News
Why the Tonga volcanic eruption and tsunami is a sign of the fragility of the environment (interview)
January 19, 2022
IGSD President Durwood Zaelke comments on the Tonga volcanic eruption and answers the question, “are we being brainwashed into believing the climate crisis isn’t as serious as people like you keep telling us it is?” read more
China Issues Policy to Control New Production Capacity for Selected HFCs
January 11, 2022
On 28 December 2021, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, National Development and Reform Commission, and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly released a new policy document entitled the Circular on Strictly Controlling the First Batch of HFC Production Construction Projects. According to the Circular, as of 1 January 2022, it is prohibited to construct or expand the production facilities for five categories of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), including HFC-32, HFC-134a, HFC-125, HFC-143a and HFC-245fa, for controlled usages such as refrigerants and blowing agents. read more
Max Planck Encyclopedias of International Law – Ozone Layer, International Protection
December 20, 2021
The Max Planck Encyclopedias of International Law’s updated Ozone Layer, International Protection (2021) entry, by IGSD’s Dr. Stephen O. Andersen, Durwood Zaelke, Kristen N Taddonio, Richard Ferris, and Dr. Nancy J. Sherman, details the ins and outs of what is widely considered the world’s most successful environmental treaty, the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. The entry provides detailed analysis of the Protocol’s objectives, chemicals covered, adjustments and amendments, assessment panels, and many other aspects. The entry is available for open access. read more
WMO Says Arctic Is Among Fastest Warming Regions on the Planet (interview)
December 17, 2021
IGSD President Durwood Zaelke comments on NOAA’s annual Arctic Report Card. He answers the questions, “Why is the Arctic so important to our climate? Why is the climate changing there faster than anywhere else on Earth?” “And can the Arctic be saved or is it too late?” read more
Linking extreme weather and a warming world (interview)
December 15, 2021
IGSD President Durwood Zaelke comments on climate attribution science and the cost of extreme weather events. He answers the question, “do you believe the US has the President that it needs to fight and take the actions necessary to mitigate the very worst effects of the climate crisis?” read more
Revised deal agreed at COP26 (interview)
November 13, 2021
IGSD President Durwood Zaelke shares his take on where he stands on the outcomes of COP26? Openly weeping or clapping at the end? “We see this as a glass half full.” read more
U.S. and China pledge to work together to fight climate crisis (interview)
November 11, 2021
In light of the U.S.-China Joint Glasgow Declaration on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s announced in the final days of COP26, IGSD President Durwood Zaelke answers the questions “How significant is it that we have the world’s top two polluters agreeing to work together?” “Is there concern that they actually will be able to work together to achieve these goals?” And, “do you see that this climate summit has been a success now?” read more
NGO Statement in Response to Draft COP26 Agreement
November 10, 2021
Alongside 11 NGOs, we call on negotiators to elevate methane mitigation in in the final CMA decision. See our statement. read more
China’s Policy Opportunity to Avoid Dumping of Obsolete Cooling Equipment and Support Development and Climate Goals
November 9, 2021
An Opportunity That Should Not Be Missed: Applying Chinese Policy That Promotes Efficient Air Conditioning to Countries That Need It (Sustainable Development Law & Policy, Spring 2021) illustrates a new climate strategy of applying China’s Same-Line Policy to exported ACs. The article is co-authored by IGSD attorneys Xiaopu Sun and Richard Ferris, in collaboration with Professor Houfu Yan from Beijing Normal University and Professor Shekun Wang from China Northwest University. read more
Briefing: China Guides Further Action on Pollution and Climate Change, Strengthening Precedent for Ambition in Cutting Non-CO2 Climate Pollutants
November 2, 2021
On 2 November 2021, The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council issued an important document entitled Opinions on Strengthening the Battle for Pollution Prevention and Control (“Opinions”). Why this is important: The Opinions are another in a growing list of policy documents that China’s national policy authorities have issued. Documents […] read more
