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The aluminum industry accounts for approximately 2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to coal-fired electricity used in bauxite ore processing. To align with a 1.5°C pathway, emissions must decrease by 77% by 2050, even as demand is projected to rise by 50% to 80%. Decarbonization requires a dual approach: transitioning primary production to renewable energy and increasing the global use of post-consumer scrap from 21% to 46% by 2050. RMI is addressing these challenges by providing GHG emissions reporting guidance to increase transparency for buyers and financial institutions, supporting the estimated $1 trillion in investment needed for the transition.

The report details how the plastics industry promoted recycling as a false solution to plastic waste despite knowing it was technically and economically unviable. It outlines a history of industry tactics, from promoting disposability in the 1950s to the current promotion of 'advanced recycling' as a means to avoid bans and maintain virgin plastic production.

The document compiles historical evidence from the plastics industry showing a disconnect between public claims about recycling and internal assessments. Industry documents from the 1970s through the 1990s reveal that the industry viewed material recycling as economically marginal or impractical, often preferring waste-to-energy incineration. Despite this, the industry funded public relations campaigns and supported coding systems (like the SPI resin identification codes) that suggested recyclability to consumers, even when the industry knew that markets for recycled plastics were unstable or non-existent for most resin types.

The report identifies four global municipal solid waste (MSW) management archetypes—Build the Basics (BtB), Build the Basics Plus (BtB+), Move up the Hierarchy (MuH), and Close the Circle (CtC)—and proposes specific abatement strategies for each. It emphasizes that diverting organic waste from landfills and dumpsites is the most significant opportunity for methane reduction. The authors recommend a combination of source-separated organics (SSO) programs, improved landfill gas collection and control systems (GCCS), and enabling policy frameworks, such as landfill taxes and organic waste bans, to align waste management with the waste hierarchy and limit global warming.

The Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) urges the TESSD to shift its format from presentations to outcome-oriented discussions to achieve concrete results by MC14. TESS suggests a more sectoral approach to circularity (e.g., textiles and electronics) and clean energy, while emphasizing the need for inclusive participation from developing countries, least developed countries, and small-island developing states. The statement advocates for the TESSD to act as an 'inclusive incubator' that complements the WTO's Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE) and other multilateral bodies.

The document argues that traditional sales periods promote unsustainable overconsumption in the textile industry, which accounts for 4-8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It critiques current media coverage for focusing on 'good deals' and the economic plight of merchants while omitting the environmental costs of production, the prevalence of 'dark patterns' in marketing, and the reality of greenwashing. The text emphasizes that technical innovations in recycling cannot replace the need for sobriety and a reduction in production volumes to meet Paris Agreement goals.

The document argues that scaling reusable packaging is a critical strategy to reduce the global plastic pollution crisis, which is expected to see plastic production quadruple by 2050. WWF advocates for a circular economy where reuse systems outperform single-use alternatives in environmental, social, and economic metrics. Key recommendations include a target for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies to deliver 30% of their portfolios through reuse by 2030 and the necessity of achieving a 'breakeven' point where the number of uses offsets the higher material intensity of durable packaging. The paper emphasizes the need for supportive policy frameworks to achieve cost parity between reuse and single-use options and highlights the role of cities as ideal scaling hubs. It also distinguishes between 'refill' and 'return' modalities, noting that both are necessary for a comprehensive transition.

Colombia is the third largest methane emitter from the waste sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2018, the waste sector contributed 7% of national greenhouse gas emissions, with 93.4% of those emissions being methane. While the country has a regulatory framework for general waste management, it lacks specific national policies for methane reduction. Key challenges include a tariff system that disincentivizes organic waste diversion and a lack of disaggregated data on waste flows. The document recommends developing a national methane mitigation strategy, revising tariffs to reflect actual capital costs for organic treatment, and improving the technical robustness of municipal Integrated Solid Waste Management Plans (PGIRS).

Colombia is the third largest emitter of waste methane in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the waste sector contributing 22% of national methane emissions. While the country has improved collection and disposal infrastructure, it lacks national policies specifically targeting methane reduction from solid waste. In 2018, the waste sector accounted for 7% of total greenhouse gas emissions, with 52% of those emissions originating from solid waste disposal. Organic waste makes up 70% of the waste stream, yet current tariff systems discourage organic waste diversion by rewarding landfill operators based on waste volume. Key recommendations include developing a national waste methane mitigation strategy, revising tariffs to reflect the costs of organics diversion, and improving data collection on waste flows.

The document outlines Mexico's waste sector emissions, the institutional framework for waste management, and the specific challenges and opportunities for methane mitigation.

The document outlines Mexico's waste sector methane emissions, the existing institutional and legal framework for waste management, and the challenges and opportunities for achieving GHG mitigation targets.

