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The document examines the surge in data center demand in California, driven by generative AI, and warns that without new statewide policies, this growth could increase electricity costs for ratepayers, delay the clean energy transition, and threaten grid reliability. It highlights the risks of fossil-fueled backup generators on local air quality and recommends that data centers pay for their own clean energy generation and grid connection costs.

The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that the Trump administration launched 402 attacks on science between January and June 2025, exceeding the total from his first term. These actions include the layoff of over 120,000 federal employees, the dismantling of science-focused federal advisory committees, and the censorship of environment and climate webpages. The report highlights the suspension of NIH grant reviews and the bypassing of public comment processes to benefit the fossil fuel industry, which disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. The document recommends that Congress pass the Scientific Integrity Act and the EXPERTS Act to protect evidence-based policymaking.

The study estimates that Lagos State has approximately 19 GW of genset capacity, producing 39 million tons of CO2 equivalent annually. High upfront costs are the primary barrier to solar adoption, despite strong interest from households and MSMEs. The report advocates for lease-to-own models and standardized solar designs to replace petrol and diesel generators.

Human-caused climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires in the U.S., exposing millions of homes and hundreds of thousands of miles of roads and power lines to risk. Approximately one-third of U.S. homes and 116 million people are located in counties with high or very high wildfire risk, with the highest concentrations in Western states and Florida. Between 2000 and 2019, over 265,000 miles of roads and power lines in the contiguous U.S. were exposed to large fires. The risk is further amplified by the expansion of the wildland-urban interface, which grew by about 31% between 1990 and 2020.

The report details how climate change threatens the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) through sea level rise, intense storms, and extreme heat. It provides specific projections for sea level rise in New Jersey and New York City, notes the increasing frequency of 'nuisance flooding' at The Battery, and highlights the vulnerability of critical assets like LaGuardia Airport's Runway 13/31. The document quantifies historical damages, such as the billions lost during Superstorm Sandy, and lists a comprehensive set of potential adaptation costs, including flood-proofing buildings, elevating infrastructure, and mitigating heat-induced rail and road degradation.

The document examines the critical safety risks at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine, highlighting the dangers of power failures, cooling system instability, and military attacks. It details how the loss of electricity could lead to core meltdowns similar to Fukushima and Chernobyl, and analyzes the catastrophic potential of a nuclear weapon strike on the site. The paper also notes the continued reliance of the US and France on Russian nuclear fuel despite the conflict.

The evaluation finds that while the GCF is uniquely positioned to finance large-scale, high-risk adaptation projects, it has not yet fully utilized this potential. The adaptation portfolio is dominated by small-scale grant projects implemented by international accredited entities, with significant delays in project approval and legal arrangements. Private sector engagement remains extremely low, and the Fund lacks a specific strategy for adaptation impact measurement and innovation. Key recommendations include diversifying financial instruments, streamlining the business model for direct access entities, and establishing a clear private sector strategy for adaptation.

The document examines the impacts of Cyclone Idai, Tropical Storm Chalane, and Cyclone Eloise on Mozambique, specifically the city of Beira. It analyzes the role of green and grey infrastructure in disaster mitigation, evaluates the 'Building Beira Back Better' (BBBB) strategy, and highlights the critical need for improved early warning systems and sustainable waste management to maintain urban drainage functionality.

The document analyzes the vulnerability of sub-Saharan African food systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting a heavy reliance on global imports and a lack of fiscal capacity for social protection. It details how governments primarily used interventionist market, trade, and production policies, while highlighting severe disruptions in input supply, labor, and logistics. The authors argue for a shift toward more agile governance, investment in infrastructure, and the effective implementation of regional trade agreements to build future resilience.

In 2021, 1.09 billion people in 54 high-impact countries were at high risk due to a lack of access to cooling, an increase of 50 million compared to 2020. This growth is attributed to the combined effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed millions into extreme poverty, and increasing global temperatures. Additionally, 2.34 billion lower-middle income people are identified as a risk to energy systems and GHG emissions because they are likely to purchase inefficient cooling devices due to price sensitivity.

The research paper calculates fiscal multipliers for South Africa using a closed input-output model based on 2018 data. It finds that the average income multiplier is 1.68 and the employment multiplier is 6.9, suggesting that public spending has a significant positive impact on GDP and job creation. The authors argue that the South African government's 2020 Budget, which proposes spending reductions of approximately R48 billion, will likely reduce GDP by R81 billion and destroy approximately 330,000 jobs due to these high multipliers and the existing negative output gap.

