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This briefing from the World Resources Institute explains the legal structure and terminology surrounding the expected outcome of the COP 21 climate negotiations in Paris, clarifying that the legal force of the agreement is determined by its content rather than its name.

This briefing by RMI argues that concerns regarding the economic limitations of wind and solar growth—specifically the 'merit order effect' where variable renewables depress wholesale prices—are based on static models that ignore supply-side evolution, demand flexibility, and storage technologies.

This briefing from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute details the relationship between public transit and the growth of the knowledge economy, using Austin, Texas, as a primary case study to argue for the necessity of a new federal surface transportation authorization bill.

This briefing by the NewClimate Institute examines the feasibility, timing, and technical requirements for phasing out net global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet the 2°C temperature target. It defines 'net phase out' as the point where anthropogenic emissions are equal to or smaller than anthropogenic removals, and discusses the role of carbon budgets, renewable energy, and specific sectoral challenges.

This 2015 briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines key issues and priorities for the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) ahead of the COP 21 climate conference in Paris. It emphasizes the need for an ambitious, legally binding agreement that addresses the specific vulnerabilities of Africa, ensures equity through the Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) principle, and closes significant financial and ambition gaps to limit global warming.

This briefing note, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development in October 2015, outlines the key issues and priorities for the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) ahead of the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris. It emphasizes the need for a legally binding agreement that addresses the specific vulnerabilities of Africa, ensures climate equity, and secures financial commitments from developed nations to support both mitigation and adaptation efforts.

The CFAS Guide, published in November 2014 by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network, provides a comprehensive briefing for negotiators and stakeholders attending the 20th Conference of the Parties (COP20) in Lima, Peru. The document outlines the state of climate finance negotiations, focusing on the goal of mobilizing $100 billion annually by 2020, the operationalization of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the roles of the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) and other financial mechanisms under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.

This briefing by RMI outlines a strategic framework for China to transition away from fossil fuels by 'reinventing fire' through innovation and leapfrogging traditional industrial paths. The document focuses specifically on the first of three proposed 'gamechangers': achieving oil-free mobility through vehicle lightweighting, electrification, logistics optimization, and the adoption of advanced biofuels and hydrogen.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute outlines five key lessons for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) based on the six-year operational experience of the Climate Investment Funds (CIFs), which are described as a "living laboratory" for climate finance.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of the banking sector in providing agricultural finance that supports climate adaptation within agro-value chains, with a particular focus on developing countries in Africa and a case study on the coffee sector in Uganda.

This briefing, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network in 2014, distils the findings of the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report specifically for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). It outlines the observed and projected impacts of climate change on SIDS, including sea level rise, temperature increases, and the degradation of critical ecosystems like coral reefs. The document discusses the high economic costs of adaptation relative to SIDS' GDP, the risks of 'maladaptation', and the necessity of international cooperation and finance to avert existential threats to atoll nations.

This briefing outlines the challenges and priorities for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) regarding Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) within the international climate regime. It focuses on three primary areas of MRV—greenhouse gas emissions, mitigation actions, and support—and discusses the implications for the 2015 climate agreement, emphasizing the need for simplified, cost-effective, and harmonized reporting requirements to avoid overburdening LDCs.

This research synthesis brief from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) examines the challenges of managing chemicals for sustainable development, focusing on the gap in chemical safety between developed and developing nations, the role of international agreements like SAICM, and the need for new hazard assessments to address planetary boundary threats.

This briefing examines the economic and strategic relationship between South Africa and the European Union (EU) ahead of the 2013 EU-SA Summit, focusing on job creation, foreign direct investment (FDI), and regional integration within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

This briefing by the Climate Policy Initiative explores the use of Natural Capital Assessment (NCA) to optimize land resource allocation in Indonesia. It argues that by integrating social, biophysical, and economic data into spatial planning, Indonesia can meet economic growth targets while reducing deforestation and community conflict.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) examines the economic and environmental costs of heating oil in the Northeast United States and proposes heat pumps as a viable, low-cost alternative to both oil and natural gas expansion.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the financial sustainability of public-private partnerships (PPPs) used to address infrastructure deficits. It details the mechanisms of project finance, including the use of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and high gearing ratios, while cautioning that PPPs are not a substitute for government budgets as public funds eventually cover the costs. The document also explores how PPP contracts can be designed to achieve broader environmental and social sustainability goals.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute explores extraction-based emissions accounting as a method to track greenhouse gas emissions associated with the supply of fossil fuels, contrasting it with traditional territorial and consumption-based frameworks to better assess economic risks and producer responsibility.

This research synthesis brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) outlines strategies for transitioning biomass-dependent energy economies toward cleaner cooking stoves and fuels. It emphasizes the need for market transformation over isolated project installations, advocating for user-centered design and a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, and economic drivers of household energy decisions.

This report by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network argues that gender considerations must be central to climate policies and programmes in developing countries, as women are differentially affected by climate change and face existing gender inequalities that exacerbate their vulnerability.