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The document argues that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequities in the UNFCCC process, particularly for Global South negotiators and civil society organizations. It highlights how travel restrictions, vaccine inequality, and the digital divide hindered participation and coordination, while broader geopolitical power dynamics and aid dependencies allowed Global North countries to maintain disproportionate influence over negotiation outcomes. The authors recommend short-term funding and logistical reforms, long-term institutional changes such as capping delegation sizes and shifting COP venues to the Global South, and a broader effort to decolonize research and build allyship to shift global power dynamics.

The document analyzes green public procurement (GPP) in Sweden and the Netherlands, focusing on the high-emission road transport and construction sectors. While both countries utilize GPP, the Netherlands employs more centralized, nationally developed tools and databases, whereas Sweden's approach is more decentralized. Key barriers in both nations include a lack of human resources, insufficient contract follow-up, and a need for better public-private dialogue. The briefing suggests that while GPP is widely practiced, more systematic implementation and standardized data reporting are required to meet national and EU climate objectives.

The report finds that neither the scale of capital investment nor access to financing are primary obstacles to Sweden's green industrial transition. Instead, the most critical barriers are the lack of market demand for more expensive green products, insufficient infrastructure (particularly renewable electricity), and slow permitting processes. The authors recommend that policymakers focus on market formation through carbon pricing and the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), while continuing direct support for R&D and demonstration projects through programs like Industriklivet.

The report finds that while Canadian community foundations (CCFs) have grown their endowments to nearly CAD 7 billion as of 2020, they have largely failed to use these assets to combat climate change. Most CCFs rely on vague 'ESG integration' for risk mitigation rather than pursuing climate-positive investments. The analysis reveals significant capacity gaps and a lack of diversity on investment committees, which often act as barriers to strategic change. The report recommends moving toward positive screening, increasing transparency of holdings, and joining the Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change to align financial assets with community climate goals.

The report examines the alignment between DFI funding and national strategic priorities in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Kenya. It finds that while national plans are generally aligned with SDGs, DFIs often operate based on internal strategies rather than national plans. The analysis identifies specific sectoral gaps where DFIs could provide financial additionality, particularly in ICT and healthcare, and proposes a four-step framework for DFIs to better align investments with country-level strategic sectors.

The report identifies a lack of coherence between the coding systems used for procurement (such as UNSPSC and CPV) and those used for reporting (such as OECD DAC CRS and IATI). This fragmentation creates barriers for innovators attempting to enter the humanitarian and development markets, as it is difficult to track what products are being procured and how they are reported. The authors recommend harmonizing reporting formats, clarifying stakeholder responsibilities, and developing user-friendly platforms to match solution providers with donor needs.

The report examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) can support poverty reduction for smallholder farmers across three dimensions: access to resources, opportunities and choices, and power and voice. Through an analysis of 13 major VSSs and interviews in six countries, it finds that while VSSs can improve crop income, natural resource management, and skills development, their overall impact on poverty is inconclusive and context-specific. Significant barriers to smallholder access include high certification costs, limited financial resources, and asymmetrical power relations in supply chains. The report recommends that VSSs better integrate gender equality, support business diversification, and harmonize standards, while urging governments to provide better land tenure and financial support to enable smallholder compliance.

The report evaluates zero-emission alternatives to natural gas-driven pneumatic controllers, which are known to release methane. It focuses on electric controllers and solar-powered instrument air systems, finding that both are cost-effective compared to the social cost of methane. The analysis highlights that electric controllers generally offer the lowest abatement costs and that recent technological advancements, such as vertical solar panel stacking and new failsafe systems for Emergency Shut Down (ESD), have expanded the viability of these technologies.

The report examines the systemic biases, colonial legacies, and representational risks associated with depicting Indigenous peoples and forests in the context of climate change. It proposes a shift toward 'Indigenous Media Presence,' characterised by self-presentation, 'deep ethics' rooted in territory, and the recognition of Indigenous science and spirituality. The document highlights the risks of 'scenification,' 'audio-visual extractivism,' and the invisibility of Afro-descendant forest communities, while showcasing the work of Indigenous photographers and independent media as tools for resistance and planetary healing.

The document examines the complex climate finance landscape in Kenya, where a wide range of funding sources and a devolved governance model create coordination challenges. It identifies technical barriers such as capacity gaps and fragmented funding, alongside political barriers including a lack of high-level political will and diverging agendas between the government and development partners. The authors argue that while technical measures are necessary, they are insufficient without addressing underlying political priorities and shifting the government's focus to better include bilateral donors, who provide the majority of the country's climate finance.

