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The IAI Executive Directorate reported progress in its strategic plan during 2020-2021 despite COVID-19 challenges. Key achievements include the launch of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) fellowship program, the development of a revised scientific agenda incorporating feedback from Canada, Argentina, and Colombia, and the execution of transdisciplinary projects on climate-driven vector-borne diseases in Jamaica and Saint Lucia. The IAI also expanded its partnerships with the Belmont Forum, Wellcome Trust, and Mitacs Canada, while contributing to the IPCC's chapter on Central and South America.

The authors contend that the transition to renewable energy technologies, such as wind turbines and solar panels, relies on destructive mineral extraction that mirrors the harmful patterns of the fossil fuel era. Through initiatives like the WINDPLAN and Green Curses and Violent Conflicts projects, the researchers examine socio-environmental conflicts and protests against renewable projects in Norway, Uganda, Chile, and Bolivia. They argue that energy justice must move beyond simply increasing energy access to addressing the imbalances and contestations caused by the green transition's global value chain.

The report outlines a framework for Chile to establish a national green taxonomy, which would serve as a classification system to identify sustainable economic activities and prevent greenwashing. It recommends that Chile follow a three-step path: adopt existing international taxonomies (such as those from the EU, China, or Climate Bonds Initiative), adapt them to local contexts, and lead the development of new criteria for sectors lacking international benchmarks, specifically mining. The document identifies energy, transport, construction, and industry as priority sectors for mitigation, while emphasizing that adaptation and resilience criteria must be developed in parallel across all sectors. It proposes a three-level governance structure involving government ministries, technical coordinators, and industry experts, and suggests focusing initial applications on green debt instruments.

The report outlines a framework for Chile to establish a national green taxonomy, recommending a pathway of adopting and adapting international standards (such as the EU and CBI taxonomies) while leading the development of criteria for sectors unique to its economy, specifically mining. It identifies Energy, Transport, Construction, and Industry as priority sectors for mitigation and emphasizes the parallel development of adaptation and resilience criteria. The roadmap proposes a three-tier governance structure involving government ministries, financial regulators, and technical experts to ensure the taxonomy is science-based, binary, and aligned with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal.

The document argues that the innovative policy responses used to combat the COVID-19 pandemic can be repurposed to mitigate systemic climate-related risks. It details how prudential regulations, such as stress testing and capital buffers, and monetary instruments, including collateral frameworks and corporate financing facilities, can be 'greened' to support a sustainable recovery in the ASEAN region. The brief emphasizes the need for clear roadmaps and mandatory climate disclosures to manage both physical and transition risks.

The report analyzes the Zona Franca de Manaus (ZFM), noting that while it is named a 'free trade zone', it functions more like an 'enterprise zone' by focusing on regional development and local employment rather than international trade. The authors argue that current tax incentives have not significantly improved productivity or wages, with 59% of employees earning up to two minimum wages in 2019. The document recommends redefining the ZFM's identity and linking tax benefits to local hiring quotas, education, infrastructure reinvestment, and sustainable activities that leverage the Amazon biome's comparative advantages.

The document outlines the role of governments in ensuring sustainable environmental management throughout the mine life cycle. It emphasizes a risk-based approach to governing four critical areas: water resources, biodiversity and ecosystem services, mine waste stability, and emergency response. The guide advocates for the use of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and Management Plans (ESMPs) as primary regulatory tools and introduces a five-step gap analysis process—review, assess, prioritize, implement, and monitor—to help governments align their national legal frameworks with international benchmarks such as the IFC Performance Standards and the Mitigation Hierarchy.

The document outlines a comprehensive approach for governments to regulate the environmental impacts of large-scale mining throughout a project's life cycle. It emphasizes the use of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) to ensure sustainable resource management. The guide details specific standards for water quality and basin-level management, the application of the mitigation hierarchy to achieve 'no net loss' or 'net positive impact' on biodiversity, the technical and financial requirements for stable mine waste storage (particularly tailings dams), and the necessity of inclusive, risk-based emergency response planning. It concludes with a five-step gap analysis process—review, evaluate, prioritize, implement, and monitor—to help governments align their national legal frameworks with international sustainability standards.

The document serves as a comprehensive resource for governments to balance resource extraction with environmental protection. It focuses on four critical areas: water management, biodiversity conservation, mining waste stability, and emergency preparedness. For each area, the guide outlines major challenges, international standards (such as IFC Performance Standards and the Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management), and specific governmental roles. It emphasizes a risk-based approach, the use of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), and the importance of inclusive consultation, particularly with women and indigenous groups. The guide concludes with a five-step gap analysis process—examine, assess, prioritize, implement, and monitor—to help states align their national legal frameworks with international best practices.

The analysis evaluates Estonia's readiness for a hydrogen economy, focusing on the transport and industrial sectors as primary drivers for decarbonization. It models two scenarios (low and high) for hydrogen penetration by 2050, estimating that total investments could reach EUR 22.4 to 44.7 billion. The report highlights that while the transport sector—particularly shipping and rail—and the production of green ammonia and methanol offer the highest potential, significant barriers exist, including a lack of refueling infrastructure, high initial costs, and the need for a national hydrogen strategy. To unlock this potential, the study emphasizes the necessity of increasing renewable electricity capacity, specifically through offshore wind, and providing public investment to kick-start the market.

