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The report finds that while energy finance disbursements in high-impact countries (HICs) grew by 61% between 2013 and 2018, they still significantly lagged behind commitments (USD 32 billion disbursed vs USD 52 billion committed). Analysis of projects from 2002 to 2018 reveals that 58% of planned financing and 49% of projects were delayed. Key barriers include cumbersome administrative processes, poor project design, limited access to local finance, and low public awareness, particularly for clean cooking. The report argues that sound project design and streamlined administration are more critical for disbursement efficiency than general regulatory improvements.

The Living Planet Report 2020 documents a severe global decline in wildlife populations and ecosystems, highlighting the interconnectedness of nature and human health. It identifies land-use change, overexploitation, and climate change as primary drivers of biodiversity loss and proposes a roadmap to 'bend the curve' of this decline through integrated conservation and food system reform.

The report examines the global wildfire crisis, highlighting that humans are responsible for 75% of all wildfires and that climate change is increasing fire season length and severity. It details the devastating impacts on biodiversity, human health, and economies, while calling for urgent global action through improved climate ambition, a shift toward prevention-based budgeting, and the halting of deforestation.

The 2020 Plowprint Report finds that between 2014 and 2018, grasslands in the Great Plains were tilled at an average rate of four football fields per minute. In 2018, approximately 2.1 million acres were converted across the U.S. and Canada, though this was offset by a 2 million acre increase in perennial cover. Wheat is the primary driver of conversion in the Northern Great Plains, while corn and soy dominate conversion across the U.S. The report also introduces a new analysis of northern Mexico's grasslands and updates its tracking methodology to improve spatial resolution and accuracy.

Annual tracked climate finance averaged USD 579 billion in 2017/2018, a 25% increase from 2015/2016, though it remains far below the USD 1.6 trillion to USD 3.8 trillion annually needed for energy system transitions. Renewable energy remains the largest destination for finance, while low-carbon transport is growing rapidly. Private finance accounts for 56% of total flows, with a strong domestic preference as 76% of investment stays within the sourcing country.

The 2019 Global Landscape of Climate Finance report finds that annual climate finance reached an average of USD 579 billion in 2017/2018, a 25% increase over 2015/2016. While renewable energy remains the dominant sector, there is significant growth in low-carbon transport and public adaptation finance. However, the report emphasizes that current investment levels are grossly insufficient to meet 1.5 °C goals, and that finance for fossil fuel supply infrastructure continues to far outweigh clean energy investment.

The report finds that investment in electricity access and clean cooking remains significantly below the levels required to achieve universal energy access by 2030. While USD 36 billion was committed to electricity access in high-impact countries, only USD 12.6 billion benefited residential customers, far short of the USD 51 billion annual need. Clean cooking investment is even more critical, with only USD 32 million tracked against an annual requirement of USD 4.4 billion. The report highlights a severe lack of investment in Sub-Saharan Africa and warns that continued financing of fossil fuel power plants is incompatible with the Paris Agreement and the SDGs.

The report examines the 'Fourth Industrial Revolution' in mining, identifying key technologies such as AI, automation, and IoT that improve productivity and safety but threaten low-skilled jobs. It highlights the disproportionate impact on Indigenous communities and men, and suggests policy responses including STEM-focused skills development, revised local content requirements, and new fiscal arrangements between governments and mining firms.

A Climate Central analysis of 239 U.S. cities reveals that 83% have seen an increase in annual average days with a heat index of 90°F or higher since 1979. The report highlights the danger of exertional heat illness (EHI), noting that heat-related illnesses are a leading cause of death or disability among high school athletes. It details regional trends, such as substantial increases in the Pacific Northwest and extended heat seasons in the South, while noting that climate change is intensifying these trends. The document provides safety recommendations for coaches and athletes, including the use of wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) monitoring and gradual heat acclimatization.

China's industrial sector, responsible for over 70% of national carbon emissions, is pursuing deep decarbonization through five primary trends: improving energy efficiency via stricter regulations, scaling the recycling of steel and plastics, increasing industrial electrification to reduce coal reliance, piloting carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), and expanding hydrogen energy utilization.

The study analyzes PM2.5 concentrations in Paris and the Île-de-France region from 2009 to 2018, finding that reductions in annual averages and high-concentration days were primarily driven by local emission decreases. However, regional transport remains a significant factor, contributing up to 70% of annual PM2.5 at urban background sites, suggesting that regional emission reductions are necessary to meet WHO guidelines.

