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The research assesses the techno-economic drivers of hydrogen-based steelmaking, finding that while access to low-cost renewable energy can 'pull' industry to new locations, this effect is sensitive to assumptions and can be moderated by labour costs, capital costs, and 'strategic push' subsidies. The authors warn that relying solely on the renewables pull effect may delay necessary innovation and upscaling in higher-cost regions required to meet 2030 climate goals.

The research examines how green industrial policies and subsidies affect the cost of low-carbon steel production in the US and EU, concluding that subsidies have a more significant impact on cost reduction than renewable energy costs, which creates a tension between maintaining a level playing field and accelerating climate action.

Analysis of data from the Global Trade Alert database indicates that climate-related industrial policies in major trading economies often trigger 'echo' effects, where subsidy awards and import restrictions by one nation lead to similar responses from others within 6 to 24 months. The study finds that the EU-27 reacts almost every time to Chinese and US moves in net-zero sectors, while Chinese industrial policy support most frequently elicits import curb reactions from both the EU-27 and the USA. These patterns raise concerns regarding tit-for-tat trade conflicts and market access risks, suggesting a need for greater international alignment and transparency in supply-side interventions for the low-carbon transition.

The document examines the challenge of carbon leakage, where carbon pricing in one jurisdiction drives emissions to others. It evaluates several policy responses: international carbon pricing frameworks, Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs), carbon cost containment (such as free allocations in ETS), subsidies, and product standards. Each tool is analyzed based on its effectiveness in preventing leakage, its impact on decarbonization incentives, administrative complexity, and potential conflicts with WTO law or international principles like 'common but differentiated responsibilities'.

The document examines the phenomenon of carbon leakage, where carbon pricing in one jurisdiction leads to increased emissions in others. It evaluates several mitigation tools, including Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs), carbon cost containment measures (such as free allocations in ETS), subsidies, and product standards, while noting the political and practical hurdles of achieving a coordinated global carbon price.

The We Mean Business Coalition welcomes the G7's commitment to include the phase-out of fossil fuels and the scaling up of clean energy in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The Coalition argues that these signals provide the regulatory clarity necessary for businesses to invest in low-carbon systems and decarbonise their models. However, it notes that financial flows, including public investments and subsidies, must still be aligned with these goals, urging the G7 Finance Ministers to ensure coherence in their upcoming May meeting.

The document describes a systematic map of 227 articles evaluating public policy interventions for sustainable food consumption, finding a heavy reliance on non-intrusive instruments and a significant geographic bias toward high-income countries.

The document evaluates the Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement to identify effective mechanisms for production controls. It argues that legally binding national targets and a mandatory global target are superior to voluntary commitments. Key recommendations for the plastics treaty include establishing a global production target with a past-year baseline, implementing national phasedown schedules, banning the expansion of production facilities (specifically ethylene plants), and eliminating production subsidies.

The document reveals that between 2015 and 2023, the Indonesian government distributed approximately Rp179 trillion in biodiesel subsidies to 29 companies across 15 corporate groups, with a heavy concentration of funds among a few large entities. It identifies 17 Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs)—including former high-ranking police, military, and judicial officials—within the ownership or management structures of these groups, specifically highlighting Jhonlin Group, Sinar Mas, and Wilmar. The report argues that the presence of PEPs may influence the allocation of subsidies and suggests a lack of transparency in the mandatory biodiesel program, while noting that the industry remains dominated by large palm oil corporations despite the subsidies being funded by export levies from the broader palm oil sector.

The report identifies and analyzes six core principles of international law—sovereignty, prevention, cooperation, non-discrimination, sustainable development/equity/CBDR-RC, and transparency/consultation—as a framework for designing trade-related climate measures. It argues that such measures are 'legal hybrids' drawing from trade, environment, and human rights law. The expert group emphasizes that these principles should be applied cumulatively and coherently to ensure a just global green transition, particularly by accounting for the different national circumstances of developing countries.

The report examines Algeria's agricultural stagnation, highlighting low productivity, heavy reliance on food imports, and severe water stress. It details how climate change—manifesting as rising temperatures, reduced rainfall, and sea-level rise—threatens food security and regional stability. The document argues that intensification and the removal of unsustainable water and energy subsidies are necessary to improve efficiency and transition toward cleaner energy.

