Search Climate Insights Directory

The document presents evidence from the NAPC/CPI project (INPUT) showing that agricultural modernization in Brazil is compatible with environmental conservation. It analyzes four case studies—soy adaptation in the Cerrado, rural electrification, sugarcane expansion in Mato Grosso do Sul, and relative price shifts between crops and beef—to demonstrate that productivity gains often lead to the substitution of pasture land rather than the deforestation of native vegetation. The brief concludes that the 2012 Forest Code can act as a catalyst for this transition, aligning economic growth with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The We Mean Business coalition criticizes a US Executive Order that undermines the Clean Power Plan (CPP) and the broader clean energy agenda. The coalition argues that the CPP provides significant economic benefits, including estimated net economic gains of US$26-45 billion and support for over 3 million jobs in 2016. Despite the policy shift, the coalition asserts that the transition to low-carbon energy is inevitable, citing support from over 1,000 companies and investors via the 'Business Backs Low Carbon USA' statement and the continued global commitment to the Paris Agreement.

The World Resources Institute argues that President Trump's Executive Order undermines U.S. public health, economic competitiveness, and global leadership by rolling back methane regulations, coal leasing limits, and the Clean Power Plan.

The document argues that many LGPS funds are failing their fiduciary duties by ignoring climate risk or incorrectly delegating its management. It identifies five misconceptions: that climate change is not a financial risk, that delegation to managers is sufficient, that delegation to the LAPFF is sufficient, that pooling removes the need for fund-level consideration, and that taxpayers bear all the risk. The authors request that TPR investigate these issues, issue guidance, and engage with Defra for an Adaptation Report.

A study by NAPC/CPI found that rural settlements were responsible for 30% of deforestation in the Amazon region in 2014. Notably, Environmentally Differentiated Settlement Projects (PAADs), designed for sustainable production, accounted for 15% of total Amazon deforestation, representing half of the impact caused by all rural settlements.

The report analyzes Canada's comprehensive wealth—comprising natural, human, social, and produced capital—finding that while Canada remains wealthy, its wealth growth (0.19% annually) has lagged significantly behind consumption growth (1.36% annually) between 1980 and 2013. The study highlights a 25% decline in the market value of natural capital and a lack of growth in human capital, suggesting that Canada's development model relies heavily on the depletion of natural resources and a concentrated produced capital base dominated by housing and oil and gas.

This executive summary argues that Canada's reliance on GDP masks a lack of long-term sustainability in its comprehensive wealth portfolio. Between 1980 and 2013, real per capita comprehensive wealth grew by only 7%, while individual consumption grew by 54%. This divergence was driven by a 25% decline in market natural capital and stagnant human capital, with produced capital growth heavily concentrated in housing and oil and gas extraction. The report recommends that the federal government fund Statistics Canada to regularly measure comprehensive wealth, with a priority on human, social, and non-market natural capital, to guide a transition toward a diversified, low-carbon economy.

The project seeks US$ 28.21 million in GCF grants to enable a shift toward a low-carbon economy in Mauritius. It is structured in two phases (2017-2024) across three components: institutional strengthening via the creation of the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (MARENA), upgrading the national grid to absorb up to 185 MW of intermittent renewable energy (including 25 MW of rooftop PV), and deploying solar PV mini-grids on Agalega. The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4.27 million tCO2e over the investment lifetimes, leveraging US$ 163.18 million in co-finance from the Government of Mauritius, the Central Electricity Board (CEB), and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

The document argues that a shift in US climate policy under Donald Trump increases financial risks for investors and businesses, regardless of whether the US formally withdraws from the Paris Agreement. It identifies three primary risk categories: physical risks from increased global emissions, transition risks as the global shift to a low-carbon economy continues, and policy/legal risks including unpredictable litigation. The briefing concludes by recommending that the business community publicly pressure the US administration to maintain its climate commitments and stay in the Paris Agreement.

