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The document explains the fundamental differences between emissions trading systems and offsetting mechanisms, evaluates the failures of the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation, and details the challenges facing the implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. It specifically addresses risks such as 'hot air' trading, double counting, and the lack of environmental integrity in forest-based offsets (REDD+), while also examining the CORSIA aviation offsetting scheme and the voluntary carbon market.

The document explains the difference between cap-and-trade systems and offsetting mechanisms, detailing the failures of the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and the risks associated with the Paris Agreement's Article 6. It highlights issues such as 'hot air' credits, double counting, and the lack of local safeguards. It also assesses the CORSIA aviation scheme and the voluntary carbon market, arguing that the global community must move beyond offsetting toward direct climate finance to achieve net-zero emissions.

The report identifies five major barriers to climate-aligned finance: structural challenges to influencing the real economy, competitive disadvantage, varying alignment methodologies, multiple decarbonization pathways, and inadequate data. It argues that while divestment alone is insufficient, financial institutions can use levers such as sustainability-linked loans, transition finance, and collective action initiatives (e.g., Climate Action 100+, Poseidon Principles) to drive decarbonization. The document emphasizes the need for harmonized assessment methodologies, industry-informed decarbonization pathways, and standardized reporting to move the financial sector from a reactive to a proactive role in the low-carbon transition.

The document outlines a framework for countries to develop comprehensive net-zero targets, emphasizing the need for deep decarbonization, the use of carbon removals, and the importance of just transitions. It argues that targets should cover all greenhouse gases and sectors, be legally binding where possible, and be supported by transparent communication and stakeholder engagement to drive near- and midterm climate action.

The document argues that the United States can decouple economic growth from carbon emissions, as evidenced by a 25 percent increase in real GDP and a 12 percent fall in energy-related CO2 emissions between 2005 and 2018. It highlights that clean energy is more labor-intensive than fossil fuels, with $1 million spent on renewables or energy efficiency generating 7–8 jobs compared to 2–3 for fossil fuels. The paper emphasizes the falling costs of solar, wind, and battery technologies, noting that new clean energy portfolios are often cheaper than operating existing coal plants. It also discusses the potential for revitalizing rural communities through renewable energy and the necessity of a fair transition for fossil fuel workers to ensure social equity.

The document outlines a framework for establishing comprehensive net-zero targets, emphasizing the need for all-sector and all-gas coverage, the setting of separate emissions reduction targets to avoid over-reliance on carbon removals, and the importance of transparent communication and participatory design processes.

Mighty Earth calls on the European Commission to ensure that EU recovery funds for the transport and rubber industries are conditional on commitments to net zero carbon neutrality, zero deforestation, and the protection of human rights and Indigenous land tenure.

The document argues that the World Heritage Committee should not defer climate mitigation issues to the UNFCCC, as state parties have independent obligations under the World Heritage Convention to protect properties from climate change. It asserts that site-level mitigation and adaptation are insufficient for highly vulnerable sites like coral reefs and glaciers, which require warming to be limited to well below 1.5°C. The briefing recommends using the List of World Heritage in Danger to enforce corrective measures based on a state's alignment with global emissions pathways.

The statement argues that AXA and Amundi/Crédit Agricole are acting hypocritically by maintaining public commitments to the Paris Agreement and the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance while voting against a climate resolution for Total. It highlights that Total's current plans include increasing hydrocarbon production by 12% between 2018 and 2030 and allocating 80% of its capex to fossil fuels by 2030, which contradicts the 1.5°C warming limit.

Reclaim Finance highlights a contradiction between the public climate pledges of AXA and Amundi/Crédit Agricole and their decision to vote against a shareholder resolution calling for Total to improve its climate actions. The document argues that Total's current strategy—which includes increasing hydrocarbon production and maintaining high fossil fuel capex—is not aligned with a 1.5°C trajectory, making the investors' opposition to the resolution hypocritical given their stated goals of carbon neutrality and Paris Agreement alignment.

The document argues that COVID-19 recovery offers a political opportunity to implement greener, more livable cities by prioritizing 'shovel-ready' decarbonization projects and non-motorized transport. It emphasizes that urban recovery must address social vulnerabilities, specifically by integrating informal settlements and workers into planning to ensure equity. The text highlights the critical role of public transport as the 'backbone of mobility' and calls for improved direct access to international finance for cities to bridge the gap between national recovery packages and local needs.

Mighty Earth argues that the Matarbari coal plant project in Bangladesh is a 'disaster' characterized by cost overruns, high pollution levels, and human rights concerns. The document highlights that solar energy is a cheaper and cleaner alternative and asserts that the project violates Japan's own climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and its Fifth Strategic Energy Plan.

The document examines the need for strategic alignment between Nepal's national policy frameworks—specifically those concerning sustainable development, climate change, and disaster risk reduction—following the country's 2015 constitutional change. It highlights the ongoing review of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the relaunch of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process as key opportunities to improve the coherence and efficiency of climate action.

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.

A survey of 1,029 U.S. adults conducted in April 2020 reveals that while 75% of registered voters believe global warming is happening, views on its causes and the urgency of action vary significantly by political affiliation. Despite these divisions, there is broad cross-party support for renewable energy research, public land use for clean energy, and the Paris Climate Agreement. The report also finds that a candidate's position on global warming is a 'very important' voting factor for 43% of registered voters.

Industrial supply chains account for over 40 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, making their abatement essential for limiting global warming to 1.5°C. To achieve this, the document calls for the standardization of carbon accounting across various protocols and platforms to meet the transparency demands of investors, policymakers, and consumers.

ClientEarth urges the UK government to mandate that companies receiving public recovery funds commit to TCFD reporting, net zero emissions by 2050, Paris-aligned business plans, linked executive remuneration, and restrictions on executive pay and capital distributions.

The document argues for a 'One Health' approach to prevent future pandemics by protecting ecosystem integrity and stopping the illegal wildlife trade, noting that 70% of new emerging diseases are zoonotic. It advocates for systemic recovery strategies, including 'farm-to-fork' agricultural approaches and sustainable supply chains for commodities like coffee, cocoa, and cotton. The text emphasizes the need for 'do no harm' standards in recovery investments, the scaling of green finance—citing that mangrove investments can yield $7 in economic benefits for every dollar spent—and the alignment of biodiversity goals with the Paris Agreement's NDCs and the Convention on Biological Diversity's 2030 goals.

ClientEarth proposes that the UK Government mandate five legally enforceable conditions for companies listed in the UK or with an annual turnover exceeding £45 million receiving recovery support. These conditions include reporting according to TCFD recommendations, committing to net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier (covering scopes 1, 2, and 3), and disclosing a Paris-aligned business plan within 12 months. Additionally, the proposal suggests linking executive remuneration to these targets and restricting executive pay and capital distributions during the support period. ClientEarth emphasizes that the Government, as steward of public funds, must monitor compliance, impose sanctions for non-compliance, and maintain transparency by disclosing support and conditions on a company-by-company basis.

The report asserts that Australia's climate policies and fossil fuel exports are causing the deterioration of the Great Barrier Reef's Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). It argues that Australia is failing its obligations under the World Heritage Convention by not pursuing a well-below-1.5°C pathway and relying on 'legally baseless' carryover credits to meet emissions targets. The document calls for the Great Barrier Reef to be inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger and for the Australian government to phase out fossil fuel production and exports.