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This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes Environment Canada's 2014 report on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions trends. It highlights a significant gap between Canada's projected 2020 emissions and its Copenhagen Accord pledge, noting that while some sectors show mitigation, growth in the oil sands and general economic expansion continue to drive emissions upward.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) analyzes how the proposed Regulatory Cooperation chapter of the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement could undermine the authority of US states to implement public health and environmental protections. The author argues that the agreement's goals of regulatory convergence and compatibility would effectively create a regulatory ceiling, preventing states from adopting standards more protective than federal minimums, particularly regarding toxic chemicals and pesticides.

This executive summary by Friends of the Earth International argues that the financial resources to transition the Global South to 100% renewable energy by 2030 already exist, but are hindered by a lack of political will and extreme global wealth inequality.

This executive summary by Friends of the Earth International argues that the financial resources required to transition Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia to 100% renewable energy by 2030 already exist in the fortunes of the world's wealthiest individuals. The document emphasizes that the primary barrier to this energy revolution is a lack of political will rather than a lack of capital, and calls for a systemic transformation that prioritizes democratic ownership and social justice over mere technological substitution.

The 2015 GreenCape Market Intelligence Report provides an overview of the energy efficiency sector in South Africa, with a specific focus on the Western Cape. It details the drivers for energy efficiency—including constrained power supply and rising electricity costs—the roles of various service providers, the regulatory landscape, and the potential market size for Energy Service Companies (ESCos).

The Renewable Energy – GreenCape Market Intelligence Report 2015 provides an overview of the renewable energy (RE) landscape in South Africa, focusing on the utility-scale Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), as well as commercial, industrial, and residential small-scale embedded generation (SSEG). It highlights the role of the Western Cape as a hub for RE manufacturing and the critical need for an updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) to provide investor certainty.

This document is a budget request from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) for the 2015/2016 fiscal year and a preliminary request for 2016-2018. It details the operational costs required to maintain services, monitor scientific programs, and manage the transition of activities in Montevideo, while proposing an 8.9% increase in member country contributions.

This report details the 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), held in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 27–29, 2015. The meeting focused on 'The Post-Mining Transition and Environmental Management,' exploring how to integrate environmental, economic, and social planning into the mine life cycle to ensure sustainable transitions and community resilience after closure.

The 2015 SAIIA Sasol Environmental Sustainability Project (ESP) is an educational competition for South African Grade 10-12 learners designed to build knowledge of environmental sustainability through research, presentations, and youth negotiations.

This research paper analyzes the system of development finance institutions (DFIs) in the Russian Federation, identifying a lack of strategic coordination and an over-reliance on public funding. It explores how the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) could complement this system by investing in infrastructure, advising on public-private partnerships, and facilitating intra-BRICS investment.

This 2015 report by Sustainable Energy for All, commissioned by the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), analyzes the intersection of energy access and gender inequality across the 15 ECOWAS Member States. It identifies systemic barriers that prevent women from participating equally in the energy sector and highlights how energy poverty disproportionately affects women and girls due to socially determined gender roles. The document serves as the foundational analysis for the development of the ECOWAS Policy for Gender Mainstreaming in Energy Access, aiming for universal energy access by 2030.

The 'National Strategy for Adaptation of the Infrastructure and Energy Sector to Climate Change for 2017–2030' outlines Estonia's approach to ensuring the resilience of critical services against climate risks. The strategy focuses on technical support systems, buildings, transport, and energy security, aiming to maintain service availability during extreme weather events. With an estimated implementation cost of 1.3 billion euros through 2030, the document identifies key vulnerabilities in the electricity distribution network and coastal infrastructure while setting specific targets for energy efficiency and infrastructure reliability.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the health impacts and adoption rates of improved cookstoves in Central America. It highlights a gap between laboratory emission reductions and actual personal exposure reductions, identifies key drivers for successful technology uptake, and recommends the establishment of standardized performance measures and national certification bodies to improve public health outcomes.

The SEI Initiative on Fossil Fuels and Climate Change, launched in January 2015, aims to research and influence the supply side of fossil fuel development to align with a 2°C global warming limit. The initiative focuses on the emissions implications of infrastructure, the political economy of extraction, and the role of international governance. It utilizes case studies in Colombia, South Africa, Indonesia, Norway, and the U.S. to explore the transition away from fossil fuel dependence.

This policy brief from the Stockholm Environment Institute describes a four-step process for identifying and minimizing 'carbon lock-in'—the process where investments in carbon-intensive infrastructure make shifting to low-carbon pathways more difficult and expensive. The document demonstrates this approach on a global scale, highlighting the high risks associated with coal and gas power plants, private vehicle travel, and capital-intensive fossil fuel supply infrastructure, and provides guidance for applying the framework at national and regional levels.

This report analyzes the drivers and barriers to developing Sweden's transmission grid to support the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) for a carbon-neutral Nordic power system by 2050. Key drivers include the strategic goals of Svenska Kraftnät to decarbonize Europe, EU directives (2009/28/EC), and price signals from bidding areas. Major barriers include a complex and ambiguous concession process, conflicts between local environmental/health concerns and global sustainability goals, and passive government oversight. The report also notes a gap between the grid operator's wind power projections and industry estimates, which may lead to capacity bottlenecks.

The SEI Strategy 2015–2019 outlines the Stockholm Environment Institute's framework for bridging science and policy to support sustainable development. The strategy focuses on enhancing scientific research through new 'SEI Initiatives', expanding policy engagement to include 'hard-to-reach' stakeholders like the private sector, and strengthening capacity development across individual, organizational, and institutional levels. It also details the enabling infrastructure required for delivery, including communications, ICT tools, financial management, and a custom monitoring system (PMEC).

The report examines the role of the energy transition't a specific set of policies and financial mechanisms to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy in the energy sector. It emphasizes the need for integrated policy frameworks, international cooperation, and targeted investment to overcome barriers to decarbonization. Key focus areas include the scaling of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies. The document highlights the importance of a just transition to ensure that the shift to clean energy is equitable and inclusive, supporting workers and communities affected by the transition. It also discusses the role of technology innovation and the need for increased funding for developing countries to meet their climate goals.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) presented a vision to the Arctic Council's Sustainable Development Working Group on March 1, 2015, advocating for the acceleration of renewable energy deployment in the Arctic through the removal of fossil fuel subsidies and the implementation of clear long-term policy targets.

Friends of the Earth International and a coalition of international networks issued a statement criticizing the outcome of the Lima Conference, arguing that the resulting decisions weaken international climate rules and fail to address the needs of vulnerable populations in the Global South.