The Oxford Climate Policy Monitor: Tracking Global Climate Ambition

The Oxford Climate Policy Monitor, a groundbreaking initiative from the University of Oxford's Climate Policy Hub, provides an unprecedented granular analysis of climate-related laws and regulations across 37 major jurisdictions worldwide. Launched as an open-access resource, it evaluates policies in six critical domains: carbon crediting rules, climate-related corporate disclosures, green prudential tools for financial institutions, methane abatement strategies, public procurement standards, and transition planning frameworks. Covering over 85% of global emissions and 87% of GDP, the monitor uses the innovative bASIC framework—assessing Ambition, Stringency, Implementation, and Comprehensiveness—to score policies on a 0-100 scale.

This second annual review, released in November 2025, reveals a resilient global trend toward stronger climate policies despite significant political headwinds in the United States and Europe. Researchers from Oxford, including Professor Thomas Hale and Dr. Thom Wetzer, collaborated with over 60 leading law firms to map more than 690 policies, with over 20% adopted since early 2024. For European academics and policymakers, this tool offers invaluable insights into how continental policies stack up against global best practices.

Key Findings: Net Positive Progress Amid Fragmentation

Across the 37 jurisdictions—ranging from G20 nations like Germany, France, and the UK to emerging leaders such as Kenya, Nigeria, and Brazil—policies strengthened in 82 instances and weakened in only 42 between 2024 and mid-2025. This net gain of 40 improvements underscores a 'global direction of travel' toward transition, even as contestation fragments the landscape. Notably, 75% of the 200+ new rules emerged outside Europe and North America, signaling a shift in leadership to Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

However, challenges persist: no jurisdiction boasts sufficiently ambitious methane policies, and fewer than five governments meet benchmarks in carbon credits, green prudential standards, and public procurement. Global emissions continue rising, highlighting the implementation gap between pledges and enforceable rules. Professor Hale emphasizes, "Nations have made ambitious pledges, but concrete, implemented rules are what matter to prevent catastrophe."

For Europe, the monitor highlights incremental gains but warns of slowing ambition since 2023, urging universities like Oxford and the LSE's Grantham Research Institute to guide evidence-based reforms.

US Contestation: Trump 2.0 Rollbacks and Subnational Resilience

The United States stands out as the sole jurisdiction with federal policy rollbacks, driven by the second Trump administration's revocation of key executive orders like 14057 and 14008 on transition planning. Federal ambition dropped notably, with expansions in fossil fuels and pressure to weaken rules. Yet, subnational action, particularly California's stringent carbon crediting and Scope 3 disclosure mandates (requiring assurance by 2030), mitigates some losses.

By early 2026, Trump's repeal of the GHG endangerment finding further eroded federal climate foundations, prompting European partners to reassess transatlantic alignment. This contestation exemplifies how political shifts can reverse progress, a cautionary tale for European researchers monitoring US-EU dynamics.

Europe's Climate Policy Landscape: Strengths and Emerging Challenges

Europe remains a frontrunner in green prudential rules and methane abatement, with the EU's Regulation 2024/1787 prohibiting venting and flaring in energy sectors, backed by the European Central Bank's enforcement fines. The UK's Procurement Act 2023 weights sustainability at 10% in evaluations, while France's LAW n° 2025-336 mandates coal plant conversions without opt-outs.

However, contestation looms: EU corporate disclosure rules face revisions amid 2024 farmer protests and 2025 elections boosting right-wing parties skeptical of green costs. Germany's stalled Climate Action Programme 2026 and Franco-German energy disputes highlight tensions. A January 2026 German court ruling demands fixes to climate plans, pressuring action before March deadlines. UK developments include new Climate Change Agreements from 2026 and decarbonisation readiness permits, but implementation lags persist.

European universities, from Oxford's Policy Hub to Imperial's Centre for Environmental Policy, play pivotal roles in bridging these gaps through data-driven advocacy.

Emerging Markets: The New Engines of Climate Ambition

Asia and developing regions are accelerating: China's Green Finance Guidelines mandate ESG risk management for banks, while the Philippines redirects $52 billion in procurement toward sustainability. Brazil's Law 15,042/2024 launches a national carbon market with cap-and-trade, and African nations like Nigeria (40% revenue sharing for communities) and Kenya lead in carbon crediting integrity.

Africa and Latin America's average disclosure ambition now surpasses Europe/North America, with Scope 3 mandates proliferating. South Korea's Green Loan Guidelines and Indonesia's supplier sustainability evaluations exemplify this surge. For European academics, this shift demands comparative studies to inform EU competitiveness.

Dissecting the Domains: Where Europe Excels and Lags

In climate disclosures (297 policies), Europe mandates emissions and risks but trails in Scope 3 verification. Green prudential tools shine with EU stress-testing (26/37 jurisdictions), though capital adjustments lag (17 risk-based). Methane sees EU leadership but agriculture gaps—no full benchmarks met. Public procurement (125 policies) boasts high comprehensiveness, with EU life-cycle costing in 21 jurisdictions.

• Carbon Credits: Weak social integrity; Africa frontruns.
• Transition Planning: 227 policies, all mandatory, but verification scarce.

Oxford's bASIC scores reveal Europe's stringency strengths but ambition shortfalls versus emerging peers.

The Role of European Universities in Shaping Climate Policy

Institutions like Oxford's Martin School, LSE's Grantham Institute, and Imperial College lead with tools like the Policy Monitor, informing EU strategies. Collaborations with law firms enhance data granularity, positioning universities as policy bridges. Amid 2026 pressures—Trump's EU demands on methane, German court mandates—higher ed research drives resilience. Explore research jobs in Europe to contribute.

Future Outlook: COP30, Implementation Gaps, and Calls to Action

As nations prepare Paris Agreement updates for COP30 in Brazil, the monitor urges enforceable rules over pledges. Europe's 2040 targets face tests from protests and US shifts, but global momentum persists. Dr. Wetzer notes, "Even fragmented, the trend points to transition." European unis must prioritize implementation studies.

Stakeholders: Policymakers accelerate ambition; firms adapt to South/East rules; academics like those at European universities provide foresight. Check career advice for climate research roles.

Photo by Loren Cutler on Unsplash

Conclusion: Resilience in Global Climate Governance

The Oxford Climate Policy Monitor affirms climate policy's upward trajectory, with Europe's foundational role enduring despite contestation. By fostering university-led innovation, Europe can reclaim leadership. Discover opportunities at higher-ed-jobs, university-jobs, rate-my-professor, and higher-ed-career-advice.