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Browse publications
Climate targets by major steel companies: An assessment of collective ambition and planned emission reduction measures
Publication date 19 Jan 2024

This article assesses the status, robustness, and potential impact of GHG emission reduction targets set by the 60 largest steel producer companies. Full implementation of existing targets would lead to 38-53% reduction of CO2 by 2050 from 2019 levels.

Navigating the nuances of corporate renewable electricity procurement: Spotlight on fashion and tech
Publication date 16 Jan 2024

The renewable electricity commitments of 10 major companies in the fashion and tech industries vary widely in terms of ambition and credibility. Standard-setting initiative provide very limited incentives and sometimes barriers to companies striving for more impactful renewable electricity strategies.

From drumbeating to marching: Assessing non-state and subnational climate action using data
Publication date 16 Sep 2023

The 2015 Paris Agreement emphasized non-state actors (NSAs) in climate action, but ‘‘greenwashing’’ concerns persist. The UN introduced a framework for NSA accountability through improved reporting. Yet, data remains inconsistent, especially in the Global South. We propose refining reporting, broadening data collection, and using innovative tech like AI for better tracking and accountability.

Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor 2023
Publication date 13 Feb 2023

The second iteration of the Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor, conducted by NewClimate Institute in collaboration with Carbon Market Watch, assesses the climate strategies of 24 major global companies.

Decarbonisation in the global steel sector: tracking the progress
Publication date 02 Dec 2022

We evaluate the progress of the global steel sector towards decarbonisation through identifying and monitoring key progress indicators aligned with latest literature and assessing, and quantifying emission reduction targets and implementation plans of steel companies.

Global Climate action 2022: Landscape, performance, and potential of international initiatives
Publication date 11 Nov 2022

We find that the overall performance of existing initiatives has declined in recent years. The new sector initiatives launched around COP26 have large emission reduction potential, but strong political leadership, effective progress tracking and implementation on the ground are required to realise the potential.

What is a fair emissions budget for the Netherlands?
Publication date 29 Aug 2022

This report assesses the proposed target pathway of the Netherlands’ government in the context of the required global efforts and the country’s historical responsibility and capability, which are both key principles of the international efforts against climate change and the Paris Agreement. The analysis finds that the Netherlands’ proposed target pathway of a 55%/70%/80% reduction below 1990 by 2030/2035/2040 and greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050 cannot be considered fully compatible with the Paris Agreement 1.5°C limit.

Evaluating corporate target setting in the Netherlands
Publication date 05 Jul 2022

In this publication, we scrutinise the climate pledges of leading corporations active in the Netherlands. We review the targets and actions of 29 companies: eight financial institutions and 21 businesses with their main activities in the ‘real economy’.

Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor 2022
Publication date 07 Feb 2022

Assesses the climate strategies of 25 major global companies. It critically analyses the extent to which they demonstrate corporate climate leadership.

A seismograph for measuring the transformation to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions – Discussion Paper
Publication date 03 Nov 2021

A “transformation seismograph” can give an early warning signal with small perturbations at the beginning, later some elements of the system start shaking, later strong vibrations occur in all areas of the system until tipping or transformation point (point of no return) is reached. In this discussion paper we explores this concept to detect and measure the transformation to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Abstract: This discussion paper sketches the idea of a “transformation seismograph” to detect the signs and measure the speed and magnitude of transformation to net-zero greenhouse gas...

Working together to achieve the Paris climate goals and sustainable development
Publication date 20 Sep 2021

This study shows how transformative change can bring about sustainable development, prevent climate change from spiralling out of control and address the unavoidable consequences of climate change in a development-friendly manner. Main findings: In view of the multiple crises facing the world, unprecedented efforts are required to achieve resilient, climate-compatible and sustainable development on a global scale. Avoiding unmanageable climate change and managing its unavoidable impacts requires ambitious and coherent action towards the objectives of the Paris Agreement. In this context, the...

NDC Design
Publication date 08 Jul 2021

As part of the Paris Agreement, countries are mandated to update and enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) every five years — increasing their ambition with every cycle. The first round of NDCs were submitted starting in 2015 as intended nationally determined contributions and countries have submitted or are finalizing their updates for the new cycle in 2020/2021. The purpose of this report was to develop a methodology to systematically assess the design of NDCs and to apply it to 20 NDCs. Main findings: While there are several tools that analyze NDCs, they are comprehensive...

Global climate action from cities, regions and businesses - 2021
Publication date 23 Jun 2021

This report is the third and the latest edition of the series since 2018 that take stock of climate action by cities, regions and businesses and their global aggregate impact on greenhouse gas emissions. The 2021 edition focuses on the progress of non-state and subnational actors toward their emissions reduction targets. Main findings: In this report, we focus on subnational and non-state action in ten major emitting economies: Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union (EU-27) plus the United Kingdom (UK), India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States (US). We find that...

Green Cooling in Public Procurement
Publication date 12 May 2021

The information provided within this study shall serve as a basis for tackling barriers in introducing "Green Public Procurement" as well as updating procurement criteria of room air conditioners in order to reduce cooling related energy consumption and GHG emissions of public buildings. Main findings: Green Cooling has a high potential to reduce costs, energy and the climate impact of public buildings. Surveys conducted in multiple countries in the framework of this study show that: Air conditioning in public buildings is often responsible for about 50% of total electricity consumption and...

Subnational and non-state action in the EU
Publication date 14 Dec 2020

This study aims to obtain enhanced understanding of subnational (e.g. cities and subnational regions) and non-state (e.g. companies) actors’ action on GHG emissions reductions in the European Union (EU). Specifically, we present an overview of findings in the recent literature on (i) landscape of sub/non-state action, (ii) interactions between EU policy making and sub/non-state actors, (iii) potential GHG emissions reductions additional to the reductions expected under national policies, and (iv) progress towards their own short- to mid-term targets and long-term goals. This report focuses on...

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