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The paper presents AMES, an open-source, multi-sector macroeconomic model developed by the Stockholm Environment Institute. AMES is designed to integrate with the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) to create a hybrid energy-economy model. Unlike neoclassical models, AMES is based on structuralist theory, allowing it to simulate structural change and hysteresis, where energy investments can lead to persistent positive impacts on GDP and employment. It is specifically tailored for the economic conditions of low- and middle-income countries, focusing on demand-led growth and capacity utilization rather than assuming full employment and competitive market equilibrium.

The document reviews seven major proposals for basic income in South Africa, including those from the ANC, the Department of Social Development, and the Institute for Economic Justice. It argues that while there is a strong consensus on the need to close the social protection gap for adults aged 18-59, the specific design, financing, and implementation of such a system will determine whether it achieves progressive outcomes or reinforces austerity. The authors advocate for an unconditional grant linked to national poverty lines, funded through progressive taxation, and complemented by universal public services.

The report analyzes the alignment between the Colombian and EU taxonomies, finding a high degree of similarity in climate change mitigation criteria for 47% of compared activities. While both frameworks share core principles and governance structures, the EU Taxonomy is generally more detailed in its technical eligibility criteria and adaptation objectives, whereas the Colombian Taxonomy offers more specific requirements for land-use sectors and certain circular economy safeguards.

The document analyzes the organizational structure, funding, and implementation challenges of South Africa's JETP, highlighting the gap between policy targets and practical execution. It compares the energy landscapes of South Africa and Indonesia, emphasizing the critical need for transmission grid upgrades and the social protection of coal-dependent regions. Key recommendations for Indonesia include ensuring broad government consensus, translating commitments into legislation, and prioritizing social benefits to ensure a truly 'just' transition.

The report explores how national climate risk assessments (CRAs) can transition from one-off planning documents to iterative tools for monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL). Based on analysis from 12 countries, it argues that while periodic CRAs are essential for evidence-based National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), a fully standardized approach is often impractical due to evolving scientific knowledge and shifting policy priorities. The document highlights that countries like Germany and the UK are beginning to use CRAs to assess whether vulnerability is decreasing, though methodological challenges remain, such as the time lag between adaptation action and observable risk reduction.

The research finds that a higher number of climate policies is associated with lower projected emission change rates up to 2030, a result that remains robust when controlling for GDP, historical emissions, and the rule of law. The study identifies specific policy gaps based on emission trends: countries with fast-increasing emissions lack policies in energy-demand sectors like buildings and transport, while those with stalling emissions lack cross-sectoral climate strategies. Across all groups failing to reduce emissions, there is a notable deficiency in policies targeting the reduction of energy and material demand.

The document analyzes how governments in Norway, France, and the UK moved beyond legal enforcement to motivate citizens during COVID-19 lockdowns. It identifies three evolving strategies: using national narratives to legitimize responses, managing public expectations through data and trust to 'lock in' policies, and eventually differentiating duties based on political preferences. The authors argue that civic duties are co-determined by states and citizens, warning that a shift toward differentiated duties could allow privileged groups to avoid the costs of public obligations.

The document outlines a framework for a Just Energy Transition (JET) in Latin America, the Caribbean (LAC), and Africa, emphasizing the need to move beyond fossil fuel dependence toward sustainable, community-led energy systems. It identifies shared priorities between the regions, such as social participation and economic diversification, while noting distinct challenges: LAC focuses more on financing mechanisms and existing renewable capacity, whereas Africa emphasizes social justice, energy access for 600 million people, and the legacies of colonialism. The brief calls for a full phase-out of fossil fuels by 2040, grant-based climate finance, and safeguards for the extraction of transition minerals.

The Net Zero Stocktake 2023 reveals that while net zero targets now cover 92% of global GDP and 88% of global GHG emissions at the national level, the momentum for new national and subnational targets has slowed. In contrast, corporate target-setting continues to grow, with 929 Forbes Global 2000 companies now having targets. However, the report highlights a critical 'integrity gap': fewer than 5% of subnational and corporate targets meet the minimum 'starting line' criteria of the Race to Zero campaign. National targets have seen a significant shift toward formalization, with the share of targets enshrined in law or policy documents rising from less than 10% in December 2020 to 75% in 2023. The analysis also finds that no major fossil fuel producing countries or companies have committed to a full phase-out of fossil fuel extraction or production, and there is a growing but potentially problematic reliance on carbon dioxide removals (CDR) to meet targets.

