February 7, 2022 by IGSD Burning trees for energy is not a climate solution

Burning trees and other forest biomass for energy is contrary to climate mitigation, biodiversity protection, and environmental justice goals. Governments must stop promoting climate-damaging forest bioenergy and instead invest in strategies to decrease energy demand, deploy low-emissions energy like solar and wind, and protect forests. These are the conclusions of a new article published in the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law.

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February 7, 2022
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December 20, 2021 by IGSD Max Planck Encyclopedias of International Law – Ozone Layer, International Protection

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.

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December 20, 2021
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November 9, 2021 by IGSD China’s Policy Opportunity to Avoid Dumping of Obsolete Cooling Equipment and Support Development and Climate Goals

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.

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November 9, 2021
September 30, 2021 by IGSD Meltdown: The Earth Without Glaciers

New book, Meltdown: The Earth Without Glaciers, out now. “Taillant masterfully takes us on a journey through the profound changes our cryosphere is suffering from climate change and how melting glaciers that are vanishing around the world will not only destroy delicate ecosystems…but how they will radically change how we live on Earth in ways not yet imagined. His unique capacity to bring together media, science, politics, and society in understandable prose offers a powerful wake-up call to our deepening climate crisis.”

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September 30, 2021
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September 30, 2021 by IGSD R&D Needed for Removing Methane from the Atmosphere

Learning how to remove methane from the atmosphere would complement strategies to mitigate methane emissions from anthropogenic sources. Methane removal technologies would be especially important because around 40% of atmospheric methane originates from natural sources, and because some anthropogenic emissions are difficult to reduce.

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September 30, 2021
September 27, 2021 by IGSD Are you ready to take action on climate friendly refrigerants?

Download our guide to learn how to purchase the best products and avoid obsolete HFC refrigerants that are being phased down under the American Innovation & Manufacturing Act in the U.S. and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol internationally. Developed by the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, in partnership with IGSD, the Guide to Climate Friendly Refrigerant Management and Procurement, 2021 edition, can help select affordable, energy-efficient refrigeration and cooling equipment that uses next-generation refrigerants that are more climate-friendly.

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September 27, 2021
April 29, 2021 by IGSD IGSD co-authors new book on super climate pollutants

Durwood Zaelke, IGSD President, and Stephen O. Andersen, IGSD Director of Research, joined long-term collaborator Alan Miller to present IGSD’s work on short-lived in an accessible book designed for both citizens and policymakers.
Resetting Our Future: Cut Super Climate Pollutants Now! describes the ozone treaty’s urgent lessons for speeding climate action and issues a call to action to cut warming by half in the next decade. Additional information, including the Table of Contents, here.

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April 29, 2021
January 29, 2021 by IGSD IGSD, Clean Air Task Force, other NGOs call on President Biden to take fast action to cut super climate pollutants

In addition to putting super pollutants on the agenda of President Biden’s 22 April climate summit, the NGO letter urges the Administration “to make mitigation of super pollutants a priority in all of the international consultations and negotiations that will take place this year”, including COP 26 in Glasgow and the Arctic Council ministerial.

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January 29, 2021