The main instrument categories applied within the European climate policy mix include non-market-based and market-based instruments. Both instrument types have specific characteristics and thus certain advantages and disadvantages. A hybrid policy approach can reduce short comings and lead to an improved outcome in comparison to the introduction of a single policy type.Read more

European climate policies apply a mix of different policy instruments to impose emissions reductions. Main instrument categories include non-market-based and market-based instruments. This knowledge package introduces the workings of non-market-based instruments currently part of the EU’s climate policy toolbox.Read more

The first part of this knowledge package, "Role of Countries in Climate Negotiations" (POLIMP, 2015) presented an overview of the multilevel interaction of government stakeholders in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The knowledge package below aims at providing a map of the size, coordination and influence of the non-governmental organisations involved as observers in the UNFCCC negotiations.Read more

This knowledge package focuses on electricity market design to support an efficient integration of renewable sources into the European electricity system, in line with the 2020 and forthcoming 2030 targets. Considering the sustainable electricity market design, looking into design principles for integrating variable renewable energy and bridging emerging technologies, it concludes the broad variety in terms of market design possibilities.Read more

With a changing climate and the related impacts, social systems need to adapt to altered external conditions. Diverse adaptation options are available for every major sector of the economy. Also the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change pursues different strategies to enhance action on adaptation, both on the national and the global scale. Additionally, the Adaptation Committee plans to...Read more

With the observation of more and more climate change impacts, adaptation provides an essential strategy to reduce negative consequences and to exploit beneficial socioeconomic opportunities of climate change. Adaptation related decision-making, however, is confronted with barriers for public and private actors. Other restricting factors, such as technical limits, can further reduce the desired level of adaptation.Read more

Sustainable biofuels have the potential to foster rural development and to replace fossil fuels. Although there are concerns about food security, impacts on small-scale farmers, more competition for water, local pollution and increased deforestation, this knowledge package concludes that various difficulties make it impossible to quantify the relationship between biofuel production and deforestation and to map it at the global...Read more

Climate mitigation is a popular strategy to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Various options are available for both mitigation policy and technology measures, providing enough economic potential to offset the projected emissions growth. It is crucial for policymakers to be aware of possible side effects, such as co-benefits and interlinkages to adaptation, to pursue a cost-effective implementation...Read more

Due to the limitations of existing market mechanism, parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change have been prompted to look for new tools to improve cost effectiveness of climate change mitigation. Parties have agreed to consider the implementation of new market mechanisms and non-market based approaches. This knowledge package analyses the elements of new market mechanisms being...Read more