The document asserts that electric trucks can effectively replace up to half of the trucks currently on the road, as many medium- and heavy-duty routes are short enough for existing battery technology. While electric trucks are heavier, the text notes that most trucks reach cargo volume limits before weight limits, and federal and state exemptions help mitigate weight concerns. Driver preference is high due to reduced noise and vibration. Economically, the document highlights California's use of subsidies, fuel standards, and infrastructure rebates as a model. To scale adoption, the document emphasizes the need for broader policy frameworks—such as the Advanced Clean Truck regulation—and significant upgrades to the electric grid.

The briefing analyzes the challenges facing WTO agriculture negotiations at MC12, noting that deep divisions among members on domestic support, market access, and public stockholding likely mean that substantive outcomes will be limited to work programs for post-conference talks. The author identifies a potential positive outcome regarding an exemption for World Food Programme (WFP) food purchases from export restrictions and suggests that some progress on transparency may be achievable, though substantive issues like trade-distorting subsidies in cotton remain unresolved.

The document argues that the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) proposal, as amended by the European Parliament and Council, undermines the European Green Deal, the Farm-to-Fork Strategy, and the Biodiversity Strategy. The signatories request the withdrawal of the proposal and the introduction of a new one that supports a transition away from industrial agriculture, noting that €387 billion of taxpayers' money is at risk of funding practices that drive rather than solve the climate and nature crisis.

The briefing introduces a policy taxonomy for agricultural transformation that categorizes interventions based on their target: agricultural markets, the rural economy, the macroeconomy, or institutions. It emphasizes the concept of 'anti-agricultural bias'—where policies favor other sectors like industry over agriculture—and argues that removing this bias is a critical precondition for successful agricultural transformation, citing Brazil and Vietnam as positive examples and Ethiopia, Malawi, Togo, and Uganda as countries where such bias persists.

The document discusses the economic challenges of deploying clean energy mini-grids in Africa, noting high upfront costs and low revenues from poor customers. It aims to provide policymakers and donors with a toolkit of retail tariff and subsidy options to make mini-grids more profitable and sustainable for private investors.

The report examines the restructuring of Poland's coal sector following the 1989 transition to a market economy. While the sector successfully reduced its workforce from 388,000 in 1990 to 98,000 in 2015 and closed 40 of 70 collieries, it struggled with persistent lack of profitability and significant social costs. The authors analyze the Mining Social Package (MSP) and special privileges for mining communes, noting that while the MSP effectively reduced employment, it led to long-term labor market inactivity due to a lack of comprehensive job-seeking support. The report concludes that coal phase-out requires integrated regional development and mandatory professional retraining to avoid social exclusion.

The report analyzes a survey of 230 manufacturing companies across 16 Chinese provinces to evaluate how businesses interact with low-carbon and energy policies. It finds that while flagship programs like carbon-trading pilots have significant reach, there is a critical lack of policy awareness and technical capacity, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Major barriers to implementation include uncertainty regarding technology, lack of capital, and high administrative burdens caused by overlapping government jurisdictions. The document recommends streamlining administrative procedures, increasing transparency in carbon quota allocations, and lowering participation thresholds for subsidies to better include smaller firms.

The research paper investigates the effectiveness of Bonus-Malus schemes for promoting energy-efficient household appliances in Spain, specifically focusing on dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines. The authors develop a methodology to optimize the combination of taxes and subsidies to minimize dead weight loss (DWL) while meeting specific policy goals such as emission reductions or budget neutrality. The study finds that while simple subsidies can lead to welfare loss and increased energy bills due to a higher total number of appliances, a combined tax-subsidy approach can more effectively shift the market toward efficient goods. For instance, achieving a 10% emission reduction for dishwashers would be most effective by taxing both labelled and non-labelled goods, though this results in a significant reduction in the total number of appliances. Conversely, budget-neutral schemes can increase the share of efficient appliances but may inadvertently increase total energy consumption if the increase in efficient units outweighs the reduction in inefficient ones.

The document analyzes green industrial policy—policies supporting industries that produce environmentally preferable goods—within the context of the global trading system. It identifies various market failures, such as environmental externalities and capital market imperfections, that justify government intervention. However, it warns of governance failures, including rent-seeking and the risk of picking unsuccessful 'winners.' The author argues that while traditional industrial policy is often mercantilist, green industrial policy can provide global benefits, potentially justifying special trade rules or exemptions for climate-related measures and least-developed countries.