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The World Resources Institute acknowledges a growing momentum toward net-zero transformations following the Climate Ambition Summit, noting new targets from the EU, UK, Colombia, and China. However, it emphasizes that too few major economies provided bold 2030 emission cuts or the financial mobilization necessary for developing nations, specifically noting the failure of developed countries to provide clear signals on meeting the $100 billion annual climate finance commitment.

The Global Climate and Health Alliance urges governments, particularly G20 nations, to increase climate commitments by three to five times to align with the Paris Agreement's 1.5-2°C goal. The Alliance argues that COVID-19 recovery spending must be integrated with climate strategies to maximize economic and health benefits, noting that G20 countries are responsible for 78% of global greenhouse gas emissions but lack commitments aligned with the 1.5°C target.

The report traces the shift in international climate policy from the 'top-down' prescriptive approach of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which targeted developed nations, to the 'bottom-up' participatory model of the 2015 Paris Agreement. It highlights the central role of the 'common but differentiated responsibilities' (CBDR) principle and argues that while the Paris Agreement achieved universal participation, current national commitments remain insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C.

The report examines the transition of voluntary carbon markets into the Paris Agreement era, specifically assessing how to prevent 'double counting' where emission reductions are claimed by both voluntary offsets and national targets. It identifies three potentially viable models—contribution claims, NDC crediting, and non-NDC crediting—and recommends focusing on challenging mitigation options and countries with ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to maximize climate impact.

The report details five case studies on environmental litigation in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Austria, and Ireland. It examines the role of the Aarhus Convention and human rights in granting standing to NGOs and individuals, the impact of EU law on national forestry and air quality policies, and the obstacles facing environmental associations in accessing justice.

Ryse Energy deployed hybrid mini-grids consisting of 5 kWp wind turbines and 3 kWp solar arrays across 16 islands in Chile's Los Lagos region to power schools and health care facilities. Funded by the Government of Chile for EUR 400,000, the project provides electricity access to a population of approximately 2,000 people, reduces annual CO2 emissions by an estimated 18 tonnes, and created 35 jobs. To ensure sustainability in these remote locations, Ryse Energy provided a one-week intensive operation and maintenance (O&M) training course to community members.

The document presents a comprehensive set of demands for the cruise industry to address long-standing failures in environmental protection, public health, and labor rights. Key requirements include a commitment to zero emissions, the cessation of heavy fuel oil (HFO) and scrubbers, 100% shore power use by 2025, and the adoption of fair labor standards and tax compliance. It also calls for the respect of frontline communities' right to self-determination and the implementation of strict health protocols to prevent disease outbreaks. Additionally, the text advocates for the elimination of 'flags of convenience' by 2030 and the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to mitigate the socio-economic impacts of cruise tourism.

The Sub-national Climate Finance Initiative (SnCF) is designed as a blended finance private equity fund paired with a grant-funded Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) to support mid-sized sustainable infrastructure in developing countries. The Fund targets a total raise of USD 750 million, consisting of a USD 150 million concessional tranche and USD 600 million in commercial capital, aiming to invest in sustainable energy, waste and sanitation, and nature-based solutions. The TAF, targeting USD 28 million, focuses on project preparation, impact certification via Gold Standard, and local government capacity building. The initiative aims to mobilize up to USD 3.8 billion in total finance, with a target of 35-50 projects across up to 20 countries. Key target markets identified include Chile, South Africa, North Macedonia, Mexico, and Jordan. The Fund projects a net IRR of 9.4% for commercial investors and 5.4% for the concessional tranche, with a goal to avoid 77 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent over the infrastructure lifetime.

The document advocates for a circular economy to replace the linear "take-make-waste" model, which currently results in over 60% of the 100 billion tons of resources flowing into the economy annually ending up as waste or emissions. It proposes three pathways for transition: consuming less, consuming better through sustainable choices and sharing platforms, and implementing systemic changes such as designing products for longevity and introducing policy incentives for recycled materials. The guide highlights that circularity in five key sectors could reduce CO2 emissions by 3.7 billion tons by 2050 and presents a $4.5 trillion economic opportunity.

