Search Climate Insights Directory

In a speech delivered at the South African Institute of International Affairs on 26 April 2023, President Sauli Niinistö of Finland addresses the intersection of global crises, including climate change, food insecurity, and the war in Ukraine. He emphasizes the necessity of international cooperation, the importance of a fair climate transition for Africa, and Finland's decision to join NATO in response to Russian aggression.

This research paper by Christophe Bellmann of the International Institute for Sustainable Development outlines strategies for the World Trade Organization (WTO) to integrate sustainability into agricultural trade policies. It argues that while unilateral measures exist, multilateral cooperation is essential to address transboundary environmental challenges, food insecurity, and the impact of agricultural subsidies.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) can mitigate financial risks for financial service providers (FSPs) investing in sustainable agriculture, particularly in developing economies. By analyzing 12 VSS against sustainable finance frameworks and consulting 51 FSPs, the document identifies gaps in economic viability and climate adaptation criteria while highlighting the strengths of VSS in environmental and social governance.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) can mitigate financial risks for financial service providers (FSPs) investing in agriculture in developing countries. By analyzing 12 VSS across economic, environmental, and social dimensions, the document identifies gaps in current standards—particularly regarding economic viability and climate adaptation—and provides recommendations for FSPs, VSS developers, and governments to catalyze investment in sustainable agriculture.

A guide produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si’. The document outlines the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, air pollution, and unsustainable consumption, advocating for a fundamental shift from exploitative economic models to stewardship and social justice.

A guide produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Holy See's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato si’. The document outlines the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and social injustice, advocating for a radical shift from an exploitative relationship with nature to one of stewardship and care.

This guide, a joint initiative by the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Holy See's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, outlines the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and social injustice. Inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical 'Laudato si’', the document advocates for a fundamental shift from an economy of exploitation and fossil fuel dependence to one based on care, circularity, and social equity to ensure a livable planet for future generations.

This guide, a joint initiative by the Holy See and the Stockholm Environment Institute, outlines the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and social injustice. Inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato si’, it advocates for a fundamental shift from an exploitative relationship with the planet to one based on protection and care, emphasizing the need for systemic economic changes and a transition to clean energy to ensure a sustainable future for all.

This guide, a joint initiative by the Holy See and the Stockholm Environment Institute, synthesizes current data on the ecological crisis to stimulate action and debate. Inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato si’, it addresses the interconnectedness of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and social injustice, calling for a fundamental transformation of economic and social systems.

A guide produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Holy See's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, based on Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato si’. It outlines the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and social injustice, urging a radical shift in economic systems and consumption patterns to protect the planet.

A statement from a coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) addressed to US Secretary Janet Yellen, arguing that the World Bank Group's (WBG) Evolution Roadmap is an expansion of 'business as usual' rather than a true transformation. The authors urge the US Treasury to push for systemic reforms, including ending fossil fuel financing, democratizing governance, and addressing sovereign debt, rather than focusing on expanded financing and private sector 'de-risking'.

This report examines the role of nature-based infrastructure (NBI) in creating sustainable cities, highlighting its cost-effectiveness and co-benefits compared to traditional grey infrastructure.

This executive summary from the 2022 Forest Declaration Assessment evaluates progress toward ending deforestation in the Congo Basin. It highlights a concerning increase in forest loss in 2021, the critical role of the region as a global carbon sink, and the systemic governance and financial gaps that hinder the achievement of 2030 targets.

A group of environmental and health organizations, including Ecojustice and the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, is requesting that the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) suspend all glyphosate product registration renewals scheduled for the end of 2022. The organizations argue that the PMRA's 2017 re-evaluation is outdated and fails to account for new scientific evidence regarding carcinogenicity, microbiome disruption, neurotoxicity, and environmental harm.

The 2022 Forest Declaration Assessment executive summary evaluates global progress toward the 2030 goals of ending deforestation and restoring 350 million hectares of degraded land. The report concludes that the world is not on track to meet these targets, noting that global deforestation rates decreased only modestly in 2021 and that financial investments for forest protection remain critically insufficient.

This briefing by Global Energy Monitor argues that India's plans to expand coal mining capacity are unnecessary due to chronic underutilization of existing mines and the rise of renewables. The report highlights that new projects pose severe risks to tribal communities, forests, and water security while increasing the likelihood of stranded assets as India pursues a 2070 net-zero target.

This research paper describes the application of service design (SD) and discrete choice experiments (DCEs) to develop a Weather Index Insurance (WII) product for smallholder farmers in Uganda.

This concept note from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and FAPESP, submitted to the Belmont Forum Plenary, proposes a transdisciplinary and participatory initiative to address urgent threats to the Amazon region. The proposal emphasizes the link between biodiversity loss, climate change, and human health, while advocating for the protection of indigenous knowledge and the implementation of environmental governance frameworks.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes proposed trade-related legislation from the European Union and the United Kingdom designed to reduce commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation through mandatory due diligence requirements.

This report by FSD Africa provides a first quantitative risk assessment and stress-testing framework for financial institutions in Africa to evaluate nature-related opportunities and risks. Using the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) LEAP approach, the study analyzes the impact of nature loss and nature-positive transitions on equity and lending portfolios across several African countries and private banks. It highlights that while aggregate portfolio impacts may appear small due to limited direct exposure, the risks are material for nature-intensive sectors like agriculture and extractives, where nature-related risks could double expected credit losses by 2030.