Sign in

Ashfaq Khalfan

@ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social
102 followers 133 following 136 posts

Director, Sustainability Regulation Observatory, London School of Economics

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Markus W. Gehring @mwgehring.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Somewhat under the radar, there is an important vote coming up in the @europarl.europa.eu on CBAM expansion for downstream products. Thank you to Ignacio bruegel.org for this somewhat critical review. www.bruegel.org/first-glance...
bruegel.org
Extending CBAM to downstream products risks undermining its credibility as a climate policy tool
The current proposals to extend CBAM's coverage are more about trade protection than stopping carbon leakage
111
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
We’ve joined American Friends Service Committee, @hrw.org, and @ccrjustice.org in challenging a U.S. executive order that imposes sanctions on International Criminal Court officials and others working to pursue justice for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
U.S. sanctions on International Criminal Court officials and those who work with them threaten fundamental rights and the rule of law. Those who pursue justice for the world’s gravest crimes should not be punished for doing so.
162
Ashfaq Khalfan @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
I spoke at the Mahfil Ali mosque on who should end carbon pollution. My focus was on governments' responsibility to do this through regulation and taxation. There were excellent questions, and an interesting discussion followed that's worth listening to.
youtube.com
Friday 3 July 2026 - Who should be responsible for ending carbon pollution?
YouTube video by SICM Mahfil Ali
110
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
LSE Blogs @lseblogs.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Deadly wildfires like those now gripping France and Spain are often cited as evidence of the need to tackle climate change. But do these events lead to real political change? @timwapps.bsky.social @antvalentim.bsky.social @heikekluever.bsky.social @lstoetze.bsky.social @lseeuroppblog.bsky.social
blogs.lse.ac.uk
There is little evidence extreme weather events spur political action on climate change - LSE European Politics
There is no evidence of a shift in the political attention paid to the environment in the aftermath of extreme weather events like flooding and wildfires.
078
Ashfaq Khalfan @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Corporate sustainability due diligence went on trial at LSE. Our jury of 65 found it guilty of being "too little", but cleared it of being a distraction or harmful to economies.
121
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Markus W. Gehring @mwgehring.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
How can respect for human rights respond to the global challenge? The African Court's existing case law on environmental protection can serve as a good basis for an answer of this question says Hon. Judge Duncan Gaswaga (African Court of Human & Peoples Rights). @cisdl.bsky.social #SDLaw26
033
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Markus W. Gehring @mwgehring.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Closing of the Human Rights in the Global Climate Emergency panel - What are the links between HR and climate change, and how can respect for human rights respond to the global threat of climate change? How are HR courts rising to the challenge of this historical moment? @cisdl.bsky.social #SDLaw26
043
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Markus W. Gehring @mwgehring.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Start of the Global Experts Plenary I on Linking HRs & Climate Change chaired by @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social and Ayman Cherkaoui with Profes. Sumudu Atapattu, Marcel Szabo, Payam Akhavan, Tenia Kyriazi, David Boyd and @unsrclimatehrights.bsky.social Elisa Morgera @cisdl.bsky.social #SDLaw26
055
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Markus W. Gehring @mwgehring.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Climate action is increasingly translated into legal obligation and the future is implementation says Prof. Tenia Kyriazi, here with Profes. David Boyd ( @ires.ubc.ca), Elisa Morgera ( @unsrclimatehrights.bsky.social / @durham.ac.uk) and Dr @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social @cisdl.bsky.social #SDLaw26
054
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Just another day in autodestruct mode.
31726185
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Grantham Research Institute at LSE @granthamlse.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
“Cases brought to resist regulatory rollbacks, funding freezes and the dismantling of existing climate rules, now constitute around 20% of climate cases filed in the US in 2025” according to analysis published today by the Grantham Research Institute.
lse.ac.uk
Global trends in climate change litigation: 2026 snapshot - Grantham Research Institute on climate change and the environment
An exploration of key trends and evolutions in global climate change litigation from the calendar year 2025, plus important new developments through to May 2026.
034
Ashfaq Khalfan @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
New report out: Who Pays for Climate Breakdown? Banks, Financed Emissions, and the Road to Climate Accountability — from the LSE Sustainability Law and Policy Clinic, part of @gsos-lse.bsky.social in partnership with @clientearth.bsky.social and @granthamlse.bsky.social anthamlse.bsky.social
lse.ac.uk
Banks, Financed Emissions, and the Road to Climate Accountability – A Collaboration with ClientEarth’s Accountable Finance Team
143
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
LSE Review of Books @lsereviewofbooks.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
NEW: Tax is a powerful tool for improving our lives – a social superpower, even. But the world loses around half a trillion dollars every year through crossborder tax abuse. @alexcobham.bsky.social @taxjustice.net argues for stronger international tax frameworks ahead of his #LSEFestival event.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
Stronger tax frameworks can make a fairer world - LSE Review of Books
Alex Cobham argues that fairer rules, progressive taxation and a new UN tax framework could ensure more accountability and better public services worldwide.
