Search Climate Insights Directory

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes policy measures used by Costa Rica, Gabon, Indonesia, Peru, and Rwanda to combat deforestation and explores how voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) can complement these government efforts.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative examines India's climate adaptation financing, highlighting the significant funding gaps at the subnational level and proposing strategic interventions to mobilize public and private finance.

This report by Ember analyzes the potential for offshore wind energy in Bulgaria's Black Sea maritime exclusive economic zone. It argues that while Bulgaria has seen a surge in solar power and a decline in coal generation, wind energy has stagnated. The document outlines the economic and security benefits of developing offshore wind, identifies current policy gaps and stakeholder concerns, and provides recommendations for the Bulgarian government to align with EU energy goals and regional trends.

This policy brief by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the Global Shield (GS) initiative and the broader climate insurance landscape in Africa. The authors argue that while insurance can provide rapid disaster response, it is an insufficient tool for addressing the diverse, slow-onset impacts of climate change and often fails to provide equitable protection due to high premiums, technical complexities, and the risk of 'basis risk' where payouts are not triggered despite actual losses.

This report by RMI analyzes the US Department of Energy's Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment (EIR) program, specifically how utilities can use its low-cost financing to refinance legacy fossil fuel asset costs and invest in clean energy. Through modeling of two utilities—Alliant in Iowa and Ameren in Missouri—the report demonstrates that EIR financing can significantly reduce costs for ratepayers compared to traditional utility financing or securitization.

This policy brief by RMI outlines the potential for 'clean repowering'—siting new renewable energy projects at existing fossil fuel interconnection points—to accelerate the energy transition and reduce costs for customers in the United States by leveraging Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives.

This research paper by the Africa Policy Research Institute analyzes the outcomes of COP 28 in Dubai, assessing how the agreements and financial commitments align with the priorities of African nations and civil society organizations. It evaluates progress on the Loss and Damage fund, adaptation finance, the transition away from fossil fuels, and food system resilience, concluding that while historic agreements were reached, the scale of financial commitments remains insufficient to meet Africa's urgent climate needs.

This policy brief by RMI outlines how U.S. states can utilize Low-Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS) to incentivize the adoption of clean hydrogen and hydrogen-derived fuels, particularly for hard-to-abate sectors like aviation, maritime shipping, and long-haul trucking. It analyzes existing programs in California, Oregon, and Washington to provide four key lessons for future state policies to ensure clean hydrogen is directed toward high-priority uses rather than sectors where electrification is more efficient.

This working paper examines China's greenhouse gas emissions and land-based carbon stocks, evaluating the potential for land-based mitigation technologies (LMTs) for carbon dioxide removal. The authors analyze scientific literature, policy documents, and expert interviews to identify barriers and opportunities for achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.

The Green Economy Coalition (GEC) argues that a fair green economic transition requires strong government leadership, smart policy, and significant investment, criticizing the UK Labour Party for abandoning its £28 billion green investment pledge.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) updates the tracking of climate commitments for the 70 largest public financial institutions (PFIs) for 2023 and analyzes the climate strategies of 49 smaller PFIs in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). The findings indicate minimal progress among large PFIs, while smaller institutions often demonstrate higher ambition when supported by their national governments.

This February 2024 briefing by Global Energy Monitor examines the Russian steel industry's continued reliance on coal-based blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) technology despite international pressure to decarbonize. The report highlights the potential for a transition to hydrogen-based direct reduced iron-electric arc furnace (DRI-EAF) production to meet EU carbon tariffs and corporate sustainability requirements, while noting that Russia currently prioritizes refurbishing old blast furnaces and pursuing unproven carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.

This reader's guide provides an overview of the core legal text of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA), a plurilateral initiative within the World Trade Organization (WTO) aimed at facilitating foreign direct investment (FDI) to foster sustainable development, particularly in developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs).

The February 2024 Peace & Security Council Report evaluates the outcomes of the 37th African Union (AU) summit, the performance of Comoros as AU chair, and the AU's response to crises in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It also examines the decline of electoral norms across the continent and the necessity of protecting civilians in urban warfare.

This briefing by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) examines the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), a USD 27 billion grant program established by the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act 2022. The document outlines how the GGRF can mobilize private capital to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote climate justice in low-income and disadvantaged communities (LIDACs), while identifying implementation challenges and proposing five strategic actions to maximize its impact.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute details the scale of fossil fuel subsidies in the United States and examines legislative and administrative efforts to reduce or modify them, including the Biden-Harris Administration's FY 2024 budget and the Inflation Reduction Act.

This report by RMI provides guidance and best practices for developers participating in the US Department of Energy's (DOE) $7 billion Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) program. It focuses on the necessity of meaningful, two-way community engagement and the implementation of Community Benefits Plans (CBPs) to ensure an equitable energy transition, particularly for disadvantaged communities.

Friends of the Earth International issued a statement on January 24, 2024, expressing solidarity with a general strike in Argentina. The strike was called by trade unions and social organizations to reject the 'Omnibus Law' and the Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU) introduced by President Javier Milei, which the organization claims undermine democratic, social, and environmental protections.

This policy brief, produced by the South African Institute of International Affairs as part of the 'Youth and Social Justice Futures' project, outlines strategic priorities to empower Tanzanian youth. Based on foresight workshops using Youth Futures Literacy Labs and the Three Horizons Framework, the document advocates for technological integration, unrestricted access to information, and comprehensive employment policy reforms to address challenges such as educational exclusion, outdated curricula, and limited youth representation in decision-making.

The RMI report 'Clean Repowering: A Near-Term, IRA-Powered Energy Transition Accelerant' identifies a strategy called 'clean repowering'—siting new clean electricity generation and storage at the same point of interconnection as existing or retiring fossil generators—to bypass interconnection delays and leverage Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives in the United States.