This report presents a comprehensive emission inventory of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) and other non-CO₂ pollutants for the state of Himachal Pradesh, using 2019 as the baseline year. It underscores the urgent need to strengthen focus on non-CO₂ pollutants—particularly SLCPs such as CH₄, BC, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and tropospheric O₃, to mitigate near-term climate impacts, while sustaining long-term momentum on CO₂ mitigation.
Adopting a holistic mitigation strategy, the report analyzes projected trends in SLCP emissions and other non-CO₂ pollutants under a Business-As-Usual scenario through 2047, alongside a set of policy-driven alternative scenarios designed to achieve deeper emission reductions across key sectors.
This study assesses the extent of environmental dumping of new room air conditioners (room ACs) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and explores this practice’s linkages to cooling access and affordability there. It also examines the current state of the room AC market and energy efficiency policies in the region. Covering 11 countries (Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, and Uruguay), the analysis relies on room AC data from 2023 and 2025.
This publication compiles fourteen thematic documents developed through the collaborative efforts of a coalition of environmental, human rights, and academic organizations, alongside experts who have actively participated in the advisory proceedings from the outset. The topics reflect the main thematic areas articulated by the Court in the Advisory Opinion and are organized into four sections: (i) Foundational Rights and Knowledge; (ii) State and Corporate Obligations; (iii) The Rights of Affected Peoples and Groups; and (iv) Environmental Democracy and Remedies.
Co-authored by CIEL, IGSD, and more than 20 organizations and experts. Each brief was prepared by a lead organization and subjected to rigorous peer review to ensure accuracy and consistency. Together, they provide an in-depth analysis of the Advisory Opinion’s key contributions, its legal and practical implications, and the gaps and opportunities this landmark decision presents across the selected thematic areas. They also present arguments, standards, and practical recommendations aimed at strengthening climate litigation and advocacy strategies.
Also available in Spanish, Justicia Climática y Derechos Humanos: Estándares y Herramientas Jurídicas de la Opinión Consultiva 32/25 de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos.
This report presents a comprehensive emission inventory of non-CO2 pollutants for the state of Haryana, using 2019 as the baseline year. It highlights the critical need to sharpen focus on such non-CO2 pollutants, especially Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs)—including methane (CH4), black carbon (BC), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and tropospheric ozone (O3) to mitigate shorter-term climate impacts, while maintaining the long-term momentum on CO2. To work towards this holistic strategy, the report analyzes the projected trends in SLCPs and other non-CO2 pollutants under a Business-As-Usual scenario through 2047. The report also evaluates a set of policy-driven alternative scenarios across sectors, identifying pathways to achieve maximum emission reductions.
Presenting a novel emission estimation study of Short-lived Climate Forcers (SLCFs) for the state of Punjab for the baseline year 2019; this report highlights all the projected changes in these compounds by 2047 under a Business-As-Usual scenario. It highlights the critical need to sharpen focus on SLCFs—which include Short-lived Climate Pollutants, i.e., methane (CH4), black carbon (BC), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and tropospheric ozone (O3), in addition to nitrates and sulphates to mitigate short-term climate impacts, while maintaining the long-term momentum on CO2.
The report analyses the projected trends in SLCFs and evaluates a set of policy-driven alternative scenarios across sectors, identifying pathways to achieve maximum emission reductions.
IGSD’s jurisprudence compendium of key climate cases analyzes 29 climate cases from 22 jurisdictions worldwide.
These cases were selected to highlight the following important themes in global climate change jurisprudence.
- Supervision and accountability of state and non-state actors in addressing climate change
- Use and importance of climate science
- Human rights and climate change
- States’ obligations under international treaties to address climate change
- Judicial development and evolution of legal principles to address climate change
- Access to justice and legal standing to bring climate cases
Portuguese translation is available here.
Spanish translation is available here.
The IGSD Resource Guide on Preventing the Dumping of Inefficient Cooling Equipment provides information and resources for government representatives and their advisors, researchers, academics, non-profit, philanthropic and other nongovernmental organizations, and other citizens to understand the practice of environmentally harmful dumping of new but energy-inefficient cooling equipment that uses high global-warming-potential refrigerants. The Resource Guide also provides insights for those working in other product areas, such as heavy-duty vehicles, involving environmentally harmful product dumping in vulnerable developing countries.
This IGSD Background Note summarizes the science supporting the need for fast climate mitigation to slow warming in the near term (2022–2041). It also describes the importance of cutting short-lived climate pollutants and protecting sinks in order to slow self-reinforcing feedbacks and avoid tipping points. It explains why winning a fast mitigation sprint to 2030 is critical for addressing the climate emergency and how the sprint complements the marathon to decarbonize the economy and achieve net-zero emissions.
The Center for Environmental Energy Engineering (CEEE) at University of Maryland, the Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), Centro Studi Galileo, and the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD) have released the Handbook of Best Practices: Room Air Conditioner Installation for the Lowest Carbon Footprint, which explains how to appropriately install high-efficiency room air conditioners (RACs) for the highest energy efficiency and lowest carbon footprint over the products’ lifetime. This comprehensive, open-source guide has been created for HVAC professionals and their business, government, and residential customers.
With climate change and energy efficiency at the forefront of global conversations, the importance of minimizing the carbon footprint of everyday appliances cannot be overstated. Air conditioning creates comfortable work and living spaces, and in climate hotspots is becoming necessary for human survival. RACs also place significant demands on national energy grids and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. By focusing on optimal installation, the Handbook offers practical steps to mitigate these environmental impacts.
Topics covered include:
- Energy-Efficient Installation Techniques: Explains how the placement and setup of your AC unit can enhance energy efficiency, ensuring that RACs run at peak performance while using less power.
- Choosing the Right RAC Unit: Takes an in-depth look at selecting high-efficiency, eco-friendly air conditioners that are best suited for different climates and building types.
- Refrigerant Management: Reveals the latest developments on sustainable refrigerants that minimize harmful emissions and promote cooling with lower environmental impact.
- Smart Thermostat Integration: Provides Best Practices for integrating RACs with smart technologies to optimize cooling cycles for reduced energy usage.
- Maintenance and Longevity: Gives tips for maintaining RAC systems to ensure they remain efficient over time, helping to extend their life cycle and reduce the need for replacement units.
The authors welcome suggestions from RAC experts regarding edits and additions as the Handbook is improved and made available for translation to other languages.
India’s efforts to address climate change have often centered on carbon dioxide (CO2), but with growing evidence of the substantial impact of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), this focus is sharpening. SLCPs, including black carbon, methane, tropospheric ozone, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and nitrous oxide (N2O), are potent contributors to climate change, accelerating global warming with far-reaching implications for health, agriculture, and the environment. Despite their relatively short atmospheric lifetimes compared to CO2, SLCPs have intense warming effects, making their reduction a crucial step toward meeting India’s climate goals. This Primer by IGSD India program provides a comprehensive overview of SLCPs in India, outlining sources, impacts, and potential mitigation strategies.
