Science-Based Climate Solutions

🌍 We Can’t Afford to Get Climate Policy Wrong—A Look at the Data Behind What Really Works 🌍 In the race against time to combat climate change, bold promises are everywhere. But here’s the critical question: Are the policies being implemented actually reducing emissions at the scale we need? A groundbreaking study published in Science, cuts through the noise and delivers the insights we desperately need. Evaluating 1,500 climate policies from around the world, the research identifies the 63 most effective ones—policies that have delivered tangible, significant reductions in emissions. What’s striking is that the most successful strategies often involve combinations of policies, rather than single initiatives. Think of it as the ultimate teamwork: when policies like carbon pricing, renewable energy mandates, and efficiency standards are combined thoughtfully, the impact is far greater than any one policy could achieve on its own. It’s a powerful reminder that for climate solutions the whole is indeed greater than the sum of its parts. Moreover, the study’s use of counterfactual emissions pathways is a game changer. By showing what would have happened without these policies, it provides a clear, quantifiable measure of their effectiveness. This is exactly the kind of rigorous evaluation we need to ensure that every policy counts, especially when we’re working against the clock. If we’re serious about meeting the Paris Agreement’s targets, we need to focus on what works—and this research offers a clear roadmap. Let’s champion policies that have proven to make a difference, because we don’t have time to waste on anything less. 🔗 Full study in the comments #ClimateAction #Sustainability #PolicyEffectiveness #ParisAgreement #NetZero #ClimateScience

We’re planting trees — but losing biodiversity. Global efforts to restore forests are gathering pace, driven by promises of combating climate change, conserving biodiversity, and improving livelihoods. Yet a recent paper published in Nature Reviews Biodiversity warns that the biodiversity gains from these initiatives are often overstated — and sometimes absent altogether. Forest restoration is at the heart of Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to place 30% of degraded ecosystems under effective restoration by 2030. But the gap between ambition and outcome is wide. "Biodiversity will remain a vague buzzword rather than an actual outcome" unless projects explicitly prioritize it, the authors caution. Restoration has typically prioritized utilitarian goals such as timber production, carbon sequestration, or erosion control. This bias is reflected in the widespread use of monoculture plantations or low-diversity agroforests. Nearly half of the Bonn Challenge’s forest commitments consist of commercial plantations of exotic species — a trend that risks undermining biodiversity rather than enhancing it. Scientific evidence shows that restoring biodiversity requires more than planting trees. Methods like natural regeneration — allowing forests to recover on their own — can often yield superior biodiversity outcomes, though they face social and economic barriers. By contrast, planting a few fast-growing species may sequester carbon quickly but offers little for threatened plants and animals. Biodiversity recovery is influenced by many factors: the intensity of prior land use, the surrounding landscape, and the species chosen for restoration. Recovery is slow — often measured in decades — and tends to lag for rare and specialist species. Alarmingly, most projects stop monitoring after just a few years, long before ecosystems stabilize. However, the authors say there are reasons for optimism. Biodiversity markets, including emerging biodiversity credit schemes and carbon credits with biodiversity safeguards, could mobilize new financing. Meanwhile, technologies like environmental DNA sampling, bioacoustics, and remote sensing promise to improve monitoring at scale. To turn good intentions into reality, the paper argues, projects must define explicit biodiversity goals, select suitable methods, and commit to long-term monitoring. Social equity must also be central. "Improving biodiversity outcomes of forest restoration… could contribute to mitigating power asymmetries and inequalities," the authors write, citing examples from Madagascar and Brazil. If designed well, forest restoration could help address the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. But without a deliberate shift, billions of dollars risk being spent on projects that plant trees — and little else. 🔬 Brancalion et al (2025): https://lnkd.in/gG6X36WP

