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The report examines the development of baselines for scaled-up crediting programs under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, focusing on establishing reference levels for greenhouse gas emissions to quantify reductions while ensuring environmental integrity and avoiding double counting.

The document discusses the role of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) in closing the 'emissions gap'—the difference between current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the trajectories needed to keep global temperature rise below 2°C or 1.5°C. It identifies methane, tropospheric ozone, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbons as primary targets for reduction, noting that while some strategies target single pollutants, most affect multiple. The text emphasizes that SLCP reductions, especially when combined with CO2 reductions, can limit long-term warming.

The paper explores the intersection of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and climate goals, arguing that exponential technologies—those with rapidly falling costs and improving performance—can allow developing nations to 'leapfrog' obsolete infrastructure. By analyzing the NDCs of six priority countries, the authors map potential applications of AI, blockchain, IoT, and advanced materials across energy, transport, and agriculture sectors. While highlighting opportunities for decarbonization and financial inclusion, the document warns of risks including job displacement due to automation and the potential for energy-intensive technology lock-in.

The report highlights a significant surge in Canadian green bond issuance in 2017, which reached C$3.8 billion, exceeding all previous years combined. While Canada ranks 10th globally for labelled green bonds, the report identifies a substantial 'climate-aligned' bond universe of C$39 billion, suggesting significant untapped potential. Growth has been driven primarily by provincial entities like Ontario and Quebec, and government-backed entities such as Export Development Canada, with the City of Ottawa recently becoming the first municipality to issue a green bond. The document argues that while policy drivers like the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change are favorable, Canada lacks a comprehensive financial plan to mobilize private capital. It recommends that the federal government issue a sovereign green bond and establish national sustainable finance standards to further catalyze the market.

The briefing identifies critical policy gaps in national coal transitions, emphasizing that a 'just transition' requires more than carbon pricing. It highlights the need to protect workers, build local economic resilience, avoid stranded assets, coordinate international trade flows, and secure financing. The document frames these managed transitions as a credible way for countries to increase their climate ambition within the UNFCCC framework.

Carbon Market Watch argues that international aviation and shipping emissions (bunkers emissions) must be accurately tracked within the Paris Agreement framework to prevent double counting of emission reductions. The organization recommends that Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) include a specific section for contributions outside their scope and that the UNFCCC formally cooperate with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). Furthermore, it proposes that the global stocktake incorporate data from ICAO and International Maritime Organization (IMO) reports to assess collective progress toward long-term temperature goals.

The report provides the first comprehensive inventory of central government energy subsidies in India, covering coal, oil and gas, renewable energy, and electricity transmission and distribution (T&D). It finds that while total quantified subsidies declined from USD 35.8 billion in FY2014 to USD 20.4 billion in FY2016, support for fossil fuels remained more significant than for renewables. The study highlights a shift in the primary recipient of subsidies toward electricity T&D and notes that many consumer subsidies fail to reach the poorest populations, instead benefiting those above the poverty line.

The document outlines the technical goals of COP23, focusing on the 'Rule Book' for the Paris Agreement, climate finance for developing countries, and the role of non-state actors. It analyzes how the US withdrawal has paradoxically strengthened international coalitions and spurred sub-national action within the US, while emphasizing Fiji's leadership in advocating for loss and damage and ocean governance.

The study investigates how internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs) could increase global GHG emissions if countries with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) less stringent than business-as-usual (BAU) projections transfer 'hot air'. Through road-testing 17 countries, the authors evaluate relative and absolute limits on transfers, concluding that while absolute limits are simple, relative limits based on historical emissions (as proposed by Brazil) could more effectively prevent hot air transfers, though they may restrict developing countries with increasing emissions trends.

The report uses the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) system to model Jamaica's GHG emissions and assess various mitigation actions across energy, waste, and agriculture sectors. It finds that while baseline emissions are projected to increase by 58% by 2055, significant low-cost abatement is possible, potentially allowing Jamaica to exceed its NDC targets without additional direct social costs. The analysis also highlights gender-differentiated impacts and identifies financial and technical capacity needs, particularly in domestic mitigation modeling and renewable energy implementation.

The document argues that the window to close the gap between current greenhouse gas emissions trajectories and the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement is narrowing. It proposes a framework of options for Parties to update their NDCs by 2020, focusing on increasing mitigation ambition, strengthening adaptation plans, improving implementation, and enhancing the clarity and transparency of their commitments.

