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The 2022 activities of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) show a sustained focus on climate change, with references appearing in 25 out of 33 State review processes. The Committee emphasized adaptation, mitigation, and the empowerment of children in policymaking, while specifically calling out the need for more ambitious emission reductions in developed nations like Germany. A significant portion of the CRC's work focused on the accountability of private actors in fossil fuel production and the extraterritorial obligations of States to protect children's rights abroad. Furthermore, the CRC developed a draft General Comment No. 26, which links a safe climate to the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment and advocates for the phasing out of fossil fuels.

The CESCR addressed climate change in most of its 2023 work, including twelve Concluding Observations and seven Lists of Issues. The Committee focused on mitigation policies, urging states like Brazil, Panama, and Portugal to meet their Paris Agreement NDCs, and recommended that China expand its emissions trading system and stop financing overseas coal power. Adaptation efforts were highlighted in nineteen statements, with specific calls for national adaptation plans in Cambodia, Palestine, and Yemen, and an emphasis on the participation of Indigenous Peoples in Panama. Additionally, the Committee challenged the fossil fuel reliance of states such as Qatar and China, while inquiring about oil refinery pollution in Curaçao.

The report argues that while Bangladesh must transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy, this process must be 'just' to avoid harming vulnerable groups. It examines three key sectors: the ready-made garments (RMG) sector, which faces environmental and labour rights challenges; the energy sector, which is shifting from fossil fuels to renewables; and the agricultural sector, which is highly vulnerable to climate change and shifting toward commercial agribusiness. The document emphasizes that a just transition requires inclusive stakeholder dialogue, reskilling of workers, gender-sensitive policies, and increased international climate finance to support social protection and infrastructure.

The report argues that while Bangladesh must transition to a low-carbon economy to combat extreme climate vulnerability, this process must be 'just' to avoid marginalizing vulnerable workers and communities. It examines three key sectors: the ready-made garments (RMG) sector, which contributes 12% of GDP but faces severe environmental and labor issues; the energy sector, which is heavily dependent on gas (60%) and oil (30%) but aims for 30% renewable energy; and the agricultural sector, where 48.4% of the population is employed and faces significant losses from cyclones and sea-level rise. The document emphasizes that a just transition requires cross-ministerial coordination, reskilling programs, inclusive education, and expanded climate finance to support those displaced by green reforms.

The document outlines sustainability standards for the mining and processing sectors, such as the ICMM Mining Principles and IRMA Standard, which emphasize biodiversity conservation and the mitigation hierarchy. It provides financial estimates for forest protection, noting a global need of USD 45–460 billion annually to meet Paris Agreement goals, while contrasting this with 'gray finance'—including agricultural subsidies estimated between USD 378 billion and USD 635 billion per year—that may risk deforestation. Additionally, it identifies the emergence of green taxonomies in the EU and Colombia and risk assessment frameworks in countries like Brazil and Malaysia to align financial flows with nature preservation.

This document consists of two annexes. Annex 2 lists sustainability schemes for the mining and processing sectors, such as the ICMM Mining Principles and the ResponsibleSteel Standard, focusing on their requirements for biodiversity and ecosystem services. Annex 3 analyzes forest finance, estimating global needs between USD 45 billion and 460 billion annually to meet Paris Agreement goals, while contrasting 'green finance' (e.g., REDD+ funding) with 'gray finance,' including agricultural subsidies estimated between USD 378 billion and 635 billion per year and private finance to forest-risk commodity supply chains totaling USD 343 billion from 2010-2022.

The 2023 Forest Declaration Assessment reports that the world is off track to meet 2030 forest goals, with global gross deforestation reaching 6.6 million hectares in 2022. While over 50 countries are on track to eliminate deforestation, including sustainable reductions in Indonesia and Malaysia, these gains are offset by massive losses in other critical ecosystems. The report emphasizes a severe funding gap, noting that only 2.2 billion USD in annual government funding is allocated to forests, and criticizes the lack of corporate accountability and transparency. It calls for a radical shift away from 'business-as-usual' economic models toward those that value standing forests and support the land rights of indigenous and local communities.

The 2023 Forest Declaration Assessment finds that global finance for forests is severely inadequate, with 'gray' finance (subsidies driving deforestation) vastly outweighing 'green' finance. Public green finance averages USD 2.2 billion annually, less than 1% of estimated needs. Private financial institutions continue to provide trillions in financing to high-risk companies, while the voluntary carbon market faces declining demand and pricing due to integrity concerns. The report highlights a critical funding gap for Indigenous Peoples and local communities, who receive only 3% of the finance needed for tenure reform.

The document examines decentralisation across five Eastern African countries, highlighting a recurring gap between formal policy and actual practice. While Rwanda is noted for significant achievements in inclusion and service delivery through strong political commitment, other countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda struggle with elite capture, central government interference, and financial constraints. The report argues that decentralisation often serves as a tool for political control or patronage rather than genuine local empowerment, and recommends deepening participatory democracy and strengthening the capacity of local leaders.

