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The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) warns that the COVID-19 pandemic threatens the survival of the decentralized renewable energy (DRE) sector, which serves over 420 million people globally. To prevent the collapse of rural electricity supply and the failure of Sustainable Development Goal 7, the ARE proposes the creation of a 'Global DRE Support Fund' providing low-interest loans and grants, a 'Rural Electrification Stimulus Plan' to mobilize long-term investment, and the official recognition of DRE as an 'essential service' to allow personnel movement during lockdowns. The report also calls for urgent technical assistance in risk mitigation and health training for field staff.

The briefing proposes an annual federal investment of $4–4.5 billion in tree restoration to create over 150,000 jobs and remove up to 540 million tons of carbon dioxide per year in the United States. It suggests utilizing the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and state/local grants to restore up to 60 billion trees over 20 years. The author criticizes the Trillion Trees Act, arguing it lacks sufficient funding and could increase emissions by promoting timber harvests and relaxing environmental reviews.

The briefing outlines a strategy for the U.S. to 'build back better' after COVID-19 by investing in public transit, 'Complete Streets', electric vehicle infrastructure, and low-carbon concrete. It highlights a critical budget shortfall for transit agencies and a significant maintenance backlog, arguing that prioritizing repairs over expansion creates more jobs and reduces emissions.

EESI urges the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations to provide at least level funding for key Department of Energy (DOE) programs in FY2021. The testimony highlights the importance of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) in achieving net-zero energy homes and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D). Specific funding requests include at least $410 million for the Vehicle Technologies Program, $395 million for the Advanced Manufacturing Office, and $300 million for the Buildings Technologies Office, among others.

A group of over 75 South African economists and analysts argues that current government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic are insufficient in scale. They propose a comprehensive set of measures including income transfers, payment holidays, expanded emergency loans, and increased health system funding to protect vulnerable populations and sustain businesses during the crisis.

The document outlines a proposed strategic framework for the UK to ensure its global commodity supply chains are sustainable and avoid deforestation. It presents 14 interconnected recommendations developed by an independent taskforce comprising business, finance, and civil society representatives, emphasizing the need for collective action and a government-provided enabling environment.

Reclaim Finance requests that the European Central Bank exclude companies from its securities purchases and collateral lists based on specific fossil fuel development activities and exposure thresholds, including a 20% revenue threshold for coal and a 15% reserve threshold for unconventional oil and gas.

The author contends that nationalistic responses to Covid-19 are insufficient and that the G20, chaired by Saudi Arabia, should convene to coordinate fiscal, monetary, and scientific efforts. The text emphasizes the vulnerability of Africa's public health systems and calls for the establishment of a global medical stockpiles reserve to address long-term health inequality and supply chain failures.

The author contends that the rapid global response to COVID-19 demonstrates the capacity for decisive action, which should now be applied to the climate crisis. The document advocates for aligning government stimulus spending with the Paris Agreement goals of limiting warming to 1.5C and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It suggests that screening stimulus investments through a climate lens can accelerate zero-carbon solutions in power, transport, and infrastructure, potentially creating a $26 trillion growth opportunity and 65 million new jobs by 2030.

The briefing highlights a significant opportunity for electric vehicles (EVs) to become a dominant class of renewable energy buyers, potentially requiring 640 TWh of electricity by 2030. It urges EV charge point operators (CPOs), electric mobility service providers (eMSPs), and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to develop seamless 100% renewable energy charging solutions, starting with large centralized fleets. The author suggests using energy attribute certificates (EACs) to link electricity consumption with renewable purchases and argues that the incremental cost of renewables is low enough to be absorbed by providers to accelerate adoption. Finally, the document advocates for industry-wide technical standards and interoperable digital infrastructure to enable EVs to participate in energy markets and decarbonization schemes.

Natural Justice proposes several amendments to Kenya's 2007 Controlled Substances Regulations to strengthen the management of ozone-depleting substances. Key recommendations include requiring the list of controlled substances to be reviewed every 3 to 5 years, increasing transparency through the gazetting of licensing decisions and public access to registers, and enhancing accountability by reporting accidental disposals to the Ozone Secretariat and NEMA within 24 hours. The organization also advocates for the removal of exemptions for controlled substances, the introduction of monetary fines for illegal procurement, and the expansion of deposit bonds to manufacturers, exporters, and importers to prevent environmental damage.

