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The document details how climate change acts as a major global health threat through direct effects like extreme heat and storms, and indirect effects mediated by natural systems (air pollution, vector-borne diseases) and human systems (poverty, migration, conflict). It highlights that vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those in low-income regions, are disproportionately affected.

In Q1 2019, global green bond issuance reached USD 47.9 billion, a 42% increase over Q1 2018. The market was driven by non-financial corporates, particularly in the energy sector, and dominated by developed markets in the USA, France, and Canada. Energy, buildings, and transport accounted for 81% of the use of proceeds. The report also highlights that while post-issuance reporting is common among larger issuers and those with external reviews, there is a lack of consistency in the metrics used to report environmental impacts.

The document assesses the failure of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to reduce emissions in heavy industry due to free pollution permits and inadequate sectoral plans. It proposes a transition based on electrification, circular economy models, and breakthrough technologies like hydrogen-based steelmaking, while calling for the phase-out of free allowances and the introduction of green public procurement.

The analysis finds that between 2010 and 2014, tropical deforestation for agriculture and forestry caused approximately 2.6 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions annually, with cattle and oilseed products accounting for over half. International trade drove between 29% and 39% of these emissions, with Europe and China identified as major importers. In EU countries, deforestation emissions represent about 15% of the total carbon footprint of food consumption.

The report introduces a framework combining Input-Output and network theory to identify sectors that trigger and are exposed to capital stranding cascades. In a sample of ten European countries, mining is identified as a high-trigger sector, while electricity, gas, and refined petroleum are most affected by decarbonisation. The report estimates that transition-related stranding risks affect between 0.6% and 8.2% of the overall productive capital stock in these countries.

South Africa faces a cumulative transition risk of over $120 billion in present value terms between 2013 and 2035, primarily driven by declining global demand for coal exports. While investors initially bear the majority of this risk, implicit transfers and contingent liabilities could shift more than half of the total risk onto the national government, potentially jeopardising its investment-grade sovereign credit rating. The report identifies significant risks to state-owned enterprises like Transnet and Eskom, and private entities such as Sasol and Exxaro. Conversely, a global transition could provide a $45.5 billion windfall for consumers through lower oil prices. The document recommends that the South African government avoid new carbon-intensive investments, develop fiscal tools to capture oil windfalls to offset coal losses, and implement transparent transition plans for workers and municipalities.

The report finds that South Africa faces a cumulative transition risk of over $120 billion in present value terms between 2013 and 2035, primarily driven by falling demand and prices for coal exports. While the public balance sheet explicitly faces only 16% of this downside risk, implicit transfers—such as bailouts and social support—could increase the national government's share to over half. The analysis highlights that approximately 75% of these risks are external, and nearly 50% were already realized by 2017. Furthermore, current investment incentives may add another $25.8 billion in risk through projects like new oil refineries and coal infrastructure. The report recommends that the government adopt transition risk assessments, reconsider high-risk investments, and potentially tax oil price windfalls to offset losses.

The European Defence Fund (EDF) represents a significant shift in EU policy, marking the first time the Union directly invests public funds into military technologies. With an estimated 13 billion euro allocated for 2021-2027, the fund aims to enhance the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) and achieve 'strategic autonomy' by funding cutting-edge research and interoperable capabilities. A specific portion (4% to 8%) is dedicated to 'disruptive technologies,' such as artificial intelligence and robotics. However, the initiative faces criticism over the potential for 'corporate capture' by the defence industry, a lack of transparency in fund management, and a perceived shift in the EU's identity from a peace project to a military investor.

The document provides a comprehensive glossary of terms for the MIGNEX project, focusing on the 'migration–development nexus'. It advocates for a nuanced approach to migration, replacing simple forced/voluntary dichotomies with models based on aspirations and abilities. It defines development as a multi-dimensional process of expanding human capabilities and introduces 'specific developments' as concrete societal changes that influence migration decisions. The guide also outlines the relationship between migration policy, development policy, and policy coherence.

The project aimed to address knowledge gaps regarding consumer food waste by leveraging citizen science to gain insights into behaviors and decision-making. Key activities included a literature review, the identification of network members, and a workshop in Geneva on 6 June. The resulting network connects researchers, experts, and practitioners to foster collaborative research proposals.

