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Global open letter: South Korea must take the lead in climate action by eliminating Renewable Energy Certificates for biomass power
The document argues that biomass power in South Korea is a 'false solution' to climate change that causes significant carbon emissions and deforestation. It highlights that biomass has become the second-largest renewable electricity source in Korea due to high REC weightings, despite being more expensive than solar and wind. The authors call for the immediate removal of REC weightings for new utility-scale biomass facilities and a phased sunset of weightings for existing plants by 2025 and 2028.
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Document type: Statement
Statement for the Record Hearing of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee's Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security April 3, 2024 “When Health Care Becomes Wealth Care: How Corporate Greed Puts Patient Care and Health Workers at Risk”
The Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PESP) warns that private equity's pursuit of outsized returns in the U.S. healthcare sector leads to 'looting' of hospitals through high leverage, sale-leaseback transactions, and debt-funded dividends. The document provides case studies of firms like Cerberus Capital Management (Steward Healthcare), Leonard Green & Partners (Prospect Medical Holdings), Apollo Global Management (Lifepoint Health and ScionHealth), and Pipeline Health to illustrate how these financial tactics result in reduced access to care, staffing shortages, and declining quality of care. PESP calls for increased regulatory oversight of for-profit hospital mergers and protections against extractive financial maneuvers.
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Document type: Statement
FINANCEMENT DE LA TRANSITION ÉCOLOGIQUE : LE LEVIER DE L'ÉPARGNE SOUTENABLE
The document examines the gap between the public's desire for climate action and the reality of their savings often financing fossil fuels. It proposes a systemic shift in the financial sector to make sustainable savings the default and transparent choice, suggesting tools like an 'eco-score' for financial products and the removal of barriers to switching between funds.
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Document type: Report
Friends of the Earth International demands for the binding treaty on plastics
Friends of the Earth International calls for a legally binding global Plastics Treaty that prioritizes the full lifecycle of plastics, specifically targeting upstream production controls. The organization demands a mechanism to cap and phase down global plastic production, a ban on plastic waste exports from the Global North to the Global South, and the accountability of transnational corporations. The proposed framework rejects 'false solutions' like chemical recycling and plastic offsets, instead advocating for a 'Zero Waste Hierarchy' and a just transition that protects human rights and provides grant-based finance for the Global South.
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Document type: Statement
An Exploration of Options and Opportunities for the San Joaquin Valley’s Clean Energy Future
The report outlines a vision for the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) to leverage its land and industrial base to become a hub for clean energy, focusing on solar, bioenergy, and hydrogen. Using modeling from the RAND Corporation, it argues that a diverse energy portfolio can create thousands of high-wage jobs and reduce local pollution. The authors emphasize the need for a coordinated, valley-wide community benefits framework to ensure that rural and disadvantaged communities receive equitable economic gains from new developments.
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Document type: Report
Legal Models to Control Primary Plastic Polymer Production: Key Elements to Consider in the Context of a Treaty to End Plastic Pollution
The document evaluates the Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement to identify effective mechanisms for production controls. It argues that legally binding national targets and a mandatory global target are superior to voluntary commitments. Key recommendations for the plastics treaty include establishing a global production target with a past-year baseline, implementing national phasedown schedules, banning the expansion of production facilities (specifically ethylene plants), and eliminating production subsidies.
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Document type: Policy brief
Fortalecimento da Implementação do Financiamento Climático: O Caminho do Brasil na Presidência do G20 à COP30
The document argues that Brazil has a unique opportunity during its G20 presidency and the lead-up to COP30 to champion more equitable and effective climate finance. It identifies critical gaps in funding for emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) and proposes reforms to Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and the IMF. Key recommendations include the use of 'national platforms' to align NDCs with economic development, the integration of climate risks into investment portfolios, and the promotion of nature-based financing and adaptation funding.
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Document type: Report
Are corporate 2030 climate plans fit for purpose?
The Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor 2024 finds that the median absolute emissions reduction commitment for 51 assessed companies is only 30% by 2030, falling short of the 43%-48% reduction required by the IPCC. The report criticizes the heavy reliance on 'questionable solutions' such as carbon offsets, insetting, and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to mask a lack of genuine decarbonization. It specifically highlights a 'Scope 3 loophole' in the VCMI framework that could allow companies to use credits for up to 50% of their annual Scope 3 emissions. The document advocates for 'beyond value chain mitigation' (BVCM) and calls for the European Union to ban all compensation claims and for the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to prohibit the use of carbon credits to meet targets.
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Document type: Report
UNPACKING REUSE IN THE PLASTIC POLLUTION TREATY
WWF proposes a 'start then strengthen' approach for the global Plastic Pollution Treaty, focusing on five priority plastic applications for reuse: prefilled beverage bottles, takeaway food and beverage containers, on-site single-use products, consumer delivery packaging, and B2B closed-loop packaging. The report advocates for binding global reuse targets, harmonised definitions, and minimum performance standards for both products and systems to prevent 'reuse in name only'. It emphasizes that a global treaty is necessary to overcome market failures and high start-up costs that hinder individual business adoption of reuse systems. Recommended implementation tools include Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, deposit return systems (DRS), and multilateral funding to support a just transition, particularly for low-income countries and informal waste pickers.
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Document type: Report
A Vision for the EU Net-Zero Transition
The report argues that the EU is not on track to meet its 2030 and 2050 climate goals and must shift to an 'option-based' approach that integrates a broad range of low- and zero-carbon technologies. Key recommendations include scaling up carbon capture and storage (CCS), diversifying the energy mix with small modular reactors (SMRs), superhot rock geothermal, and fusion energy, and implementing a rigorous methane import standard. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive green industrial strategy, a dedicated climate fund to replace the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and international cooperation to set global clean-tech standards.
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Document type: Report
WRITTEN STATEMENT UNDER ICJ PRACTICE DIRECTION XII, TO THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE ON OBLIGATIONS OF STATES IN RESPECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE (REQUEST FOR AN ADVISORY OPINION)
Natural Justice argues that the ICJ should recognize a State's obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions based on a 'fair share' principle and ensure a just transition from fossil fuels. The document emphasizes that Africa is the most vulnerable continent despite contributing less than 4% of global emissions, facing projected annual loss and damage costs between US$ 290 billion and $440 billion by 2030. It asserts that high-income, high-emitting States owe legal obligations to provide financial support via grants rather than loans and must provide reparations—including compensation and restitution—for internationally wrongful acts that cause climate harm.
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Document type: Statement
Joint civil society and trade unions submission in response to the call for inputs to the work of the Ad Hoc Committee to Draft Terms of Reference for a United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation
The document argues for a UN-led global tax governance structure that is inclusive, transparent, and fair, specifically addressing the needs of developing countries. It proposes the establishment of a Conference of the Parties (COP), a neutral Secretariat, and public registries for tax policies, corporate transparency, and global assets. Substantive recommendations include replacing the current transfer pricing system with a global profit-based corporate tax system, implementing a minimum effective corporate tax rate, and introducing progressive taxes on the wealthiest individuals and fossil fuel corporations. The submission emphasizes the 'polluter pays principle' and the need for automatic information exchange that supports developing nations through non-reciprocal data receipt during transition periods.
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Document type: Statement
Future Asia Pacific Insights
The document outlines key drivers of change in Asia and the Pacific, focusing on the dual nature of artificial intelligence, the risk of losing traditional ecological knowledge, and the influence of power relations on environmental outcomes. It proposes a transition away from consumerist economic models toward systems prioritizing planetary health, alongside the need for robust governance and the protection of the rights of nature and marginalized groups.
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Document type: Policy brief
A solutions-based approach to the UK’s net-zero transition
The report argues that the UK is currently off track to meet its 2030 NDC and sixth carbon budget, necessitating a shift toward 'accountability and implementation'. It advocates for a systems-based approach that complements electrification with carbon capture and storage (CCS), low-carbon hydrogen, nuclear energy, and aggressive methane mitigation. Key recommendations include establishing a Methane Action Plan, creating a 'producer responsibility' policy for CO2 storage, and prioritising low-carbon hydrogen for 'no-regrets' industrial sectors like refining and ammonia production. The document also emphasises the need for international collaboration, particularly with the EU and emerging economies, to scale these technologies and maintain the UK's global climate leadership.