The 2020 State of Global Environmental Governance report details the shift of international environmental negotiations to virtual platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It analyzes the adoption of the 'silence procedure' for decision-making, the delays in scientific advice from bodies like the IPCC, and the temporary nature of pandemic-related emission dips. The document argues that the pandemic highlighted the interconnectedness of human health, biodiversity loss, and climate change, while warning that structural inequalities and nationalist responses to the pandemic could hinder the global cooperation necessary for a green and inclusive recovery.

The report details unprecedented commercial logging in 2017, the failure to establish an integrated management plan, and the exclusion of stakeholders from governance. It highlights the destruction of old-growth forest habitats and the illegal upgrading of the Narewkowska road, concluding that the site meets the prerequisites for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The report examines Plan S, an initiative by European research funders to ensure full and immediate open access to publicly funded research. The authors argue that by primarily permitting Gold Open Access, Plan S may exclude researchers from 86% of all scientific journals and 97% of leading international journals. The document highlights risks to research quality, the potential for increased financial barriers via author payment (APCs), and negative impacts on the career trajectories of early-career researchers and marginalized groups. It concludes that the overall effect on the societal value of research is uncertain and recommends a formal impact assessment by Norwegian authorities.

The report examines Plan S, an initiative by European research funders to ensure immediate open access to publicly funded research by January 1, 2020. The authors argue that by primarily permitting Gold Open Access (Gold OA) journals, the plan may exclude researchers from 86% of all academic journals and 97% of leading journals. The analysis suggests that the author-pays model via Article Processing Charges (APCs) may not cover the actual costs of high-quality publishing, potentially leading to a decline in research quality, the rise of predatory journals, and increased inequalities for researchers in low-income countries or those in early career stages. Furthermore, the report highlights risks to academic freedom, international cooperation, and the reliability of research evaluations, as the loss of established journal hierarchies may introduce subjective biases in hiring and promotion.

The report argues that targeting rental properties for energy efficiency is a high-impact strategy for cities to meet climate goals, as rentals often suffer from a 'split incentive' where owners do not pay utility bills. Using Boulder's 'SmartRegs' program as a model, the document outlines a seven-step roadmap for other cities: determining fit, analyzing impact, consulting stakeholders, developing financing, implementing measurement tools, establishing compliance, and creating disclosure frameworks. RMI's analysis of five US cities suggests that MESR policies could significantly reduce carbon emissions at a relatively low cost to municipal governments.

The report details the ecological and physical vulnerability of the Central Tian Shan in the Kyrgyz Republic. It finds a general trend of glacier retreat and shrinking lakes, which threatens the region's role as the 'water tower of Central Asia' and impacts hydropower security. Biodiversity is at risk, particularly the endangered snow leopard, due to habitat shifts and prey instability, although some species have expanded their range. Future scenarios project significant temperature increases and a long-term decrease in surface runoff by 2100. The document advocates for the expansion of protected areas and the implementation of climate-smart livelihoods, such as yak breeding and ecotourism, to build community and ecosystem resilience.

The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes that Maine establish a green bank to catalyze private-sector investment in clean energy. An analysis suggests that an initial public capitalization of $14 million could leverage $300 million in total investment over 15 years. This initiative would support 70 MW of new solar and wind capacity, save homes and businesses $33 million annually on electricity bills through efficiency, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 176,000 tons by 2031. The document identifies Efficiency Maine, the Finance Authority of Maine, and the Maine Technology Institute as potential hosts for the bank and outlines financial tools such as credit enhancements, warehousing, and direct lending to drive market transformation.

The report assesses climate variability and future projections across central, eastern, western, and southern Africa, highlighting a critical gap in observational data and a lack of consensus among climate models. It details regional risks—such as the 'east African climate change paradox' and the vulnerability of the Congo rainforest—while providing country-specific analysis for Malawi, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The document emphasizes the need for improved high-resolution modelling and better communication of scientific uncertainty to support adaptation in agriculture, water, energy, and urban infrastructure.

The document examines the vulnerability of Southern Africa's livestock sector to increasing temperatures and erratic rainfall, highlighting the severe impact of the 2015/2016 drought. It argues that while regional frameworks like the SADC Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan exist, implementation remains sporadic and donor-driven. The author advocates for a shift toward indigenous, drought-tolerant breeds—such as Nguni cattle—and the implementation of dedicated support systems for small-scale farmers to ensure food security and sustainable production.