On 27 February 2014, GLOBE released the 4th edition of the GLOBE Climate Legislation Study – produced in partnership with the Grantham Research Institute at the London School of Economics. The Study is the most comprehensive audit of climate legislation across 66 countries, together responsible for around 88% of global manmade greenhouse gas emissions. The new study (4th edition) was formally launched at the 2nd GLOBE Climate Legislation Summit held at the Senate of the United States of America and at the World Bank in Washington DC on 27th-28th February 2014.
The Summit received the findings of the 4th edition of the GLOBE Climate Legislation Study and announced the Partnership for Climate Legislation, a GLOBE initiative supported by the United Nations and the World Bank.
The high-level opening session was hosted by US Senator Edward Markey and included speeches by House Democrat Leader, Nancy Pelosi, US Senator Barbara Boxer, House Chairperson of the National Assembly of South Africa, Cedric Frolick, UN Assistant Secretary General, Dr Robert Orr, Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, Christiana Figueres, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Mr Achim Steiner, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility, Dr Naoko Ishii, Vice President of the World Bank, Rachel Kyte and Obama Administration Climate Envoy, Todd Stern.
Key Messages from the 4th Edition
- Almost 500 climate laws have been passed in the 66 countries covered by the study; the direction of travel is clear; and Encouragingly, it is developing countries and emerging markets, which are advancing climate change laws and regulation at the fastest pace.
- Even though the legislative progress is impressive, the cumulative ambition of these laws is not yet sufficient to limit global average temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the agreed goal of the international community.
- In order for a successful outcome in Paris in 2015 there is now extreme urgency to strengthen commitments, and for countries that have not yet passed climate change laws and/or regulations to do so.
Key Findings
In 2013 there was substantive legislative progress in 8 countries (passage of “flagship legislation”) and positive advances in a further 19 countries.
Key progress in 2013 includes:
- Americas:
- Bolivia passed its Framework Law on Mother Earth and Integral Development to Live Well;
- El Salvador adopted its National Climate Change Strategy;
- In Ecuador, Decree 1815 established the Intersectoral National Strategy for Climate Change;
- and in Costa Rica a draft General Law on Climate Change has been introduced and is expected to pass in 2014.
- Asia-Pacific:
- China published its National Adaptation Plan;
- Indonesia extended its forest moratorium; Kazakhstan introduced a pilot emissions trading scheme;
- Micronesia passed its Climate Change Act in late 2013.
- Europe:
- Poland adopted its National Strategy for Adaptation and Switzerland overhauled its CO2 Act to increase ambition.
- Middle East and North Africa:
- Jordan passed its National Climate Change Policy;
- and the United Arab Emirates launched a mandatory Energy Efficiency Standardization and Labelling Scheme.
- Sub-Saharan Africa:
- Kenya adopted 2013-2017 Climate Change Action Plan;
- Mozambique adopted 2013-2025 National Strategy for Climate Change;
- Tanzania passed its National Strategy on REDD+;
- Nigeria’s Legislative Council approved the adoption of a National Climate Change Policy and Response Strategy.
