The resolution before the UN General Assembly seeks to operationalize the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion on states' obligations in preventing and repairing climate harm, emphasizing a just transition away from fossil fuels and full reparation for climate-related harm. Resistance from polluters aims to weaken its authority and evade accountability, but passing the resolution would signal governments' commitment to the rule of law and collective action to protect the climate. The draft resolution aims to improve accountability and coordination in existing climate processes, addressing the lack of ambition in phasing out fossil fuels and tackling loss and damage. Consensus on the resolution would send a strong message of commitment to climate action and the rule of law, with global majority support being decisive in the face of resistance from powerful states.
Category: Uncategorized
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Science made simple: book dispels five misconceptions about carbon pricing
A new book by experts from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research aims to correct misconceptions about carbon pricing, emphasizing its role in pushing "dirty" products out of the market and promoting "clean" ones. Carbon pricing can generate revenue to counteract climate change, with atmospheric carbon removals necessary to achieve net-zero emissions and offset exceeding the 1.5°C limit for global warming. Regional pricing can still help the climate, with effective mechanisms preventing carbon leakage and driving increased international cooperation. The EU's climate tariff system will make carbon pricing more important internationally, highlighting the importance of balancing supply and demand for emissions and removals through a financing system and incentives for investment.
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Santa Marta marks a new chapter in climate diplomacy
Professor Elisa Morgera, the UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, emphasizes the importance of diplomacy in the global fight against climate change. The failure of COP30 to make decisions on fossil fuels highlights the challenges faced in international climate negotiations. A new initiative, the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels, aims to prioritize the voices of those most impacted by the climate crisis and focus on implementing a just transition away from fossil fuel dependency. The conference also addresses the need for financial and technological support from developed countries to help developing nations transition to sustainable renewable-based economies. The Santa Marta conference aims to strengthen a coalition of ambitious states to address climate change and mobilize experts to support climate solutions, including the call for fossil fuel transition roadmaps and legal accountability on fossil fuels. Vanuatu pursues a new UN resolution to turn the ICJ climate opinion into action, focusing on fair diversification from fossil fuels and accessible renewable energy. The Santa Marta conference seeks to make progress through implementation, inclusion, and legal accountability in addressing climate and fossil fuel-related issues.
https://www.climatechangenews.com/2026/04/28/santa-marta-marks-a-new-chapter-in-climate-diplomacy/
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USGS launches nationwide water availability tool
The USGS has developed a new tool to assess water availability in communities across the US, taking into account the impacts of climate change, suburban growth, farming, and data centers. By combining data from stream monitoring, satellite observations, and climate modeling, the tool provides detailed information on water supply and demand in 80,000 watersheds. This information can help decision-makers understand regional imbalances between supply and demand, which may lead to water challenges affecting millions of Americans. The tool aids in effective water planning by identifying whether challenges stem from limited natural water supply, high demand, or both.
https://www.eenews.net/articles/usgs-launches-nationwide-water-availability-tool/
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How Bangladesh builds houses that stand in extreme floods
Architects from Dhaka are collaborating with rural communities in northeast Bangladesh to construct flood-resistant tiny houses known as khudi baris. These homes are designed to withstand severe flooding and can be easily dismantled and relocated during river erosion, empowering villagers to build them independently. The project showcases a successful model of community-led climate adaptation, with several homes already constructed. Despite the urgency of completing a project before an impending flood arrives, individuals are working tirelessly to finish within 14 or 15 days to avoid potential damage, highlighting the race against time to address climate challenges in the region.
https://news.mongabay.com/video/2026/04/how-bangladesh-builds-houses-that-stand-in-extreme-floods/
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Electric trucks in China have already ditched diesel, now they’re ditching the driver
Various companies use different forms of data collection and storage, with varying cookie durations and types of data collected. Some companies rely on legitimate interest for data processing, while others require consent. The data collected includes IP addresses, device characteristics, browsing and interaction data, and privacy choices. Some companies do not use cookies and instead use other forms of storage for data processing. Overall, the companies mentioned have different approaches to data collection and storage for targeted advertising purposes on platforms like TikTok and Microsoft Advertising.
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Putting the CORE Framework Into Practice
The CORE framework by Carbon180 focuses on responsible carbon removal by centering communities, ecosystems, and real climate outcomes, with principles and practices for design, deployment, and governance emphasizing transparency and community agency. Implementation involves decisions about site selection, project design, funding, monitoring, and governance, with different actors playing various roles. The framework is supported by a Resource Hub and hypothetical scenarios to guide implementation and bridge the gap between principles and reality, crucial for shaping the field for the future with institutions translating principles into infrastructure. The CORE principles aim to influence how carbon removal interventions are designed, governed, and evaluated, with considerations such as community participation, early-stage intervention design, and funding, procurement, and oversight, evolving alongside real-world experience and updated over time for refined implementation of responsible carbon removal.
https://carbon180.org/blog/putting-the-core-framework-into-practice/
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Revealed: Scientists tell Colombia fossil-fuel transition summit to ‘halt new expansion’
Around 50 nations will gather in Santa Marta, Colombia to discuss transitioning away from fossil fuels, following the failure to agree on a roadmap at COP30. A preliminary scientific report, created by a group of 24 scientists, offers recommendations such as halting new fossil fuel expansion and phasing out subsidies. The report, with "action insights" and prescriptive recommendations, will be further refined before being made public at the end of April. The goal is to provide actionable recommendations for countries to transition away from fossil fuels, with the aim of encouraging immediate climate action and informing a global roadmap being developed by the Brazilian COP30 presidency.
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New Report: Charting the Path Forward for Climate Justice Communications
The report emphasizes the need for diverse and culturally resonant messaging to mobilize Americans to take action on climate change, connecting it to affordability, health, jobs, and community safety. It suggests leveraging community storytellers and untapped platforms like Spanish-language media, gaming platforms, podcasts, influencers, and artists to reach a wider audience. Using hope as a strategic tool, grounded in realistic pathways for progress, is also highlighted. The path forward for climate communications involves coordinated flexibility, investing in community storytellers, and building long-term cultural infrastructure.
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New PACJA Strategic Plan (2026-2030) in Place: What Does It Include? – PACJA – Panafrican Climate Justice Alliance
The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) and its partners recently gathered in Tanzania to validate the new Strategic Plan for 2026-2030, focusing on climate security in regions like the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, as well as mineral resources in Southern and Central Africa. The plan aims to strengthen the connection between policy, finance, and community livelihoods, empowering local communities in the climate dialogue. Key points include expanding youth initiatives, establishing global partnerships, enhancing NDC tracking, and advocating for grant-based support in climate finance. Emphasizing the importance of demanding transparency and justice in climate activities, the plan highlights the need for increased accountability to ensure effective climate solutions, with PACJA serving as a resource for further information on climate justice initiatives.
https://pacja.org/new-pacja-strategic-plan-2026-2030-in-place-what-does-it-include/