Opportunity Green
@opportunitygreen.org
3.9K followers 210 following 450 posts
Opportunity Green is tackling climate change with law, policy and economics to achieve equity, justice, and accountability. https://www.opportunitygreen.org/
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🦋 Hello Bluesky! A quick intro to Opportunity Green...

We use legal, policy, and economic expertise to fill in the gaps in global climate action. This means strategically targeting the sectors which are not on a 1.5-aligned emissions trajectory.

But what does this look like in practice? 🤔

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opportunitygreen.org
🚢 New Arctic shipping route promises 50% cuts. But does it deliver?

The Istanbul Bridge just completed the first China-Europe Arctic Express voyage in 21 days vs. usual 30-50.

Yet, this route's climate benefits might be too good to be true. Read our Scientific Officer, James Kershaw's explanation👇
Five reasons the climate benefits of Arctic shipping might be too good to be true — Opportunity Green
The new China-Europe Arctic Express promises faster journeys and lower emissions – but the reality is more complicated. Discover five reasons why Arctic shipping may not be the climate solution it see...
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From ensuring equitable revenue distribution to incentivising true long-term net-zero solutions, read our full press release to learn how States can push for ambition: www.opportunitygreen.org/press-releas...

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"How the IMO Net-Zero Fund is governed and how its revenues are distributed will be key to re-centring equity in the Framework and ensuring international shipping’s transition is just, equitable and effective. We need to see discussions on these aspects as a matter of urgency, rather than left until the last minute as has been suggested." – Blánaid Sheeran, Policy Officer, Climate Diplomacy, Opportunity Green
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The Framework's adoption is essential as a baseline, but critical decisions are yet to be made before it enters into force in 2027.

These meetings provide a real opportunity to strengthen ambition and better centralise equity in the Framework.

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"The successful adoption of the IMO Net-Zero Framework is essential as a baseline for the international shipping industry to achieve the emissions reductions that are so desperately needed. But that is only the start – not the end – of states’ abilities to push for the ambition demanded by climate vulnerable countries." – Emma Fenton, Senior Director, Climate Diplomacy, Opportunity Green
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The Framework is expected to generate ca. $10-15bn a year from 2030 – a historic win for global climate diplomacy. But it falls short of the ambition needed to achieve the 1.5ºC Paris temperature goal and the IMO's own 2023 Revised Strategy.

So what's the opportunity ahead?

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🚢 The next two weeks will shape international shipping's transition to net zero.

Tomorrow the IMO gathers for MEPC/ES.2 to formally adopt the Net-Zero Framework – shipping's first global pollution fee. This will be followed by ISWG-GHG 20 next week.

Here's what's at stake... 🧵

#ClimateSky
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💚 Feeling overwhelmed by climate news? Here's your dose of hope!

September brought real progress – from historic clean energy achievements to landmark ocean protection, and more.

📖 Read our 5 positive climate stories:
Positive Climate Stories in September — Opportunity Green
From renewables overtaking coal for the first time in history to a landmark treaty protecting the world’s oceans, September delivered real progress. This edition celebrates legal milestones, cleaner c...
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⚓ Private port operators face growing legal risks too.

UN standards establish corporate responsibility for human rights, while international law emphasises states must regulate private sectors.

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opportunitygreen.org
Air pollution may violate the right to life, health, private and family life and a healthy environment, among other human rights.

Children, elderly and disadvantaged communities near ports suffer most. Increasingly, courts are holding states accountable for failing to clean up pollution.

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📈 While road transport has reduced NOx emissions by 75% since 2000, shipping pollution remains concerning.

By 2030, shipping could become Europe's leading source of coastal toxic air.

So why does this violate human rights? 🤔

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📢 NEW BRIEFING 📢 Europe's ports are pollution hotspots – and it's a human rights issue.

Our new briefing reveals why port pollution could land governments and companies in legal trouble.

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#ClimateSky #GreenSky #LawSky
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🚜 The agriculture & land use sectors account for up to 1/3 of global greenhouse gas emissions – so why are they lagging behind when it comes to global climate targets?

Our latest blog explains why agribusinesses should get up to speed on climate action or face financial risks. ⤵️
bit.ly/46xATgB
Why climate action makes financial sense for agribusiness — Opportunity Green
Find out why agribusinesses should get up to speed on climate action or face financial risks.
bit.ly
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Our latest report explores recent climate cases targeting the sector, examines potential future legal challenges, and provides clear recommendations for reducing both environmental harm and litigation exposure.

