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This policy brief by the African Future Policies Hub analyzes the implications of the July 2025 International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change. The document argues that the ruling provides a legal and moral foundation to demand scaled-up climate finance, emphasizing the principles of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) and the necessity of reparations. It specifically links the ruling to the Baku to Belém (B2B) Roadmap and the financing of the third generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) leading up to COP30.

This briefing note, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development in October 2015, outlines the key issues and priorities for the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) ahead of the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris. It emphasizes the need for a legally binding agreement that addresses the specific vulnerabilities of Africa, ensures climate equity, and secures financial commitments from developed nations to support both mitigation and adaptation efforts.

This research paper, prepared by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) for the UN High Level Task Force (HLTF), examines the intersection of the right to development and climate change. It focuses specifically on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol, evaluating whether its design and implementation align with human rights-based criteria for development. The author argues that while the CDM mobilizes private funds for mitigation, it suffers from governance gaps, inequitable geographical distribution of projects, and a lack of procedural safeguards for affected communities.

This briefing paper examines the economic, legal, and geopolitical challenges of implementing Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs) to address industrial competitiveness and carbon leakage. It analyzes the tension between unilateral trade measures and international climate principles, specifically the UNFCCC's principle of common but differentiated responsibility.

This research paper analyzes trade, human rights, and environmental regimes, including the Montreal Protocol, to identify lessons on equity that can inform the 2015 international climate agreement under the UNFCCC. It argues that equity is essential for achieving consensus and should be addressed through both the differentiation of commitments and the design of supporting institutions and procedures.