Global Witness reports that at least 177 land and environmental defenders were murdered in 2022, with Latin America accounting for 88% of these cases. The report highlights the extreme danger faced by Indigenous peoples, who represented 36% of those killed, and identifies the Amazon as a critical hotspot where 22% of global killings occurred. It specifically examines the role of illegal gold mining in Brazil, Venezuela, and Peru, and the impact of the 'green transition' mineral boom in Southeast Asia. The document argues that impunity for these crimes is systemic and calls for stronger corporate accountability, specifically through the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.

In 2022, Global Witness documented at least 177 killings of land and environmental defenders, with 88% occurring in Latin America. Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico accounted for over 70% of these deaths. The report highlights a critical situation in the Amazon, where 22% of global killings occurred, often linked to illegal mining and agroindustry. It also details the 'criminalization' of activists as a non-lethal strategy to silence dissent. The document advocates for the EU's proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive to hold companies accountable for human rights and environmental abuses in their global supply chains.

The 2023 Energy Services Market Intelligence Report by GreenCape identifies significant growth in South Africa's energy services sector, driven by national energy insecurity (load shedding) and rising electricity costs. Rooftop solar PV is the most immediate opportunity, with an estimated annual market value of R7.5 billion and a projected total capacity of 10 GWp by 2035. Behind-the-meter storage, particularly lithium-ion batteries, is growing as a backup solution, with a current market size of R4 billion expected to reach R32.5 billion by 2035. The energy efficiency sector remains sluggish despite a potential annual saving of 120 TWh, though smart meter upgrades present a market opportunity of R40–R60 billion. Key barriers include port inefficiencies causing long equipment lead times and a shortage of skilled technical labor. The report also details the regulatory landscape, including the removal of the 100 MW generation license threshold and the implementation of mandatory energy performance certificates for large buildings.

The 2023 Water Market Intelligence Report highlights a critical state of wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) in South Africa, with 39% requiring urgent intervention. It identifies three primary investment areas: the restoration of municipal infrastructure (estimated at R8.14 billion), the circular economy potential of sludge beneficiation, and the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency (EE) technologies to reduce high operational costs. The report notes significant funding gaps and municipal capacity constraints but points to regulatory drivers, such as the 2019 liquid waste landfill ban, as catalysts for private sector involvement.

The 2023 Sustainable Agriculture Market Intelligence Report by GreenCape examines the transition to sustainable farming in South Africa, particularly in the Western Cape. It identifies key investment opportunities in renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, smart farming, and circular agriculture to mitigate climate risks such as water scarcity and rising temperatures. The report provides market sizing for specific technologies, discusses the impact of national policies like the Carbon Tax Act and the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan, and highlights the Western Cape's role as a greentech hub.

The report analyzes the legal framework of Canada's public procurement in the context of international trade agreements, specifically the WTO GPA and CETA. It argues that while these agreements prohibit origin-based discrimination, they provide significant flexibility for incorporating environmental, social, and socioeconomic criteria through performance-based specifications and life-cycle costing. The author concludes that international trade obligations are not a barrier to sustainable procurement and recommends a comprehensive 'Procurement Package' to professionalize the procurement workforce and develop national life-cycle assessment databases to better support clean tech SMEs and climate goals.

The report examines the information asymmetry between social media platforms and public interest researchers, identifying technological, legal, and ethical barriers to data access. It evaluates existing mechanisms such as transparency reporting, API access, and crowdsourced data donations, while analyzing the impact of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) and GDPR. The authors recommend the creation of an independent intermediary body to vet researchers and the alignment of international standards to ensure a safe, transparent, and evidence-based approach to studying the societal impacts of digital platforms.

The report evaluates the African Union's (AU) first two decades, highlighting a significant gap between the creation of ambitious normative and institutional frameworks and their actual implementation. While the AU has succeeded in establishing a continental legal order and promoting multi-party democracy, it struggles with institutional incapacity, over-reliance on external funding, and a lack of political will among member states to cede sovereignty. Key areas of analysis include the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and the role of women and youth in governance. The authors argue that for the AU to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063, it must shift from a state-centric model to a people-driven organization, enhance its self-reliance, and translate its existing norms into tangible outcomes.

The document analyzes the gap between the formal legal recognition of climate justice and its practical application in Africa's mining and petroleum sectors. It highlights systemic failures in enforcement, the limitations of current judicial and administrative sanctions, and the marginalization of local communities. The report advocates for a shift toward 'active' judiciaries, the adoption of specific climate laws, and the strengthening of corporate due diligence to protect vulnerable populations from the environmental and social impacts of extractive activities.

The report analyzes the 2022 reporting practices of 100 large EU companies, finding that while adoption is high, significant issues exist regarding the precision of legislation, the complexity of reporting forms, and the relevance of defined activities for many sectors. It highlights a discrepancy between the eligibility reported by financial and non-financial companies and recommends simplifying reporting requirements and clarifying key legal terms.

Uruguay employs a sectoral and regional approach to climate adaptation, coordinated by the National Climate Change Response System (SNRCC). The country has implemented sectoral National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) for agriculture, cities and infrastructure, and coastal areas, with additional plans for public health and energy under development. A key priority is reducing vulnerability in coastal zones, where 70% of the population resides, through high-resolution risk mapping and projects like the Adaptation Fund-supported disaster risk reduction in the Uruguay River watershed. The government is currently developing a GIS mapping system to track over 481 climate adaptation projects and an information system to monitor NDC progress using indicators such as gender sensitivity.