Search Climate Insights Directory

This briefing by the Institute for Security Studies examines the establishment and operational design of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), focusing on the tensions between developed and developing nations regarding governance, the role of the World Bank, and the influence of the private sector in climate finance for Africa.

This policy brief, published by the Institute for Security Studies in June 2011, examines the governance of climate change funds—specifically the Adaptation Fund, the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), and Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)—across several developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It highlights systemic issues regarding accountability, stakeholder representation, and the risk of private sector interests overriding local needs.

This policy briefing examines South Africa's role as the host and president of the 17th session of the Conference of Parties (COP 17) to the UNFCCC in November and December 2011. It analyzes the geopolitical challenges of the climate negotiations, South Africa's efforts to coordinate a common African voice, its participation in the BASIC alliance, and the necessity of aligning its domestic climate policies with its international leadership ambitions.

Senegal's progress toward its NDC commitments is hindered by a severe lack of international climate finance, the absence of a national monitoring (MRV) system, and a strategic shift toward oil and gas exploitation that threatens its low-carbon goals. While the country has successfully implemented large-scale wind and solar projects and is developing green transport (BRT and TER), these are overshadowed by the $10 billion investment in hydrocarbons. The COVID-19 pandemic further delayed key projects and diverted budgetary resources toward immediate socioeconomic resilience.

This research paper evaluates the alignment of Uganda's post-COVID-19 economic recovery strategy with its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It finds that while Uganda has increased its climate ambition in its updated NDC, the actual economic stimulus packages have largely prioritised immediate health and economic rescue over green recovery, leaving climate action underfunded and sidelined in the budget process.

Pakistan's third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) outlines a strategy to reduce projected greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2035 and enhance climate resilience. The plan balances an unconditional 17% emission reduction through domestic resources with a conditional 33% reduction dependent on USD 565.7 billion in international climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity building. The document emphasizes a 'whole-of-nation' approach, integrating climate action into national development frameworks like 'URAAN Pakistan' (2024-2029) to address acute vulnerabilities, including glacial melt and devastating floods.

A report by the Stockholm Environment Institute and partners arguing that staying below a 2°C warming limit requires rapid global greenhouse gas emission reductions, reaching essentially zero by mid-century. It emphasizes the technical feasibility of this transition and the necessity of North-South cooperation to ensure developing nations can expand energy access while decarbonizing.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute analyzes the European Union's proposed 2020 climate targets using the Greenhouse Development Rights (GDRs) framework. It argues that the EU's targets are insufficient to meet the 2°C warming limit and fail to account for the 'right to development' for the global South. The authors call for the EU to adopt a 'two-fold obligation' consisting of deep domestic emissions reductions and significant international financial and technological support to enable a low-carbon transition in developing nations.

This report analyzes whether Sweden provides its 'fair share' of international climate finance. It concludes that a definitive answer is impossible because 'climate finance' and 'fair share' lack globally agreed definitions. While Sweden provides significant funds, most are integrated into its Official Development Assistance (ODA), meaning it provides very little 'new and additional' finance. The report suggests Sweden could lead by improving reporting transparency and defining its own ambitious fair share targets.

This report, titled "Low-Carbon Development for Mexico" (MEDEC), provides a comprehensive economic and technical analysis of options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Mexico through 2030. It evaluates 40 specific interventions across five sectors—electric power, oil and gas, energy end-use, transport, and agriculture and forestry—comparing a baseline scenario with a low-carbon alternative. The study finds that Mexico can stabilize its emissions at roughly 2008 levels while maintaining economic growth by implementing cost-effective, often "no-regrets" measures, many of which provide significant co-benefits in public health and energy security.

This fact sheet by the Stockholm Environment Institute describes the challenges of tracking climate finance in Latin America and presents findings from the Climate Finance Group for Latin America and the Caribbean (GFLAC) regarding international public climate finance across eight countries.

This document provides a detailed breakdown of climate finance flows to the Republic of the Marshall Islands between 2010 and 2014, detailing the amounts, sources, and policy objectives of the funding.

This research paper excerpt provides a detailed breakdown of climate finance flows to Palau between 2010 and 2014, detailing the amounts, sources, and specific policy objectives of the funding.

This guide from the World Resources Institute explains the mitigation elements of the Paris Rulebook, focusing on the requirements for clarity, transparency, and understanding (CTU) in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the associated accounting guidance adopted at COP24.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute analyzes the existing United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) system of national communications and greenhouse gas inventories to determine its suitability for a post-2012 international climate change agreement based on the Bali Action Plan.

This research paper serves as a methodological supplement to the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) Non-State and Subnational Action (NSA) Guide. It explores the assumptions and decision points involved in estimating the collective ex-ante greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions impact of mitigation actions taken by cities, businesses, and states, with a focus on enhancing transparency and comparability of results.

This guide by the World Resources Institute provides an educational overview of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the world's largest multilateral climate fund, focusing on its policy direction and undecided operational issues to help stakeholders navigate the organization.

A World Resources Institute analysis outlines low-cost policy options for Mexico to meet its Paris Agreement commitments and long-term climate goals, highlighting significant public health and financial benefits from reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

This report by the World Resources Institute analyzes the 'Fast-Start Finance' (FSF) period from 2010 to 2012, during which developed countries reported mobilizing US$ 35 billion for climate change in developing countries. The study evaluates the distribution, transparency, and effectiveness of these funds, noting a heavy bias toward mitigation over adaptation and a lack of strict criteria for 'new and additional' funding.

This working paper assesses Germany's Fast-Start Finance (FSF) contributions for the 2010-2012 period, analyzing the distribution of funds, the definition of additionality, and the transparency of reporting. It finds that Germany exceeded its self-defined pledge, providing EUR 1.29 billion, with a primary focus on mitigation and a significant reliance on multilateral channels and EU ETS auctioning revenues.