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2021 COP26. Attribution: President.am, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED)
November 2021

The strongest reason to keep 1.5°C within reach? The climate crisis that is already upon us

Bill Hare, Dr Carl-Friedrich Schleussner

Just like most past climate conferences, COP26 delivered a mixed outcome, and people are entitled to feel angry, scared and frustrated at the glacial progress made. Glasgow was the first big test of Paris Agreement’s implementation and in particular its ambition ratchet-up mechanism – and it failed the test. Unpacking what happened at COP26, however, shows that there are grounds for hope.
Yes, Australia can beat its 2030 emissions target. But the Morrison government barely lifted a finger.
October 2021

Yes, Australia can beat its 2030 emissions target. But the Morrison government barely lifted a finger.

Bill Hare

Prime Minister Scott Morrison continues to claim Australia will “meet and beat” its current 2030 target of reducing emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels. But our latest report shows almost all the emissions reductions will be the result of state government policies, and will have virtually nothing to do with the federal government. It also suggests that, given the almost total absence of substantial federal climate policies to date, Australia can do a lot more.
Pexels Pok Rie
August 2021

Climate change is here now – we need to talk about adaptation

So far, 2021 has seen a summer of climate extremes in the Northern Hemisphere, bringing even the most developed and seemingly well-prepared nations to their knees. It has been clear for years that science underestimates the scope of increasing extremes, as climate models perform better for the mean. An immediate question follows: how can we prepare?
Ocean thermal energy conversion – what is it and what role could it play for Small Island States in the Caribbean?
June 2021

Ocean thermal energy conversion – what is it and what role could it play for Small Island States in the Caribbean?

Dr Robert Brecha

Using Geographical Information Systems tools, we have determined where water depth and proximity to shore could provide a site for ocean thermal energy conversion installation for all islands in the Caribbean. But this technology is still the poor cousin in the renewables family, leading many to ask – what is ocean thermal energy conversion and what can it bring to the table to support a 100% renewable electricity system?