0138
Ashfaq Khalfan @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
In despair about 'strongmen' rolling back environmental rules and economic justice? Don't be. Join me Wed 17 June, 1 pm BST online/in-person with people making law work: @tessakhan.bsky.social on oil & gas limits sivathambisetty.bsky.social on protecting nature @alexcobham.bsky.social on global tax
111
Ashfaq Khalfan @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Oil and gas profits are booming, and there is unprecedented attention to taxation on fossil fuel companies seen at the Santa Marta Conference on phasing out fossil fuels. There is a political path for new permanent higher taxes on fossil fuel companies.
021
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Chris Hopkins @chrishopkins.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Ok, I'm bundling professional announcements again (since I clearly *love* doing them?👎😅) First, very excited to be joining the Sustainability Regulation Observatory (SRO) @ @gsos-lse.bsky.social as part of the brand new policy team; co hosted by @granthamlse.bsky.social & @lselaw.bsky.social 🏭💚
331
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
As Open Society President Binaifer Nowrojee @nowrojeeosf.bsky.social writes in @theguardian.com, these hatreds cannot be defeated apart. That’s why we recently announced a $30 million initiative to counter both antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate and keep communities safe across faiths. Read more:
theguardian.com
Anti-Muslim hate and antisemitism are twin crises. We must confront them together | Binairfer Nowrojee
The two hatreds have rarely been seen as related dangers. But they overlap even as Muslim and Jewish communities are pitted against each other
041
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
How do you turn people off the green transition and deliver them to the far right? Through #ClimateAuthoritarianism. The government seeks to coerce, not to persuade. And it's turning a planning system based on consent into one based on decree. This week's column.🧵 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Britain’s green transition should belong to everyone. Why is Labour so intent on stopping us having our say? | George Monbiot
Tearing up planning and using protest laws to criminalise local people – this isn’t how to build the broad consent needed, says the Guardian columnist George Monbiot
23506207
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
A deeply concerning analysis by @richardjmurphy.bsky.social I'm not qualified to assess its merits, but it sounds as if we should at least be highly alert to the possibilities he raises. www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2026/05...
taxresearch.org.uk
This could be as bad as 1929, and maybe very much worse
As Katie Martin has noted in the FT this morning, there is something exceptionally strange going on in the world's financial markets at the moment, and we should be taking note. Since 30th March this...
35619294
Ashfaq Khalfan @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
⚖️ Due Diligence on Trial — a mock trial event from @gsos-lse.bsky.social's Sustainability Regulation Observatory What can corporate sustainability due diligence actually deliver? 📅 20 May | 6:30pm | LSE Marshall Building and online | Reception to follow Registration link in replies
112
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Grantham Research Institute at LSE @granthamlse.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
A new working paper by Simon Dietz and Nikolaus Hastreiter finds little evidence of large immediate emissions cuts after firms adopt net zero targets, but some signs of gradual emissions reductions and stronger strategic climate management and governance practices.
lse.ac.uk
Corporate net zero targets: have they achieved anything? - Grantham Research Institute on climate change and the environment
In this paper, the authors examine whether firms that adopt long-term net zero targets subsequently reduce their carbon emissions or strengthen their climate-related management and governance.
021
Ashfaq Khalfan @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Glad to see the MCB statement on the appalling Golders Green attack. mcb.org.uk/mcb-statemen...
mcb.org.uk
MCB Statement on Golders Green Stabbing Attack | Muslim Council of Britain
The Muslim Council of Britain shares our deepest concerns and prayers with the Jewish community following the horrific stabbing attack on two Jewish men in Golders Green this morning taking place in f...
000
Ashfaq Khalfan @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Join us next Wednesday 29 April 2–3:15 PM BST online and in person at LSE for a exciting panel on climate litigation. César Rodríguez-Garavito presents his new book Climate Change on Trial, with Joana Setzer, Eoin Jackson @granthamlse.bsky.social and Vesselina Newman @clientearth.bsky.social
lselaw.events
Climate Change on Trial - Book Talk by César Rodríguez-Garavito - LSE Law School Events
Please join us for an event where Professor César Rodríguez-Garavito will speak about his book Climate Change on Trial: Mobilizing Human Rights Litigation to Accelerate Climate Action (Cambridge Unive...
