Search Climate Insights Directory

This executive summary describes a transdisciplinary research project (2019–2022) funded with USD 199,605 to identify governance modalities that effectively incorporate local and traditional knowledge into biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services management. The project utilizes a mixed-methods action research approach across four case studies in Canada, Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay to address implementation gaps in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) and 35 partner organizations issued a statement calling for the elimination of fossil fuel sponsorship and advertising in British Columbia's municipal politics, specifically targeting the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the link between fossil fuel emissions and extreme weather events in the United States, detailing the role of the oil and gas industry in climate damages and the current state of the US energy transition.

This policy brief analyzes the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and the UK Critical Minerals Strategy (CMS), evaluating their potential to support African industrialization. It argues that both frameworks are primarily driven by domestic energy and economic priorities, focusing on reducing dependency on China and mitigating geopolitical risks. The author contends that current capital allocations and the emphasis on domestic processing capacity are insufficient to attract private investment for African value addition and beneficiation, suggesting a need for a shift in political and commercial relations to align with African industrialization goals.

This briefing analyzes the rise of climate litigation against major fossil fuel companies, noting that 86 lawsuits have been filed, with annual filings nearly tripling since 2015. The most prevalent cases seek compensation for climate damages (38%), followed by claims of misleading advertising (16%) and demands for emissions reductions (12%). The report highlights a shift toward criminal litigation, targeting executives for 'crimes against humanity' and involuntary manslaughter, and notes a growing trend in challenging project permits and corporate directors' liability.

This policy brief examines the global race to secure critical minerals for green and digital industrial revolutions, detailing the strategies of the US, EU, UK, Canada, and China. It argues that African countries can leverage their mineral wealth through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by adopting a 'climate-resilient developmental regionalism' approach to build regional value chains and achieve sustainable structural transformation.

This report by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) provides guidance on the design and implementation of trade-related circular economy policies and measures (TrCEMs). It aims to help governments create frameworks that achieve environmental and public health goals while minimizing trade costs and supporting fair transitions, particularly for developing countries.

A joint statement submitted by Ecojustice on behalf of ten environmental and health organizations, criticizing proposed amendments to the Pest Control Products Regulations. The signatories argue that the changes fail to strengthen environmental oversight, restrict public access to confidential test data, and do not sufficiently advance Canada's commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

This case study by the World Resources Institute describes Canada's development of a legal and governance framework to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, centered on the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Indigenous Clean Energy provides recommendations for implementing Canada's Sustainable Jobs Act to support Indigenous-led clean energy solutions and self-determination.

This report summarizes stakeholder dialogues conducted in 2023 and 2024 across Brazil, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam regarding the design and implementation of Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs). It examines BCAs as a tool to prevent carbon leakage—where economic activity shifts to jurisdictions with less ambitious climate policies—and analyzes the perspectives of government, industry, finance, labour, academia, and civil society on the opportunities and challenges these mechanisms present.

This policy brief recommends that the Canadian government implement the Sustainable Jobs Act through joint governance, flexible definitions of sustainable employment, and increased Indigenous equity and ownership in clean energy. It emphasizes that for the energy transition to be just, it must advance Indigenous self-determination and provide comprehensive wrap-around supports for workforce development.

An open letter from 80 organizations, including the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, urging Canadian political leaders to take urgent climate action and regulate the oil and gas industry following the Jasper wildfire.

This report analyzes national monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems for climate adaptation in Canada, France, Kenya, Namibia, Peru, Somalia, Tonga, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam. It finds that while monitoring has improved since 2014—with Kenya establishing legal frameworks and others strengthening NAP processes—evaluation and learning remain underdeveloped. Additionally, the systematic integration of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) is lacking, despite examples from Kenya and Vietnam. The report emphasizes the link between these national systems and global UNFCCC processes, such as the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience.

This report details the proceedings and decisions of the 32nd meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-32) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held via videoconference on May 22-23, 2024. The meeting focused on financial planning, the relocation of the IAI Executive Directorate from Uruguay to Panama, the integration of Indigenous knowledge into climate science, and the expansion of the IAI's network of Associate institutions.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) has released draft reports for the 32nd meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-32) and the 57th meeting of the Executive Council (EC-57) for review and comment.

A notification from the Executive Director of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) announcing the availability of preliminary reports from the 32nd Conference of the Parties (CoP-32) and the 57th Executive Council meeting (CE-57) for review and comment.

This report details a series of national dialogues in Brazil regarding Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs), specifically focusing on the impacts of the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). While the immediate economic impact of the EU CBAM on Brazil is estimated to be limited, the report highlights significant risks if such mechanisms proliferate to other major trading partners like the United States and Japan. The document synthesizes the concerns of the Brazilian government and industrial sectors, emphasizing the need for standardized emissions reporting, the recognition of non-price-based climate efforts, and the provision of financial support for technological adaptation in developing countries.

This report examines the potential socio-economic and environmental impacts of Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs), specifically the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), on Trinidad and Tobago. As a hydrocarbon-dependent economy and a major global exporter of ammonia and fertilizers, the country is highly vulnerable to import charges based on carbon emissions. The report analyzes sectoral vulnerabilities, stakeholder responses, and the role of the financial sector in supporting decarbonization, while providing policy recommendations to mitigate economic risks and leverage opportunities for green industrial transformation.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes trade frictions arising from national and subnational plastic pollution measures implemented by WTO members. By examining Specific Trade Concerns (STCs) and Trade Policy Review (TPR) questions, the authors identify six primary types of regulatory issues—timing, transparency, stakeholder engagement, proportionality, justification, and discrimination—and provide recommendations to help policy-makers design measures that minimize trade disruptions.