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This report by Energy Innovation examines the need to modernize wholesale electricity market designs to accommodate the transition from large, fuel-burning power plants to decarbonized resources like wind, solar, and energy storage. It identifies the limitations of the current 'marginal cost dispatch' paradigm and proposes ten principles for future markets, while outlining two primary pathways for evolution: a 'Robust Spot Market' approach and a 'Long-Term Plus Short-Term Markets' approach.

This document is a written contribution from Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) to the UN's open-ended working group (IGWG) regarding a proposed legally binding treaty to regulate transnational corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises in relation to human rights. FoEI analyzes the 'Zero Draft' presented in 2018, arguing that it is too weak to end corporate impunity and represents a setback compared to previous 'Elements' papers. The document details specific legal gaps in the draft—such as the lack of direct obligations for corporations and insufficient definitions of value chains—and includes testimonies from affected peoples across different continents calling for an international court and the primacy of human rights over investment agreements.

This report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) provides a critical analysis of the 'Zero Draft' of a proposed UN legally binding instrument to regulate transnational corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises in relation to human rights. FoEI argues that the draft is too weak, lacks essential principles, and fails to provide effective mechanisms to end corporate impunity. The document includes general comments on the draft's structure, specific contributions from FoEI representatives across different continents, and recommendations for the revised version of the treaty to be presented at the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG).

This written submission by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) analyzes the 'Zero Draft' of a proposed UN legally binding instrument to regulate transnational corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises in regarding human rights. FoEI argues that the Zero Draft is too weak, lacks direct obligations for corporations, and fails to provide effective mechanisms to end corporate impunity, calling for a revised version that prioritizes human rights over commercial interests.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) advocates for "subsidy swaps," the process of redirecting government financial support from fossil fuels to clean energy. It argues that while removing fossil fuel subsidies can reduce emissions, a swap is necessary to ensure permanent reductions and provide economic, social, and health benefits. The document analyzes the global context of these shifts and provides case studies from India, Indonesia, Zambia, and Morocco to demonstrate the feasibility of reallocating resources to renewable energy and energy efficiency.

This research paper examines the implementation of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in Africa, using Zambia as a primary case study. It analyzes the benefits of trade facilitation for landlocked lower-middle-income countries, the role of the TFA Facility and donor assistance, and the specific challenges and successes of trade facilitation reforms at four of Zambia's strategic border posts.

This working paper, produced as an input for the G20 Climate and Sustainability Working Group, examines how G20 nations can leverage Long-Term Strategies (LTSs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to meet Paris Agreement goals. It argues that integrating long-term visions with near-term targets drives sustainable economic growth and provides a roadmap to avoid carbon-intensive lock-in. The document provides frameworks for NDC implementation, guidance for updating NDCs by 2020, and strategies for G20 countries to support developing nations in overcoming capacity and financing gaps.

This briefing examines the inequitable resource interdependency between Europe and Africa in the extractive sector. It argues that a symbiotic relationship can be achieved by implementing 'extractive justice'—incorporating procedural, distributive, and recognitional justice—into legal and policy frameworks to address wealth imbalances and governance deficits.

This briefing argues that the European Union's (EU) reliance on 'formalisation'—increasing legalisation and transparency—in natural resource governance has failed to improve human wellbeing in producer countries. Using case studies from Sierra Leone's diamond sector and Liberia's forest sector, the author contends that these technocratic approaches often ignore local socio-political contexts and fail to deliver tangible benefits to affected populations. The document calls for the EU to adopt a 'human security' approach, shifting focus from state security to the security of individuals, specifically targeting freedom from want and fear.

This fact sheet describes a research project by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), in partnership with the Southern Africa Trust and DFID, aimed at enhancing climate resilience in Southern Africa through the integration of marine and coastal Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) into national climate responses.

This statement from the Stockholm Environment Institute argues that the prevailing global development model, which prioritizes economic and infrastructure gains over environmental health and human livelihoods, must be transformed to effectively reduce disaster risk and address climate change.

The report highlights risks to Puerto Rico's energy transition, noting that expedited projects by PREPA and the P3 Authority may undermine the goals of Act 17 of 2019 and weaken trust in regulatory institutions.

This report by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and Sandbag analyzes the draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of 21 EU Member States that use coal for electricity. It finds that the EU is on track to miss the goal of stopping coal use by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C, with 60 GW of capacity projected to remain in 2030.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the drivers of stressed coal power assets in India and advocates for a 'just transition' that prioritizes workers and communities over the protection of stranded assets.

This briefing by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the proposed changes to the Brazilian Forest Code (Law 12.651/2012) introduced by the rapporteur of Provisional Measure (MPV) 867/2018. The authors argue that the proposal risks paralyzing environmental regularization programs, increasing legal insecurity, and incentivizing illegal deforestation by shifting the responsibility for regularization from landowners to state agencies and altering the calculation of Legal Reserves.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the limitations and uncertainties of life-cycle assessment (LCA) tools used to compare the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of concrete, steel, and wood in the built environment. It argues that current LCAs often lack transparency and omit critical data—particularly regarding biogenic carbon in wood—which can lead to misleading conclusions about the relative performance of building materials. The report concludes that prioritizing energy efficiency and building longevity offers greater mitigation potential than focusing on material substitution alone.

This research paper examines whether Canada's international trade obligations, specifically under the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement and CETA, hinder or facilitate sustainable public procurement. It concludes that while trade agreements do not impede sustainable procurement, they do prohibit 'buying local' and discourage favoring specific social groups. The paper argues that the primary barriers to sustainability are not regulatory, but rather relate to agency capacity, funding, and political will.

This briefing by the NewClimate Institute analyzes potential emission reduction paths for Germany to align with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement, concluding that current government targets are insufficient.

This briefing, presented as a multigroup letter to Congress, argues against the revival of the Yucca Mountain high-level nuclear waste repository. The authors contend that the site is geologically unsuitable, the licensing process is flawed, and the project is technically and financially unworkable due to outdated design specifications and the need for unproven technology to meet safety standards.

This guide examines how retail tariff policies and subsidy designs can be used to increase revenues for private mini-grid operators, aiming to make energy access more sustainable and profitable in un-electrified communities.