on Amazon.
NewsClimate emissions are accelerating and the 1.5°C guardrail for keeping the climate relatively safe could be crossed within a decade or less. At COP27 governments must commit to speed and scale up climate action to avoid the most warming in the shortest period of time and to protect the most vulnerable people and ecosystems. Their action this November will decide the fate of billions of people, for years to come. IGSD experts are available to comment.
NewsAggressively cutting methane emissions is the best and fastest opportunity for slowing warming in this decisive decade. IGSD has released a Primer on Cutting Methane to provide decision-makers with clarity on the science of methane mitigation and the actions that are urgently needed. The Primer explores current and emerging mitigation opportunities by sector; national, regional, and international efforts that can inform emergency global action on methane; and financing initiatives to secure support for fast methane reduction.
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Advancing broader global recognition of the climate emergency and the importance of reducing methane, HFCs, and the package of super pollutants as the best strategy to reduce near-term warming