Japan has the lowest share of clean electricity among G7 nations, with wind generating less than 1% of its power in 2022. While the 6th Strategic Energy Plan targets 59% clean power by 2030, it only allocates 5.7 GW to offshore wind, representing just 4% of the collective G7 target of 150 GW. Alternative pathways from Berkeley Lab and the Renewable Energy Institute suggest that leveraging Japan's theoretical offshore wind potential of 392 GW could enable the country to reach 80% to 90% decarbonised electricity by 2035.

The health system in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is characterized by a near-collapse due to conflict and mismanagement, with a high reliance on non-state actors and significant out-of-pocket costs for households. While life expectancy and mortality rates for infants and mothers have improved since 1990, the DRC continues to lag behind other low-income countries and is projected to miss 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for maternal and infant mortality. Severe child malnutrition remains a critical issue, with 43% of children under five suffering from chronic malnutrition. The country is expected to undergo an epidemiological transition in 2030, shifting from a dominance of communicable diseases—such as malaria, which causes 80% of deaths in children under five—to non-communicable diseases. Government health spending remains extremely low, at less than 4% of GDP as of 2017.

Algeria has achieved universal primary education and high STEM enrolment, but faces significant challenges with secondary school completion rates, educational quality, and a mismatch between graduate skills and labour market demands.

The policy brief examines the challenges of sustainable finance, noting that a lack of standardized information and an over-reliance on green bonds for clean energy generation limit the flow of capital. It highlights international examples, such as the European Union's taxonomy and reporting directives, and suggests Canada adopt similar frameworks for transition finance and sustainability-linked finance to support high-emitting sectors and aggregated project investments.

The ASEAN sustainable finance market contracted by 32% in 2022 to USD 36bn due to rising inflation and interest rates, though volumes remained double those of 2020. Singapore continues to lead the region, accounting for 60% of 2022 issuance. While green bonds and loans showed the most resilience, sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) saw a nearly 90% plunge. Sovereign issuance remained robust, with Singapore and the Philippines entering as new sovereign issuers. The report highlights a shift toward local currency denomination in green debt and a critical need for mandatory, science-based corporate transition plans to avoid greenwashing and support hard-to-abate sectors.

The policy brief examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) can bridge data gaps and provide evidence for governments reporting on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). Through an analysis of 13 VSS, the authors demonstrate high alignment with SDGs 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and provide guidelines for governments to integrate VSS data and case studies into their national reporting processes.

The policy brief examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and can be leveraged by governments to enhance their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). Through a mapping of 13 international and regional standards, the research demonstrates high coverage of goals related to decent work (SDG 8) and clean water (SDG 6). The document provides guidelines for governments to integrate VSS data and case studies from countries like Uganda, India, and Tanzania to address data gaps and promote policy coherence in their national reporting.

The document examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and can be leveraged by governments to overcome data gaps in their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). Through an analysis of 13 international and regional standards, the authors demonstrate high coverage of goals related to decent work (SDG 8) and clean water (SDG 6). The brief provides practical guidelines for governments to integrate VSS data and case studies from countries like Uganda, India, and Tanzania into their national reporting to improve policy coherence and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

The report investigates the ESG performance of Chinese-led infrastructure projects across Africa and Southeast Asia, arguing that failures often stem from a combination of opaque procurement processes, weak host-country institutional capacity, and the agency of Chinese contractors. It highlights five critical areas of concern: tender and impact assessment processes, land acquisition and community displacement, debt transparency, inter-authority conflict, and long-term economic viability. Through case studies in countries such as Kenya, Cambodia, Indonesia, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria, the report demonstrates how the 'adaptive governance' of Chinese firms—adjusting standards to match weak local regulations—often leads to negative socio-environmental outcomes. It concludes that while China is developing domestic ESG frameworks, these are not consistently applied overseas, and recommends greater loan transparency and the establishment of independent ESG feasibility studies.

The document compares 63 first and updated NDC submissions to assess their alignment with the 2030 Agenda. While updated NDCs are longer and contain more activities, the authors find that the share of quantified targets remains low for most SDGs. There is a notable increase in activities addressing social dimensions—specifically gender equality, reduced inequalities, and inclusive participation—but a concerning decrease in activities linking climate change to food security, water, and land use. Economic activities have generally increased in number, though energy access and affordability have seen a decline in priority.

The document analyzes the demographic divergence between China, whose population is declining and ageing, and Africa, whose population is growing. It highlights that China has integrated demographic change into its long-term development planning since the 1980s, positioning its companies to seek growth in Africa. The author suggests that China's model of managing the interaction between economic and demographic change serves as a useful reference for African economies, which largely remain low or lower-middle income.