It’s high time to take geoengineering more seriously as a potential tool to mitigate climate change. 2023 was the hottest year on record, and 2024 is likely to top that. In the United States, Hurricane Helene caused over 200 deaths, and Hurricane Milton's death toll is at least two dozen. It’s well established that the hurricanes are growing stronger as global temperatures rise. While stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) — which sprays particles (aerosols) in the atmosphere to provide a small amount of shade from the sun — is far from a perfect solution, we should take it seriously as a possible tool for saving lives. A few months ago, my collaborators and I released a climate emulator, Planet Parasol http://planetparasol.ai , that you can play with to simulate different SAI scenarios to understand its possible impact. By using AI to model its impact and thereby advance our understanding of SAI, we’ll be better prepared to decide if this is a good step. The key idea of SAI, which is a form of climate geoengineering, is to spray reflective particles into the stratosphere to reflect a little more, say 1%, of the sunlight that otherwise would fall on Earth back into space. This small increase in reflected sunlight would be sufficient to mitigate much of the impact of human-induced warming. For example, in 1991, Mount Pinatubo ejected almost 20 tons of aerosols (sulfur dioxide) into the atmosphere and cooled down the planet by around 0.5 degrees Celsius over the following year. We should be able to induce cooling equivalent to, say, a fraction of Mount Pinatubo, via a fair, international process that’s backed by science. There are many criticisms of SAI, such as: - It could have unintended climate consequences, for example, disrupting local weather patterns and creating droughts or floods. - If it were started and then stopped suddenly, it could lead to sudden warming, known as “termination shock.” - Depending on the aerosol used (sulfur dioxide is a leading candidate), it could contribute to pollution and/or ozone depletion. - It might reduce urgency to decarbonize (an example of a “moral hazard”). In addition, many people have a visceral emotional reaction, as I once did before I understood the science more deeply, against “playing god” by daring to engineer the planet. All these downsides should be balanced against the reality that people are dying. I’m moved by meteorologist John Morales’ emotional account of the havoc caused by Hurricane Milton. The New York Times quoted him as saying, “It claims lives. It also wrecks lives.” https://lnkd.in/gamSF82R [Reached length limit. Full text: https://lnkd.in/gngQF_Pv ]

We’ve called efficiency the unsung hero of the energy transition in the past. While the energy transition will happen first through the transition of energy usages, like the shift with transport, from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles, or from fuel or gas boilers to heat pumps, we cannot ignore the utmost priority of the energy transition: efficiency. Efficiency is the greatest path to reduce our energy use, our impact on the world’s climate through CO2 emission reduction, and very importantly, the best way to make solid and practical savings. In its most historical form, energy efficiency is about better insulation, to reduce heating (or cooling) loss in buildings like family homes, warehouses, office high rises, and shopping malls. This is useful, but expensive and tedious to realize on existing installations. Digitizing home, buildings, industries and infrastructure brings similar benefits at a much lower cost and a much higher economic return. The combination of IoT, big data, software and AI can significantly reduce energy use and waste by detecting leaky valves, or automatically adjusting heating, lighting, processes and other systems to the number of people present at any given time, using real-time data analysis. It also allows owners to measure precisely progress, report automatically on their energy and sustainability parameters, and benefit from new services through smart grid interaction. And this is just the energy benefit. Automation and digital tools also optimize the processes, safety, reliability, and uptime leading to greater productivity and performance.

Exploring the Great Green Wall of China: A Monumental Tree-Planting Initiative 🌳 Have you heard about the Great Green Wall of China? This ambitious project aims to combat desertification by planting around 88 million acres of forests, creating a green barrier stretching approximately 3,000 miles and up to 900 miles wide in some areas. This initiative, expected to continue until 2050, is recognized as the largest tree-planting effort in human history. So far, the results are promising. Thousands of acres of moving dunes have been stabilized, and sandstorms have decreased by 20% between 2009 and 2014. However, the project is not without its challenges. Experts like Jennifer L. Turner from the China Environment Forum at the Woodrow Wilson Center highlight that while tree-planting ceremonies are common, the long-term maintenance of these trees is often neglected, leading to high mortality rates. Many trees, planted outside their natural habitats, struggle to survive and inadvertently disrupt local ecosystems by depleting groundwater necessary for native vegetation. A 2014 study by American and Chinese scientists pointed out that the overall impact on local ecological and socioeconomic conditions remains uncertain due to inconsistent and unreliable local data. As climate change progresses, the question remains: will human intervention through afforestation be a viable solution, or should we allow nature to heal itself? The Great Green Wall of China is a testament to human ingenuity and our desire to make a positive impact on the environment. However, it also serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in large-scale ecological projects. #sustainability #EnvironmentalImpact #GreatGreenWall #china #ClimateChange #afforestation

