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The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis reveals that Asian American, African American, and Latino residents in Massachusetts face significantly higher exposure to PM2.5 from cars, trucks, and buses than white residents. This disparity is attributed to historical decisions regarding transportation, housing, and land use. The document advocates for prioritizing clean transportation technologies—such as electric vehicles and buses—and infrastructure improvements in the most burdened communities to reduce health inequities.

The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that Asian American, Latino, and African American residents in New York State are exposed to significantly higher levels of vehicle-derived PM2.5 pollution than white residents. The highest concentrations are found in New York City, particularly in the West Bronx, where pollution is linked to severe health risks including cardiovascular disease and asthma. The document argues that these inequities result from historical land-use and transportation decisions and recommends prioritizing electric vehicle infrastructure, cleaner fuels, and expanded public transit in the most burdened communities.

The briefing outlines four strategic priorities for the upcoming UN Climate Action and SDG Summits: ramping up ambition for systemic economic change, ensuring a just transition that protects vulnerable populations, scaling high-impact solutions across six key sectors, and establishing inclusive long-term goals for carbon neutrality and equity.

ClientEarth argues that state aid in the fisheries and aquaculture sector should be strictly regulated to avoid 'harmful subsidies' that increase fishing capacity or artificially maintain fishers in the sector. The organization recommends that EU-level aid remain the primary financial source and that any national aid be subject to the normal notification system to ensure transparency and alignment with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). ClientEarth specifically warns against aligning the state aid framework with the post-2020 European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) if that fund introduces subsidies that undermine fish stocks or the marine environment.

The report analyzes a March 2019 General Court ruling (Case T-837/16) to clarify the legal requirements for granting authorisations under the REACH Regulation, specifically regarding the availability of safer alternatives. It emphasizes that the burden of proof rests solely with the applicant to provide 'cogent' and 'reliable' evidence that no suitable alternatives exist. The document argues that the European Commission cannot rely blindly on SEAC's opinions if they lack 'full, consistent and relevant' reasoning. It further asserts that substitution plans are mandatory if alternatives exist but are not currently feasible for the applicant, and that uncertainties regarding alternatives cannot be deferred to future review reports. To implement these findings, the report proposes a detailed checklist for SEAC, updates to the opinion template to shift the focus toward the applicant's burden of proof, and revisions to third-party consultation instructions to clarify that third parties are not required to provide a full analysis of alternatives to raise valid doubts.

The report examines the business models of commodity trading companies, specifically those dealing in non-fuel minerals, and identifies potential tax risks for host countries. It finds that while most trading is conducted at arm's length, risks emerge from profit-based fiscal instruments, opaque corporate structures, and specific financing arrangements like metal streaming. The authors recommend strengthening legal frameworks through mandatory contract registration, the use of globally recognized prices for tax calculations, and increased financial disclosure requirements for private trading firms.

The report examines the operations of mineral and metal commodity trading companies, highlighting their role as intermediaries and financiers for mining companies, particularly small-scale producers in emerging economies. It identifies that while most traders operate independently—reducing the risk of transfer pricing—their lack of transparency and use of complex corporate structures can facilitate tax evasion and corruption. The document specifically analyzes risks associated with 'metal streaming' and prepayments, which can shift wealth from host countries to investors. It recommends that host governments implement mandatory contract registration, use internationally recognized pricing for tax calculations, and strengthen financial disclosure requirements for private trading firms.

The report examines the operational and financial models of mineral and metal trading companies, highlighting their role as intermediaries and financiers for small and medium-sized mining firms. It concludes that while these companies generally operate on an arm's length basis, their inherent opacity and the use of complex financial arrangements, such as streaming agreements, create potential fiscal risks for host governments. The document recommends enhancing transparency through the EITI, implementing mandatory contract registration, and using globally recognized pricing for tax calculations.

This report from the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) outlines the council's activities and recommendations ahead of the 27th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-27) in Brasilia, Brazil. The EC provides guidance on the IAI Strategic Plan, the election rules for the Science and Policy Advisory Committee, and the establishment of flexible funding mechanisms for global change projects in the Americas.

This report from the Chair of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) outlines the EC's activities and recommendations ahead of the 27th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-27) in Brasilia, Brazil.

