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The document examines the intersection of climate change, housing quality, and health in Toronto, proposing that an equity-focused Building Emissions Performance Standards (BEPS) policy can mitigate health risks for marginalized communities. It highlights how retrofits—such as switching from gas to electric heating and stoves, improving insulation, and adding mechanical ventilation—can reduce asthma risks, protect against extreme temperature events, and lower outdoor air pollution. The brief warns against the risks of tenant displacement and 'renovictions' and recommends strong tenant protections, the creation of Community Accountability Boards, and the integration of health metrics into BEPS monitoring to ensure benefits are shared equitably.

The Climate Bonds Standard version 4.3 provides a science-based framework for certifying climate-aligned investments. It covers four primary certification paths: Use of Proceeds (UoP) debt instruments, specific assets, non-financial legal entities, and sustainability-linked debt (SLD). The standard mandates independent verification by approved verifiers and requires adherence to sector-specific criteria. For entity and SLD certifications, the framework emphasizes absolute transition pathways over relative benchmarking, requiring ambitious climate mitigation performance targets (CMPTs) and robust transition plans. Additionally, the standard includes a specialized certification for agri-food entities focusing on deforestation- and conversion-free sourcing.

International climate finance for Brazil averaged US$ 5.1 billion per year in 2021–2022, an 84% increase from the 2019–2020 period. This growth was primarily driven by the energy sector, particularly solar and wind power, and a significant rise in private capital from commercial financial institutions. While Western Europe was the largest regional provider, the report highlights a stark imbalance in sectoral allocation: the AFOLU sector, responsible for most of Brazil's GHG emissions, received only 11% of total finance. The majority of funds were earmarked for mitigation (80%) and delivered via commercial debt and equity, while grants and concessional finance declined by 43%.

The document asserts that global hunger is caused by a profit-driven system rather than food scarcity, highlighting the role of the 'ABCD firms' and financial speculators in driving up prices. It links food systems to 34% of global greenhouse gas emissions and notes the severe impact of climate-driven droughts in Southern Africa. While acknowledging previous G20 efforts, it criticizes the lack of systemic reforms, such as regulating food speculation or implementing buffer stocks. Under its G20 presidency, South Africa has established a Food Security Task Force to study commodity price volatility and stabilization techniques.

The document analyzes the systemic difficulties G20 nations face in transitioning from fossil fuels, citing economic dependencies, infrastructure lock-in, and social risks to workers. It notes a failure to meet 2009 G20 commitments to phase out subsidies, with G7 and developing nations spending hundreds of billions in 2023. The text emphasizes South Africa's 2025 G20 presidency as an opportunity to champion a people-centered approach involving green industrial hubs and socio-economic safeguards for coal-dependent regions.

This fact sheet defines green industrial policy (GIP) as government strategies to promote sustainable industries and phase out greenhouse gas emitters. It highlights the success of China's electric vehicle industry as a model for GIP but warns that developing countries face significant financing, skills, and technological barriers. The document emphasizes the role of the G20 in shaping global GIP principles, particularly under South Africa's agenda, which focuses on leveraging critical minerals to drive inclusive economic growth and manufacturing in Africa.

The building sector accounts for 18% of Canada's GHG emissions, necessitating a focus on upgrading approximately 11 million existing residential buildings. Achieving net-zero requires a balance of deep energy retrofits (DERs), fuel-switching to heat pumps, and expanding clean electricity. An annual investment of CAD 10-15 billion until 2040 could generate 200,000 jobs and CAD 48 billion in economic development. The document recommends strengthening building codes, implementing PACE financing, and integrating energy efficiency with affordable housing policies.

The document examines the role of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in Malawi's economic transformation and climate adaptation. While CSA is central to national policies like Malawi Vision 2063, widespread adoption is hindered by insecure land tenure, limited finance, and under-resourced extension services. The brief argues for a shift from short-term input subsidies toward long-term resilience investments, improved digital advisory services, and the institutionalization of participatory learning models like Farmer Field Schools.