Reclaim Finance argues that Engie is failing its climate ambitions by converting coal power plants to gas and biomass rather than transitioning to sustainable renewables. The document highlights specific conversions in Chile and a proposed gas project in Italy as evidence of a lack of strategic vision, while noting that Engie's current SBTi-certified target of 2°C is insufficient compared to the required 1.5°C trajectory.

The document argues that women's political representation is vital for the durability of peace, as it can lead to increased social welfare spending and improved perceptions of governance. It highlights that while global representation in national parliaments slightly increased to 25.5% by January 2021, women still face systemic barriers including poverty, patriarchal stereotypes, and violence. The briefing suggests that international bodies should implement gender quotas, establish participation benchmarks for 'free and fair' elections, and ensure women's rights are guaranteed in peace agreements.

Chile's updated 2020 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) introduces a "social pillar" designed to align climate action with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This framework includes eight criteria for the design and monitoring of climate measures, specifically addressing the decarbonization of the power matrix and the closure of 28 coal-fired power plants by 2040. To support this, Chile launched a process in June 2020 to develop a "Strategy for Just Transition" by 2021, utilizing a three-tier governance structure involving government, companies, unions, and communities. While the NDC is praised for integrating social issues across all policy areas and establishing monitoring mechanisms, labor unions have expressed concerns regarding the government's legitimacy and the exclusion of workers from the NDC enhancement process.

In 2020, global coal power capacity grew by 12.5 GW for the first time since 2015, driven primarily by China, which accounted for 76% of new commissions. While the US and EU saw record retirements, China's new capacity of 38.4 GW offset these gains. Meanwhile, South and Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, significantly reduced their planned coal pipelines due to financing difficulties and the falling cost of renewables. The report concludes that current global trajectories remain far from the IPCC 1.5C pathway, which would require the cancellation or retirement of an additional 1,350 GW by 2030.

In 2020, a significant increase in coal plant development in China offset a global retreat from coal, leading to the first increase in global coal capacity since 2015. While China commissioned 38.4 GW of new capacity, the rest of the world saw a decline of 17.2 GW, driven by record retirements in the U.S. and EU27. South and Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Vietnam, announced plans to cut up to 62 GW of planned coal power due to falling renewable costs and financing difficulties. Despite these regional shifts, the report finds that global coal capacity remains far above the levels required to meet the IPCC 1.5 degree pathway, with an estimated 1,350 GW needing to be cancelled or retired.

In 2020, global coal-fired power capacity increased by 12.5 GW, driven primarily by China, which operated 38.4 GW of new capacity. This offset record closures in the US (11.3 GW) and EU27 (10.1 GW). While China's development grew as an economic stimulus during the pandemic, other Asian nations like Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and the Philippines announced plans to cancel up to 62 GW of planned projects due to falling renewable costs and financing difficulties. The report concludes that current global trajectories remain far from the 1.5°C warming limit, with approximately 1,350 GW of capacity needing to be cancelled or closed to meet IPCC targets.

The report highlights a global divergence in coal power: while most of the world saw record closures and project cancellations, China experienced a significant boom in new capacity, offsetting global declines. In 2020, China's new coal capacity reached 38.4 GW, accounting for 76% of the global total. Conversely, the US and EU27 led in closures, with 11.3 GW and 10.1 GW retired respectively. In South and Southeast Asia, countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Bangladesh announced plans to cut up to 62 GW of planned coal capacity due to funding difficulties and the falling cost of renewables. The report also notes that global coal capacity is far exceeding the levels required to meet the IPCC's 1.5°C warming limit, with a projected 2,400 GW by 2030 compared to the required 1,100 GW.

The paper explores the concept of Buen Vivir, rooted in indigenous Latin American paradigms, and its potential as an alternative to the anthropocentric and growth-based models of development prevalent in Europe. It highlights the tension between Buen Vivir and the 'Green Economy' or 'European Green Deal', arguing that while the latter seeks to 'decouple' growth from resource use, Buen Vivir rejects the logic of infinite economic growth entirely. The authors note that while official EU-Latin American diplomatic recognition of Buen Vivir has been limited and largely stagnant since a 2015 resolution, local-level initiatives in European cities—such as Amsterdam—and countries like Spain and Greece are increasingly adopting practices aligned with Buen Vivir, including agroecology, local currencies, and the promotion of the 'commons'.

The report finds that Austrian supermarkets have poor sustainability standards for aquaculture, with none meeting half of the evaluated indicators. It highlights the environmental and social costs of 'reduction fisheries' used to produce fishmeal and fish oil, and argues for a decoupling of aquaculture from wild-capture fisheries through alternative feeds.

The report analyzes the green finance landscape in Central America and the Caribbean (CAC), noting that while the market is small—with only six green bond issuances as of June 2020—there is significant potential for growth in renewable energy, low-carbon transport, sustainable water, and waste management. It highlights the role of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and the leadership of Costa Rica in climate ambition. The document provides a step-by-step guide for green financing and explores emerging opportunities in sustainable agriculture and the blue economy, while discussing the economic disruptions caused by COVID-19 and the 2020 hurricane season.