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The report examines Colombia's transition from a centralized conservation model to an inclusive approach that recognizes the role of Indigenous peoples, local communities, and private landowners. It evaluates the current state of the National System of Protected Areas (SINAP) and the emerging framework of OECMs, identifying systemic barriers such as land tenure insecurity, armed conflict, and an extractivist development model. Through case studies of private, Afro-descendant, and Indigenous territories, the document highlights that effective conservation often stems from cultural and spiritual motivations rather than economic incentives. It concludes with recommendations to harmonize land tenure rights, close the environmental financing gap, and integrate OECMs into national territorial planning to meet the global 30x30 biodiversity target.

The report examines Ecuador's conservation landscape, highlighting the tension between a strong legal framework for biodiversity and a dominant extractivist economic model. It evaluates various conservation modalities, including the SNAP and OECMs, and argues that for OECMs to be truly inclusive, they must move beyond symbolic recognition to provide tangible benefits, secure land tenure, and respect the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

The report examines Mexico's progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's '30x30' goal, focusing on the potential of OECMs to complement existing Protected Natural Areas (ANP). It identifies that while Mexico has a strong legal framework for social land ownership (ejidos and communities), inclusive conservation is hindered by state failure to enforce Indigenous rights, contradictory public policies, and budget cuts. The document details various conservation modalities, such as Wildlife Management Units (UMA) and Community Forest Management (MFC), and uses three case studies to highlight local motivations for conservation, primarily linked to water security and sustainable livelihoods. It concludes that for OECMs to be effective and inclusive, Mexico must establish transparent recognition processes, align agricultural subsidies with conservation incentives, and ensure the free, prior, and informed consent of local rights-holders.

The report identifies that the current EU public procurement framework is fragmented and voluntary, leading to missed opportunities for emissions reductions despite nearly EUR 2 trillion in annual public spending. It proposes a roadmap for the European Commission to revise the directives, specifically recommending a 'comply-or-explain' approach to make green public procurement the default, tying 'Buy European' preferences to environmental performance, and simplifying legal requirements to reduce uncertainty for buyers.

Nigeria holds 33 percent of Africa's gas reserves and is implementing the 'Decade of Gas' (2021-2030) to transition toward a gas-powered economy. While the country is a top global LNG exporter, it faces significant internal challenges, including high gas flaring (188 Bcf in 2022), inadequate pipeline infrastructure, and poor payment discipline in the power sector. The document argues that natural gas can serve as a bridge fuel toward Nigeria's net-zero 2060 goal and a catalyst for African industrialization in sectors like fertilizers and petrochemicals. However, the global energy transition is leading International Oil Companies (IOCs) to divest from onshore assets, and geopolitical instability—specifically Niger's 2023 coup—threatens major cross-border projects like the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline.

The document examines the role of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) as a cost-effective tool for Canada to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It highlights that internal decarbonization, particularly in heavy industry, is increasingly expensive, whereas ITMOs allow Canada to account for verified emissions reductions achieved abroad. The author suggests that by integrating ITMOs into its trade and financial strategies, Canada can open new markets for its clean technologies, such as methane reduction and advanced manufacturing. Using Japan's Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) as a model, the briefing recommends that Canada establish a national coordination mechanism involving multiple government departments to manage bilateral agreements and mobilize private investment.

The Canadian Climate Institute argues that Canada's upcoming progress report on its 2030 emissions targets will likely show the country is off track. To make the report a useful tool for correction, the Institute recommends including detailed policy implementation updates, rigorous and recent emissions projections based on real policies rather than backcasting, specific details on additional measures to close the emissions gap, and new progress indicators beyond simple emission reductions.

The Canadian Climate Institute asserts that the Clean Electricity Regulations (CER) are critical for providing the long-term predictability needed by risk-averse utilities and regulators to invest in clean energy. By setting emission limits for fossil fuel-burning generation that reach zero tonnes per gigawatt hour by 2050, the CER complements industrial carbon pricing and Investment Tax Credits to lower the cost of capital for decarbonization. The author emphasizes that while the CER allows for provincial flexibility and equivalency agreements, a stable federal standard is necessary to prevent provincial rollbacks—such as Saskatchewan's decision to extend coal plant life—from undermining Canada's overall emissions targets.

The Canadian Climate Institute asserts that the Clean Electricity Regulations (CER) provide a critical foundation of certainty for utility providers and regulators, encouraging the massive capital investments required to decarbonize Canada's power grids. The document highlights how the CER complements other policies, such as industrial carbon pricing and investment tax credits, to lower costs for consumers and ensure a competitive advantage for industries seeking clean energy. It emphasizes that while the CER sets national goals—including a target of zero tonnes of emissions per gigawatt-hour by 2050—it maintains flexibility for provinces to implement equivalent solutions and manage their own resource planning.

