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The policy brief recommends that Europe move beyond a heavy reliance on renewable energy and electrification by supporting a broader suite of technologies, including nuclear energy and carbon capture and storage. It analyses the U.S. policy framework—specifically the Energy Act of 2020, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)—as a model for bridging the gap between R&D and large-scale commercial 'take-off'. Key recommendations for the EU include streamlining regulations, providing 'self-activating' incentives, and proactively planning shared infrastructure for CO2 and hydrogen to reduce investor risk and accelerate deployment.

The document critiques the February 2023 draft proposals from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) regarding remedial action and responsible exit. It argues that these drafts do not meet international human rights law standards, as they lack an actionable plan for remedy and fail to apply to existing projects. The briefing highlights that remedy can take various forms beyond financial compensation, such as public apologies and guarantees of non-repetition, and suggests that providing remedy actually reduces legal exposure for the institutions. It calls on the IFC/MIGA Board of Directors to require second drafts that implement the 2020 External Review recommendations and commit to financial contributions when financing has contributed to harm.

The policy brief outlines key principles for land-use mitigation, warning against using carbon sequestration to offset fossil fuel emissions and emphasizing the protection of food security and indigenous rights. It critiques current Kyoto Protocol LULUCF accounting as overly complex and prone to loopholes, recommending separate targets for industrial and land-use emissions due to the temporary nature of terrestrial carbon pools. The document advocates for policy-based measures, improved forest governance, and a focus on methane and nitrous oxide in agriculture to achieve permanent emission reductions.

The document advocates for the transition from paper-based to electronic catch certificates within the EU's fisheries control system to reduce fraud and improve traceability. It supports the European Commission's proposal to implement a mandated EU-wide database system called CATCH to harmonise controls across Member States.

The document highlights a significant disparity in EU fisheries funding, noting that while small-scale fishers make up 70% of the European fleet, they receive only 20% of EU funds. It identifies administrative complexity, bank guarantee requirements, and a lack of tailored support as primary barriers that favor industrial operators over sustainable, artisanal fishing. The brief recommends streamlining application procedures, removing banking barriers, creating dedicated budgets for small-scale fishers, and increasing the representation of these fishers in EU decision-making processes.

The Global Climate and Health Alliance calls for a universal climate agreement that prioritizes health, urging governments to phase out coal and fossil fuel subsidies while integrating health impact assessments into national climate planning. The document highlights that tackling climate change is a major global health opportunity, with the potential to prevent millions of premature deaths through emissions reductions and the transition to renewable energy.

The document argues that because the energy transition is already underway due to technological shifts, countries must proactively plan for a Just Transition to avoid economic dislocation. It highlights opportunities for economic diversification, such as Ghana's investment plan to generate 400,000 net jobs by 2060, and best practices like Brazil's reallocation of petroleum revenues to reforestation. However, it identifies critical barriers, including fiscal dependence on fossil fuels in countries like Azerbaijan (where oil and gas constitute 90% of exports) and a lack of granular data on workforce impacts in Indonesia. The author proposes actionable solutions including the repurposing of coal infrastructure, the expansion of local financing mechanisms, and the anchoring of transition policies in legal frameworks to ensure long-term stability.

The policy brief warns that the Kyoto Protocol's market mechanisms created an 11 gigatonne 'hot air' loophole due to inflated greenhouse gas estimates, particularly in Eastern European countries. It argues that allowing the carry-over of these credits or early action credits into the post-2020 Paris agreement would undermine climate goals and fail to drive real mitigation. The author recommends that eligibility for market mechanisms be restricted to parties with ambitious, quantified carbon budgets and that early action in developing countries be supported through new climate finance rather than credits.

The document argues that the aviation sector has benefited from excessive exemptions under the EU ETS and that the international CORSIA scheme is an ineffective substitute. It recommends bringing international flights back under the EU ETS, phasing out free allowances to airlines, and addressing non-CO2 climate impacts to align the sector with the Paris Agreement and the polluter pays principle.

The policy brief examines the role of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) in decarbonising the plastics sector. It highlights that while oil refining and bulk chemical manufacturing are covered, waste incineration remains excluded. The author argues that free allowance allocations have historically created windfall profits for refineries (4.6 billion EUR) and petrochemicals (1.7 billion EUR) between 2008 and 2015, hindering emission reductions. To drive a zero-carbon transition, the document recommends increasing the CO2 price signal, phasing out free allowances, recycling auction revenues into climate innovation, and including Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) incineration in the EU ETS to discourage the burning of 20-30 million tonnes of plastic waste annually.

