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This study explored how social aspects for stakeholder engagement are being addressed and incorporated in climate action plans (CAPs). This focus was chosen to address the knowledge gap in research on social conditions for climate action which has been found to provide barriers to achieving deep decarbonisation. The thesis conducted a case study of two cities, Copenhagen (Denmark) and Stockholm (Sweden). Each city’s CAP was analysed through a thematic document analysis that explored through what measures each city aim to achieve stakeholder engagement for local climate action.    Five overarching themes were identified through a literature review and used as an analysis framework: citizen engagement, private sector engagement, stakeholder collaboration, awareness development and advocacy. For both CAPs, the results showed an extensive variation for measures that contributed to each theme. The main findings were that measures should focus on developing collaborations, partnerships, networks, knowledge, awareness, skills, green procurement policies and stricter environmental regulations to support the level of stakeholder engagement needed for deep decarbonisation. Also, to focus on advocation measures, as well as measures aimed at developing knowledge and support to accelerate systematic change. In addition, it was found that cities need to focus on ensuring higher levels of equity and formalize extended citizen involvement for more inclusive and fair transitions. Findings also highlighted similarities and differences between the two CAPs, what lessons could be learned from these and connected these findings to how climate action could be further developed.

The global steel industry is responsible for 7% of the global greenhouse gas emissions and stands in front of big challenges when it comes to reducing emissions. With the Paris agreement as a basis and the recent legislations and propositions regarding emission reduction and mitigation targets, the industry as a whole is in need of clear and structured frameworks for conducting comprehensive mitigation targets and extensive action plans in their strategic sustainability planning. By analyzing how strategic sustainability planning in the global steel industry is currently used, a thorough literature study has been conducted regarding the current state of action. Further, a compilation of different strategic planning frameworks have been made to see how different frameworks could be summarized in relation to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) in order to establish an exhaustive approach to climate action in the steel industry. By implementing such frameworks together with a backcasting method based on a modified mPB process called strategic sustainability planning process (SSPP) in this study, a proposed outline of a climate action plan could be made based on a case study on the steel manufacturer Ovako Sweden AB in Hällefors. A mitigation LEAP model could be conducted by integrating the backcasting method in the LEAP model and evaluated based on four constructed mitigation scenarios and the compilation of frameworks. Further End-of-Pipe technologies could be evaluated based on the results from the LEAP model and literature findings.  Based on the findings, it becomes clear that a uniting of several strategic planning frameworks is needed in order to cover the entire spectrum of functions in strategic planning of mitigation action. Further, the results highlight the importance and dependence of adapting to policy and technological advancement in the steel industry, and that few but rather substantial investments can play a big role in the transition to green production. In the case for Ovakos production site in Hällefors, the change of the ear-marked electricity contract played a big role in scope 2 emissions, where a decrease of about 68% was made by phasing out the use of fossil fuels. Based on the methodology and depending on the scenario, a reduction of production related emissions by 97% could be achieved. Further, the use of end-of-pipe technologies, emission mitigation is obtained as well as a potential for circular economy initiatives based on the residual products accomplished by the technologies. / Den globala stålindustrin är ansvarig för 7% av de globala växthusgasutsläppen och står inför stora utmaningar vad gäller att minska deras utsläpp. Med Parisavtalet som fundament, och de senaste lagstiftningarna och propositionerna rörande utsläppsminskning och åtgärdsplaner för reduktion, är branschen som helhet i behov av tydliga och strukturerade ramverk för att genomföra omfattande reduktionsmål och omfattande åtgärdsplaner i sin strategiska hållbarhetsplanering. Genom att analysera hur strategisk hållbarhetsplanering i den globala stålindustrin för närvarande används, har en grundlig litteraturstudie genomförts kopplat till den nuvarande statusen av åtgärder. Dessutom har en sammanställning av olika strategiska ramverk verkställts för att se hur olika ramverk skulle kunna sammanfattas i förhållande till CSRD. Detta för att etablera ett heltäckande tillvägagångssätt för klimatåtgärder inom stålindustrin. Genom att tillsammans med en backcasting metod baserad på mPB, som i denna studie kallas för process för strategisk hållbarhetsplanering (SSPP), kunde en föreslagen struktur för en klimatåtgärdsplan göras baserad på en fallstudie om ståltillverkaren Ovako Sweden AB i Hällefors. En utsläppsreduktionsmodell i LEAP kunde genomföras genom att integrera backcastingen i LEAP-modellen och utvärderas baserat på fyra konstruerade framtidsscenarier och sammanställningen av ramverk. Vidare kunde slutbehandlingstekniker (end-of-pipe technologies) baserade på resultaten från LEAP- modellen och litteraturstudien utvärderas.  Baserat på resultaten framgår det att en förening av flera strategiska planeringsramar behövs för att täcka hela spektrumet av funktioner i strategisk planering av åtgärder för utsläppsminskning. Vidare belyser resultaten vikten och beroendet av att anpassasig till politiska och tekniska framsteg inom stålindustrin, och att få men betydande investeringar kan spela en stor roll i övergången till grön produktion. I fallet med Ovakos produktionsanläggning i Hällefors spelade förändringen av den öronmärkta elavtalet en stor roll för minskningen av scope 2-utsläpp, där en minskning med 68% gjordes genom att avveckla användningen av fossila bränslen i elavtalet. Baserat på metoden och beroende på scenario, kunde en minskning av produktionsrelaterade utsläpp med 97% uppnås. Vidare uppnås utsläppsminskning med användning av slutbehandlingstekniker och cirkulära ekonomiinitiativ baserade på de restprodukter som uppnås genom de teknikerna.

