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A World Resources Institute briefing outlining five critical issues for the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board to address at its final 2018 meeting in Bahrain to restore confidence and ensure effective climate finance delivery.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes the adoption dynamics of three agricultural technologies in Brazil between 2006 and 2017: no-till farming (Plantio Direto), tractors, and fertilizers. Using data from the 2017 Agricultural Census, the study identifies three distinct spatial patterns of adoption, suggesting that the drivers and environmental consequences of agricultural intensification vary by technology.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes the adoption of three agricultural intensification technologies in Brazil between 2006 and 2017: the Direct Planting System (DPS), tractors, and fertilizers. Using data from Brazil's 2017 Agricultural Census, the study identifies divergent spatial patterns of adoption, noting that while DPS is becoming more widespread, tractor use is becoming more concentrated in wealthier regions, and fertilizer use is increasing without a clear spatial pattern.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines policies and strategies used by governments to promote direct local employment in the mining sector. It outlines a five-step process for developing local employment policies and categorizes interventions into regulatory 'stick'-based approaches and facilitative 'carrot'-based incentives. The document emphasizes the importance of matching labour supply with industry demand, promoting gender equity and Indigenous participation, and preparing for technological shifts such as automation.

This briefing note provides background for an IISD webinar on the development and negotiation of model bilateral investment treaties (BITs). It examines why countries are revising their investment governance frameworks, the shift toward more transparent consultation processes, and the substantive changes in new-generation models aimed at protecting the right to regulate and promoting sustainable development.

This briefing, issued by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) on September 27, 2018, presents a draft outline of the IAI's Strategic Plan for review by its member Parties. The document details the process for developing the plan, its overarching vision and mission, and a structured framework organized around three main themes: responding to the needs of member Parties, advancing science for sustainability in the Americas, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the IAI organization.

This research paper introduces a method for calculating and attributing maritime shipping emissions by linking shipping manifests with Automatic Identification System (AIS) data. Using 2014 Brazilian exports as a case study, the paper demonstrates that shipping emissions for these exports added 5% to Brazil's World Bank reported CO2 totals, with iron ores and soybeans being major contributors.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the relationship between energy efficiency and productive efficiency in Brazilian industry from 2003 to 2015. It finds that while individual firms have improved their resource use, the overall market share of the most efficient firms has declined, hindering aggregate productivity. The report argues that Brazil's energy efficiency policies have historically been reactive and focused on the residential sector, neglecting the industrial sector, which is the largest energy consumer.

The Distributed Energy for Social Housing (DESH) instrument is a third-party ownership and rental model designed to provide low-income tenants in Brazil with access to distributed solar energy without upfront costs. By utilizing a dual-class fund structure with a first-loss tranche for concessional capital, DESH aims to overcome barriers such as high interest rates, lack of upfront capital, and perceived credit risk associated with low-income borrowers.

This report assesses the greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments of over 6,000 cities, states, and regions and more than 2,000 companies across 9 high-emitting countries and the European Union, concluding that while these non-state actor actions are significant, they are insufficient on their own to limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C or well-below 2°C.

The Carbon-Free Regions Handbook: Land Use is a guide by RMI that provides four specific actions for subnational governments to address climate goals through land management, open space conservation, methane capture, and regenerative agriculture.

The Carbon-Free Regions Handbook: Industry provides a set of five strategic actions (Actions 15-19) designed to reduce the industrial sector's contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, which currently account for 28% of the total.

This scoping study examines the growth of the digital economy and digital trade, analyzing how these shifts create both opportunities for economic leapfrogging and risks of a widening 'digital divide' for developing and emerging economies.

This executive summary by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the state of energy efficiency (EE) in Brazil, highlighting a historical tendency toward reactive, residential-focused policies rather than long-term industrial planning. Through an economic analysis of 106 industrial sectors from 2003 to 2015, the document finds a strong correlation between energy efficiency and productive efficiency, noting that while individual firms have improved, the market share of the most efficient firms has declined. The report concludes that correcting resource misallocation—particularly capital—could significantly boost aggregate productivity.

This policy brief by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) argues that South Africa's development finance institutions (DFIs), specifically the IDC and DBSA, are constrained by their funding models and cannot sufficiently support labour-intensive manufacturing. The document proposes recapitalising these institutions with public funds, establishing an export-import (EXIM) bank, and adopting a funding model similar to Brazil's BNDES to drive job creation and industrial growth.

This policy brief by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) argues that South Africa's unemployment crisis is a macroeconomic phenomenon that cannot be solved through microeconomic interventions alone. The document criticizes the 'orthodox' macroeconomic framework adopted since 1996, characterizing both fiscal and monetary policies as contractionary and detrimental to job creation. It proposes a shift toward a developmental macroeconomic approach, featuring a significant fiscal stimulus and a restructured monetary policy mandate to prioritize employment and productive investment over strict inflation targeting.

This fact sheet provides details on a private placement green bond issued by Faro Energy on July 10, 2018, to finance distributed solar power projects in Brazil.

This statement from the South African Institute of International Affairs advocates for the integration of gender perspectives into the BRICS bloc's development strategies, specifically regarding the Fourth Industrial Revolution, peace and security, and healthcare.

This briefing by the Climate Bonds Initiative explores the synergies between green bonds and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), arguing that climate mitigation and adaptation are essential for achieving the 2030 Agenda. It identifies six specific SDGs that benefit directly from green bond investment and emphasizes the need for climate risk disclosure across all thematic bond labels to ensure long-term sustainability.

This briefing by the Climate Bonds Initiative outlines key public sector green bond policy developments from the first half of 2018, focusing on sovereign issuance, national guidelines, financial incentives, and the role of central banks in supporting the energy transition.