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The Climate Action Tracker reports that net zero pledges announced by November 2020 could limit global warming to 2.1°C by 2100, though current policies still track 0.8°C higher than this optimistic target. While the Paris Agreement has driven a 0.7°C decrease in real-world emissions projections since 2015, the report emphasizes that governments must strengthen 2030 nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and implementation plans to bridge the remaining gap to 1.5°C.

The Climate Action Tracker (CAT) reports that a wave of net zero pledges from 127 countries could reduce projected warming by 2100 to as low as 2.1°C. However, current policies still put the world on a trajectory of 2.9°C, and a significant emissions gap remains for 2030.

The report examines the rapid, top-down expansion of green finance in China, noting that green loans have a lower non-performing loan (NPL) rate (0.42% in 2018) compared to overall credit (1.83%). While the 'Big Four' state-owned banks are global leaders in both green and fossil fuel financing, the report identifies significant barriers to further greening, including weak direct fiscal incentives, deleveraging pressures, and insufficient penalties for high-emission projects. A case study of ICBC highlights its role as a major green lender and issuer of 'Belt and Road' green bonds, though its green portfolio remains small relative to its total assets.

The document analyzes the 2019 amendments to British Columbia's Climate Change Accountability Act, detailing its framework for emissions targets, reporting requirements, and the establishment of the Climate Solutions Council. It highlights the integration of climate risk management and clean growth but identifies critical gaps in independent oversight and the lack of a formal mechanism to review long-term emissions targets.

The document examines Manitoba's 2018 climate accountability legislation, highlighting the Carbon Savings Account (CSA) and the role of the Expert Advisory Council. While praising the cumulative emissions budget approach, it notes that the lack of long-term targets and the practice of setting budgets one-at-a-time reduce predictability and accountability.

The document examines the 2019 Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act of Aotearoa New Zealand, highlighting its accountability framework, the role of the Climate Change Commission, and its specific approach to biogenic methane and Indigenous engagement.

The document evaluates three key dimensions of climate target implementation: the scale of binding targets (national, provincial/territorial, or sectoral), the method for defining the trajectory (provincial-led, collective, federal-led, or expert-led), and the level of government responsible for policy development (federal, shared with a federal backstop, or provincial/territorial).

Carbon Market Watch calls for the EU to adopt more ambitious climate targets, specifically a 65% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2040, to remain consistent with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal and the 'do no harm' principle.

By the end of 2019, financial institutions managing $17.2 trillion committed to aligning portfolios with Paris Agreement goals. This brief addresses the challenges of meeting these objectives by outlining five common barriers and advocating for a sector-by-sector approach to achieve climate alignment efficiently.

The document highlights a gap in Swedish municipalities' ability to track and reduce the environmental impact of their consumption. While many work systematically on internal operations, few address consumption among households and businesses. Key barriers include a lack of political support, financial and competency resources, and a lack of systematic monitoring of purchases and investments. The brief recommends that municipalities implement systematic tracking of all procurement, that local politicians prioritize sustainable consumption, and that the Swedish government task county administrative boards (länsstyrelsen) with coordinating municipal efforts to improve knowledge exchange.

Jakob Askou Bøss of Ørsted asserts that renewable energy is now cost-competitive with fossil fuels, removing technical and financial barriers to the energy transition. He calls for a global doubling of green power build-out speed and a tripling of coal retirement rates by 2030. Specifically, he urges the EU to adopt a net-zero by 2050 target and increase its 2030 emissions reduction target from 40% to at least 55% to lead other major economies, including China, toward higher ambitions.

The aviation sector lacks an official international climate target, with emissions growing exponentially and projected to increase by 300% by 2050 compared to 2015. The author criticizes CORSIA as a weak measure and warns that recognizing it as the sole global market-based measure could undermine the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

The study finds that the EU's 2050 target of 80% to 95% reduction from 1990 levels is outdated and insufficient. An 80% reduction is incompatible with the Paris Agreement's temperature limits, and even GHG neutrality by 2050 is deemed an unfair contribution given the EU's historical emissions. The report suggests the EU would need to reach zero emissions by 2030-2040 to allow other countries a fair share of the remaining carbon budget.

ClientEarth informs the European Commission that Germany risks failing to achieve the climate objectives of its 'lignite reserve' measure, which was approved under State Aid Decision SA.42536. The measure aimed to reduce CO2 emissions by 12.5 million tonnes by 2020 through the mothballing and closure of lignite-fired power plant blocks in exchange for EUR 1.6 billion in compensation. ClientEarth notes that the German government missed two legal deadlines: the June 2018 deadline for assessing CO2 savings and the December 31, 2018, deadline for agreeing on additional measures. Citing a draft Climate Protection Report 2018, the letter states that preliminary assessments suggest the measure will only save approximately 11.5 million tonnes of CO2, leaving a gap of one million tonnes.

The US corporate renewable energy market has expanded rapidly, with over 6 GW of announcements in 2018 alone, yet risk mitigation tools have not kept pace. The document identifies five key risks unfamiliar to corporate buyers—price, basis, shape, volume, and operational risk—and proposes a "many-sizes-for-all" approach. It outlines eight specific mitigation solutions, including five within the virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) construct (hub-settled VPPAs, floors and collars, proxy generation, volume firming agreements, and fixed volume swaps) and three outside it (long-term REC agreements, project tranches, and contract tranches).

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment argues that Canada's history of missing greenhouse gas reduction targets necessitates a legislated accountability framework. While acknowledging the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF) as a first step, the authors contend that a proposed $20 million 'Institute' for expert advice is insufficient because it lacks legal permanence and a mandate for government response. They propose five specific requirements: enshrining accountability in law, creating a public expert committee, implementing 5-year carbon budgets, focusing the committee's mandate on assessing government progress, and requiring the government to formally respond to committee reports. The document cites the United Kingdom's 2008 Climate Change Act as a successful model of such transparency and accountability.

The document outlines recommendations for the governance of the proposed EU DSO entity, focusing on ensuring it acts as an independent expert body rather than a lobby for commercial interests. It advocates for a formal mandate to contribute to Energy Union climate and energy targets, similar to the obligations of ENTSO-E. To prevent industry capture, the brief recommends ring-fencing Board of Directors meetings from existing DSO associations and expanding the Strategic Advisory group to include a balanced range of stakeholders, including consumer and environmental organisations. It also emphasizes the need for detailed voting and composition rules to protect the representation of smaller DSOs.

The report evaluates 12 major diversified miners across transition risks, physical risks, transition opportunities, and climate governance, finding that while operational emissions are improving and capital is flowing toward low-carbon commodities, significant risks persist from downstream regulation and water stress.

The Clean Air Task Force evaluates the EPA's first-ever methane standards for new and modified oil and gas sources. While praising the removal of exemptions for low-producing wells and the implementation of fixed inspection frequencies, the author argues the rule is inadequate because it ignores existing sources, which account for 75% of the sector's methane emissions. To meet the White House's goal of a 40-45% reduction in methane pollution by 2025, the author asserts that the EPA must now regulate existing sources to reduce emissions by approximately 75 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

The report evaluates the emissions commitments of ten countries for 2025 and 2030, analyzing how their INDCs align with different 'fair share' approaches and effort sharing models while considering national mitigation costs, socio-economic development, and current political contexts.