Forests represent both, one of the strongest drivers of, and solutions to, the rapid shift in the earth’s climate. Integrating the use of forests as a cost effective solution into emerging global carbon markets however has proven extremely difficult. The incentive for companies to utilize carbon credits as a means to offset emissions is heavily dependent upon the credibility of the project that created it. The difficulty proving the credibility of forest projects is largely due to the inherent variation associated with forest environments. British Columbia’s pine beetle epidemic provides an extreme example of just how quickly vast carbon sinks can suddenly become sources. As such, the creation of standards to ensure the security of carbon sequestered by forest projects has proven to be instrumental in encouraging their acceptance into the market. British Columbia has recognized that its forests play an integral role in its contribution to the global carbon cycle. As a result, heavy consideration is being made as to how this resource may be integrated as a source of carbon offsets for its own Cap-and-Trade market. This will mean establishing specific standards for forest projects in a BC context. This report reviews two regional standards from the states of Georgia and California, which could be applied as templates for a set of BC specific protocols for forest carbon sequestration projects. It is intended that through a comparison and analysis of these standards that potential problems faced in applying similar standards here will be identified.

In an era where civil disobedience is more commonly used as a tactic for climate movements and media coverage is key for the success of the movement, this study explores the interplay between news media portrayal and activists strategies in the context of environmental activism, focusing on civil disobedience actions targeting famous artworks. By analyzing articles from prominent international newspapers and interviewing activists, this study delves into how news media frame these particular actions, and how activists themselves navigate challenges posed by news media portrayal. Drawing on research on the protest paradigm, the public nuisance paradigm and the activist dilemma, this study reveals that while media coverage often employs negative language to depict their actions and tactics, activists strategically utilize civil disobedience to amplify their message regardless of the risk of backlash. Despite initial challenges, activists remain committed to fostering dialogue and raising awareness of climate change by targeting iconic images, with the belief that people will hate them and their actions, but start talking about the climate.

The apparel and footwear industry’s contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of the fifth largest per industry, equal to that of livestock, after electricity and heat, oil and gas, agriculture, and transportation (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017). For industry-wide emissions reduction, investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency programs across highest impacting life cycle phases offer the most effective solution. However, identifying the highest impacting life cycles phases shows varied results depending on the particular type of business model under examination. This paper responds to the lack of existing data and empirical research on how to accurately measure, report and reduce carbon emissions across the highly complex and globally interconnected apparel value chain. This is done through a single case study investigation of an Icelandic fashion brand. A hybrid approach of a standard Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Sustainable Global Value Chain (SGVC) functions to produce a Hotspot Identification Tool (HIT) to establish a holistic portrayal of business operations in relation to emission impacts and level of controllability across Scopes. The conceptual analysis and qualitative results identify the most relevant emission hotspots to lie within the company’s privately owned manufacturing facilities, as well as the procurement phase, due to its direct connection with and influence on material production, user phase, and end-of-life. The main obstacle in this pursuit is identified as restriction of resources in terms of time, capital and expertise. It is suggested that this be overcome by joining a Multi-Stakeholder Initiative where resources and expertise is pooled in a pre-competitive manner to reach common objectives. The investigation further suggests a need for global fashion brands to leverage their influential position on down- and upstream activities across the value chain, i.e. with their supply chain partners and consumers. I argue that fashion brands play an integral role in supporting local efforts to build a decarbonisation pathway towards climate neutral economies on a global scale.

