Search Climate Insights Directory

A study by the NewClimate Institute comparing projected greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in G20 economies under current policies against their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) targets.

This briefing by the NewClimate Institute examines the transition from traditional climate finance, focused on mobilizing funds for mitigation and adaptation, toward 'Paris-aligned investing'. It evaluates the eligibility criteria used by Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) against a framework that categorizes investments as 'Paris-aligned', 'misaligned', or 'conditional'.

This research paper evaluates the accuracy of four previously published ozone damage functions used in terrestrial biosphere models by testing them against data from 23 ozone filtration and fumigation experiments involving young European tree species. The study finds that none of the existing functions could accurately simulate observed biomass reductions, but that developing linear, plant-functional-type-specific dose-response relationships through re-parameterisation leads to accurate simulations.

This fact sheet provides a global overview of high-speed rail (HSR) development, contrasting the extensive networks in Asia and Europe with the limited deployment in the United States. It details the history of HSR, the technical standards for speed, the economic and environmental benefits of rail over air and car travel, and the current status of projects in China, Japan, France, and the U.S.

This research paper compares how the European Union, Hungary, Portugal, and Scotland incorporate high-end climate change (HECC) scenarios—those exceeding 4°C—into adaptation decision-making, finding that such scenarios are not routinely used because decision-makers perceive them as low-probability or distant events.

This research paper compares the electric vehicle (EV) policies of the United States and China, focusing on financial incentives, charging infrastructure, research and development, and fleet procurement. It highlights China's more aggressive approach to subsidies and mandates compared to the U.S. system of tax credits and state-level incentives.

This research paper explores the potential for establishing a Southern African Customs Union (SACU) development fund to deepen regional integration and mitigate trade constraints. By analyzing the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds), the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF), and the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD), the author provides recommendations on capitalization, governance, and project prioritization to move SACU beyond its current role of simple revenue sharing.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the political and economic instability within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) region. It examines how a decline in global commodity prices, coupled with neo-patrimonial governance and rapid population growth, creates a volatile environment. The authors use the International Futures (IFs) system to forecast trends up to 2040, warning that without significant investments in human capital and democratic reform, the region faces increased risks of instability and violence.

This research paper evaluates the effectiveness of woodfuel carbon-offset projects in reducing deforestation and emissions, finding that actual emission reductions are significantly lower than project expectations.

This document provides the technical annexes for the Renewable Energy Scale-Up Facility (RESF), detailing the financial modeling, assumptions, and expected impacts of a proposed USD 100 million equity fund designed to scale up wind and solar projects in developing regions, particularly Latin America.

This fact sheet compares the Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy (RISE) Energy Efficiency scores with the World Bank's Doing Business rankings across various countries, highlighting the relationship between energy efficiency policy and the general business environment.

This working paper examines the potential for micro-insurance as a climate adaptation strategy for small coastal communities in the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean, specifically comparing Mauritius, Seychelles, Saint Lucia, and Jamaica.

This fact sheet by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) provides a comprehensive overview of employment trends in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors within the United States and globally, primarily using data from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as of 2016 and 2017.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute analyzes international practices for Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and Congestion Charging (CC), focusing on case studies from London, Singapore, and Stockholm to provide recommendations for Chinese cities facing severe air pollution and traffic congestion.

This executive summary, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in December 2016, argues that Canada must move beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to measure 'comprehensive wealth' to ensure long-term sustainable development. Analyzing data from 1980 to 2013, the study finds that while Canada remains wealthy, its comprehensive wealth growth is slow and heavily reliant on the depletion of natural capital and a highly concentrated produced capital sector.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines trends in climate change adaptation planning based on a standardized review of 15 African and Asian countries conducted for the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA). The review examines vulnerability profiles, national priorities, policy responses, and the nature of adaptation programming, highlighting a strong focus on agriculture but significant gaps in subnational planning and monitoring systems.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) evaluates the preliminary implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across 11 countries in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). It synthesizes data from OECD, UN ECE, and other expert reviews to identify regional strengths, weaknesses, and organizational challenges in governance and monitoring.

The East Africa Crowdfunding Landscape Study, published by FSD Africa in October 2016, analyzes the crowdfunding and peer-to-peer (P2P) lending ecosystems in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, comparing them with more mature markets in South Africa and the United Kingdom. The report finds that while the region is experiencing rapid growth, it is primarily driven by international donation and concessionary lending platforms from the global North, rather than native equity or for-profit lending models, which are hindered by regulatory uncertainty and a lack of investment-ready MSMEs.

This research paper, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute on behalf of the German Environment Agency, provides a comparative analysis of the market mechanisms established under the Kyoto Protocol and the new provisions introduced in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. It examines the differences in purpose, governance, and accounting between the two frameworks to identify lessons for the operationalization of the Paris Agreement's cooperative approaches and crediting mechanisms.

This briefing, submitted by Earthjustice to the Centre for Environmental Rights, provides a comparative analysis between the United States Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) and South Africa's Draft National Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting Regulations. It offers specific recommendations to strengthen the South African draft by improving accuracy calibration, clarifying facility-level reporting, expanding the range of covered gases, and reducing flexibility for regulated entities.