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The We Mean Business Coalition calls for urgent global action at COP27 to keep the 1.5°C goal within reach, advocating for a partnership between business and government to halve global emissions by 2030. The Coalition emphasizes the need for a sectoral Mitigation Work Programme, scaled-up adaptation finance for vulnerable nations, and the fulfillment of the US$100 billion annual climate finance commitment.

The document asserts that based on the IEA's 2022 World Energy Outlook, there is no viable long-term scenario for the growth of fossil fuels, including natural gas. It argues that expanding long-lived infrastructure like liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a risky gamble for public funds, especially as Canada faces competition from lower-cost suppliers like the United States and Qatar. The author concludes that the only durable solution to the current energy and climate crises is a dramatic scaling up of clean energy and energy efficiency.

The Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment (CPCHE) submits that Bill 23 may jeopardize child development by increasing exposure to air pollution and climate risks while eroding municipal capacity to maintain affordable housing and green spaces. The submission highlights that 40% of renters with children in Ontario are in core housing need and that green spaces are critical for mitigating heat waves and floods. CPCHE recommends revising the Bill to prioritize vulnerable renters, protect urban parklands and wetlands, and encourage walkable, low-emission community design to reduce traffic-related air pollution (TRAP), which is causally linked to childhood asthma.

As of September 30, 2022, the cumulative issuance of GSS+ bonds exceeded $3.5 trillion, with green bonds surpassing $2 trillion. While the market saw a decline in Q3 2022 compared to previous periods due to geopolitical and macroeconomic factors, green bonds remained the dominant type, accounting for 52% of issuance year-to-date. International organizations are the largest issuers, and the market is heavily concentrated in Euro, US Dollar, and RMB denominations. A dedicated section highlights the Middle East and Africa market, which has reached $33.3 billion in cumulative issuance, characterized by a high proportion of green bonds and sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs).

IDFC members reported a record $224 billion in green finance commitments in 2021, with climate finance accounting for 95% of the total. Mitigation finance reached $186.6 billion, while adaptation finance decreased by 24% to $20.9 billion. Biodiversity finance grew by 31% to $18.4 billion. The majority of climate finance was provided by non-OECD institutions and directed toward the East Asia and Pacific region.

The report analyzes the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on the U.S. building sector, highlighting its potential to reduce annual emissions by 32 to 33 million metric tons of CO2e by 2030. It details various residential rebates (HEEHRA, HOMES), tax credits (25C, 25D, 45L), and commercial incentives (179D), while emphasizing that these must be paired with stricter appliance standards and updated building codes to overcome slow stock turnover. The document provides specific implementation guidance for State Energy Offices and utility regulators to ensure an equitable transition, particularly for low-to-moderate-income households.

The document identifies critical gaps in the support system for Local Green Entrepreneurs (LGEs) in South Africa, specifically highlighting that while SMMEs contribute to carbon reduction, they face significant 'green funding gaps'. It argues that current policies, such as the Draft SMME and Cooperative Funding Policy, fail to explicitly recognize LGEs. The brief identifies five 'signature issues', including the limited risk appetite of funders and compliance-driven ESG requirements. To address these, it recommends the development of a Green Economy Framework, the use of credit guarantee schemes like the sefa Innovation Fund, and the reduction of bureaucratic 'red tape' in certification processes to foster a more inclusive green recovery.

The report argues that India's buildings sector must adopt an integrative whole-system approach to address both embodied and operational emissions. It highlights that building operations account for about a third of India's energy use, and without intervention, energy consumption could triple by 2050. The proposed framework prioritises reducing energy needs through passive design, serving those needs with super-efficient equipment, and transitioning to clean energy procurement and demand flexibility. Key recommendations include government mandates for net-zero public buildings, the adoption of carbon accounting for corporations, and the implementation of building performance standards to ensure actual operational efficiency.

In 2022, 1.2 billion rural and urban poor were at high risk due to lack of cooling access, an increase of 28 million from 2021. An additional 2.47 billion lower-middle-income people are at medium risk, while 1.36 billion middle-income people are at low risk. The report highlights that while electricity access has improved, income and urbanization trends drive cooling demand, with significant risks concentrated in Africa and the 'Critical 9' countries.

The report identifies growing risks to people and the planet due to cooling access gaps, estimating that 166.3 million people in 22 non-high-impact countries with extreme heat hazards are at risk. It emphasizes that achieving universal electricity access and eradicating extreme poverty by 2030 is critical to reducing these risks, while linking progress in renewable energy and energy efficiency to climate action.