The document argues that current NDCs are insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C and provides a framework for countries to update their pledges by 2020. It defines 'enhanced mitigation ambition' as actions that result in lower cumulative emissions than the original NDC. The proposed 'menu of options' includes strengthening GHG and non-GHG targets, aligning short-term actions with long-term decarbonization pathways, updating adaptation planning, and improving the transparency and clarity of reported data.

The Technology Needs Database (TND) analyzes technology needs for climate mitigation and adaptation identified by developing countries. Mitigation needs are concentrated in energy supply, efficient cities, and mobility, while transport, forestry, and agriculture are underrepresented relative to their emissions. Adaptation needs focus on agriculture, forestry, water management, and disaster prevention, with oceans, coastal zones, and human settlements being relatively underrepresented.

The document outlines nine key lessons for engaging the private sector in climate projects, emphasizing the need for context-specific approaches, strong public policy, and the use of innovative financial instruments. It argues that public sector leadership is essential to reduce risks and demonstrate the business case for private investment, particularly in adaptation projects which are typically seen as riskier than mitigation projects. Case studies from countries like Indonesia, Kenya, India, and Colombia illustrate the effectiveness of risk-sharing mechanisms, pilot projects, and the inclusion of private actors in the design phase of project lifecycles.

The report concludes that the Highveld Priority Area (HPA) has failed to improve air quality over a decade, with ambient air remaining in widespread non-compliance with health-based national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). This failure is attributed to inadequate government capacity, a lack of financial and human resources at the municipal level, and the failure of major industrial emitters, specifically Eskom and Sasol, to reduce emissions. The report highlights a deteriorating monitoring network, ineffective dust control regulations, and a lack of progress in addressing indoor air pollution in low-income settlements. It argues that the granting of postponements from minimum emission standards (MES) to major polluters has further hindered progress, violating the constitutional rights of residents to an environment not harmful to their health.

The 2017 Global Landscape of Climate Finance report finds that global climate finance peaked at $437 billion in 2015 before declining by 12% to $383 billion in 2016. The 2015 surge was primarily driven by private renewable energy investments in China, the U.S., and Japan. While solar and wind investments are largely on track for 2°C goals, other sectors like energy efficiency and adaptation remain significantly underfunded. Public finance is increasingly focused on energy efficiency, while multilateral development finance institutions (DFIs) are progressing toward their 2020 targets. The report highlights a strong preference for domestic investment, with 79% of finance remaining within the country of origin during 2015/2016.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) has challenged the Development Bank of Southern Africa's (DBSA) financing of the Thabametsi coal-fired power plant. The CER highlights a March 2017 North Gauteng High Court ruling that suspended the project's environmental authorisation because climate change impacts were not adequately considered. The CER notes that Thabametsi's own assessments indicate it would be one of South Africa's highest greenhouse gas emitters and faces high water availability risks. The document argues that financing new coal projects contradicts the DBSA's stated goals of supporting a low-carbon economy and its status as a UN Green Climate Fund entity, warning that the plant is likely to become a stranded asset given South Africa's commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The paper outlines how the UK can align its trade policy with the Paris Agreement to capitalise on a low-carbon market estimated at £1.0–1.8 trillion annually by 2030. It identifies UK strengths in offshore wind, gas turbines, and financial services, and proposes a structured approach to FTAs. The authors categorise FTA provisions into 'triple wins' (tariffs, services, and standards), 'policy coherence' (intellectual property and procurement), and 'policy cooperation' (sustainable development chapters, private standards, and environmental taxes). It concludes with a checklist for policy-makers to ensure trade deals support climate-resilient development.

The paper examines the alignment between national budgets and NDC commitments in four sub-Saharan African countries. It finds that while some ministries show rising budget projections, there are significant discrepancies between planned and actual spending. The analysis reveals that limited domestic resources are allocated to NDC actions, with a heavy reliance on international donor support. The author suggests that programme-based budgeting and Medium-Term Expenditure Frameworks offer opportunities to better track and report climate spending, though current precision remains low.

The report identifies a $895 billion climate-aligned bond universe, consisting of $221 billion in labelled green bonds and $674 billion in unlabelled bonds from pure-play issuers. Transport and energy are the dominant themes, with rail infrastructure being a primary driver. The document highlights the growing role of sovereign and sub-sovereign issuers, particularly in China and the US, and advocates for the green bond market to reach $1 trillion in annual issuance by 2020 to meet Paris Agreement targets.