142
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Damian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
$30m an hour: big oil reaping huge Iran war windfall from consumers, analysis finds Exclusive: Climate action blockers including Saudi Arabia, Russia and major fossil fuel firms set to make extra $234bn by end of 2026 @globalwitness.org #rystadenergy Story by me www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
$30m an hour: big oil reaping huge war windfall from consumers, analysis finds
Exclusive: Climate action blockers including Saudi Arabia, Russia and major fossil fuel firms set to make extra $234bn by end of 2026
08141
Ashfaq Khalfan @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
New from @Oxfam and Shared Planet: a first-of-its-kind mapping of where 62 countries, the EU, and the African Group stand on making fossil fuel companies pay -- through higher corporate taxes, financial penalties, or levies on extraction. Available: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
docs.google.com
Fossil fuel profit taxes country position mapping .xlsx
110
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Andreas Sieber @andreassieber.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
💥 5 countries ask the #EU to tax the obscene #windfall profits of #fossilfuel companies. At @350.org, we calculate 100bn+ has been transferred in excess costs to these companies just in 1st month of war. The countries: Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain. www.politico.eu/article/aust...
politico.eu
5 countries ask Brussels to tax energy companies benefitting from Iran crisis
Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain want extra corporate profits generated during the Mideast conflict to be distributed fairly.
063
Ashfaq Khalfan @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
At least one head of government did NOT breathe a sigh of relief when the ceasefire was announced. Netanyahu's office immediately declared it does not cover Lebanon, contradicting the Pakistani mediators who said it covered all fronts. Israeli strikes on Lebanon continued.
100
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Oxfam America @oxfamamerica.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Oxfam will be among the many who demand that anyone who orders these attacks be held accountable.
0138
Ashfaq Khalfan @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Trump has threatened that 'a whole civilization will die tonight' in Iran. Governments worldwide must state that destroying Iran's power plants is unacceptable and will carry real costs: Economic sanctions on the US, suspension of military cooperation & boycotts of US sports and cultural events.
100
Ashfaq Khalfan @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
An important message of solidarity and rationality: www.jewishnews.co.uk/voice-of-the...
jewishnews.co.uk
VOICE OF THE JEWISH NEWS: In defence of praying during Iftar in Trafalgar Square
The question here is not one of whether such prayer is an attempt to “dominate”. It is about whether one has the right to publicly express their religious identity in this country.
020
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Oxfam America @oxfamamerica.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
An incredible breakdown of what was lost when USAID was dismantled and attacked by the Trump administration, who was responsible, how the impact of this on people has been dire. Thank you @lastweektonight.com👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 youtu.be/tU8S13xYJNM?...
079
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE) @afsee-lse.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Last week, we hosted a book launch event 'Eco-Social Contracts for Just and Sustainable Futures' with @gsos-lse.bsky.social at LSE. The panel called for an eco-social contract that fundamentally redefines the relationship between people, planet & power. 🎧Listen to the recording: buff.ly/y8RJQgA
022
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Markus W. Gehring @mwgehring.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Fantastic to see this new WWF - @cisdl.bsky.social brief on Advancing Legal and Policy Frameworks for Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs): Global Lessons for Policy and Practice. Congrats to the entire team, esp. Dr Daniel Ruiz de Garibay www.worldwildlife.org/publications...
worldwildlife.org
Legal and policy pathways for OECMs
This study examines national approaches to OECMs and offers insights to help strengthen equitable and effective conservation toward the 30×30 target.
023
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
LSE Inequalities @lseinequalities.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
To develop a reasonable position on any proposed tax increase on the wealthy, we need to dispel the “millionaire exodus” narrative. III working paper by @samfriedman.bsky.social, @andy-summers.bsky.social, Victoria Gronwald, and Emma Taylor cited in a new article for TIME ⬇️
buff.ly
Tax the Rich. They’re Not Going Anywhere
Christopher Marquis and Nick Romeo expose the fallacies behind the millionaire-exodus panic.
0167
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Astrid Puentes, UN Special Rapporteur on Healthy Environment @srenvironment.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Join us for this wonderful event on February 24. Thank you London School of Economics, @granthamlse.bsky.social @gsos-lse.bsky.social for hosting this important discussion on Pathways to Breathe Clean Air.
133
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Oxfam News Team @oxfamgbnews.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
“This is the dismantling of the humanitarian infrastructure [in Gaza]. It sidelines principled humanitarian actors and replaces them with entities that lack clear humanitarian mandates – including privatised military contractors.” - Oxfam's Bushra Khalidi www.telegraph.co.uk/global-healt...
telegraph.co.uk
084
Ashfaq Khalfan @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
The social contract is broken—and for much of humanity & nature, it never really worked. Join us this Wednesday, 18 February at LSE (6.30 - 8.00 pm) in person or online for a book launch on eco-social contracts with Mary Robinson, Najma Mohamed and Manisha Desai.
