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ECSP Weekly Watch | October 28 – November 1
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A window into what we’re reading at the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program
COP16 Sees Action Against Biomass Subsidies (Mongabay)
In recent years, biofuel has gained tremendous popularity as an alternative to fossil fuels. Yet scientists have now demonstrated how burning forest biomass to produce energy emits more carbon emissions than coal when measured per unit of electricity generated. They also have evidence that forest-based products like wood pellets degrade carbon stores and biodiversity. It is a debate that has gained momentum in the ongoing COP16.
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The Arc | Climate Justice in the Arctic: Part 3
›In today’s episode of The Arc, ECSP’s Claire Doyle and Angus Soderberg interview Eva Maria Fjellheim, a southern Saami researcher at the Arctic University of Norway, for the final episode of our mini-series focused on climate justice in the Arctic. We explore Eva Maria’s research on strengthening Indigenous peoples’ land rights in the face of growing climate and clean energy projects. She shares insights from legal battles in Norway and connects the encroachment on Saami land to similar trends with Indigenous communities in Latin America and elsewhere. Eva Maria also discusses how current climate policies may be missing the mark by failing to truly respect Indigenous rights. Select quotes from the interview are featured below: -
ECSP Weekly Watch | October 7 – 11
›A window into what we’re reading at the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security ProgramEscalations in Middle East Spur Oil Security Concerns (Reuters)
One year on from the brutal reignition of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict on October 7, 2023, the situation in the Middle East has escalated drastically. Hamas’ attack on Israel has been followed by Israeli strikes across the region, which have killed tens of thousands of civilians, displacing millions in Gaza and in Lebanon. Now, tit for tat attacks between Israel and Iran have made Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), worry about oil security in the region.
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ECSP Weekly Watch | September 23 – 27
›A window into what we’re reading at the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program
Member States Adopt Pact of the Future (United Nations)
The United Nations hosted the Summit of the Future earlier this week, which led to a new agreement between member states which acknowledged the shortcomings of the UN’s current role and abilities. The Pact of the Future encourages member states to reaffirm, reestablish, and renew global cooperation—and create new solutions to address today’s escalating polycrises.
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ECSP Weekly Watch | September 16 – 20
›A window into what we’re reading at the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program
COP29-Host Azerbaijan Accused of Hypocrisy (The Guardian)
Azerbaijan holds the presidency for the upcoming COP29 in November 2024, and it is using that platform to call for all member states to cease any ongoing conflict they are involved in during the two-week conference. The Central Asian country will also host a “peace day” on November 15, and is putting forth a COP29 Climate and Peace Initiative to support vulnerable countries and advance action in the climate and peace nexus.
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Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition Must Not Just Be More of the Same
›While standing on the banks of the Mahakam River in Samarinda on the island of Borneo, I watched an unending parade of coal barges sail slowly down the river. I was here in East Kalimantan to give a presentation at the Vulnerable Deltas Workshop—a joint project of the East-West Center and the Wilson Center’s China Environment Forum.
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The Arc | Climate Justice in the Arctic: Part 2
›In today’s episode of The Arc, ECSP’s Claire Doyle and Angus Soderberg interview Dr. Benno Fladvad, Junior Professor for Natural Science Peace Research with a focus on Climate and Security at the University of Hamburg. Dr. Fladvad unpacks the potential environmental justice issues that arise as renewable energy deployment across the globe accelerates. Additionally, he also describes the challenges of balancing the demand for rapid decarbonization with equity and justice considerations, drawing on examples from the Saami communities’ experience with green hydrogen and wind development. We also glean Dr. Fladvad’s insights into how energy projects can move beyond ineffective consultation processes toward peacebuilding and justice for marginalized communities. Select quotes from the interview are featured below. -
Supercharging US Mineral Exploration: A Call for Federal Support
›Critical minerals—and the soaring demand for them—are a key challenge for policymakers and analysts around the world. The factors driving that demand, especially energy transition technologies like electric vehicle batteries, are usually the focus of discussion. But the story of critical minerals is two-sided; it features both demand and supply.
Showing posts from category just energy transition.
In today’s episode of The Arc, ECSP’s Claire Doyle and Angus Soderberg interview Eva Maria Fjellheim, a southern Saami researcher at the Arctic University of Norway, for the final episode of our mini-series focused on climate justice in the Arctic. We explore Eva Maria’s research on strengthening Indigenous peoples’ land rights in the face of growing climate and clean energy projects. She shares insights from legal battles in Norway and connects the encroachment on Saami land to similar trends with Indigenous communities in Latin America and elsewhere. Eva Maria also discusses how current climate policies may be missing the mark by failing to truly respect Indigenous rights. Select quotes from the interview are featured below:
In today’s episode of 
