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The briefing argues that the Komstroy ruling effectively bars investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) between EU investors and Member States under the ECT, creating significant legal obstacles to the enforcement of awards and potentially allowing EU State aid law to block compensation payments.

ClientEarth argues that current Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapters in EU FTAs are often insufficient and lack effective enforcement. The document proposes a 'blueprint' to integrate core environmental principles into the general chapters of agreements, make ratification conditional on multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), and introduce a robust system of sanctions for non-compliance. It specifically advocates for the systematic inclusion of the precautionary principle and the creation of reciprocal complaint mechanisms for civil society. The briefing also details specific legal obligations the EU should seek regarding climate (1.5°C limit), biodiversity (30% protected areas), deforestation-free products, and the elimination of harmful fisheries subsidies.

The briefing argues that the Komstroy ruling effectively bars investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) between EU investors and Member States under the ECT, creating systematic obstacles to the recognition and enforcement of such awards within the EU. It highlights that EU Member States are now obliged to challenge these awards and that EU State aid rules may further prevent the payment of compensation. The document specifically applies these legal hurdles to pending cases brought by RWE and Uniper against the Netherlands regarding its coal phase-out policy.

The policy brief outlines the Build Back Better Act's (BBBA) allocation of $12.5 billion for building electrification and energy efficiency incentives, alongside additional investments for affordable housing and public infrastructure. It details specific rebate programs for electric appliances and energy efficiency retrofits, emphasizing support for low- and middle-income (LMI) households and underserved communities. The document argues that these measures, combined with updated building codes, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower consumer energy costs, improve public health, and create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the U.S.

The Lao PDR Green Climate Fund Country Programme 2021-2023 identifies five priority areas for climate action: resilient farming, forest cover maintenance, energy sector emission reductions, low-carbon urban development and transport, and public health resilience. The document aligns these priorities with the country's revised 2020 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the 9th National Socio-economic Development Plan (2021-2025). It details a pipeline of investment and readiness projects, the institutional role of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as the National Designated Authority, and the goal of accrediting the Environment Protection Fund as a direct access entity.

The evaluation assesses the performance of the 10 MW Sumber Solar Power Plant (SPP) in Mongolia, funded by a USD 8.65 million GCF loan and USD 8.9 million in equity. The project is rated as "Satisfactory," having successfully reduced GHG emissions by 29,722 tCO2eq and produced 34,124 MWh of electricity by the end of 2020. While the program closed early in December 2020 due to loan refinancing by the project developer, it demonstrated the bankability of solar projects in Mongolia and aligned with national targets to reach 30% renewable energy by 2030. However, the evaluation noted shortcomings in gender-disaggregated data and the implementation of the Gender Action Plan.

The report examines how the adoption of advanced mining technologies—such as automation and smart sensors—affects local procurement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). While industrial projects like the Kibali gold mine and Kamoa-Kakula copper project showcase world-leading innovation, local suppliers struggle to benefit due to gaps in capital, specialized skills, and a weak manufacturing base. The document analyzes the 2018 Mining Code's local content requirements and identifies systemic barriers, including poor infrastructure and an outdated intellectual property framework, that hinder the transition from foreign-dominated supply chains to a robust local industry.

The report examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) can support poverty reduction for smallholder farmers across three dimensions: access to resources, opportunities and choices, and power and voice. Through an analysis of 13 major VSSs and interviews in six countries, it finds that while VSSs can improve crop income, natural resource management, and skills development, their overall impact on poverty is inconclusive and context-specific. Significant barriers to smallholder access include high certification costs, limited financial resources, and asymmetrical power relations in supply chains. The report recommends that VSSs better integrate gender equality, support business diversification, and harmonize standards, while urging governments to provide better land tenure and financial support to enable smallholder compliance.

The report details Kenya's progress in climate adaptation and mitigation from July 2019 to June 2020. Key achievements include the distribution of climate information services to over 2.5 million people, the accreditation of Kenya Commercial Bank with the Green Climate Fund, and the climate-proofing of over 3,000 km of roads. However, implementation was hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic, a desert locust invasion, and weak coordinating units at the county level. The document recommends ring-fencing climate finance and adopting a biennial reporting cycle to improve efficiency.

The 'Klimaatsaksie Handboek' is a practical guide designed to empower South African communities to combat climate change using legal tools. It explains the science of climate change, identifies specific vulnerabilities and potential impacts—such as water scarcity and food insecurity—and outlines a framework for 'climate action.' The document details South Africa's constitutional rights, relevant environmental legislation, and international commitments. It provides a step-by-step toolkit for community organizing, including methods for gathering evidence, accessing government information via PAIA, participating in Environmental Impact Assessments, lobbying, and taking legal action as a last resort.