211
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
APPG for Fair Elections @appgfairelections.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
📮 Full text of the letter calling on the Government to engage with the growing risks First Past the Post now presents ✍️ Signatories include leading academics, political scientists and constitutional experts - including a former Chief Executive of the UK Electoral Commission 👇 Read it in full
14831
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
APPG for Fair Elections @appgfairelections.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
🚨 Over 50 leading academics have sounded the alarm on the UK's voting system ⚠️ In an era of multi-party politics, First Past the Post risks “random and arbitrary” results like never before 🗳️ The experts' letter warn Ministers they must address this to stem growing instability and distrust
politicshome.com
Over 50 Academics Warn That Voting System Is Not Fit For Multi-Party Politics
Dozens of academics have written to the government to warn that the current voting system risks producing distorted results on an 'unprecedented' s...
211763
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
ICRICT @icrict.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
At @australiainstitute.org.au webinar @josephestiglitz.bsky.social argued for very high tax rates on corporate natural resource super-profits. As long as there are excess returns, companies will continue to invest. Tax those super-profits heavily the resources belong to the Australian people. Here⤵️
075
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Union of Concerned Scientists @ucs.org · 12/02/2026
Today, Administrator Zeldin took a chainsaw to the Endangerment Finding, undoing this long-standing, science-based finding on bogus grounds at the expense of our health.
57147
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Astrid Puentes, UN Special Rapporteur on Healthy Environment @srenvironment.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
🪁 Join me as the UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment together with a diverse group of speakers to reflect on clean air from scientific, policy, legal, and human rights perspectives.
132
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Global School of Sustainability at LSE @gsos-lse.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
WEBINAR: What does the Asmania v. Holcim ruling mean for climate litigation worldwide? Hear from plaintiffs & legal experts during our upcoming session: 🗓️ 16 Feb | ⏰ 11:00 CET ✍️ JOIN US: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
webinar advert: Climate Accountability & Asmania et al. v. Holcim, listing speakers, time and date
021
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Oxfam Ireland @oxfamireland.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
“We are witnessing the impact of aid cuts every single day.” Magnus Corfixen, humanitarian lead for @oxfamgb.bsky.social says in this @the-independent.com piece. The piece looks at findings published in The Lancet on the impact of aid cuts globally. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
independent.co.uk
Nearly 23 million extra deaths worldwide by 2030 as aid cuts bite, study says
The findings – published in the influential health journal The Lancet – show that Donald Trump’s closure of USAID could lead to more than 14m deaths alone
055
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Oxfam America @oxfamamerica.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
President Trump, along with the support of the world’s richest man Elon Musk executed a full-blown assault on U.S humanitarian assistance, one year ago. Today, Oxfam is bearing witness to the devastation these cuts have caused. 1/2
163
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
The FACT Coalition @factcoalition.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Between four noted tax havens (Bermuda, Switzerland, Ireland, and Singapore) PepsiCo is reporting it reduced its income taxes for 2025 by $661m, utterly dwarfing the effect of U.S. anti-abuse rules like GILTI. Current U.S. tax rules are clearly not dissuading companies from the use of tax havens.
145
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Oxfam GB @oxfamgb.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
“The UK should be expanding its support for communities on the front lines of the climate crisis - not shrinking it." Following reports of planned cuts to the UK's climate finance budget, Oxfam GB joins calls for the UK government to increase climate finance and pay its fair share. 👉 bit.ly/4rvEN0X
Quote from Beth John, Climate Justice Advisor at Oxfam; "Abandoning those most exposed to a crisis they did not cause, whilst doing very little to ensure the biggest and richest polluters pay their fair share for the climate damage they are responsible for is deeply unfair. Deciding not to fairly tax these wealthy polluters – which could raise billions of public finance a year without costing the UK taxpayer – is not just a conscious choice by the government, but a statement about whose futures matter."
01311
Reposted by Ashfaq Khalfan
Labour4PR 🌹🗳️ @labour4pr.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
"If Keir Starmer takes one thing from both Caerphilly and Gorton, it needs to be about the voting system. The archaic dog mess that is first-past-the-post needs to be ditched. It allows outright majorities based on a minority of voters." ✍️ @willhaycardiff.bsky.social
theguardian.com
Labour made mistakes in its Caerphilly byelection defeat. It may be about to repeat them in Gorton and Denton | Will Hayward
In Wales, Plaid Cymru sailed through as the anti-Reform party, at Labour’s expense. Unless lessons are learned, the Greens could do the same, says Guardian columnist Will Hayward
22010
Ashfaq Khalfan @ashfaqkhalfan.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
I’ve recently started at the London School of Economics, helping set up the new Sustainability Regulation Observatory (SRO), part of the Global School of Sustainability @gsos-lse.bsky.social and sitting in the LSE law school @lselaw.bsky.social and Grantham Institute @granthamlse.bsky.social (1/7)
140