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Document type: Report
Trade can support the achievement of a nature-positive global goal to reverse biodiversity loss
The document advocates for 'nature-positive trade' to support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework's goal to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. It highlights that over half of global GDP is dependent on nature and urges the WTO to implement policies such as lowering tariffs on environmental goods and eliminating perverse subsidies. While noting progress through initiatives like the Dialogue on Plastics Pollution, it expresses disappointment over the lack of agreement at the Thirteenth WTO Ministerial Conference regarding fisheries and agricultural subsidies.
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Document type: Statement
The National Security Rationale for Stockpiling Key Pharmaceutical Ingredients
The briefing identifies a critical national security risk stemming from the US pharmaceutical supply chain's dependence on China, which is the sole source for approximately 20% of API for vital medicines and 45% of KSM. It highlights that domestic generic manufacturing is severely underutilized, with plants operating at only half capacity, leaving the healthcare system and military vulnerable to shortages. The author proposes a phased strategy: immediately filling the Strategic Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Reserve (SAPIR) with an 18-month supply of essential ingredients, providing grants and loans to transition manufacturing to US plants, and closing the 'Acetris loophole' to ensure 'manufactured in the U.S.' requires substantial transformation. The long-term goal is to achieve a domestic manufacturing capacity utilization of over 75% and reduce the number of drug shortages to below 50 within ten years.
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Document type: Briefing
A Vision for Poland’s Clean Energy Transition
The report argues that Poland, as one of Europe's most carbon-intensive economies, must adopt a diversified technology portfolio to achieve climate neutrality. It recommends a shift from coal (currently 70% of the power mix) toward a combination of renewables, nuclear energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS), clean hydrogen, and superhot rock geothermal energy. The authors emphasize that restricting technology options would significantly increase system costs and infrastructure needs. Key policy recommendations include implementing 'carbon contracts for difference' to advance CCS, prioritizing clean hydrogen for 'no regrets' industrial sectors, and reforming the nuclear industry through standardized, product-based business models. Additionally, the report calls for urgent action to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector and the mapping of thousands of abandoned wells. Public polling indicates strong Polish support for advanced nuclear (63%) and superhot rock energy (66%).
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Document type: Report
Joint call for food system transformation and a legislative framework for sustainable food systems in the next mandate
A joint call from organisations to the European Commission to implement a legislative framework for sustainable food systems, advocating for a multi-DG governance approach and a shift toward agroecological practices and plant-rich diets to address climate and biodiversity crises.
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Document type: Statement
A Gender Just Report Climate Transition: case studies from South Africa
The report examines the gendered impacts of climate change and environmental degradation in South Africa, focusing on air pollution, water access, agroecology, and energy poverty. Through case studies, it highlights how women-led initiatives—such as legal challenges against air pollution in the Highveld, agroecology gardens in Burundi, solar energy projects in Johannesburg, and waste management in Durban—address systemic inequalities and build community resilience. It argues that a Just Transition must integrate an intersectional gender perspective to be effective.
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Document type: Report
MANIFESTO A RESILIENT AND RESOURCE-WISE EUROPE: SUFFICIENCY AT THE HEART OF THE EU’S FUTURE
The manifesto calls for the European Commission to adopt a comprehensive EU sufficiency strategy in its next mandate. It argues that sufficiency differs from efficiency by focusing on the absolute amount and nature of resource use to ensure human well-being within planetary boundaries. The authors claim that sufficiency can reduce Europe's final energy demand by 20-30% by 2050 and save approximately €200 billion annually by reducing critical imports. Key recommendations include establishing binding 2040 energy consumption and material footprint reduction targets, reforming transport to reduce individual car use and unnecessary air travel, and implementing a new EU Directive on Sustainable Resource Management.
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Document type: Statement