The report projects that under current trends, 1.22 billion people will be at high risk of lacking cooling access by 2030. While achieving universal electricity access (SDG 7.1.1) alone provides limited relief, combining it with the eradication of extreme poverty (SDG 1.1) could reduce the high-risk population by 36 percent to 783.3 million. The analysis highlights that urban poor populations are growing due to urbanization and the urban heat island effect, while rural poor populations in Africa remain particularly vulnerable. The report emphasizes that income and energy access are critical prerequisites for the adoption of sustainable cooling solutions.

The European Central Bank's decision to raise interest rates to combat inflation may inadvertently obstruct the clean energy transition by increasing the cost of capital. The author proposes a green lending facility, specifically targeting building renovation, to shield essential climate investments from tightening financing conditions.

The author warns that the European Central Bank's (ECB) consecutive interest rate hikes and balance sheet reductions could obstruct the energy transition. To mitigate this, the ECB is urged to implement a 'green' lending mechanism to shield investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy, specifically starting with building renovations, from rising financing costs.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 represents the largest congressional action to date on climate change, allocating nearly $370 billion toward disadvantaged communities and clean energy. It introduces technology-neutral tax credits starting in 2025, a 10-year runway for energy incentives, and significant funding for domestic manufacturing of solar, wind, and batteries. Rhodium Group modeling suggests the IRA could increase U.S. greenhouse gas reductions to 31%-44% by 2030, potentially meeting the U.S. nationally determined contribution when combined with other agency and local actions. The law also establishes the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and provides incentives for electric vehicle adoption, though domestic content requirements may affect the scale of EV growth.

The document argues that the EBRD should sign the Glasgow Statement by COP 27 and implement a robust fossil fuel exclusion policy during its upcoming energy strategy review. It estimates that the EBRD could shift EUR 741 million annually from fossil fuel finance toward a clean and just energy transition. The brief emphasizes that transitioning to clean energy and energy efficiency is the only sustainable solution to the energy crisis and insecurity caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

ClientEarth calls on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to uphold the UK's climate ambitions, specifically requesting a review of the Retained EU Law Bill and a reconsideration of environmental deregulation in investment zones. The organization advocates for accelerating the transition to renewables and insulating buildings to address the energy and climate crises simultaneously, while urging the UK to remain a reliable international partner on climate action following its COP26 Presidency.

The document describes resilience hubs as community-serving facilities designed to provide essential resources and reliable power during extreme weather events. It outlines a framework for implementation, emphasizing the importance of community buy-in, strategic siting in trusted locations, and the integration of energy efficiency, solar power, and battery storage to ensure 'hours of safety' for vulnerable residents. The guide also highlights available federal funding sources, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, to support these initiatives.

The report outlines the Green Guarantee Company's (GGC) framework for integrating gender equality and women's empowerment into its credit guarantee operations for green bonds and loans. It assesses gender vulnerabilities in five key sectors—energy, transport, buildings/cities, health/food/water security, and infrastructure—and provides high-level profiles for eight target countries. The document details a seven-step Transaction Selection Process (TSP) designed to ensure that guaranteed projects are gender-responsive, including rigorous due diligence, remediation strategies, and the use of a multidisciplinary 'line of defence' consisting of internal and external gender specialists.

The Pembroke-Hopkins Park Energy Efficiency Pilot (PEEP) provides an alternative to fossil fuel infrastructure in rural Illinois by implementing energy efficiency and electrification upgrades in low-income homes. The project, led by the Community Development Corporation of Pembroke and Hopkins Park (CDC-PHP) in collaboration with RMI and other partners, replaces propane and wood heating with electric air source heat pumps and induction stoves while improving insulation. Early results show reduced energy bills and improved indoor comfort for participants. The project aims to serve as a transferable model for other disenfranchised rural communities across the United States by focusing on community trust and relatable examples of clean energy success.

The Green Guarantee Company (GGC), managed by the Development Guarantee Group (DGG) and accredited by MUFG Bank, Ltd., seeks USD 82.5 million in equity from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to create a guarantee vehicle. GGC aims to leverage its capital 10x to provide up to USD 4 billion in guarantees for green bonds and loans in developing countries, specifically targeting those with sub-investment grade ratings to attract global institutional investors. The programme focuses on five GCF result areas: energy generation and access, low-emission transport, buildings/cities/industries/appliances, health/food/water security, and infrastructure/built environment. It targets a mitigation impact of 74.6 million tCO2e and reaches approximately 36.9 million beneficiaries over a 20-year lifespan. The proposal includes a detailed Transaction Selection Process (TSP) to ensure climate impact and a comprehensive Gender Action Plan to promote equality and women's empowerment in the supported projects.