This report analyzes the current greenhouse gas emissions inventory for The University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin), reviews the carbon reduction strategies being implemented at UT-Austin and other peer institutions, and offers recommendations for strategies that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions at UT-Austin in the future. / text

Climate change creates an urgency for action to be taken at government, corporate and individual level. Changing behaviours is a necessity to meet the global temperature goal of 2 °C increase, and companies have a significant role to play in this transformation. To change these behaviours, a change needs to happen in both attitudes and actions. Climate change education is one of many important methods to perform this transition. This study therefore aims to explore employee's perception of their ability to engage in their company's climate strategy and which development possibilities there are to increase their engagement. This is studied by looking at the effects of the game-based workshop, Climate Fresk, implemented in the Swedish sector of the global technical company Schneider Electric. Prior to collecting data, a pre research was conducted where background knowledge about Climate Fresk and Schneider was attained through observations of workshops and focus groups as well as an interview with the head of sustainability at Schneider. Data collection was thereafter made through 11 semi-constructed interviews with employees who had previously participated in Climate Fresk. The data given was processed through a thematic analysis to present three themes with eight sub themes, representing the results. These three themes visualizes employees' feelings, understandings and takeaways, as well as their perceived behavioural changes, attitude changes, hindrances and development suggestions for both Climate Fresk and involvement in Schneider’s climate strategy. The results show that employees have more understanding for climate change, feel more strengthened and more able to engage in Schneiders climate strategy after having participated in Climate Fresk. This is expressed both individually, but also collectively and with the support from role models and the positive climate change culture in Schneider. Still, some employees express credibility issues with Schneider due to high carbon-emitting activities. To make it easier for employees to engage in Schneiders climate strategy, development suggestions are made. Concretization of Schneiders goals for both employees and clients, a Schneider specific follow-up workshop and action accelerator programs both for collective climate change groups and individual aspiring climate role models within the company. / För att hindra klimatförändringarna behövs åtgärder tas på statlig, företagsmässig och individuell nivå. Omfattande beteendeförändringar är nödvändiga för att möta det globala målet på 2 °C, och företag har en stor roll att spela i den transformationen. För att förändra beteenden behöver tankar och attityder omformas, samt aktioner tas. Klimatrelaterad utbildning är en av de viktiga metoder som behövs för att genomföra transformationen. Denna studie syftar därför till att utforska anställdas uppfattning om möjligheterna att engagera sig i sitt företags klimatstrategi och vilka utvecklingsförslag som kan öka engagemanget. Detta studeras genom att se på effekterna av den spel-baserade workshopen, Climate Fresk, implementerad i den svenska sektorn av det globala, tekniska företaget Schneider Electric. Före datainsamling genomfördes en förundersökning om Climate Fresk och Schneider genom observation av en workshop, diskussion med en fokusgrupp av facilatorer samt en intervju med hållbarhetschefen på Schneider. Data insamlades därefter genom 11 semistrukturerade intervjuer med anställda som tidigare deltagit i Climate Fresk. Datan bearbetades genom en tematisk analys för att presentera tre teman och åtta underteman som representerar resultaten. Dessa tre teman innehåller uppfattningar kring medarbetarnas känslor, förståelser, beteendeförändringar, attitydförändringar, hinder och utvecklingsförslag för både Climate Fresk och Schneiders klimatstrategi.Resultaten visar att medarbetarna har större förståelse för klimatförändringar, känner sig mer stärkta och har större möjlighet att engagera sig i Schneiders klimatstrategi efter att ha deltagit i Climate Fresk. Detta kommer till uttryck både individuellt, men också kollektivt och med stöd av förebilder och den positiva hållbarhetsskulturen på Schneider. Fortfarande uttrycker vissa anställda trovärdighetsproblem med Schneider på grund av verksamheter med höga växthusgasutsläpp. För att göra det lättare för de anställda att engagera sig i Schneiders klimatstrategi ges flera utvecklingsförslag. Dessa är t.ex. konkretisering av Schneiders mål för både anställda och kunder, en Schneider-specifik uppföljande workshop och tillhandahållande av program både för kollektiva klimatförändringsgrupper och enskilda aspirerande klimatförebilder inom företaget.

Modelling solar radiation data at a high spatiotemporal resolution for an urban environment can inform many different applications related to climate action, such as urban agriculture, forest, building, and renewable energy studies. However, the complexity of urban form, vastness of city-wide coverage, and general dearth of climatological information pose unique challenges doing so. To address some climate action goals related to reducing building emissions in the City of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, applied geomatics and climatology were used to model solar radiation data suitable for informing renewable energy feasibility studies, including photovoltaic system sizing, costing, carbon offsets, and financial payback. The research presents a comprehensive review of solar radiation attenuates, as well as methods of accounting for them, specifically in urban environments. A novel methodology is derived from the review and integrates existing models, data, and tools – those typically available to a local government. Using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), a solar climatology, Esri’s ArcGIS Solar Analyst tool, and Python scripting, daily insolation (kWh/m2) maps are produced for the city of Victoria. Particular attention is paid to the derivation of daily diffuse fraction from atmospheric clearness indices, as well as LiDAR classification and generation of a Digital Surface Model (DSM). Novel and significant improvements in computation time are realized through parallel processing. Model results exhibit strong correlation with empirical data and support the use of Solar Analyst for urban solar assessments when great care is taken to accurately and consistently represent model inputs and outputs integrated in a methodological approach. / Graduate

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