Decarbonization Journey 🌎 Effective decarbonization begins with establishing a comprehensive and accurate emissions baseline. This involves measuring direct and indirect emissions using standardized methodologies and ensuring third-party verification to provide transparency and credibility. Without a reliable baseline, it is not possible to track progress or prioritize action effectively. Once emissions are measured, science-based targets must be set to provide direction and accountability. Targets aligned with the 1.5 degree Celsius scenario create a clear benchmark for action and support alignment with international climate commitments. These targets serve as the foundation for long-term planning and investment decisions across business units. Identifying and prioritizing abatement levers is the next critical step. This requires a detailed analysis of emissions hotspots across operations, supply chains, and product lifecycles. Prioritization enables the allocation of resources to the most material reduction opportunities and supports integration into operational planning. With priority areas defined, organizations must build decarbonization pathways that translate targets into practical trajectories. These pathways combine technology options, operational changes, and supplier engagement strategies into structured plans that outline when and how reductions will be achieved over time. Implementation depends on effective resource allocation and internal coordination. Teams must be equipped with the tools, guidance, and incentives to execute the plan. Success also relies on embedding emissions reduction into core decision-making processes, including procurement, logistics, and capital expenditure. Communication plays a critical role in supporting both execution and accountability. Internally, it ensures alignment across departments and leadership. Externally, transparent updates on progress and challenges help build trust among stakeholders, from investors to regulators and customers. Regular disclosure reinforces transparency and continuous improvement. Emissions reporting should follow established frameworks and cover Scope 1, Scope 2, and relevant Scope 3 categories. These disclosures inform stakeholders of current performance and provide a basis for tracking alignment with climate goals. Understanding emission scopes is essential for comprehensive decarbonization. Scope 1 covers direct emissions from owned sources. Scope 2 includes emissions from purchased energy. Scope 3 spans upstream and downstream activities, such as supplier operations, transportation, and product end use. Addressing Scope 3 requires collaboration across the value chain and the integration of sustainability criteria into procurement and product design. Source: Terrascope #sustainability #sustainable #esg #business

Around 200 years ago, writers vividly captured the astonishing abundance of marine life off the British coast. They recounted scenes of vast herring columns, stretching for miles and “so dense that the water itself seemed to bulge and shift as if pushed from below” (William Yarrell, 1836). The sea appeared black with their numbers, a living expanse “teeming with multitudes of fish” (Thomas Pennant, 1766), as far as the eye could see. These immense shoals of herring were trailed by schools of enormous cod, porpoise, spurdog, tope and smooth hound, along with majestic longfin and bluefin tuna. Among them swam the ocean’s formidable predators: blue, porbeagle, thresher and mako sharks, and even the occasional great white. And just beyond this astonishing spectacle, within sight of the shore, pods of fin and sperm whales breached and spouted, a reminder of “the treasures of the deep” and the sea’s great abundance and rich biodiversity (Thomas Pennant, 1766). Today, much of this incredible spectacle of life has disappeared, a result of relentless overfishing and habitat destruction. However, hope remains: marine ecosystems can recover swiftly if we give them a chance. Here’s how we can accelerate this recovery: 1. Expand & Enforce Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Increase the number and size of MPAs, ban bottom trawling within them (how is this allowed?!) and ensure strict enforcement to safeguard vital ecosystems, allowing marine life to rebound. 2. Promote Sustainable Fishing Practices: Implement and enforce sustainable fishing quotas and methods to prevent overfishing, reduce bycatch and minimise habitat destruction. 3. Restore Key Marine Habitats: Focus on restoring critical habitats like kelp forests, seagrass meadows and oyster reefs, which are essential for supporting diverse marine species (this is a focus for us at Earthly). 4. Reduce Pollution: Combat marine pollution, particularly plastic and chemical runoff, by improving waste management and reducing the use of harmful substances. 5. Address Ocean Warming/Acidification: Mitigate climate change by reducing carbon emissions, helping to slow ocean warming and acidification, both pose a significant threat to marine life. By taking these actions, we can revive the once-thriving marine ecosystems around the British Isles and beyond, and with hope, restore within the coming decades the breathtaking natural spectacles of abundant biodiversity that were once common sights. (Photo: Midjourney) #Biodiversity #Marine #Ecosystem

