Some effects of the anisotropy in a simple lattice gauge model at finite temperature

Monte Carlo simulations are carried out on the (3+1)-dimensional Z(2) anisotropic lattice model, and a new method to simulate extremely anisotropic lattice systems with discrete symmetries is proposed. Dependence of the temporal and spatial average plaquette, Wilson loops on the anisotropy parameter is presented.Comment: talk given by L.A.Averchenkova at LATTICE'99 (Finite Temperature and Density), Pisa, Italy, 3 pages, Latex, 3 pictures as a ps-fil

Beyond the targets: assessing the political credibility of pledges for the Paris Agreement

This report provides the results of an analysis of “intended nationally determined contributions”, or INDCs, that were submitted by more than 180 countries ahead of the Paris climate change summit in December 2015, focusing on the credibility, rather than the ambition, of pledges about future emissions. No G20 country is found to have ‘no credible basis’ for their INDC across the determinants explored in this analysis. However, there are significant differences in the level of and balance among the determinants of credibility for the individual countries. Notably, three broad groups of countries can be identified: ◾Countries with most of the determinants at a level ‘largely supportive’ to credibility; this includes the EU and its individual G20 members (France, Germany, Italy and the UK), as well as South Korea; ◾Countries with most of the determinants at least ‘moderately supportive’ to credibility, but displaying significant weakness in one of the determinants; this includes Australia, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Turkey, South Africa and the US; ◾Countries that have scope to significantly increase their credibility across most determinants. These are Argentina, Canada, China, India, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia

Where do multinationals fit in global efforts to adapt to climate change?

In the past, adaptation was mainly considered a government issue, write Alina In the past, adaptation was mainly considered a government issue, write Alina Averchenkova and Florence Cric

Gauge model at finite temperature with massive quarks and at finite density on anisotropic lattice

Critical properties of QCD and the chiral condensate at finite density are analytically studied on an anisotropic lattice in the approximation SU(N) \simeq Z(N). Asymptotic behavior of the partition function and its continuum limit are discussed.Comment: talk given by L.A.Averchenkova at LATTICE'98, Boulder, CO, USA, 13-18 July 1998, 3 pages, LaTex, no figure

Climate Policy Series

This document evaluates the Copenhagen climate talks, including the status of the negotiations on the key issues under the formal negotiating tracks and the provisions of the Copenhagen Accord, and draws implications for the implementation of actions in developing countries

Taming the beasts of ‘burden-sharing’: an analysis of equitable mitigation actions and approaches to 2030 mitigation pledges

Headline issue: Countries are now seeking to reach a new international agreement on climate change, to be signed in Paris in December 2015. A key element of the international negotiations since the Kyoto Protocol, has been equity, but discussions have focused on narrow and unsatisfactory approaches based on ‘burden-sharing’ and ‘atmospheric rights’. These approaches mainly revolve around the assignment of the ‘right to emit’ or, as it is alternatively framed, the ‘costs and burdens’ of climate change action. Various proposals have been put forward that differ in terms of the principles and formulas applied in determining how the costs and burdens should be shared between countries. These range from historical cumulative emissions to relative capabilities based on GDP levels. Much of this debate, however, has proven divisive and often resulted in the search for a minimum acceptable level of individual action. Key findings: Negotiations about a new international climate change agreement are focusing too much on trying to share the burden of cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Six of the seven different burden-sharing approaches to determining national pledges for reducing greenhouse gas emissions largely produce the same outcomes for individual countries, but they are likely to be divisive and lead to a lack of ambition. Countries should recognise that measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions have multiple benefits, including the reduction of local air pollution and traffic congestion. Countries should recognise that national pledges should be based on realising opportunities instead of ‘burden-sharing’. New approaches to ‘intended nationally determined contributions’ would be based on the principle of ‘equitable access to sustainable development’, rather than on the ‘right to emit’

The impact of strategic climate legislation: evidence from expert interviews on the UK Climate Change Act

This paper assesses the importance of a strategic legal framework for action against climate change, using the UK Climate Change Act as an example. Passed in 2008, the Climate Change Act is one of the earliest and most prominent examples of framework legislation on climate change. It contains several innovative features that have since been replicated in other framework laws. We use stakeholder interviews to assess the strengths of the Act and whether it has succeeded in creating an integrated, informed and forward-looking policy process. Respondents felt that the Act had established a firm long-term framework with a clear direction of travel. However, they differed on whether the Act provided sufficient policy certainty and protection against political backsliding. Most respondents felt that the Act had changed the institutional context and the processes through which climate change is addressed. As a result, interviewees believe that the Act has helped UK climate policy to become better informed, more forward looking and better guided by statutory routines

Global trends in climate change legislation and litigation: 2017 update

This report summarises key trends in climate change legislation and litigation. It is the sixth stock-take in a series of global Climate Legislation Studies that dates back to 2010. The 2017 edition covers legislative activities in 164 countries, up from 99 countries in 2015. For the first time, this edition also includes analysis of climate change litigation

Are local climate adaptation policies credible? A conceptual and operational assessment framework

After the Paris Agreement that put stronger emphasis on the development of climate change adaptation policies and on the definition of financing mechanisms, there is a patent need to track whether actual planning efforts are proving sufficient. This entails the development of assessment methods and metrics as plans are drafted and actions implemented. To this end, this paper explores the concept of credibility as a critical issue in climate policy and develops an Adaptation Policy Credibility (APC) conceptual and operational assessment framework for helping to allocate public funding and private investments, and for implementing and catalysing climate policy. Through a pilot testing in four early-adopting cities (Copenhagen, Durban, Quito and Vancouver), a clear potential for large-n tracking and assessment exercises of local climate adaptation plans is envisaged. The APC approach might also be useful to guide individual cities that aim to improve their adaptation planning and policy-making processes