The letter argues that the financial system currently supports emissions leading to warming exceeding 4C, posing catastrophic risks to banks and insurers. While acknowledging the Bank of England's existing work on climate risk stress tests and disclosures, the signatories assert these measures are insufficient due to short time horizons and methodological limitations. They propose three specific actions: making climate-related disclosures mandatory, excluding fossil fuel assets (starting with coal) from future bond purchases and collateral frameworks, and adjusting the macroprudential framework to increase capital requirements for high-carbon loans.

The document advocates for the integration of advanced nuclear energy into a diversified zero-carbon energy portfolio to mitigate the risks and costs associated with relying solely on variable renewables. It highlights nuclear's advantages in power density, dispatchability, and its ability to produce carbon-free hydrogen for hard-to-electrify sectors. While acknowledging challenges such as high costs, waste disposal, and public perception, the author suggests that standardized construction, advanced reactor designs, and supportive federal policies—specifically the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (NELA)—can make nuclear a scalable and cost-effective tool for climate mitigation.

WWF and Carbon Market Watch argue that the EU Industrial Strategy must prioritise the decarbonisation of Energy Intensive Industries (EIIs), which account for approximately 16% of the EU's annual CO2 emissions. The authors propose ten 'asks', including the creation of an Independent Observatory to monitor progress, the implementation of emission performance standards, and the phase-out of free emission allowances in the EU Emission Trading System. They emphasize that investment should be directed toward zero-carbon technologies, specifically in the chemicals, steel, and cement sectors, while limiting Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) to unavoidable process emissions.

Carbon Market Watch argues that the EU should replace the free allocation of emission allowances in the EU ETS with a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to ensure polluters pay for their emissions. The organization asserts there is no evidence of carbon leakage and proposes that a CBAM should be used as a tool for international climate diplomacy, exempt Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, and be based on carbon performance benchmarks for sectors including steel, cement, chemicals, and power.

The report identifies that financial service providers (FSPs) prioritize economic factors—specifically governance and business management—over environmental and social themes when assessing financial risk for agricultural investments. Key priorities include management experience, existing buyer relationships, land tenure, and projected cash flows. While climate change is the most important non-economic theme, with a preference for adaptation measures, social and biodiversity issues are often viewed as having more impact on sustainability than on financial risk reduction. The document recommends that agricultural producers seek capacity-building in business management and that voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) integrate more economic criteria to help producers become more bankable.

The document asserts that off-grid renewable energy, such as solar home systems and mini-grids, outperforms grid extension in cost, emissions, and deployment speed. It provides quantitative evidence showing that off-grid solutions can reduce investment costs by up to 30% and save 500 to 800 Mt of CO2 by 2030. The paper recommends integrating off-grid renewables into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), implementing financial de-risking mechanisms, fostering digital and storage innovations, and enforcing technology and consumer protection standards.

The document highlights a gap in Swedish municipalities' ability to track and reduce the environmental impact of their consumption. While many work systematically on internal operations, few address consumption among households and businesses. Key barriers include a lack of political support, financial and competency resources, and a lack of systematic monitoring of purchases and investments. The brief recommends that municipalities implement systematic tracking of all procurement, that local politicians prioritize sustainable consumption, and that the Swedish government task county administrative boards (länsstyrelsen) with coordinating municipal efforts to improve knowledge exchange.

The document examines the role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in developing infrastructure in the SADC region, distinguishing them from privatisation and highlighting their potential to overcome budget constraints and technical inefficiencies. It identifies key barriers to PPP uptake in SADC, including political interference, lack of administrative maturity, and the risks of hidden debt through government guarantees. The briefing recommends the establishment of independent PPP units, improved public engagement protocols, and rigorous due diligence on partners to ensure sustainable project delivery.

The author advocates for the EU to integrate shipping into its carbon market through the EU ETS, combined with a dedicated decarbonization fund and a binding carbon intensity target. While acknowledging that the EU ETS alone is insufficient, the document suggests these combined measures would stimulate innovation and provide a global example for carbon pricing in shipping. The author warns against free pollution permits, offsetting, and funding for fuels that cannot be produced in climate-friendly ways, urging the EU to lead despite the slow pace of the International Maritime Organisation.