The policy brief outlines seven areas where the EU should enhance its climate policies following the Paris agreement. Key recommendations include increasing the 2020 emission reduction target to 30%, revising the 2050 low-carbon roadmap to meet the 1.5°C objective, and adopting 5-year ambition cycles. It also calls for the phase-out of free pollution permits for industry, the inclusion of aviation and maritime sectors in the EU ETS, and the use of the Sustainable Development Mechanism to finance emission reductions in developing countries without relying on offsetting.

The document highlights that SMEs, particularly in emerging economies, are essential for a fair economic transition due to their ability to integrate social and environmental purposes into local economies. While SMEs drive innovation and job creation, they face significant barriers, including a 'missing middle' financing gap where approximately 70% of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in emerging markets lack access to credit. The brief recommends a shift from general support to tailored, needs-based approaches, including the creation of simple legal forms for social enterprises, support for informal self-organisation, and the alignment of local, national, and international policy frameworks to provide clarity for small businesses.

The document examines the role of the European Central Bank (ECB) in the climate transition, arguing that its monetary and prudential policies currently provide insufficient support for decarbonization. It highlights that the ECB's asset purchases and collateral frameworks continue to support high-carbon issuers and that its risk models minimize climate-related risks. The briefing proposes a 'green' ECB model featuring dual interest rates for green lending, the exclusion of fossil fuel developers from asset purchases, and increased capital requirements for banks lacking credible 1.5°C transition plans.

Reclaim Finance critiques the updated NZAOA Target Setting Protocol for failing to align with the IEA net zero scenario, specifically regarding fossil fuel phase-out dates and the lack of rigorous engagement standards. The organization argues that the Protocol contains loopholes for coal plants under construction and lacks clear requirements for absolute emission targets and Scope 3 inclusion. Reclaim Finance recommends a full coal exit by 2030 in OECD countries and 2040 globally, an immediate end to oil and gas supply project support, and the implementation of transparent, time-bound engagement escalation policies leading to divestment.

The policy brief argues that Colombia's current climate-financial governance is limited to acute physical risks and the redirection of capital, leaving a gap in the management of chronic physical and transition risks. It proposes a roadmap based on the Helsinki Principles and international best practices from countries like China and Chile to integrate climate risks into the mandates of the Ministry of Finance and Credit and the Financial Superintendence of Colombia. The proposed roadmap consists of four components: institutional coordination, climate risk management, financial instruments and markets, and monitoring mechanisms.

The paper identifies four key lessons from Annex I countries' experience with LULUCF accounting, arguing that current rules lead to under-reporting of emissions and lack the precision required for carbon markets. It recommends broader reporting requirements, a diversified financing approach for REDD beyond carbon markets, full and consistent data reporting including non-carbon factors, and the implementation of full land use emissions inventories for countries engaging in voluntary REDD Plus activities.

The document identifies eutrophication as a rapidly growing environmental crisis, noting that over 500 coastal areas worldwide are impacted and dead zones increased from 10 in 1960 to 405 in 2008. It recommends a multi-faceted approach for policymakers, including the implementation of research and monitoring programs, public awareness campaigns, regulatory standards, fiscal incentives, and the restoration of natural ecosystems. The brief emphasizes the need for coordinated institutions and the pursuit of environmental synergies, noting that nutrient pollution policies can overlap with efforts to combat climate change, smog, and acid rain.

The document addresses the complexity of aligning NDCs with long-term mitigation objectives, noting that countries have not yet committed to the emissions reductions required to limit warming to 1.5°C. It aims to provide guidance for the 2025 next-generation NDCs to ensure they reflect the highest possible ambition and align with net-zero targets and LT-LEDS.

The report analyzes the challenges and opportunities for food buyers in North America and Europe to source lower-emissions beef. It evaluates emerging technologies like feed additives, 'climate friendly' labels, and different production methods including organic, grass-fed, and regenerative beef. The document concludes that food buyers should reduce the volume of beef served, identify sourcing priorities to meet sustainability commitments, and engage directly with producers to adopt lower-emitting practices.

The report outlines eight recommendations for investors—including international financial institutions and private companies—to implement effective social and environmental safeguards while supporting the laws and institutions of recipient countries. It specifically analyzes four risk management approaches used by the World Bank to derive lessons for other investors seeking to reduce environmental and social risks in infrastructure and development projects.