Positive Climate Stories in April
Despite the unseasonably cold weather, there’s been plenty of climate news to warm the heart this month. From historic climate litigation in Switzerland to a growing call for fairer climate finance and a flurry of green hydrogen investments, read on to see what highlights April had to offer.
Historic win for senior women’s group in Switzerland
On 9 April 2024, the OG team was sending out much admiration and respect for the group Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz (Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland). This association of older Swiss women secured a historic win for climate justice and human rights at the European Court for Human Rights (ECHR).
The women claimed that the Swiss government is not taking adequate action on climate change. As a result, the court ruled that the lack of action from the government violates fundamental human rights.
As our Legal Officer Isabela noted in our blog, this marked a watershed moment for climate justice:
“The significance of this judgment goes far beyond the borders of Switzerland and the Council of Europe Member States; the ruling is expected to have “far-reaching implications” for the development of climate change litigation at the national, regional and international level. The private sector is also well advised to take note of the judgment, given that climate change lawsuits against private sector actors are often based on human rights arguments.”
Cases like this show just how powerful climate change litigation can be, ultimately serving as a lever for systemic change. For example, this has been recognised by the International Panel on Climate Change in 2022, when it held that climate change litigation can influence “the outcome and ambition of climate governance”.
Read the full story in our blog: KlimaSeniorinnen: major win before the European Court of Human Rights
The call for fairer climate finance is getting louder
Coinciding with the International Money Fund (IMF) and World Bank spring meetings, an open letter was issued to G20 leaders highlighting the inequitable distribution of global debt as a barrier to effective climate action. Notable signatories include Stephen Fry, Annie Lennox and David Miliband amongst other celebrities, politicians and economists.
The letter, calling for debt alleviation and an institution of the “polluter pays” principle, is just the latest wave in the ever-building movement for better climate finance mechanisms.
At last year’s COP28 the Loss and Damage Fund was officially launched but only filled with a meagre $700 million. Talks at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have been focused on agreeing a levy on shipping emissions. The hope is that this will create a new and additional source of finances for developing countries to adapt to the adverse effects of the climate crisis.
Our Policy Officer Blanaid Sheeran explains why this is important in our blog The IMO’s March Meetings: what next for shipping?.
Kenya, France and Barbados have also been spearheading an International Tax Task Force to a similar end, and momentum for a UN Tax Convention has been picking up speed in recent months.
A just and equitable transition away from a fossil fuel-based economy is essential, but it depends on the introduction of new financial initiatives. As the G20 letter shows, the body of influential voices behind such proposals is increasing significantly.
A flurry of interest in green hydrogen projects
April has seen a number of announcements about new green hydrogen projects. Here in the UK, two major green hydrogen sites have secured planning permission. The first, in Samlesbury, will provide green hydrogen to Budweiser’s brewing site nearby, and the second in Bradford, will produce up to 12.5 tonnes a day for use in local transport and businesses.
Further afield, Portugal announced its first green hydrogen project scheme to have funding and recognition from the European Union and the Global Network of Green Hydrogen Schemes. The project aims to create an “innovation ecosystem centred on green hydrogen” in Portugal’s Alentejo region, which will boost local economy and produce more than 500 tonnes of green hydrogen annually.
And there’s more good news for European funding as the EU awards $720m to seven green hydrogen projects in its first European Hydrogen Bank subsidy auction. Three winners are in Spain, two in Portugal and one each in Finland and Norway, with each receiving between $8m and $245m.
Our Policy Officer Nuala Doyle comments:
“It's great to see more investment going into getting green hydrogen projects off the ground this month. While we hope to see hydrogen play an important role in decarbonising shipping and aviation in the future, the fuel is already used widely today - for example in the chemical industry - and is largely produced using natural gas, coal and oil. That means that these green hydrogen projects are much needed not just to scale supply to meet future demand from sectors such as shipping and aviation, but also to start decarbonising today's high emitting hydrogen sector.”
Scrubbers ban in Denmark
Scrubbers have become popular in shipping since 1997 when IMO regulations started limiting the amount of air pollution, specifically sulphur, ships could emit. But scrubbers don’t so much reduce pollution as displace it from the air into the sea. Additionally, research suggests that while scrubbers are effective in reducing sulphur, they lead to an increase in emissions of particulate matter, carbon emissions and black carbon.
Denmark has now banned the use of open-loop scrubbers within 22km of its shores. The ban will come into effect in June 2025, and a further ban on closed-loop scrubbers is set to come in 2029.
Denmark is the latest country to pass such a policy, following China, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Turkey to name just a few. Many European countries and ports also have bans and restrictions in place to varying degrees.
Map from the ICCT’s June 2023 Policy Update (PDF)
This trajectory is crucial for the endeavour to green up shipping – as such unsustainable and polluting practices become increasingly restricted, shipowners are forced to equip their fleets for cleaner fuels.
Isabela Keuschnigg, Legal Officer, comments:
"Our planet is in crisis facing existential threats of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. It is crucial that efforts to tackle this triple crisis take a just and holistic approach and don't simply outsource some of these problems. We therefore welcome the increasing uptake of bans and restrictions of scrubbers as a promising development."
EU exits controversial energy treaty
Under the 1998 Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), energy companies are permitted to sue governments over policies that damage their investments. This has led to companies demanding compensation for ‘lost’ profits on decisions like phasing out coal and banning offshore oil exploration.
This month, the European Parliament gave its consent for the EU to exit the treaty on the grounds that it undermines efforts to fight climate change.
This move follows a UK announcement to leave the treaty in February. EU countries can now take a final decision to exit the treaty, which is expected to be in May. If all EU member States withdraw it means the treaty will lose around half of its current 50 signatories, and there’s speculation that a wave of other countries will follow the EU’s example.
Biden’s bid for solar on Earth Day
This month played host to Earth Day 2024, and this year centred on the theme of Planet vs. Plastics. This comes in anticipation of the UN treaty on plastics expected before the end of the year.
Plastic pollution is a serious environmental and ecological threat, with a staggering 2,000 truckloads of it ending up in our oceans every day. While global governments support the reduction of plastic pollution, the Earth Day organisers go further in calling for a reduction of production by 60% before 2040.
Also marking Earth Day, President Joe Biden dedicated $7 billion to solar energy, through the Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘solar for all’ initiative. Over the course of its lifespan, the programme aims to install 900,000 homes with solar capacity, saving $8 billion in household electricity bills.
What positive climate stories have lifted your spirits this month? Share it with us on X or LinkedIn and we’ll help to spread the word.