This briefing document, prepared by the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), provides an update on the implementation of decisions to invite Rede Clima, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and Terra Futura as Associates. It also proposes a review of the mechanisms used to establish the IAI's regional network of cooperating entities.

The report alleges that Adaro Energy, a major Indonesian coal company, used subsidiaries in Singapore, Mauritius, and Labuan to shift profits offshore, potentially reducing its Indonesian tax contributions by US$125 million between 2009 and 2017. Despite a public image of national contribution, the company is identified as a partner in the US$4 billion Batang coal-fired power plant, which is supported by Indonesian government financial guarantees. The document recommends that the Indonesian government review these tax practices and transition away from coal toward renewable energy, while urging banks to cease financing for new coal projects and companies dependent on coal power in Indonesia.

The report argues that industrial aquaculture is fundamentally broken due to its dependence on wild-caught forage fish, which threatens marine ecosystems, food security in vulnerable coastal regions, and animal welfare. It highlights a lack of transparency among major feed producers and critiques existing certification systems, recommending a transition toward herbivorous species and sustainable alternative proteins.

The document highlights that EVs in Minnesota produce significantly lower global warming emissions than gasoline cars, with an average of 2.5 metric tons of CO2e per year compared to 4.9 metric tons. It notes that rural Minnesota drivers can save an average of $750 on fuel, while home charging in Minneapolis is equivalent to paying $0.67 per gallon of gasoline. EV sales in the state grew by 103 percent between 2017 and 2018. The report advocates for extending federal tax credits, implementing purchase incentives, and expanding the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program to further support the market.

LeasePlan CEO Tex Gunning urges Germany to embrace electric vehicles (EVs) as a critical tool for reducing transport emissions and driving economic growth. He highlights that while the global automotive industry and countries like China, the UK, and Norway are accelerating their shift to EVs, Germany's transport sector has seen no GHG emission reductions since 1990. Gunning calls on the German clean mobility commission to provide the policy clarity needed for businesses to invest in a zero-carbon transport future.

The research assesses offsetting schemes, emissions trading schemes (ETS), and climate levies against four criteria: effectiveness, non-discrimination (NMFT), common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR-RC), and administrative burden. The authors conclude that a climate levy is the most suitable instrument because it provides the highest investment certainty for ship owners, has lower transaction costs than trading schemes, and allows for revenue redistribution to support impacted states. The paper urges the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to adopt a robust carbon price quickly due to the long lifespan of ships currently being built.

The report outlines outcomes from an event held during Africa Climate Week 2019 in Ghana, focusing on scaling up resilience in African agriculture. It emphasizes the need for nature-based solutions, the centrality of smallholder farmers, and the urgent requirement for climate finance to reach local levels, particularly in least developed countries. The document proposes specific actions for the UN Secretary-General's Climate Action Summit, including halting land degradation, implementing early warning-early action systems, and integrating climate risk analysis into National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).

The report finds that South Africa faces a cumulative transition risk of over $120 billion in present value terms between 2013 and 2035, primarily driven by falling demand and prices for coal exports. While the public balance sheet explicitly faces only 16% of this downside risk, implicit transfers—such as bailouts and social support—could increase the national government's share to over half. The analysis highlights that approximately 75% of these risks are external, and nearly 50% were already realized by 2017. Furthermore, current investment incentives may add another $25.8 billion in risk through projects like new oil refineries and coal infrastructure. The report recommends that the government adopt transition risk assessments, reconsider high-risk investments, and potentially tax oil price windfalls to offset losses.

The policy memo outlines a framework for federal infrastructure investments in the United States, emphasizing the need to modernize the electric grid, accelerate offshore wind and battery storage, and implement 'climate-ready' design standards. It advocates for targeting investments toward underserved communities and displaced fossil fuel workers to ensure an equitable transition to a low-carbon economy.

The report identifies a systemic failure in the plastic life cycle where the cost of pollution is not borne by producers or converters, leading to a 'tragedy of the commons'. It projects that under a 'business as usual' scenario, plastic pollution will double by 2030, with ocean plastic potentially reaching 300 million metric tons. The document highlights that 37% of plastic waste is currently mismanaged, and carbon emissions from plastic incineration could triple by 2030. To counter this, WWF proposes a 'no plastic in nature' scenario that includes phasing out single-use plastics, achieving 100% waste collection, and establishing a multilateral agreement to hold all stakeholders accountable across the value chain.