🌍 How can humanity continue to develop without destroying the foundations of life on Earth? A major new study, co-authored by the PIK - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, charts a scientific path forward — and warns of the cost of inaction. Business-as-usual leads to ongoing deterioration in climate, biodiversity, freshwater, and nutrient cycles. But when ambitious climate policy is paired with systemic sustainability measures — like shifting to a low-meat diet, halving food waste, reforesting land, and managing water and nutrients efficiently — the damage can be halted, even reversed. By 2050, the planet can return to 2015-level conditions. By 2100, Earth systems could begin to recover significantly. 🧭 This study combines the planetary boundaries framework with integrated climate models to create a navigation system for decision-makers. At the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), we emphasize the power of climate services — turning science into actionable policy — to help countries and companies manage these risks, anticipate disruptions, and build long-term resilience. We need coordinated global action, driven by data and grounded in science. Because protecting our future means safeguarding the systems that sustain life. The tools are here. The science is clear. The time is now. https://lnkd.in/eVuR9yDu

New research from the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)), with risk analysis from global insurance group Howden Group Holdings, demonstrates the transformative economic efficiency of risk-sharing systems to provide vulnerable countries with financial security from climate related disasters. The smallest and most vulnerable countries risk losing over 100% of their GDP from extreme climate shocks next year, according to the findings, which underlines the scale and severity of the risks faced by the Global South. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other vulnerable countries bear these overwhelming threats almost alone. This can be solved. The report, which models Loss and Damage (L&D) implementation, reveals these risks are insurable and proposes a solution using the power of (re)insurance and capital markets to dramatically scale up the impact of L&D funding. The modelling shows that the intolerable financial risks faced by this group of countries could be reduced to just 10% of GDP. The research outlines an action plan for L&D implementation across 100 less developed, climate vulnerable countries. It proposes leveraging donor funding to unlock vast sums from (re)insurance and capital markets to provide guaranteed financial protection to exposed communities now, and through to at least 2050.  https://lnkd.in/e-tX4AsP

This tech is restoring coral reefs 2x faster 🪸 (And it costs 95% less) The world has lost 50% of its coral reefs since 1950. Without intervention, 90% could disappear by 2050... ...threatening 25% of all marine life. When reef degradation occurs, the natural "soundscape" disappears. A critical but overlooked factor! Scientists at the University of Exeter and Indonesian Marine Research Institute got to work Instead of focusing solely on physical restoration... They decided to bring back the reef's natural soundscape. The approach: a) Install underwater speakers in degraded reef areas b) Play recordings from healthy, thriving reefs c) Juvenile fish are attracted to these sounds as they search for new habitats d) Over time natural sounds replace those played by the recordings The results after just 4 months: ↳ Fish community increased by 50% compared to control sites ↳ Species diversity grew by 2x, including critical herbivores ↳ New coral growth appeared 3x faster than in silent areas Why this matters: ↳ Coral reefs support thousands of marine species ↳ Traditional restoration costs $Mn's vs this at just $5,000 per site ↳ Works alongside other conservation techniques for compound benefits From silent underwater deserts... ...to vibrant hubs of marine life. Sometimes the best solutions involve working with nature's own signals rather than against them. Are you a fan of this initiative? Follow me for daily insights on ClimateTech and NatureTech