Search Climate Insights Directory

The Asia Data Transparency Report 2023 evaluates power sector data transparency across 39 economies in Asia-Pacific and Central Asia. It finds that over half of the region suffers from poor or insufficient data transparency, which hinders the transition from coal to clean electricity. The report identifies high-performing economies, provides a case study on India's public-private partnership for data aggregation, and offers nine recommendations to improve data governance.

This report analyzes the 2022 activities of United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies (HRTBs) regarding state obligations in the context of climate change. It tracks the increasing frequency of climate-related recommendations in state review processes and examines specific trends in mitigation, fossil fuel regulation, adaptation, and the protection of vulnerable groups, including Indigenous Peoples and persons with disabilities.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law and the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights analyzes the 2022 activities of seven UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies (HRTBs) regarding climate change. It documents an increase in climate-related references in State reporting procedures and highlights key developments in General Comments and individual communications, specifically the landmark Billy et al. v. Australia case.

This briefing by the Global Climate and Health Alliance argues that climate change and biodiversity loss are the primary global health threats of the 21st century, but that integrating health into climate policy presents a significant opportunity to reduce emissions and improve public health. It details the direct and indirect health risks of warming—including heat-related mortality, air pollution, infectious disease spread, and food system collapse—while highlighting that the health co-benefits of decarbonisation and meeting Paris Agreement goals can substantially offset the economic costs of climate action.

Ember's submission to the Australian government argues that the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS) relies on inadequate state-based emissions factors for Queensland open cut coal mines. The document recommends phasing out 'Method 1' in favor of direct measurement and multi-input models to accurately capture methane variability and super-emitting events.

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity source trends in 2022, detailing the growth of renewables like solar and wind, the continued dominance and record highs of coal, and the fluctuations in hydro, nuclear, gas, and bioenergy generation. It compares current trends against the IEA Net Zero Emissions scenario to highlight the growth rates required to limit global warming to 1.5C.

This report by Ember provides a detailed analysis of global electricity generation, demand, and emissions for 2022, evaluating progress toward net-zero targets. It highlights a record growth in wind and solar power, offset by a continued reliance on fossil fuels and a historic decline in nuclear generation. The report notes that while emissions intensity is at its lowest level, absolute power sector emissions reached an all-time high in 2022.

This report, published by Global Energy Monitor and several partner organizations, tracks the global development of coal-fired power plants as of April 2023. It analyzes the tension between the global trend toward coal phase-out and a significant surge in coal plant approvals and construction in China, while evaluating the progress of other major economies and the role of private finance in the energy transition.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and its partners analyzes the state of global coal-fired power generation as of April 2023. It details a diverging trend where coal capacity is declining in most of the world—particularly in the US and EU—while China continues a massive expansion of new plants. The document evaluates the alignment of national commitments with the Paris Agreement and provides regional updates on coal phase-outs and new developments, with a specific focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.

This report describes an Excel-based cost-benefit analysis (CBA) model developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA). The model is designed to evaluate 'betterment' road infrastructure projects in Queensland, Australia, by quantifying not only direct avoided reconstruction costs but also indirect social, economic, and environmental 'non-road' benefits to determine the total societal value of resilience investments.

This policy brief by Ember analyzes the Australian Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications’ Inquiry into the Safeguard Mechanism, arguing that while the committee acknowledged the significant climate impact of coal mine methane, its final recommendations failed to provide sufficient measures to address the issue.

This policy brief by Ember analyzes the findings of the Australian federal Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications' inquiry into the Safeguard Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Bill 2022. While the Committee acknowledged the significant climate impact of coal mine methane emissions, Ember argues that the final recommendations failed to mandate rigorous measurement standards or direct onsite mitigation, relying instead on a system of offsets and declining intensity baselines that may not sufficiently address methane's specific warming properties.

This policy brief provides a state-of-play analysis of the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on Electronic Commerce as of December 2022. It examines the evolving global e-commerce governance landscape, including national regulatory trends and the rise of Digital Economy Agreements, while detailing the progress of JSI negotiations, the restructuring of the consolidated negotiating text, and the efforts to address the digital divide and development concerns.

This report provides a status update on the World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-commerce as of December 2022. It analyzes the initiative's progress during its fifth year, contrasting it with broader trends in national, regional, and multilateral digital governance. The report highlights a shift toward a potentially less ambitious agreement for the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), focusing on resolved trade facilitation issues while deferring controversial market access and data flow topics.

This report provides a status update on the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce as of December 2022. It analyzes the evolving landscape of digital trade governance at national, regional, and multilateral levels, noting a trend toward more flexible regional Digital Economy Agreements (DEAs) and an increased focus on the digital divide within the WTO's broader Work Programme. The author suggests that the JSI is likely moving toward a less ambitious agreement focusing on minor facilitation points to ensure a conclusion by the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13).

The 'Strategic Plan for Advancing Energy Efficiency Across Demand Sectors by 2030' is a report prepared by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and the Ministry of Power, Government of India, for the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group. It outlines a framework to double the global annual rate of energy intensity improvement by 2030 to align with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goal 7.3. The plan focuses on five pillars: buildings, industry, transport, financing, and behavioral changes, proposing specific policy actions, technological deployments, and high-impact opportunities to accelerate decarbonization.

This Stockholm Environment Institute report analyzes the global interactions between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement under a 1.5°C climate boundary condition. Using expert perceptions and a cross-impact matrix, the study finds that most interactions are synergetic (62%), suggesting that climate-resilient development is possible. Key accelerators for progress include the mobilization of climate finance and the mainstreaming of climate policy into national strategies. The report highlights that addressing root causes of vulnerability (poverty, inequality, and basic service access) is essential for building global resilience.

The Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks Network is a 3-year program supported by the Australian Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Led by the Stockholm Environment Institute - Asia Centre, the program aims to develop evidence-based solutions for water, energy, and development challenges in the Mekong Region to improve policy and practice for vulnerable and marginalized communities.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law and the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights reviews the 2022 outputs of the Human Rights Committee (CCPR) regarding climate change. It highlights a decline in climate-related mentions in State review processes and analyzes the groundbreaking decision in Billy et al. v. Australia, which established a State's duty to protect people from climate impacts.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law and the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights synthesizes the 2022 activities of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) regarding climate change. It details the Committee's interactions with State parties through the review process, its focus on mitigation, adaptation, and fossil fuel financing, and the publication of General Comment No. 26 on land and economic, social and cultural rights.