The review concludes that the Eskom report significantly underestimates the health impacts and economic benefits of pollution abatement due to flawed modelling, incorrect response function selection, and an inappropriately high discount rate. The reviewers estimate that the benefits of action would exceed costs by a factor of 5 or more, which would reverse the original conclusions of the Eskom CBA.

The document argues that the current European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) primarily supports fishing economic activity rather than environmental protection. It cites severe degradation in EU seas, including plastic pollution and overfishing, and demands that at least 25% of the post-2020 EMFF budget per Member State be dedicated to marine restoration and protection, totaling at least 1.5 billion Euros.

The report analyzes the shift in irregular migration patterns in North Africa, where countries previously serving as transit zones have become points of departure. It argues that economic decline and structural inequality are driving young Maghrebi citizens to migrate, which in turn complicates diplomatic relations and security partnerships between Maghreb states and European nations.

The document explains that consumption-based emissions inventories (CBEIs) capture the full carbon footprint of a city by including emissions from goods and services produced outside city borders. It identifies that for wealthy, industrialized cities, CBEIs are often significantly higher than territorial inventories. The guide details three main estimation approaches: spending data with input-output models, physical data with life-cycle analysis, and hybrid methods. It advises city planners to align their choice of methodology with their specific goals, such as resident education, peer comparison, or local policy design, while emphasizing the importance of detailed categorization to identify high-leverage areas for emissions reduction.

Global green bond issuance grew by 3% in 2018 to USD 167.3bn, with the USA, China, and France remaining the top national markets. While growth slowed compared to 2017, the broader labelled bond market—including sustainability and social bonds—increased by 13% to USD 226.1bn. The Asia-Pacific region saw the highest growth rate at 35%, and financial corporates became a primary driver of issuance. The report also notes a trend toward larger, benchmark-sized bonds and the emergence of sovereign blue bonds.

Indonesia has successfully reduced its fiscal reliance on oil and gas production, but continues to struggle with inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that benefit wealthy households and hinder the growth of renewable energy. While the government has diversified its economy into manufacturing and finance, contradictory policies—such as maintaining price caps on fuels and prioritizing coal for electrification—create risks of stranded assets and environmental degradation. The report argues for the complete removal of fossil fuel subsidies, the implementation of consumption-based energy taxes, and the strategic investment of resource rents into social safety nets and renewable energy infrastructure to ensure a just transition.

The Q3 2019 green bond market report by the Climate Bonds Initiative tracks global trends in green finance, highlighting the dominance of energy projects in both green bonds and loans, the growth of the Asia-Pacific green loan market, and the leading roles of Euronext Paris as a listing venue and HSBC as an underwriter.

The report examines South Africa's nascent electric vehicle (EV) market, highlighting a strong existing automotive manufacturing base that could be leveraged for EV production. While global EV sales are growing exponentially, South Africa faces significant barriers including high import duties, lack of policy certainty, and a lack of affordable products for the middle class. Key opportunities are identified in electric bus manufacturing, lithium-ion battery production, and passenger vehicle exports. The document also details the role of the Western Cape as a greentech hub and outlines the transition from the Automotive Production & Development Programme (APDP) to the South African Automotive Masterplan (SAAM) 2021-2035.

The French National Research Agency (ANR) is leading two Belmont Forum Collaborative Research Actions (CRAs). The first, 'Food systems and climate (change)', aims to develop climate-resilient and sustainable food value chains, with a specific focus on the Global South and regional food systems. It involves a partnership with the EU Joint Programme Initiative (JPI) FACCE and ERA-NET LEAP Agri, with 31 ERA-NET partners including entities from Europe, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The second, 'Towards sustainability of soils and groundwater for societal benefit', is in a scoping phase to understand the dynamics of the 'Critical Zone' (from the lower atmosphere to fresh bedrock) and propose management transformations. This second CRA is co-led by AllEnvi and ANR, with a steering committee including the NSF (USA), FAPESP (Brazil), and QNRF (Qatar).

The report examines the global coffee market, highlighting a growth in VSS-compliant production which reached at least 34% of total production in 2016. While demand is increasing in emerging economies, the sector faces risks from price volatility and climate change. The analysis identifies Ethiopia and Uganda as having high potential for VSS expansion among LHDCs.