The report examines food loss and waste (FLW) in Southeast Asia, arguing that current technocratic approaches to efficiency often ignore embedded power structures and gender inequalities. Through case studies on coffee in Bali, small-scale fisheries in the region, and urban agriculture in Bangkok, it finds that socio-institutional innovations—such as social forestry and rural-urban linkages—are generally more effective than standalone technologies like biogas digesters or solar dryers. The authors recommend a rights-based, participatory approach to FLW reduction that integrates agroecology and gender-transformative frameworks to ensure a just food systems transition.

The document analyzes the surging demand for critical minerals driven by the energy transition, the environmental impacts of mining, and the strategic trade policies developing countries can employ to add value to their mineral resources while ensuring climate resilience.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) has condemned a proposal by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reverse its authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions by overturning the 'endangerment' finding. WRI argues that this move ignores decades of science and will negatively impact public health, household energy costs, and economic stability.

Phaesun GmbH, in collaboration with Solar Cooling Engineering GmbH and Efficiency for Access, installed a solar-powered cold room in Homabay, Kenya, between April and September 2024. The facility, operated by WeHub Victoria Limited, uses SelfChill technology and thermal energy storage to chill up to 500 kg of agricultural products daily to 10°C. Built with wood and straw to minimize costs and carbon footprint, the project was funded by the Siemens initiative Cents4Sense, Siemens Stiftung, and the Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund, keeping total investment costs under 30,000 EUR.

The report identifies a significant gap in the integration of climate action within Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), noting that while high-level executive interest exists, bureaucratic capacity and policy coherence are lacking. It highlights contradictions between Nigeria's climate commitments, such as its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) targeting a 45% emissions reduction by 2030, and its continued state-led investment in oil exploration. The document argues that the FMITI must align industrial and trade policies with environmental goals, leveraging carbon markets and public-private partnerships to transition away from fossil fuel dependence. It recommends the development of a new 'green' industrial policy and draws on South Africa's experience with the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P) as a model for coordinated national strategy and international funding.

The ICJ issued a unanimous advisory opinion establishing that States have binding international legal obligations to prevent climate harm, including a duty to phase out fossil fuels and provide reparations for damages. The ruling affirms the right to a healthy environment as a binding norm and clarifies that sea level rise does not terminate a State's legal statehood or maritime borders.

India's electric vehicle (EV) market grew elevenfold between FY2020 and FY2025, driven by central and state government subsidies. The transport sector, particularly road transport, is a critical focus for India's goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2070. Key policy mechanisms include the FAME-I, FAME-II, and PM E-DRIVE schemes, alongside state-level policies in over 25 states.

The document outlines the challenges and opportunities for expanding non-motorized transport in Indonesian cities to address road congestion, air pollution, and health issues. Using Medan as a case study, it identifies fragmented infrastructure and systemic barriers—including inefficient budgeting and weak regulation enforcement—that hinder the goals of the National Vision of Non-Motorized Transport Infrastructure. It argues that a coordinated approach involving infrastructure upgrades, policy enforcement, and financial incentives is necessary to achieve sustainable, inclusive, and low-carbon urban mobility.

The paper examines how trade policy can accelerate the clean energy transition by expanding access to renewable technologies. It highlights the role of the APEC List of Environmental Goods and the need to address non-tariff measures and global value chain complexities. The author advocates for a comprehensive approach that includes preferential treatment for components and services to reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of renewable energy deployment.

As of Q2 2025, US utility resource plans show a trend of increasing electricity demand projections and a corresponding increase in planned gas power plant capacity, leading to a widening gap between projected emissions and net-zero targets.

The briefing highlights that while food systems contribute over 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, there is no cohesive global pathway with clear targets and timelines to reach net zero. Current efforts, such as the FAO roadmap, are deemed insufficient because they omit the need to reduce animal-sourced product consumption and lack key biodiversity targets. The author notes that while over 55 relevant targets exist across frameworks like the Paris Agreement and SDGs, they are disconnected, often non-binding, and lack financial targets. The document calls for a coordinated framework similar to the IEA's energy roadmap to integrate climate, health, and nature goals and minimize trade-offs.

The document details the significant health and economic burdens of meat consumption and livestock production, linking red and processed meats to millions of deaths from non-communicable diseases and highlighting the risks of zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance. It quantifies global healthcare costs and suggests that shifting toward plant-based diets could save trillions of dollars and millions of lives.