Tailoring global climate benchmarks to local contexts

Together with a large group of scientists from different disciplines and regions of the world, we wrote a perspective piece with Environmental Research Letters that just came out: https://lnkd.in/dxxE4NEq It cautions against premature or top-down characterizations of areas as uninhabitable, or portrayals of large-scale climate-induced displacement as inevitable—particularly when the perspectives and preferences of affected populations are excluded. While we recognize the importance of modelling and scenario-building to assess future risks, we argue that such efforts must be grounded in local realities and include diverse forms of knowledge. We propose five guiding recommendations: (1) avoid declaring hard limits to habitability without inclusive, context-specific assessments; (2) treat model-based projections as possible, not predetermined futures; (3) reject simplistic global North/South assumptions in assessing vulnerability and mobility; (4) uphold people’s right to remain, alongside the right to move; and (5) prioritize investment in in-situ adaptation that addresses structural inequalities. These principles aim to inform reflexive and justice-oriented approaches to climate mobility and habitability research.

As part of our Net Zero Transition Plans project (https://lnkd.in/g9WsBRbr) at the Oxford Sustainable Finance Group and the UK Centre for Greening Finance and Investment (CGFI), I am excited to share a recent working paper, “Assessing Corporate Emissions Reduction Targets Against National Transition Plans,” with Adrien Rose, Dr Saphira Rekker, and Dr Abhinav Jindal. Context: Lack of coordination between corporate and public actors is likely to prevent the achievement of climate mitigation targets. Yet, corporate emissions reduction targets are often assessed against global benchmarks, failing to account for regional differences. Approach: We provide an approach for assessing corporate emissions reduction targets against sectoral national transition plans. We apply this method to a sample of nine electric utility companies in Australia, India, and the United Kingdom. Finding 1: Companies’ emissions targets are not ambitious enough to enable their countries to meet their national mitigation targets, in particular for Australia and India. Finding 2: Misaligned companies may fully consume their carbon budget in the next 10 years, highlighting the need for rapid changes in the short to medium term. Finding 3: Furthermore, the use of national pathways to assess companies does not guarantee strict compliance with the Paris Agreement and risks lowering the overall level of ambition to at least 2.8 degrees of warming. Finding 4: However, national pathways appear to be more suitable benchmarks – in particular, for developed countries – when they are more ambitious than the global average. #netzero #transitionplans #emissiontargets #carbonbudgets #benchmarks #power #uk #australia #india Working paper: https://lnkd.in/gSjhWd9d Executive summary: https://lnkd.in/grFjTBSW

A sustainable future will not be created by copy-and-paste regulation. It will be driven by innovation and tailored, context-specific solutions that align with global objectives. In my recent article with Arab News, I argue that as ESG investing accelerates, different regions and countries are developing their own frameworks grounded in local economic realities and environmental needs. These tailored approaches are essential to unlocking green capital, de-risking investments, and ensuring a just transition, particularly in emerging markets. While the EU Green Taxonomy has provided a strong foundation, a one-size-fits-all model risks undermining transitional sectors and limiting capital flows to critical projects. The rise of local taxonomies shows how financial systems can promote climate action without compromising growth. As investor demand for high-quality ESG disclosures grows, the key lies in building transparent, credible, and context-driven systems that support both sustainability and economic resilience. https://lnkd.in/dM5tCdzs

Why Local Knowledge is the Key to Global Sustainability ? The real power to address climate change lies in our local communities. Too often, global climate solutions overlook the unique needs and strengths of local environments and traditional wisdom. When we embrace local knowledge whether it’s indigenous practices, community-driven agriculture, or sustainable architecture, we unlock innovative solutions that are tailored to our environments. It's time to shift the narrative: Sustainability is not one-size-fits-all, it’s personal, it’s cultural, and it’s contextual. Indigenous practices hold valuable insights into soil health, water conservation, and ecosystem restoration. Community action can be the most effective way to drive large-scale change. Let’s rethink our approach to climate resilience. True sustainability starts when we listen to, learn from, and empower the communities on the ground. #LocalKnowledge #Sustainability #CommunityLedChange #ClimateResilience #Empowerment #EcoInnovation