Search Climate Insights Directory

This report, commissioned by the European Environment Agency and authored by the Stockholm Environment Institute, applies the 'SDG Synergies' approach to analyze interactions between environmental targets and the broader 2030 Agenda within the European Union. Using a semi-quantitative network analysis, the study identifies which environmental targets have the highest synergistic potential, maps direct trade-offs and synergies, and explores indirect 'ripple effects' across the SDG network to support more coherent policy-making.

This fact sheet details a JPY 5 billion (USD 46 million) green bond issued by Daiken Corporation on September 20, 2019, to fund circular economy initiatives in Japan, specifically the reuse of construction waste and volcanic soil in manufacturing plants.

This fact sheet describes a EUR 500 million green bond issued by the Norwegian savings bank Sparebank 1 SMN on September 11, 2019, with a maturity date of September 11, 2026. The bond is intended to finance green buildings and projects related to the circular economy.

Owens Corning issued a US$450 million green bond in August 2019 to fund renewable energy, energy efficiency, and recycled material programs. While noted as the first US industrial company to enter the green bond market, the issuance lacks a formal reporting commitment or certification.

This research paper review examines the effectiveness of ecotechnologies, specifically struvite precipitation and ammonia stripping, for recovering nitrogen and phosphorus from the liquid phase of anaerobic digestate to provide plant nutrients and renewable energy while reducing environmental waste impact.

This fact sheet details a USD 453 million green bond issued by A2A SpA on July 2, 2019, with a 10-year tenor maturing in 2029. The bond is intended to finance or refinance projects across circular economy, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable mobility, while explicitly excluding fossil or nuclear energy generation.

This fact sheet details a SEK 1bn (USD 107.8m) green bond issued by Electrolux on March 27, 2019, with a five-year tenor maturing on March 27, 2024. The bond is a senior unsecured instrument intended to finance projects across energy, buildings, waste management, and industrial processes, aligned with the company's sustainability promises.

This policy brief examines the intersection of mining, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), and the transition to a low-carbon circular economy, using South Africa as a primary case study. It argues that while a low-carbon future requires increased mineral extraction, this must be decoupled from environmental degradation through green industrialisation and technological innovation.

Sustainalytics provides a second-party opinion on the Assicurazioni Generali Green Bond Framework, concluding that it is credible, impactful, and aligns with the Green Bond Principles 2018. The framework outlines the use of proceeds for six environmental categories, establishes a Green Bond Committee for project selection, and commits to annual reporting on allocation and impact.

This report by RMI analyzes trends in the deep decarbonization of China's industrial sector, which accounts for over 65 percent of the nation's energy consumption and over 70 percent of its carbon emissions. The analysis identifies five key trends: energy efficiency improvements, the scaling of recycling and reuse, increased electrification, the development of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), and the growth of hydrogen utilization.

This report details a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) conducted by the BONUS RETURN project to evaluate the sustainability of various eco-technologies for recovering nutrients and carbon from waste. The study focuses on three catchment areas: Vantaanjoki in Finland, Fyrisån in Sweden, and Słupia in Poland. By engaging local stakeholders to weight sustainability criteria, the report compares baseline management systems against alternatives such as anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, and source-separation of wastewater.

This fact sheet from the International Institute for Sustainable Development argues for the integration of a circular economy into cobalt and lithium supply chains to support green energy technologies and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It highlights how recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing can mitigate supply shortages, reduce environmental degradation, and create sustainable jobs.

This fact sheet details a CNY 3 billion (USD 432 million) green bond issued by the Bank of Ningbo on October 26, 2018, with a three-year tenor. The proceeds are allocated to 14 projects across low carbon transport, wastewater treatment, recycling, and water management, with an assurance report provided by EY.

This case study describes a circular economy initiative facilitated by the Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP) involving Siyavana Solutions and the Shell Petroleum Company to upcycle decommissioned fuel pumps in South Africa.

This case study examines the 2017 upgrade of the N2 highway near Borcherd’s Quarry in Cape Town, focusing on the reuse of 13,000 m3 of concrete and 5,000 m3 of asphalt millings as reclaimed aggregate for the road's base layers.

This briefing proposes a new global Convention on Plastic Pollution to address the fragmented nature of existing international and regional frameworks. It outlines a multi-layered governance approach based on four pillars: coordination with existing agreements, pollution prevention through harmonization and control measures, capacity building and financial support for developing countries, and technical support for science-based decision-making. The document suggests an institutional architecture led by a Conference of the Parties and supported by a secretariat hosted by UN Environment, alongside specialized subsidiary bodies for funding, compliance, and knowledge exchange.

The Carbon-Free Regions Handbook: Industry provides a set of five strategic actions (Actions 15-19) designed to reduce the industrial sector's contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, which currently account for 28% of the total.

This case study describes the deconstruction and material recovery process at the 15 ha Woolworths Distribution Centre site in Montague Gardens, Cape Town, where 90% of demolition waste was reused to avoid landfill costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

This policy brief, prepared by the Institute for Economic Justice for the Labour Caucus in the Jobs Summit Economic Sector Interventions working group, outlines opportunities and policy requirements for transitioning South Africa's manufacturing sector toward a low-carbon economy. It identifies specific growth areas in renewable energy, transport, agriprocessing, water, and the circular economy, while emphasizing the need for a 'just transition' that protects workers and includes the informal economy.

A case study on Iselula Crushing in Blackheath, Cape Town, detailing the processing of builders' rubble into construction aggregates and the diversion of waste from landfills.