The report details Canada's greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2016, highlighting that while overall emissions grew nearly 17%, the oil and gas and transportation sectors were the primary drivers. It examines the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and provides a detailed breakdown of emissions by province and territory, noting significant per capita disparities between jurisdictions like Alberta and Quebec.

In Q1 2019, global green bond issuance reached USD 47.9 billion, a 42% increase over Q1 2018. The market was driven by non-financial corporates, particularly in the energy sector, and dominated by developed markets in the USA, France, and Canada. Energy, buildings, and transport accounted for 81% of the use of proceeds. The report also highlights that while post-issuance reporting is common among larger issuers and those with external reviews, there is a lack of consistency in the metrics used to report environmental impacts.

In 2018, global coal power growth indicators declined for the third consecutive year, with new construction capacity falling 39% compared to 2017. While China and India saw record lows in new permits, China remained an outlier by resuming construction on previously frozen projects. The United States led the world in plant closures, recording 17.6 GW of decommissioned capacity. The report highlights that meeting IPCC climate goals of 1.5°C to 2°C requires a rapid phase-out of coal, yet China's China Electricity Council has proposed increasing its coal capacity limit to 1,300 GW by 2030. In India, coal is facing stiff competition from cheaper solar and wind energy, while Vietnam has seen the fastest growth in coal capacity among countries with over 4 GW, though it is facing increasing public opposition and financial tightening from Japanese banks.

The report finds that most indicators of coal power expansion declined for three consecutive years as of 2018, driven by financial restrictions and phase-out policies. While China and India saw record lows in new permit applications, China remains a significant exception due to the secret resumption of previously shelved projects and a proposal by the China Electricity Council to raise the 2030 capacity cap to 1,300 GW. Globally, coal plant closures reached near-record levels, led by the United States. The report emphasizes that current operational coal plants already exceed the emissions limits required to meet IPCC targets of limiting warming to 1.5°C or 2°C.

The report finds that most indicators of global coal power growth declined in 2018, with significant drops in new construction starts and permits in China and India. While global retirements reached near-record levels, led by the US, China remains a major exception by resuming construction on previously shelved plants and proposing a high coal power cap for 2030. The document argues that current operating coal plants already exceed the limits necessary to meet IPCC global warming targets of 1.5°C or 2°C.

The report finds a three-year decline in global coal power growth indicators as of 2018, driven by record reductions in permits in China and India and accelerated closures in the US. However, it highlights a contradictory trend where financial institutions from China, Japan, and South Korea have become the primary funders for overseas coal projects. While global planned capacity has dropped significantly since 2015, the report warns that current operational plants already exceed the IPCC's carbon limits for 1.5°C and 2°C warming targets. It specifically notes China's potential to add up to 290GW of capacity by 2030 if a proposal by the China Electricity Council is adopted.

The report finds a general global decline in coal power growth, with significant drops in approvals and planning since 2015. While the US leads in record retirements, China shows a contradictory trend: despite a drop in new approvals, it has resumed construction on previously delayed projects and proposed increasing its national coal capacity ceiling to 1,300 GW by 2030. India is also seeing a decline in coal approvals as solar and wind energy become more cost-competitive. The report emphasizes that current coal capacity exceeds IPCC limits for 1.5°C and 2°C warming targets.

The green bond market in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) experienced a strong recovery in 2019, driven largely by Chile's first sovereign green bonds. While Brazil, Chile, and Mexico dominate the regional volume, the market is characterized by a high prevalence of US dollar-denominated debt and a significant reliance on private placements. Energy remains the most funded sector, though LAC shows a uniquely high allocation toward land use and industry compared to global trends. The report highlights substantial untapped potential in sustainable agriculture and the 'blue economy' (ocean resources), suggesting that sovereign issuance and multilateral development bank support are key to scaling these markets.

The report finds that while electricity finance in 20 high-impact countries reached a record USD 36 billion in 2017, it remains far below the USD 51 billion annual requirement for universal household access. Clean cooking finance saw a critical decline, dropping 73 percent in 2017 compared to the 2015-16 period. The analysis highlights a systemic failure to direct funds toward the most vulnerable, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, and emphasizes the need for innovative financing mechanisms like results-based financing and pay-per-service models to bridge the gap.