November 6, 2023
Contributions to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights Advisory Opinion
On 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.
- November 5, 2023
Aportes a la Opinión Consultiva de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos
El 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.
September 20, 2023
Report Exposes Widespread Dumping of Inefficient, Climate-Damaging Air Conditioners with Obsolete Refrigerants
A new report warns that multinational companies are exporting millions of inefficient air conditioners to Southeast Asia, taking advantage of loopholes in national laws and regulations. Because these units contain high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, this appliance dumping contributes to climate change, strains national energy grids, and burdens consumers with higher energy bills.
February 21, 2023
EU, UK, Brazil, Indonesia Call For Collective Action By G20 Nations to Accelerate and Scale Climate Action
At the official G20 prelude to the World Sustainable Development Summit 2023, co-hosted by The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI) and the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD), key ambassadors from G20 countries addressed the challenges and opportunities for collective action to accelerate and scale climate action and deploy climate finance in this decisive decade.
September 21, 2022
US Senate Votes to Ratify Kigali Amendment to Phase Down Super Polluting HFCs
In a major victory for the planet, the US Senate voted to ratify the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to phase down super climate pollutants called hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), used primarily as refrigerants in air conditioners and other cooling equipment. The Kigali Amendment needed the approval of a two-thirds super-majority of the chamber. It is the first climate treaty to clear the Senate in decades.
June 17, 2022
The US – EU Announce Critical Implementation of the Global Methane Pledge for Oil & Gas
At the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF) hosted by President Biden the United States, the European Union, and 11 countries announced the Global Methane Pledge Energy Pathway to catalyze methane emissions reductions in the oil and gas sector, advancing both climate progress and energy security.
May 23, 2022
Time to Broaden Strategy to Avert Catastrophic Climate Change
Slashing emissions of carbon dioxide, by itself, cannot prevent catastrophic global warming. But a new study concludes that a strategy that simultaneously reduces emissions of other largely neglected climate pollutants would cut the rate of global warming in half and give the world a fighting chance to keep the climate safe for humanity.
April 4, 2022
IPCC AR6 WGIII Mitigation of Climate Change Reaffirms Central Role of Methane Mitigation to Keep the Climate Safe
The report reaffirms the only mitigation pathways that keep 1.5°C warming within reach with limited overshoot require cutting methane by at least 30 percent by the end of this decade. This is the goal of the Global Methane Pledge launched by the US and the EU last November at COP26 and already endorsed by over 111 countries.
September 17, 2021
U.S.- EU Launch Pledge to Cut Super Climate Pollutant Methane
The United States and the European Union launched a global pledge to reduce methane emissions by nearly a third by 2030, as part of a broader effort to increase ambition to address the climate crisis. The launch was announced at the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate hosted today by President Biden. This is the first time heads of State have pledged fast action to cut super climate pollutants to meet the 1.5°C temperature target of the Paris Agreement.
September 15, 2021
Statement on the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
As the world enters a crucial phase in the battle to combat climate change, International Ozone Day reminds us that the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is not only saving the stratospheric ozone layer and keeping us safe from harmful ultraviolet radiation but is also doing more than any other agreement to slow catastrophic global warming. As we celebrate the achievements of this planet-saving treaty, we also need to realize how much remains to be done.
May 6, 2021
Cutting Methane Key to Keeping Earth From Warming Itself Beyond Human Control
Aggressively cutting methane emissions is the fastest and most effective way to reduce the rate of warming and keep the global average temperature from breaching the 1.5°C barrier above preindustrial levels, according to the Global Methane Assessment released today by UNEP and the CCAC. The Assessment calculates that available mitigation measures can cut emissions from human activities by 45 percent and avoid nearly 0.3 °C of warming by the 2040s.
April 22, 2021
World leaders to US: “Welcome back to the fight. This time I know our side will win”
Most world leaders who spoke this morning at President Joe Biden’s Leaders’ Summit welcomed the U.S. back to the climate fight. Many world leaders echoed President Biden’s science goal of limiting warming to 1.5 °C, and many shared the president’s focus on the decade of action to 2030.
April 16, 2021
China to Accept Kigali Amendment on HFCs and Strengthen Action on Other Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases
In a virtual summit with President Macron of France and Chancellor Merkel of Germany, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced China will accept the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. President Xi also mentioned China’s intention to strengthen the control of non-CO2 greenhouse gases.
January 27, 2021
President Biden to Submit Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol for Senate Ratification
President Biden directed the State Dept. to prepare a transmittal package to the Senate for the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to phase down potent HFCs. “President Biden knows the Senate better than any president before him, and will be using the advice and consent process to build bipartisan support for this and future climate action, which the American people are demanding,” said IGSD President, Durwood Zaelke.
January 8, 2021
Pandemic Relief Bill Mandates HFC Phasedown in Compliance with Montreal Protocol’s Kigali Amendment
In a huge win for the environment and American businesses, the Consolidated Appropriations Act that was signed into law on 27 December 2020 phases down potent greenhouse gases HFCs. Reducing HFC refrigerants could avoid up to 0.5°C of future warming. Climate benefits could double with parallel improvements in energy efficiency of cooling equipment.
IGSD works to promote just and sustainable societies and to protect the environment by advancing the understanding, development, and implementation of effective, and accountable systems of governance for sustainable development.
News
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14 Nov
U.S.-China Sunnylands Statement Shows Renewed U.S.-China Climate Commitment Ahead of COP 28
On 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. -
13 Nov
Harvard: Alumni Spotlight, Preserving a Livable Planet
Harvard 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. -
7 Nov
China Releases Methane Emissions Control Action Plan
Today China released its long-awaited Methane Emissions Control Action Plan (“Action Plan”). The Action Plan was jointly issued by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) together with ten other national ministries and agencies. This reflects the extensive interagency review that MEE had to undertake to secure State Council approval for release of the Plan. -
6 Nov
Contributions to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights Advisory Opinion
On 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.
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