Ember argues that Indonesia's energy transition requires more ambitious emissions targets and a stronger regulatory framework, particularly for the underregulated captive coal sector. The organization recommends integrating JETP investments with long-term economic diversification in coal-dependent provinces to ensure a just transition. Ember also highlights a significant gap in solar deployment, noting that Indonesia reached only 416 MW of on-grid solar capacity last year against a 2025 target of 4.1 GW, and calls for more transparent procurement processes by PLN.

Ember argues that Indonesia's JETP 2025 scenario is insufficiently ambitious, particularly regarding the captive power sector, where it suggests that integrating solar PV could significantly reduce emissions. The brief calls for the inclusion of captive power in peaking emission targets, the removal of solar quotas, and the redirection of JETP investments toward coal-producing provinces to mitigate fiscal vulnerabilities and job losses.

The document outlines five thematic areas for G20 action to support Africa's development: digital sovereignty and AI governance, trade resilience through the AfCFTA, 'whole-of-society' just energy transitions, reform of the global financial architecture, and the pursuit of the 2030 and 2063 sustainability agendas amidst shifting geopolitical tensions.

The paper examines the transition of African carbon market engagement from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) legacy to the operationalisation of Article 6.4 and 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. It warns against a continued reliance on exporting low-cost credits, which risks 'carbon grabs' and price asymmetry, where credits have been offered as low as USD 1-3 per tonne. The author proposes a 'Paris mindset' where domestic use of credits for national carbon taxes or sectoral targets is prioritised, and exports are used only for calculated surpluses. To achieve this, the document outlines five pillars of readiness: Policy & Institutions, Registry & MRV, Authorisation & Corresponding Adjustments (CAs), Safeguards & Benefit-sharing, and Finance & Market Access. It provides a comparative analysis of several African nations, noting that South Africa and Egypt are adopting a domestic-focused 'Paris' approach, while Ghana and Rwanda remain more export-led, and Kenya and Nigeria are in hybrid transitions.

The paper examines the transition of African carbon markets from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) legacy to the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. It contrasts an 'export-led' approach, which risks exploitative 'carbon grabs' and low pricing (USD 1-3 per tonne), with a 'sovereign-first' approach that uses carbon markets as tools for national decarbonization. The author proposes a five-pillar readiness framework—covering policy, registries, authorization, safeguards, and finance—to help countries move toward domestic compliance markets. Current progress varies across the continent, with South Africa and Egypt adopting domestic-focused 'Paris' mindsets, while Ghana and Rwanda remain more export-led, and Kenya and Nigeria occupying hybrid positions.

The paper advocates for integrating climate mitigation with socioeconomic development to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and low-emission pathways. It identifies policy integration, finance mobilisation, technical capacity, and international cooperation as key enablers for this transition. To strengthen G20 cooperation, the document proposes facilitating experience-sharing, fostering international coordination, and engaging in demand-driven partnerships for implementation both within and outside G20 member countries.

The document analyzes the convergence of African and European interests in reforming a strained multilateral system, specifically focusing on the upcoming AU-EU summit in Luanda. It highlights the shared need for a more representative global order and the urgent need to operationalize UN Security Council Resolution 2719 to provide predictable funding for AU peace operations.

The document advocates for a transition from a representation-based Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda to a substantive feminist approach within ECOWAS. It highlights a gap between existing regional gender-justice frameworks and their practical application, noting that patriarchal power structures continue to drive conflict. The author recommends that ECOWAS institutionalise partnerships with grassroots movements, incorporate intersectionality into its Conflict Prevention Framework, and adopt feminist responses to climate insecurity and security sector reform to achieve lasting social transformation.

Carbon Market Watch criticizes the EU's proposed 2040 climate target for relying on international carbon credits and including 'flexibilities' that weaken domestic ambition. The author calls for a strict domestic emissions reduction target, the exclusion of credits from the EU ETS, and the prevention of delays to the ETS2 system for buildings and road transport. The document also warns against using natural disturbances in forestry as a justification to lower overall climate targets.

The Trump administration has proposed rule revisions to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that Earthjustice claims will weaken protections for imperiled species and their habitats. These changes include narrowing the definition of 'critical habitat', allowing economic considerations in protection decisions, and removing automatic protections for newly listed species. Earthjustice asserts that the ESA has prevented 99% of protected species from going extinct since 1973 and vows to challenge these revisions in court, citing previous legal successes in protecting species like Yellowstone grizzlies and gray wolves.

The document examines the tension between Africa's potential as a clean energy leader and the restrictive nature of unilateral trade instruments like the EU's CBAM. While Africa possesses significant renewable energy potential and 30% of global critical mineral reserves, the paper argues that CBAM could reduce collective GDP by 0.91% (approximately USD 25 billion) and limit fiscal space for green R&D. It suggests that African nations leverage their strategic mineral advantages, utilize the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to eliminate 97% of internal tariffs, and push for more structured discussions on trade restrictions within the UNFCCC and WTO.