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The document argues that EU and UK fisheries management has failed to rebuild depleted fish stocks, often exceeding scientific advice to avoid short-term economic disruptions. It highlights the risk of 'phantom recoveries' where stock assessments overestimate productivity. To break the cycle of overfishing and 'choke' risks in mixed fisheries, the authors recommend setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs) strictly in line with scientific advice, implementing rigorous rebuilding plans with remote electronic monitoring, and reducing TACs for healthy stocks to protect depleted bycatch species.

The report examines the three types of non-deterioration obligations in the Nature Restoration Regulation (NRL): continuous improvement, non-deterioration of good status, and pre-restoration non-deterioration. It argues that these obligations are not merely effort-based but require 'appropriate measures' and are essential for the long-term success of ecosystem restoration. The analysis highlights the interplay between the NRL and the Habitats Directive, particularly regarding Natura 2000 sites, and critiques the uniform National Restoration Plan (NRP) format for providing inadequate guidance on demonstrating compliance with these obligations. It also details the strict criteria for derogations, such as force majeure and overriding public interest, emphasizing that they must be interpreted narrowly to avoid undermining overall restoration targets.

Carbon Market Watch critiques the EU Innovation Fund for disproportionately funding carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture and utilisation (CCU), particularly in the cement and lime sector. The organization argues that the fund should prioritize technologies that encourage material savings and explicitly include material saving as a mandatory assessment criterion for projects.

Carbon Market Watch argues that the EU ETS1 fails to drive industrial decarbonisation due to the continued allocation of free emission allowances, which it claims undermines the carbon price signal for sectors like steel, cement, and chemicals. The submission calls for the complete phase-out of free allocations and indirect cost compensation, suggesting that any remaining benefits be tied to decarbonisation milestones. It further advocates for expanding the ETS scope to cover all departing flights from 2027, including non-CO2 effects and flights to third countries, and extending maritime coverage to 100% of extra-EEA routes and all small ships by 2027. Regarding market stability, the document suggests maintaining existing Market Stability Reserve (MSR) and Linear Reduction Factor (LRF) rules until 2035 to preserve investment signals. Finally, it strongly opposes the integration of carbon removals into the EU ETS to avoid mitigation deterrence and the risk of using removals as a substitute for actual emission reductions.

The report examines four scenarios for extending the EU ETS aviation scope beyond intra-EEA flights, potentially increasing revenues up to 1,160 billion € by 2040. It argues that including non-CO2 effects and private jets would significantly boost funding for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), rail infrastructure (TEN-T), and international climate finance (NCQG).

The Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor 2025 finds that none of the 20 assessed companies demonstrate a climate strategy of 'reasonable' or 'high' integrity. The report highlights that 2030 emission reduction targets are increasingly 'unfit for purpose' due to structural obstacles, including incomplete emissions disclosures and sector-specific accounting malpractices. In the tech sector, soaring energy demand from AI and a reliance on outdated market-based accounting for electricity undermine target credibility. The automotive sector shows inadequate progress in phasing out internal combustion engines, while the fashion sector lacks commitments to reduce overproduction. The agrifood sector is criticised for relying on undefined land-based carbon removals to obscure a lack of structural emission reductions. The report argues for the adoption of transition-specific alignment targets to complement general GHG targets.

The report finds that the five largest incumbent light-duty vehicle manufacturers are making inadequate progress in transitioning to electric mobility. Most assessed companies have 2030 emission reduction targets that are critically insufficient and long-term net-zero pledges that lack concrete substantiation. While some companies have committed to procuring near-zero emission steel and aluminium, other critical transitions, such as reducing battery production emissions and improving electric vehicle efficiency, are largely neglected. The analysis highlights a significant gap between corporate pledges and the 1.5°C-compatible pathways required for the passenger transport sector.

The document explains that human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, have increased average global temperatures by approximately one degree Celsius since 1880. It details the resulting impacts, including more frequent extreme weather, rising sea levels, and ocean acidification. The text outlines strategies for addressing these challenges through climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, while describing the roles of the U.S. government, corporations, and the United Nations in implementing these solutions.

China is advancing a 1.3 TW pipeline of utility-scale solar and wind projects, with operating capacity reaching 1.4 TW by 2025. While solar and onshore wind are expanding rapidly, particularly in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, offshore wind has emerged as a global powerhouse, accounting for 50% of global capacity. However, the offshore sector faces challenges from the 2021 phaseout of national subsidies and competition from planned coal and gas capacity in coastal provinces. The document argues for a transition from provincial development to a coordinated national policy framework incorporating hybrid auction mechanisms and robust spatial planning.

The document outlines the global effort to create a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. It details the environmental and health risks of plastics, the history of the UN-led INC process, and the contentious treaty elements currently under debate, such as production caps and chemicals of concern. It also identifies the divergent positions of major plastic producers, high-ambition coalitions, and developing nations, while suggesting synergies with existing international conventions.