📗 Read our report: www.opportunitygreen.org/publication-...

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How does agribusiness contributes to global heating? — Opportunity Green
Our latest report explores how agribusiness contributes to global heating, and looks at the rise of strategic litigation in the agriculture sector.
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🔥 The sector is both victim and perpetrator: vulnerable to flooding, fire and crop failure, while simultaneously driving the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.

As governments delay action, courts are increasingly holding agribusinesses accountable.

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🐄 Agriculture is the world's largest source of methane – a gas 86x more potent than CO2 over 20 years.
🌱 Nitrous oxide from synthetic fertilisers creates 273x the warming of CO2 over a century.

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🌾 The climate cost of agribusiness: why the sector faces growing legal risks.

Agriculture is responsible for up to a third of global greenhouse gas emissions – yet policy action has been disappointingly slow. Now, climate litigation is stepping in to fill the gap.

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#ClimateSky #LawSky
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Climate vulnerable countries bear aviation’s worst impacts, yet often have the least say in ICAO’s decision-making. The Assembly must work harder to increase their representation and influence in shaping global aviation policy.

Read our latest research: https://tinyurl.com/5y4vz2ar 

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"Now is the time to confront aviation’s free pass and show how a well-designed emissions price could not only cut emissions but also support the very countries most at risk from climate change. While industry argues this would harm tourism in vulnerable countries, our research shows the impacts are minimal and can be mitigated."
James Kershaw
Scientific Officer, Opportunity Green
opportunitygreen.org
ICAO must strengthen its climate action: current measures like CORSIA rely on offsets, lack enforcement, and ignore non-CO₂, which makes up 2/3 of aviation’s climate impacts. The sector needs policies that drive real emissions reductions, rather than false solutions that delay change.

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"At this Assembly, governments must make four key asks: a step change in ambition and pace of decarbonisation; a stronger voice for climate vulnerable countries in shaping aviation policy; recognition of the growing body of international legal obligations on climate action; and clear progress on pricing emissions from aviation to support resilience and transition in developing countries most affected by climate change."
Emma Fenton
Senior Director, Climate Diplomacy, Opportunity Green
opportunitygreen.org
To date, ICAO has failed to deliver measures aligned with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C pathway. This assembly is a critical opportunity to change course. 

🛫 International aviation is already responsible for 4% of global heating – and by 2050 it could drive up to 22% of annual CO2 emissions.

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✈️❗The #ICAO Assembly – which only takes place once every three years – starts this week.

Aoife O’Leary, our CEO, will be there this week to observe whether ICAO (the International Civil Aviation Organization) finally takes responsibility for aviation’s climate impact.

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#ClimateSky
"It’s crucial that ICAO agrees a pathway for the aviation sector to contribute revenues to climate action and resilience in the countries most affected by its pollution. We cannot afford another cycle of delay – ICAO must finally take responsibility and set aviation on a credible path to decarbonisation."
Aoife O’Leary
CEO, Opportunity Green
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🌍🚢 Over 180 companies back the #IMO #NetZero Framework.

Adoption this October is critical for global trade, clean fuel innovation and millions of future jobs.

Let’s stay the course. #GettingToZero

Read more: apnews.com/article/ship...

#GreenSky #ClimateSky
"With the private sector and key governments – from Panama to the EU – now aligned, we look to October's negotiations to deliver the same global solidarity that carried proceedings in April to get the IMO's Net Zero Framework adopted."
opportunitygreen.org
🗂️ Keeping track of the evolving policy landscape

We created a live regulatory tracker mapping OECD data centre environmental policies. Updated regularly, it’s a useful tool for policymakers, researchers and campaigners alike.

📖 Check out our full analysis and tracker:
Data centres’ environmental challenge and the global regulatory response — Opportunity Green
As data centres expand, governments scramble to respond. Explore our live tracker of OECD regulations shaping the future of digital infrastructure.
tinyurl.com
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📝 The regulatory response? Reactive and fragmented.

Governments scramble with local measures, but most lack comprehensive national frameworks, leaving a patchwork approach that can’t keep pace with the industry.

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📈 Data centres are booming – but are policies keeping up?

Their rapid growth strains infrastructure and threatens climate commitments. They are currently consuming about as much energy as France or Germany – and could match India by 2030. 

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#ClimateSky #GreenSky