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This analysis evaluates the outcomes of the virtual Climate Ambition Summit held in December 2020, which served as a substitute for the postponed Glasgow Climate Change Conference. While the summit resulted in 45 announcements of new or updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the author argues that these commitments often lack the urgency required by climate science and are frequently conditional on financial support for developing nations.

A statement from World Resources Institute President & CEO Andrew Steer regarding the Climate Ambition Summit, noting progress in net-zero commitments from various nations and non-state actors while criticizing the lack of bold 2030 emission targets and insufficient financial support for developing countries.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the UN Climate Change Dialogues 2020, which served as a virtual bridge to COP 26. It evaluates the effectiveness of the virtual format, the progress made on outstanding Paris Agreement issues, and the tension between stated national ambitions and scientific requirements for emissions reductions.

This report by the NewClimate Institute examines the increasing prevalence of net-zero emissions targets among companies, cities, and regions, highlighting how ambiguities in implementation approaches can obscure actual ambition and the need for greater transparency to ensure accountability.

This report by the NewClimate Institute, PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, and IIASA provides an update on climate mitigation policies, COVID-19 response measures, and the status of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and Long-Term Strategies (LTS) across 25 countries and regions between July 2019 and August 2020.

This discussion paper examines the proliferation of climate neutrality and net-zero targets set by countries and companies, highlighting a lack of transparency and consistency in how these targets are defined and achieved.

The NewClimate Institute's summary report outlines Paris Agreement-compatible sectoral benchmarks for the power, transport, industry, and buildings sectors. It defines 'highest plausible ambition' targets for 2030 and 2050 to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C, providing specific analysis for seven countries and the global level to guide government decarbonisation strategies.

This research paper by the NewClimate Institute examines policy frameworks for upscaling Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) while ensuring that such efforts do not detract from greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The authors analyze various CDR approaches, their development stages, and the risks associated with using offsetting schemes, ultimately advocating for the separation of emission reduction targets from removal targets.

This World Resources Institute research paper provides a framework for countries to design and communicate net-zero GHG targets. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive, sector-wide targets with ambitious time frames—especially for major emitters—and argues that targets should be legally binding and informed by stakeholder engagement to ensure a just transition. The paper advocates for prioritizing domestic reductions over international transfers and integrating long-term net-zero goals into near-term policies and NDCs.

This document is a feedback submission from the NGO Ember to the European Commission regarding the revision of guidelines for Trans-European energy infrastructure. Ember argues for a rapid shift away from fossil gas infrastructure, an increase in renewable energy sources (RES) and grid flexibility, and more transparent governance of infrastructure planning.

This guidance from the NewClimate Institute provides recommendations for policy makers on developing and revising long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies (LTS) in alignment with the Paris Agreement.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) issued a statement supporting the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act, an emergency stimulus bill introduced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on March 23, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

This briefing describes the draft Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation’s (CLEAN) Future Act, a legislative proposal by Democratic leaders on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to achieve a net-zero greenhouse gas pollution economy by 2050 through cross-sectoral policies.

The 2020 Global Green Economy Barometer, published by the Green Economy Coalition, assesses the progress of the global shift toward green and fair economies. It argues that while there are signs of acceleration in energy transition and a growing public demand for change, the 'brown economy' still dominates due to fossil fuel subsidies, financial short-termism, and economic models that ignore natural capital. The document calls for systemic economic reform moving from extraction to restoration and from GDP-centric measures to wellbeing and nature-based accounting.

This executive summary outlines seven 'green strings'—principles and conditions—that the Canadian government should apply to COVID-19 recovery spending, bailouts, and stimulus to ensure alignment with climate goals and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The NDC Update Report by the NewClimate Institute examines the role of long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies (LTSs) in achieving the Paris Agreement goals. It emphasizes that LTSs should guide the 'highest possible ambition' for Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) updates and signal a path toward net-zero emissions by 2050.

This briefing note from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment argues for the removal of natural gas from British Columbia's buildings to meet climate targets and protect public health. It advocates for updating the Building Code and BC Energy Step Code to prohibit new gas connections and establish deadlines for existing buildings to transition to clean energy.

A sign-on letter from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) and other health organizations urging the Canadian government to implement a 'Healthy Recovery Plan' through federal fiscal stimulus spending to address climate change and public health.

This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International critiques 'Nature-based Solutions' (NbS) and soil carbon markets, arguing that these concepts are tools for corporate co-optation of environmental and food policies rather than viable solutions for climate change, biodiversity loss, or hunger.

The Overarching Forest Goals Theme 1 Assessment evaluates global progress toward eliminating deforestation by 2030. It highlights that while some regions show modest declines in deforestation, current global rates are insufficient to meet the 2030 target, and net forest losses continue to outweigh gains from reforestation.