The 2015 Global Climate Legislation Study covers 98 countries plus the European Union

glance1The study covers national laws and policies directly related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, passed before 1st January 2015.
It covers 32+EU developed and 66 developing countries; 31+EU Annex-I and 67 non-Annex-I countries.

Taken together, the study countries produce 93 per cent of world emissions, including 46 of the world’s top 50 emitters. They are home to 90 per cent of the world’s forests.

 

Since 1997, the number of climate change laws and policies has doubled every 5 years

glance2

By the end of 2014 there were 804 climate change laws and policies – rising from only 54 laws and policies in 1997, and 426 in 2009 when the Copenhagen Accord was signed.

Approximately half of those (398) were passed by the legislative branch, and half (408) by the executive branch (e.g. policies, decrees).

46 new laws and policies were passed in 2014, compared with 82 in 2013.

 

75 countries and the EU have framework laws or policies to address mitigation; 64 countries have frameworks for adapting to the impacts of climate change

glance3Framework legislation has been defined as a law or regulation with equivalent status, which serves as a comprehensive, unifying basis for climate change policy, addressing multiple aspects or areas of mitigation or adaptation (or both) in an overarching manner.

Frameworks have been shown to encourage a strategic approach to climate policy and generate further policy action.

17 countries do not have any climate framework legislation.

 

Over 75 per cent of global emissions are covered by economy-wide emission reduction targets

glance445 countries (including the EU as a block) have economy wide targets to reduce their emissions. Together they account for over 75 per cent of global emissions.

41 of them have economy-wide targets up to 2020, and 22 have targets beyond 2020.

86 countries have specific targets (for renewable energy, energy demand, transportation or LULUCF). 80 per cent of countries have renewable targets; the majority of them are executive policies.

 

Adaptation: half of the study countries have only minimal climate change risk assessments

glance5In 51 countries adaptation plans do not go beyond the reporting requirements in the national communications to the UNFCCC.

Most of these countries are non-annex I countries, which include some of the most vulnerable countries to climate change.

48 countries have dedicated institutionalized adaptation processes at the national or the sectoral level.

Keep in touch with the Grantham Research Institute at LSE
Sign up to our newsletters and get the latest analysis, research, commentary and details of upcoming events.