The report argues that climate action and gender equality are synergistic and must be integrated to achieve a just transition. Based on 12 projects in 17 countries, it identifies four axes for empowerment: improving productivity of existing activities, helping women enter male-dominated sectors, consolidating low-carbon business plans, and providing access to new green technologies. Key findings highlight that women's traditional knowledge is often inherently low-carbon and that removing discriminatory barriers—such as limited land rights and social norms—can accelerate climate resilience and economic growth. The document provides specific recommendations for policymakers to integrate gender-sensitive budgeting and support women's leadership in sectors like regenerative agriculture, the blue economy, and ecotourism.

The report outlines 18 recommendations from an Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) for creating a sustainable finance taxonomy in Aotearoa New Zealand. Key proposals include a three-tiered governance structure, the adoption of the ANZSIC classification system, and a focus on five priority sectors: Agriculture, Forestry & Fishery, Transport, Construction & Real Estate, Energy, and Industrial Manufacturing. The framework emphasizes interoperability with international standards, particularly the Australian Taxonomy, and the integration of iwi/Māori knowledge and rights. It suggests a voluntary initial application phase and the inclusion of a 'transition' category, potentially using a traffic light system to label activities moving toward a 1.5-degree pathway.

ClientEarth calls for a systemic legal and economic transformation of the EU to address climate, biodiversity, and pollution crises. Key proposals include appointing a Vice-President of the European Commission for People and the Environment, ending all public subsidies for fossil fuels, and adopting a legally binding framework for sustainable food systems. The document emphasizes the need for increased transparency in legislative processes, better access to justice for civil society in 21 of 27 member states, and the recognition of the right to a healthy environment.

The report examines the concept of 'Just Resilience' in Kenya, emphasizing the need for climate adaptation to prioritize equity and the voices of marginalized groups. It analyzes Kenya's existing legal and institutional frameworks, identifies vulnerabilities across different sectors and populations, and reviews several community-led adaptation projects. The document highlights significant barriers to achieving just resilience, including financial constraints, governance issues, and top-down decision-making, and provides recommendations for more inclusive, self-reliant, and transparent climate action.

The report analyzes the current state of transatlantic industrial decarbonization policies, identifying a significant divergence between the EU's regulatory-led approach and the US's subsidy-driven model. It argues that while high-level negotiations on carbon pricing (such as GASSA) have stalled, there is substantial opportunity for cooperation through 'softer' market functions, including R&D, green public procurement, and the harmonization of technical standards. The document provides a detailed SWOT analysis of various policy instruments and technology-specific areas, recommending the creation of dedicated dialogue platforms and innovation hubs to foster a globally interoperable clean economy.

The fact sheet introduces 'transition indicators' as a tool to improve the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions and national adaptation plans. Based on case studies from seven countries, the document asserts that focusing on a few tangible metrics per sector—rather than abstract CO2 targets—facilitates public dialogue, guides policy implementation, and attracts private investment. It provides specific examples of indicators for water security in India, industrial decarbonization in Germany, transport in South Korea, buildings in China, renewable energy in the Netherlands, and sustainable agriculture in Kenya and Indonesia.

The report argues that while US and EU cooperation on carbon pricing and tariffs (such as GASSA and CBAM) has stalled due to diverging political visions, a 'softer' path to alignment is possible. This approach prioritizes cooperation on 'carrots' like R&D and green public procurement, and 'sticks' like the harmonization of carbon standards. The study recommends expanding collaboration beyond hydrogen and carbon capture to include circular economy practices and industrial electrification, utilizing platforms like the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) to avoid duplication and establish common technology standards.

The 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment finds that the world is off track to meet 2030 goals to stop and reverse deforestation and degradation. In 2023, 6.37 million hectares of forest were permanently lost, with tropical humid primary forest loss 38% higher than required to be on track. Key drivers include unsustainable production of agricultural commodities and extractive industries, often fueled by demand from industrialized nations like China and the EU. While some progress is noted in forest governance and the expansion of protected areas, significant gaps remain in funding for Indigenous peoples and local communities. The report argues for a radical shift from exploitative consumption models toward circularity and rights-based governance to safeguard critical ecosystems.

The 2024 assessment finds that global goals to end deforestation and forest degradation by 2030 remain out of reach, with 6.37 million hectares of forest permanently lost in 2023. While some progress is noted in countries like Brazil and Indonesia, global pressures from unsustainable production—particularly agriculture and mining—persist. The report highlights a critical gap between 'green' and 'grey' financing, noting that environmentally harmful subsidies far outweigh investments in forest protection. It also emphasizes the ongoing struggle for indigenous land rights and the increasing threat of human-induced forest fires. The document recommends a radical shift in consumption patterns, the reallocation of harmful subsidies, and the implementation of rights-based governance to protect global forest ecosystems.