The report examines the challenges and opportunities for a 'green recovery' in Ukraine following Russia's invasion, which caused direct damages of USD 176 billion. While Ukraine has established governance structures and transparency tools like the DREAM platform, it lacks a unified national reconstruction strategy, leaving sustainability efforts fragmented. The document highlights the town of Trostianets as a successful local model of sustainable rebuilding and suggests that Ukraine align its recovery with EU standards, such as the EU Taxonomy and the Recovery and Resilience Facility. It recommends the adoption of international green building and infrastructure certifications (e.g., EDGE, Envision) to ensure long-term resilience and climate neutrality.

The document outlines a strategic framework for negotiating protocols under the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation (UN FCITC). It identifies two 'early protocols'—cross-border services and tax dispute resolution—and several 'possible protocols' including the digital economy, illicit financial flows, high-net-worth individuals, and environmental challenges. The report argues that the UN FCITC can provide a more inclusive and effective alternative to OECD-led frameworks, particularly for developing countries, by establishing global standards for taxing the digital economy, combating tax evasion, and coordinating climate-related fiscal policies.

The report outlines a strategic framework for negotiating protocols under the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation (UN FCITC). It identifies two 'early protocols'—taxation of cross-border services and the resolution of tax disputes—and several 'potential protocols' covering the digital economy, illicit financial flows, high-net-worth individuals, environmental taxation, information exchange, mutual assistance, and harmful tax practices. The document argues that the UN FCITC can provide a more inclusive and effective alternative to OECD-led initiatives, which often disadvantage developing nations. Key recommendations include establishing a global digital services tax, creating a global asset register for beneficial ownership, implementing a global minimum tax on the super-rich, and developing a coordinated multilateral environmental tax architecture to support net-zero goals.

The report outlines a strategic framework for negotiating protocols under the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation, focusing on enhancing tax revenue and fairness for developing countries. It details two preliminary protocols—cross-border services and tax dispute resolution—and several potential protocols covering the digital economy, illicit financial flows, high-net-worth individuals, environmental taxation, information exchange, mutual administrative assistance, and harmful tax practices. The document argues for a shift away from OECD-led standards, which it claims often disadvantage developing nations, toward a more inclusive UN-led multilateral architecture.

Reclaim Finance argues that the European Commission's proposal to revive securitisation lacks safeguards against financing polluting activities and may hide climate-related risks. The organization proposes amendments to require investor due diligence on ESG risks, mandate disclosure of fossil fuel exposures, and either ban fossil fuel securitisation or impose high risk weights (up to 1250%) on such positions. It further suggests that the securitisation sub-committee publish ESG risk management guidelines and that future regulatory reviews explicitly assess the impact of securitisation on EU climate and environmental goals.

The report finds that the European car leasing sector is largely unaccountable for its climate impact, with widespread opacity in reporting and weak, short-term climate commitments. Despite leasing accounting for over half of new car registrations in the EU, most companies lack science-based targets or a commitment to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035. The authors argue that voluntary action is insufficient and call for binding CO2 emissions reduction targets and harmonized reporting through the forthcoming EU Fleets Regulation.

The document examines the intersection of trade and the bioeconomy, arguing that while international trade can exacerbate biodiversity loss, it can also be leveraged through price-based, support, and regulatory measures to promote sustainability. It highlights the economic significance of biodiversity-based trade and calls for enhanced international cooperation, particularly through the G20, to align policies, remove harmful subsidies, and support low- and middle-income countries in their transition.

The policy brief examines the energy landscape of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the region's struggle to balance immediate energy affordability with long-term decarbonisation. It identifies new security risks, specifically China's dominance in clean energy supply chains and conflicting policy signals from the US and EU. The author advocates for a technology-neutral approach—integrating nuclear, renewables, and emerging technologies like CCS—and suggests that CEE can become a clean-tech manufacturing hub. Furthermore, it emphasizes the strategic importance of integrating Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans into the EU energy grid to enhance regional resilience.

The research paper proposes a strategic partnership between South Africa and the EU in the critical minerals sector as an alternative to the unpredictable diplomacy of the US administration. It highlights the complementary nature of their interests, noting that South Africa is a top producer of platinum group metals, manganese, and chromite, while the EU seeks to diversify its supply chains via the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The author identifies key challenges to implementation, including tensions over local value addition, private sector engagement, and the transparency of mineral agreements. The paper recommends that South Africa address structural infrastructure issues and that the EU provide targeted support for in-country beneficiation and ESG implementation to move from negotiation to tangible projects.

The document reports on the Internet Governance Forum 2025, highlighting a conflict between the United States' preference for deregulated, company-led AI development and calls from other participants for a rights-based, inclusive approach that addresses the digital divide and biases affecting the Global South.