The document asserts that developing nations, despite contributing the least to carbon emissions, suffer the most from climate impacts. It argues that the Paris Agreement's goals can only be met if vulnerable communities are provided with sustainable energy resources and that the $100 billion annual climate finance pledge by wealthy nations is insufficient to protect lives and maintain development in health and education. The author calls for the mobilization of both public and private finance to build low-carbon economies in the global south, noting that developing and emerging economies invested $156 billion in renewables in 2015.

The World Resources Institute argues that the incoming Trump administration must continue investing in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure to drive economic growth and job creation. It emphasizes that the global transition to a low-carbon economy is inevitable, citing increased solar and wind projections and corporate commitments to science-based targets. Furthermore, it asserts that maintaining the U.S. commitment to the Paris Agreement is essential for preserving international trust and diplomacy.

The author asserts that the Paris Agreement's fast ratification demonstrates increasing political will to address climate change. The text highlights the role of business initiatives, such as the Low Carbon Technology Partnerships Initiative (LCTPi), in proving the feasibility of emissions reductions. It concludes that current Nationally Determined Contributions are insufficient to limit warming to 2°C or 1.5°C, necessitating further business-led efforts to provide policymakers with the confidence to increase their targets, specifically through the Low Emissions Solutions Conference at COP22.

Minister Per Bolund and Johan Kuylenstierna argue that the global financial system must be transformed to steer investment toward a low-carbon pathway to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. While noting initiatives from the World Bank and G20, the authors highlight that green finance remains in its infancy, with green bonds and green infrastructure assets each making up less than 1% of their respective global totals.

The Climate Bonds Standard & Certification Scheme Assurance Framework outlines the role of Approved Verifiers in certifying bonds as 'low carbon and climate resilient'. It defines a two-phase certification process—pre-issuance and post-issuance—and sets strict competence, insurance, and performance standards for verifiers. Oversight is managed by the Climate Bonds Standard Secretariat, with final certification and verifier approval decisions made by the Climate Bonds Standard Board.

South Africa's 2nd Biennial Update Report (2016) provides a comprehensive assessment of the country's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 2000 to 2012, highlighting the energy sector as the primary contributor. It outlines national mitigation strategies, including the introduction of a carbon tax and carbon budgets, and details the financial resources mobilized from bilateral and multilateral sources. The report also describes the development of a national monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system and the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory System (NGHGIS) to improve data accuracy and transparency.

ClientEarth asserts that while the UK's Climate Change Act 2008 is legally ambitious, successive governments have failed to implement the necessary governance to meet long-term targets. The report highlights a persistent 'policy gap' for the fourth carbon budget and a decline in investor confidence due to abrupt policy shifts, such as the withdrawal of carbon capture and storage (CCS) funding. It recommends the urgent publication of a detailed, annually updated Emissions Reduction Plan and the restoration of cross-departmental coordination and transparent emissions tracking.

The 2016 External Review concludes that the World Resources Institute (WRI) is making strong progress in implementing its 2014-2017 Strategic Plan, with 89 of 96 specific statements of intent rated as 'on track' or 'achieved'. The review highlights WRI's success as a global 'think and do' tank, particularly in its research excellence, the development of open-data platforms like Global Forest Watch and Aqueduct, and its influence on the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. While WRI has successfully expanded its global footprint with offices in Brazil, China, India, and Indonesia, the review identifies challenges in securing unrestricted funding, strengthening internal communications, and fully integrating poverty and gender perspectives into programmatic design. It also notes the effectiveness of WRI's matrix management structure, though it suggests further investment in management training to reduce transaction costs and improve coordination.

The executive summary details how agricultural expansion in the MATOPIBA region, particularly within the Cerrado biome, has driven economic growth through increased grain production and higher per capita GDP, while having limited impact on social infrastructure and human capital.

The document argues that voluntary ESG reporting is insufficient due to lack of comparability and completeness, and that mandatory disclosure is necessary to address material financial risks associated with climate change, resource scarcity, and social justice norms.

The report identifies a significant gap between Mexico's climate goals and its current green bond issuance, which stood at US $1.3bn in 2016. It highlights substantial investment needs, particularly in energy (US $5bn annually) and transport (US $12bn for multimodal projects), and argues that mobilizing private institutional capital through green bonds is essential to meet these targets.