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This guide from the Climate Policy Initiative defines carbon finance as the policies, instruments, and markets used to reduce or offset greenhouse gas emissions through pricing or trading systems, including carbon taxes, credits, and border adjustments.

This report analyzes the potential impact of the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on export-oriented producers in Guangdong province, China, and proposes policy pathways for both regional and EU policymakers to mitigate trade risks and accelerate decarbonization.

The Republic of Kazakhstan's Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) outlines a comprehensive climate strategy for 2026–2035, aligning with its long-term goal of carbon neutrality by 2060. The document sets economy-wide emission reduction targets, details sectoral mitigation and adaptation measures, and establishes a framework for loss and damage and climate finance mobilization.

Natural Justice provides a critique of Kenya's proposed Climate Change (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aims to integrate carbon markets into the country's climate response. While acknowledging the potential for carbon markets to mobilize investment, the organization warns of risks regarding environmental integrity and the potential for developed nations to use credits to justify continued fossil fuel use. The statement highlights several deficiencies in the Bill, including the removal of specific representation requirements for marginalized communities and civil society in the National Climate Change Council, a lack of clear procedural guidelines for public participation, and ambiguous role definitions between national and county governments.

The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) provides expert comments to the Washington Department of Ecology regarding the potential linkage of Washington's cap-and-invest program with the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) market administered by California and Quebec. SEI warns that because Washington's program is currently more stringent and has a longer time horizon (through 2050) than California's (authorized through 2030), full linkage could significantly lower allowance prices, reduce state auction revenues, and undermine Washington's emission reduction goals. SEI recommends that full linkage be contingent on California extending its program beyond 2030 and increasing its 2030 cap stringency to address a large bank of unused allowances. As an interim measure, SEI proposes 'restricted linkage' via a quota on imported WCI allowances to balance cost containment with environmental integrity.

This research paper examines the EU's strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from road transport and buildings via the Fit for 55 package and the Emissions Trading System, specifically focusing on the role of the proposed Social Climate Fund in ensuring a just transition for vulnerable households.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the differences between the European Commission's proposal for a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) and the draft report released by the rapporteur of the EU Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). The author, Aaron Cosbey, identifies six primary areas of divergence, noting that the rapporteur generally advocates for greater speed and ambition than the Commission.

This policy brief by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that the increasing import of fracked natural gas liquids (NGLs)—specifically ethane and propane—from the United States to Europe is undermining the European Union's climate and plastics reduction goals. The document details the supply chain from US fracking basins to European petrochemical plants and contends that current EU regulations, such as the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), contain loopholes that allow the plastics industry to offshore emissions and avoid carbon pricing.

This policy briefing by the Climate Bonds Initiative examines the expansion of carbon pricing into trade and economic policy, specifically focusing on the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). It argues that carbon pricing, when combined with preferential treatment for green goods and a 'Just Transition' spending policy, can drive global green capital flows and decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors.

Ember argues that the UK should implement a carbon tax on January 1st, as a link between the EU carbon market and the UK is no longer possible following the Brexit transition period.

This report by Friends of the Earth International, Corporate Europe Observatory, and the Transnational Institute examines how the British-South African mining company Anglo American uses its influence to promote 'dirty energies' and 'false solutions' to the climate crisis. It focuses on the environmental and social impacts of the El Cerrejón coal mine in Colombia and the company's lobbying efforts within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

This case study examines how China leveraged the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol to build expertise in carbon markets and prepare for a domestic emissions trading system. It highlights the role of powerful government ministries, coordinated capacity building, and specific regulatory controls used to ensure local sustainable development benefits and protect national economic interests.

This briefing paper examines the perceived tensions between climate change mitigation efforts under the Kyoto Protocol and the economic competitiveness of firms and sectors. It distinguishes between the 'non-Party problem,' where firms in participating countries face disadvantages against those in non-participating nations, and the 'implementation problem,' where differing national strategies within participating regions create internal competitive imbalances. Using Canada and the EU as case studies, the document argues that while these concerns are politically significant, their actual economic impacts may be limited by flexibility mechanisms, sub-national actions in non-participating countries, and potential technological innovations driven by regulation.

This briefing by the Climate Policy Initiative defines carbon finance and details the various instruments, markets, and regulatory frameworks used to price greenhouse gas emissions to incentivize reductions and fund climate mitigation.

This briefing document from the World Resources Institute examines the current state of climate finance, carbon pricing, and data disclosure in the United States and China, while identifying potential areas for bilateral cooperation.