Energy and Environment | Council on Foreign Relations

Increased infrastructure spending could improve U.S. economic competitiveness, including by reducing traffic congestion, better preparing for extreme weather events, and improving broadband access.

Explainer Video by Anshu Siripurapu, Thamine Nayeem, and Michael Kohler Aug 30, 2021

Envisioning a Green New Deal: A Global Comparison

The Green New Deal has motivated those who want the United States to undertake unprecedented climate action, but it has also drawn backlash. How is the rest of the world grappling with decarbonization?

Backgrounder by Andrew Chatzky and Anshu Siripurapu Feb 1, 2021

Latin America

How Climate Change Can Bring Latin America Back

With its clean energy matrix, the region could capitalize on the green transition—if leaders in Mexico and Brazil get with the program.

Article by Shannon K. O'Neil August 16, 2021 Latin America Studies Program
Climate Change

Climate Report Causes Concern, Taliban Attacks Escalate, and More

The world reacts to a grim report from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Taliban forces advance across Afghanistan as the United States completes its withdrawal, and Ethiopia’s civil conflict worsens.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon August 12, 2021 The World Next Week
Climate Change

Why NOAA Matters for U.S. Climate Policy

The federal agency tasked with weather forecasting and research has played a growing role in climate policy, but also faced controversy during the Trump administration. What does NOAA do?

In Brief by Zachary Rosenthal August 5, 2021

China

What to Know About the Chinese Communist Party

As the Chinese Communist Party marks its 100th anniversary this month, it faces a raft of challenges, including slow economic growth, environmental degradation, and tensions with the United States.

Explainer Video with Lindsay Maizland and Thamine Nayeem July 29, 2021
Elections and Voting

Iran’s New President Takes Office, U.S. Debt Ceiling Drama, and More

Iran’s next president, Ebrahim Raisi, takes office; the suspension of the United States’ debt ceiling ends; and the summer wildfire season sets new records.

Podcast with James M. Lindsay and Robert McMahon July 29, 2021 The World Next Week
Energy and Environment

Term Member Virtual Meeting: The Future of E-Mobility

Panelists discuss electric mobility and what it means for the future of the transportation and energy sectors. CFR's Stephen M. Kellen Term Member Program hosted this event in collaboration with ABANA.

Virtual Event by Hui Wen Chan and Jody Metzenbaum Kelman July 26, 2021

Globalization

Globalization Strikes Back

The ongoing pandemic and global climate-related disasters demonstrate the inadequacy of efforts to address the problematic aspects of globalization.

Article by Richard Haass July 26, 2021
Education

Higher Education Webinar: Campus Sustainability and Climate Change Mitigation

V.S. “Raghu” Raghavan, director of sustainability and associate director of the Miller Worley Center for the Environment at Mount Holyoke College, discusses actions campuses can take toward greater s…

Webinar by Raghu Raghavan July 22, 2021 Academic and Higher Education Webinars
Climate Change

The EU Green Deal Just Raised the Bar on Climate Policy

When it comes to climate change diplomacy, the European Union is the world’s heavy hitter. But the ultimate fate of their new Fit for 55 plan will depend on three factors.

Article by Stewart M. Patrick July 22, 2021 International Institutions and Global Governance Program
Food and Water Security

Water Scarcity

Fresh water is more than just a resource, it is the source of all life. But in many arid regions of the world, water supplies are under pressure from climate change, and outdated rules and infrastructure are making the problem worse. What does the world need to know about water consumption, and how can societies build better systems for a dryer future?

Podcast with Gabrielle Sierra , Sandra Postel and Mark Giordano July 8, 2021 Why It Matters
Energy and Environment

How Green-Party Success Is Reshaping Global Politics

Once a fringe movement, green parties are increasingly shaping the debate in countries around the world. How influential are they, and what comes next?

Backgrounder by James McBride July 7, 2021
Elections and Voting

Virtual Roundtable: The Rise of Political Partisanship

The first session of the Threats to American Democracy Roundtable series focuses on the rise of political partisanship. The founders considered factions a grave threat to the new republic. We are now living their nightmare, politics as existential blood sport. Why and how did divisiveness and demagoguery triumph? In this session, two of the world’s leading authorities on the subject discuss how America got here. The Threats to American Democracy Roundtable Series explores various threats to American democracy.

Webinar by Paul Pierson and Theda Skocpol June 30, 2021 U.S. Foreign Policy Program
Energy and Environment

Ecological Disasters

Industrial disasters around the world, many involving multinational corporations, have caused significant health, environmental, and economic damages. Such tragedies have also led to lengthy legal challenges and prompted new global regulations.

Timeline by Brianna Lee, Kevin Lizarazo and Jeremy Sherlick June 29, 2021
Zimbabwe

Unpacking Zimbabwe's Ongoing Decline

A cursory glance at recent headlines from Zimbabwe could give one the impression that things are looking up. A recent World Bank report predicted growth of nearly 4 percent this year. The government …

Blog Post by Michelle Gavin June 25, 2021 Africa in Transition
Climate Change

Examining Climate Change: A Threat to the Homeland

Testimony by Alice C. Hill June 8, 2021 Energy Security and Climate Change Program