Climate Change | Council on Foreign Relations

Understanding the Global Push for Climate Finance

Countries will collectively need to spend trillions of dollars to reach their decarbonization goals and protect the most vulnerable nations from climate disasters, but experts say that current funding levels lag behind what’s required to stave off and adapt to the worst effects of climate change.

Backgrounder by Clara Fong Oct 23, 2024

COP29 Summit in Baku: What to Expect

The 2024 summit in Azerbaijan comes amid fresh reports showing that global warming levels are accelerating, bringing more intense climate-related disasters and an increased demand for funding to mitigate and protect communities from the effects of climate change.

Expert Brief by Alice C. Hill and Priyanka Mahat Oct 31, 2024

Could Climate Break Home Insurance?

As extreme weather breaks records, the U.S. home insurance system is under intense pressure. What comes next?

Podcast by Gabrielle Sierra, Asher Ross, Markus Zakaria, Molly McAnany, Nancy Watkins, and David Marlett Sep 27, 2023

Understanding the Causes of Climate Change

This offering from CFR Education breaks down the causes and effects of climate change.

The Summer of 2023 Was the Most Extreme Yet

Even compared to the intensifying severe-weather events of previous years, the 2023 season was exceptional, marked by historic heat, wildfires, and storms.

by Noah Berman and Sabine Baumgartner Sep 18, 2023

United Nations

Russia Hosts BRICS Summit, EU Leaders Talk Migration, UN Biodiversity Summit Kicks Off, and More

The summit of the BRICS group begins in Russia, the first meeting since formally welcoming Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates into the bloc; European leaders discuss migration after a series of calls for speedier deportations and revised asylum processes; Colombia hosts the UN Biodiversity Summit; and Canada expels six Indian diplomats tied to the murder of a Sikh separatist.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins October 17, 2024 The World Next Week
Climate Change

What Hurricane Milton’s Damage Says About Climate Preparedness

The record-breaking storm was the second major hurricane to hit Florida in less than two weeks. Experts say climate change has worsened the wreckage of such events, straining government efforts to respond.

Expert Brief by Alice C. Hill October 16, 2024 Energy Security and Climate Change Program
Election 2024

Meddling in U.S. Elections, Florida Reels from Twin Storms, Nobel Peace Laureate to Be Named, and More

Intelligence officials warn of foreign meddling in the U.S. presidential and congressional elections; Hurricane Milton marks second straight weather blow to the U.S. southeast; this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner is announced in Norway; and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico vows to block Ukraine’s bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins October 10, 2024 The World Next Week

Election 2024

Why Fracking Matters in the 2024 U.S. Election

The fracking boom has transformed the United States into the world’s leading producer of oil and gas. With presidential candidates Harris and Trump clashing on climate and energy policy, the practice is once again in the spotlight.

In Brief by Diana Roy October 8, 2024
Barbados

Blueprints for a Greener Tomorrow: A Conversation With Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados

Despite contributing less than 0.01% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the country of Barbados faces dangerous vulnerabilities due to climate change. Prime Minister Mia Mottley discusses the need to support developing countries in addressing climate change, including global financial reforms such as the Bridgetown Initiative, and solutions for creating a sustainable and resilient future.

Virtual Event by Mia Amor Mottley and Rajiv J. Shah September 25, 2024
United States

Accelerating Solutions at the Intersection of Climate Change and Food Security

Panelists discuss the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate), a 5-year joint initiative launched in 2021 and co-led by the United States and the United Arab Emirates, and the importance of investing in climate-smart agriculture and food system innovation. For further information, please see www.aimforclimate.org.

Event with Mariam Almheiri, Elizabeth M. Cousens, Andrew Steer, Thomas J. Vilsack, Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran, Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak and Michael Froman September 24, 2024

Climate Change

The Climate Challenge, With Alice Hill and Varun Sivaram (Election 2024, Episode 2)

Alice Hill, the David M. Rubenstein senior fellow for energy and the environment at CFR, and Varun Sivaram, a senior fellow for energy and climate at CFR, sit down with James M. Lindsay to discuss what the United States has done and should do to confront a changing climate. This episode is the second in a special TPI series on the U.S. 2024 presidential election and is supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay , Alice C. Hill and Varun Sivaram September 24, 2024 The President’s Inbox
Climate Change

What Is Climate Week?

The annual convening of Climate Week in New York has become one of the largest globally for climate reform, but can the events shore up meaningful commitments amid the worsening effects of global warming?

Expert Brief by Alice C. Hill September 20, 2024 Energy Security and Climate Change Program
United Kingdom

The UK Foreign Secretary Makes His First Speech

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has just given his first set speech, but it wasn't about foreign policy. He is miscast in his current role.

Post by Elliott Abrams September 19, 2024 Pressure Points
Global

What Are the UN Sustainable Development Goals?

The United Nations’ ambitious development agenda aims to protect people and the planet via seventeen goals. But experts say governments aren’t doing enough to implement them.

Backgrounder by Clara Fong and Diana Roy September 18, 2024
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: UN Projects Climate Crisis will Increase Intimate Partner Violence Rates

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers September 7 to September 13.

Post by Noël James September 13, 2024 Women Around the World
Grand Strategy

A New U.S. Grand Strategy: The Case for Multipolar Pluralism, With Stephen Heintz

Stephen Heintz, president and CEO of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss how the United States should adapt to an era of renewed great power competition and domestic disagreement over what it should seek to achieve abroad. This episode is the fourth in a special TPI series on U.S. grand strategy.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Stephen Heintz August 20, 2024 The President’s Inbox
United States

The U.S. Supreme Court’s Chevron Deference Ruling Will Disrupt Climate Policy

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling to limit federal agencies’ power to interpret laws will have major implications for U.S. climate and environmental policies.

Expert Brief by Alice C. Hill August 7, 2024 Energy Security and Climate Change Program
Gambia

Women This Week: Gambian Parliament Rejects Effort to Allow Female Genital Mutilation

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers July 13 to July 19.

Post by Noël James and Imaan Mirza July 18, 2024 Women Around the World
Energy and Environment

Global Energy Tracker

As the effects of climate change mount, high-carbon energy sources continue to provide most of the world’s power. On average, 84 percent of tracker countries’ energy comes from high-carbon sources such as oil, whereas 16 percent comes from solar and other renewables. Low-carbon sources, however, are on the rise, particularly in developed countries.

Tracker by Benn Steil July 1, 2024 Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies