Penguin Perspectives Blog

Time is running out. Climate scientists have put us on notice: our actions over the next 10 years will decide where humanity lives for the rest of its existence. We need government, business and individuals to participate and accelerate climate action. Against the backdrop of the UK’s net zero target, our 3 climate leaders from Landsec, M&G Investments and ETL shared the secrets to their success.

One component of the Paris Agreement on climate change that has remained somewhat of a black hole is Article 6, which outlines countries cooperating with one another on their own volition to help achieve emissions-reduction targets.

At current pace we’re going this means we have a window of just over 8 years left until this carbon budget is used up. Going beyond this temperature increase would likely cause an immense rise in unpredictable risks.

We spoke with Sherwin Das, co-founder of Energy Peace Partners to shine a light on P-RECs - Renewable Energy Credits from peace building projects.

Zimbabwe, Africa. Lilian Manyanga, standing in the relentless sun among rows of sorghum plants and holding a large shovel, is showing us around the Tashinga Community Garden of the Hurungwe District. "Before the Kariba project came into effect," she tells us while wiping the sweat beads off her forehead, "I could hardly feed my children. Every year I struggled to send them to school. But now," she gestures around her and smiles, "- now I can pay their school fees without even missing a term!"

Article 6 unlocks a multitude of opportunities for countries to work together and enhance ambition for climate action under the Paris Agreement. Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2016, Article 6 negotiators at the UNFCCC have faced tremendous pressure to design an Article 6 rulebook that will create the most environmentally robust and cost-effective outcomes. Their job is not an easy one. South Pole’s response to the challenge facing Article 6 negotiators is to show how these policy concepts could be applied in a real world policy setting. This is why we have teamed up with the Climate Cent Foundation and the Swedish Energy Agency to develop two Article 6 pilots in Thailand and Colombia respectively.

The move to net zero must happen as quickly as possible – and it must happen at scale. To achieve real, quantifiable impacts we must explore all possible policy solutions. While carbon pricing and sustainable finance are critical tools for solving the climate crisis, Martin Stadelmann argues that it is clean technology that will help us hit the bullseye on our net-zero target.

Vast oceans, gushing rivers and calm lakes, heavy rain, even dripping taps: water is all around us, and all of life on Earth depends upon it. But why is water important in the context of climate?

Focusing on the theme: ‘Net Zero 2030 – Mitigation and Adaptation’, the event brought together representatives from Australia’s private, public and civil sectors to discuss how businesses, industries and individuals can work together to reach zero emissions in a way that is good for people, the planet and profits.

Queensland is a place of contrasts: natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef are central to a booming tourism industry – yet this is at odds with historically important sectors of agriculture and mining. The Sunshine State faces unique climate challenges. It was against this backdrop that South Pole's CEO & Co-founder, Renat Heuberger, visited for the inaugural Brisbane Climate Leaders Forum.