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Note: New and updated 2015 edition available

The GLOBE Climate Legislation Study is the most comprehensive audit of climate legislation across 66 countries, together responsible for around 88% of global manmade greenhouse gas emissions. It is produced by the Grantham Research Institute at the London School of Economics in collaboration with GLOBE International.

The 4th edition of the Study 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 next edition of the Climate Legislation Study will be launched in early 2015, covering legislation in 100 countries.

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 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;
  • 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
  • Switzerland overhauled its CO2 Act to increase ambition.

Middle East and North Africa:

  • Jordan passed its National Climate Change Policy;
  • 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.

Michal Nachmany, Sam Fankhauser, Terry Townshend, Murray Collins, Tucker Landesman, Adam Matthews, Carolina Pavese, Katharina Rietig, Phillip Schleifer and Joana Setzer

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