The report analyzes how the EU's ESIF, particularly the ERDF and CF, supports climate mitigation and energy efficiency in Member States like Lithuania and Slovakia. It identifies success factors such as partnership-based negotiations, alignment with national priorities, and the use of non-grant financial instruments to leverage private capital. However, it notes limitations including administrative hurdles, limited project preparation capacities, and a tendency to fund 'low-hanging fruits' over advanced R&D. The document concludes with five key lessons for international climate policy, emphasizing national ownership, simplified procurement, and the need for comprehensive technical assistance.

The Mokoloki project, launched in February 2020, serves as a proof-of-concept for an 'undergrid' model in Nigeria, where a solar hybrid minigrid replaces a weak grid connection through a tripartite agreement between a utility, a developer, and the community. The project has demonstrated technical reliability of 99.9% and provided economic benefits, including reduced electricity costs for customers and lower technical and commercial losses for the utility. It utilizes an operator-led business model where the developer manages generation and operations while paying a fixed monthly distribution usage fee to the utility.

The briefing advocates for using the European Green Deal as a blueprint for the EU's post-pandemic recovery, emphasizing that green investments can stimulate short-term economic activity while building long-term resilience. It calls for increased 2030 emission reduction targets, scaled-up green investments, and an integrated approach to clean energy, mobility, and industrial innovation. The document highlights the necessity of aligning financial flows with climate neutrality and accelerating the transition to a circular economy to ensure a sustainable and competitive industrial future for Europe.

The report details how private equity firms continue to acquire coal assets in the US, India, the Philippines, and Europe, often facing financial failure or environmental criticism. While US coal consumption dropped 44% since 2010 and utilities plan to retire dozens of plants by 2025, firms like KKR, Blackstone, and Macquarie have pursued coal investments that have resulted in bankruptcies or increased emissions. The document highlights a disconnect between the global need to reduce coal for the Paris Agreement and the investment strategies of private equity, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic further reduces energy demand.

The document analyzes Manitoba's 2018 climate accountability legislation, highlighting its use of a 'carbon savings account' with five-year cumulative emission reduction targets and an independent expert advisory council. While praising the framework's governance and the advantage of cumulative budgets over annual targets, the study notes that the absence of long-term targets and a multi-budget strategy reduces predictability and accountability for investors and policymakers.

The fact sheet details key components of effective climate accountability frameworks, emphasizing the need for legislated governance structures, independent oversight, and the use of cumulative carbon budgets to track progress toward long-term goals.

The report details how private equity firms like Blackstone, KKR, and Macquarie Infrastructure have acquired coal assets in the US, India, the Philippines, and Europe, often facing financial losses or environmental criticism. It contrasts these investments with a broader trend of coal decline, noting that US coal consumption dropped 44% since 2010 and renewable energy is expected to eclipse coal in the US by 2021.

The document analyzes policy coherence between the Paris Agreement's NDCs and the 2030 Agenda's SDGs in Germany, Kenya, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and the Philippines. It finds that while synergies exist, significant conflicts often emerge around energy transitions, economic growth, and inequality (SDG 10). These incoherencies are driven by institutional fragmentation, conflicting national ideologies, and vested interests. The authors argue that achieving both agendas requires moving beyond institutional fixes to address deep structural changes and political dynamics.

Carbon Market Watch contends that warnings of a credit shortage for the aviation sector's CORSIA market are 'scaremongering' and that there is sufficient supply to meet demand. The author argues that the ICAO Council should restrict eligible offsets to high-quality projects started in 2020 or later to avoid a flood of cheap, ineffective credits, such as those from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

Minnesota's electric cooperatives, serving 30% of the state's customers, remain tied to coal-fired power plants in North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming through Generation & Transmission (G&T) co-ops. While investor-owned utilities in Minnesota are phasing out coal, these co-ops face 'all-requirements' contracts and long-term fuel agreements that restrict their ability to adopt renewables. Many of these out-of-state plants operate uneconomically, costing customers over $93 million between 2015 and 2017.

The report investigates the potential for a new on-tax financing model (EuroPACE) to drive deep energy efficiency retrofits in European residential buildings. It identifies significant market failures, such as long payback periods and knowledge gaps, that hinder private investment. Through analysis of four target countries and three successful case studies (Energiesprong, Oktave, and KfW), the document highlights that success depends on low-cost, long-term financing and the ability to aggregate demand. It projects a total lending potential for EuroPACE of nearly €4bn over ten years across the four primary countries, provided that penetration and renovation rates increase.