The Climate Action Handbook is a guide designed to empower South African communities to respond to climate change by combining scientific understanding with legal action. It defines climate vulnerability and resilience, outlines South Africa's specific climate risks and legal framework—including constitutional rights and environmental legislation—and provides a ten-step practical framework for community-led climate action, ranging from advocacy and information gathering to formal legal proceedings.

The Administrative Court of Paris ruled that the French government's failure to implement effective measures to address climate change caused ecological damage. In October 2021, the court ordered the State to take immediate and concrete actions by December 31, 2022, to comply with emission reduction commitments and repair damage by subtracting excess emissions from its 2021 and 2022 targets.

The report finds that most of the 88+ GW of proposed US gas power plants are economically uncompetitive compared to Clean Energy Portfolios (CEPs), which combine wind, solar, storage, energy efficiency, and demand flexibility. At least 70 GW of proposed gas capacity could be avoided using CEPs, potentially saving $22 billion and reducing CO2 emissions by 873 million metric tons over 20 years. The analysis highlights six key headwinds—including declining renewable costs, rising gas prices, and public health impacts—that increase the risk of project cancellations or stranded assets. Specifically, in a central analysis case, 40% of proposed combined cycle (CC) plants would cost more to operate than a new CEP would cost to build within 10 years, a figure that could rise to 80-90% under certain economic scenarios. The report also notes that CEPs create more jobs and avoid significant health costs, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color.

The report analyzes the structural decline of Colombia's coal industry, highlighted by the 2020 crisis and the exit of companies like Prodeco. It emphasizes the extreme economic dependence of the Cesar and La Guajira regions on coal and warns that national and local actors are in a state of 'denial' regarding the sector's sunset. The authors propose a just transition based on seven principles, including active decarbonization, regional economic diversification, labor protections, and responsible mine closure regulations.

The authors contend that circular economy solutions are indispensable for decarbonization, as resource extraction and processing account for half of global greenhouse gas emissions. They highlight the growth of the USD 315 billion global waste trade and the energy efficiency of secondary materials, which can require up to 90% less energy than primary resources. The paper advocates for government incentives to value waste, the adoption of product longevity strategies to reduce carbon footprints—particularly in electronics—and the use of bilateral and regional free trade agreements to establish standards for circular products. The authors call for the WTO to create climate-friendly rules to eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers that currently restrain the trade of circular goods and services.

The briefing argues that as countries increase climate ambition, border carbon adjustment (BCA) mechanisms are becoming inevitable to prevent carbon leakage in energy-intensive sectors. To prevent these tools from becoming protectionist, the author proposes a framework of principles—such as the primacy of leakage protection, revenue sharing, and credit for equivalent foreign carbon prices—and best practices regarding coverage, data standards, and appeal mechanisms. The author suggests the World Trade Organization (WTO) as the ideal multilateral forum for discussing these standards, specifically highlighting the 2021 Ministerial Conference (MC12) as a critical starting point.

The proposal seeks USD 444,823 over 18 months to enhance the climate adaptive capacities of rural communities in Tajikistan. It focuses on the energy and agriculture sectors, which are identified as highly vulnerable to climate change and significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The project aims to develop a National Green Recovery Strategy, a roadmap for utilizing international carbon markets to finance climate-smart technologies, and two pro-poor Concept Notes for future GCF investment. This initiative addresses the intersection of climate vulnerability and the economic setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced rural family incomes by 30% due to declining remittances.

The document evaluates the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED), praising the expansion of renewable energy targets into heavy industry and the prevention of double counting for carbon capture and utilization (CCU). However, it criticizes the lack of strong sustainability criteria for biomass, noting that food crops are still labeled as renewable energy. The author emphasizes that 'additionality' in renewable energy production is critical for green hydrogen and renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) to prevent increased natural gas consumption in the power sector. The text also discusses the necessity of grid strengthening and demand-side flexibility for the EU to potentially achieve 100% renewable energy.

Residential and commercial buildings contribute 13% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. The document highlights that adopting cost-effective efficiency and electrification measures can reduce carbon emissions of single-family homes by 24%, with the most significant savings coming from replacing inefficient furnaces and air conditioners with high-efficiency heat pumps.

The document argues that electrifying homes and businesses is a critical pathway to net-zero emissions, noting that these buildings account for 13% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights high-efficiency heat pumps, smart thermostats, and weatherization as key upgrades that can reduce emissions and lower utility bills. The brief emphasizes that while individual actions are important, systemic support through government incentives, building codes, and financing is necessary to overcome barriers, particularly for low-income households and renters in multifamily housing.