A joint post by Dr Rasmus Lema (UNU-MERIT) and Dr Clovis Freire (UNCTAD) Hydrogen will play a crucial role in the mounting global efforts to decarbonize our economic systems in the coming decades. Many developing countries have the potential to influence the hydrogen economy, which may provide one-fifth of total energy demand by 2050, especially in those areas that are difficult to electrify. This opens green windows of opportunity for economic development and diversification. Green hydrogen cou...
Dr Rasmus Lema joined UNU-MERIT as an Associate Professor in January 2022. Rasmus’ broad research interests cover structural change and development, new and emerging technologies, and global value chains and innovation systems. He currently investigates economic development opportunities and constraints arising from the green transformation in emerging economies and sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, Rasmus is co-editor in chief of the Journal Innovation and Development and vice-chairman of the Gl...
The Earth’s climate is changing and human action is the leading cause, according to 97% of peer-reviewed research papers. Yet this ‘climate change consensus’ is increasingly challenged by populist media and politicians, who distort research and cherry pick data. Media may be part of the problem, but it also has a role to play in finding solutions. Through storytelling — as humans have done for thousands of years around campfires — journalists play a crucial role in gettin...
When President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris agreement, the landmark climate accord signed by 196 nations that came into force in November 2016, the decision caused a significant negative backlash among other signatory countries. Given that the US is one of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, its June 1 reneging on the deal delivered a blow to the global agreement. But, as many commentators were quick to point out, as long as other leaders didn’t follow Trump’s ...
Climate change is not only about the environment – it also has major financial and institutional implications. This was the backstory to a recent report on ‘Risk Financing for Rural Climate Resilience in the Greater Mekong Subregion’ co-authored by GPAC² fellow Ornsaran Pomme Manuamorn. The report was published in May 2017 by her former employer, the Asian Development Bank (ADB). … Can you give us more details about your report? Why is it both timely and important? Rural communities are us...