The document analyzes policy coherence between the Paris Agreement's NDCs and the 2030 Agenda's SDGs in Germany, Kenya, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and the Philippines. It finds that while synergies exist, significant conflicts often emerge around energy transitions, economic growth, and inequality (SDG 10). These incoherencies are driven by institutional fragmentation, conflicting national ideologies, and vested interests. The authors argue that achieving both agendas requires moving beyond institutional fixes to address deep structural changes and political dynamics.

The document summarizes a study on the circular phosphorus economy in the Baltic Sea Region, highlighting that a lack of policy steering and insufficient knowledge of technology performance are primary obstacles. While new EU Fertiliser Regulations offer opportunities to equalize waste-derived and conventional fertilisers, the report warns of potential technological lock-ins due to a narrow focus on a few recovery technologies.

The report examines how different climate funds can be combined to achieve results that exceed the capacity of any single mechanism. It identifies several types of synergies, including the scaling up of pilots, continuity of action, and the blending of qualitatively different financial instruments (e.g., grants and loans). The analysis highlights that while convergence of funding is common, synergies are often hindered by administrative misalignments, such as diverging approval processes and time gaps between project phases. Key drivers for success include strong national coordination, the use of country investment plans, and the role of 'local champions' and Direct Access Entities. The report recommends strengthening country-driven investment planning, harmonizing fund procedures, and improving cross-fund information sharing to maximize the effectiveness of climate finance.

The document argues that empowering women in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) requires a holistic approach combining economic, social, technical, and political interventions. Key recommendations include literacy and awareness campaigns to challenge traditional norms, technical and leadership training to reduce dependency on men, and the provision of gender-sensitive financial services and equipment. It emphasizes the need for legislative reforms, such as mandatory gender-impact assessments within environmental impact assessments, and the promotion of women-led cooperatives and associations to improve market access and governance.

This report investigates the barriers preventing the expansion of renewable energy in Indonesia, specifically wind and solar, despite national targets and falling global prices. Based on 26 interviews with diverse stakeholders, it examines why the country is struggling to meet its commitment to increase the renewable energy mix to 23 per cent by 2025.

The document examines AVIC International's approach to skills transfer in Kenya, arguing that the company views local development as a business priority and a strategic tool for market expansion. It identifies a 'bootstrapping' model of development where projects evolve organically based on encountered obstacles. While stakeholders report high satisfaction with the programs, the study finds that concrete outcomes in terms of widespread job creation and machinery utilization remain mixed.

The document argues that engaging the private sector is critical for scaling up climate adaptation and mitigation in Bangladesh due to high costs and public budgetary constraints. While the private sector is already pursuing market opportunities—such as climate-resilient seeds and solar home systems—significant barriers remain, including information gaps, weak financial markets, and policy constraints. The Green Climate Fund (GCF), specifically its Private Sector Facility (PSF), is presented as a key mechanism to overcome these barriers by providing low-cost finance and support for SMEs. The brief recommends that the Government of Bangladesh develop a clear roadmap for private sector involvement in climate policy and integrate climate considerations into public procurement.

A pilot study in Malawi reveals that while short-term weather and seasonal forecasts are used, medium- to long-term climate projections (5–40 years) are not currently integrated into national policy or planning. Barriers include inappropriate spatial and temporal scales of data, technical jargon, and policy cycles that are too short to accommodate long-term climate horizons. However, there is significant opportunity to incorporate climate projections into Malawi's long-term development visions and economic modelling to prioritise resilient investments.

The document analyzes the impact of California's Cap and Trade Program on the cement industry, using financial modeling and interviews to assess abatement options. It finds that while carbon pricing makes some investments more attractive, significant barriers—such as short internal payback period requirements (1.5-3 years), uncertainty regarding alternative fuel supplies, and prescriptive customer procurement standards—often outweigh the carbon price signal. The authors suggest that complementary policies, such as public financing for long-term projects and performance-based procurement standards, are necessary to unlock low-cost emissions reductions.

The report examines the role of carbon finance in scaling up improved cookstove initiatives in India and Kenya. Through a review of 75 project design documents and 49 stakeholder interviews, it finds that while carbon revenues can provide essential funding for price subsidies, R&D, and after-sales support, they also introduce significant risks. These include a potential mismatch between carbon efficiency goals and cultural user needs, uncertainties in emission reduction predictions, and volatility in carbon credit demand. The study suggests that carbon finance is most effective as a transitional tool for businesses that are already fundamentally viable, rather than as a sole funding source for NGOs or small enterprises.