Search Climate Insights Directory

This fact sheet by the Center for International Environmental Law proposes a coordinated international tax or fee on the production of basic chemicals to fund chemicals management in developing and transition countries, operationalizing the 'polluter pays principle'.

The report by IPEN and CIEL proposes a coordinated international tax on chemical feedstocks (basic chemicals) to generate sustainable funding for the sound management of chemicals and wastes, particularly in developing and transition countries. It argues that current funding mechanisms are inadequate and that the chemical industry must internalize the social and environmental costs of its products in accordance with the polluter pays principle.

This white paper by the Climate Bonds Initiative proposes a comprehensive framework and five core principles to define and finance 'credible transitions' for high-emitting entities and activities. The goal is to provide a scientifically robust standard that prevents greenwashing and aligns transition finance with the Paris Agreement's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

This policy brief argues that regional integration via the AfCFTA and a strategic partnership with the European Union are essential to overcoming Africa's energy deficit and financing gaps. It highlights that while Africa has vast renewable potential, the transition is stalled by a lack of technical capacity, fossil fuel subsidies, and fragmented markets. The authors recommend shifting EU aid from bilateral to regional modalities and prioritizing the local adaptation of green technologies.

Minutes from the Green Economy Coalition (GEC) Steering Group meeting on August 26, 2020, focusing on the 'Economics for Nature' (E4N) programme, the establishment of an Amazon Regional Hub in partnership with FAS, and strategic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This research paper by the NewClimate Institute and Fraunhofer ISI argues that national greenhouse gas emission targets should be determined by combining equity-based 'fair contribution' assessments with technical 'mitigation potential' evaluations to align with the Paris Agreement.

The NewClimate Institute's summary report outlines Paris Agreement-compatible sectoral benchmarks for the power, transport, industry, and buildings sectors. It defines 'highest plausible ambition' targets for 2030 and 2050 to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C, providing specific analysis for seven countries and the global level to guide government decarbonisation strategies.

This research paper analyzes the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic and global climate change responses, arguing that the pandemic serves as a 'climate change parable' with systemic similarities. It explores how national recovery efforts can either bolster or undermine the goals of the Paris Agreement and the postponed COP 26 summit, providing recommendations for aligning economic stimulus with green transitions.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the instruments and public policies used for agricultural risk management in Brazil. It examines the strengths and failures of current systems, including insurance programs and price guarantees, and provides recommendations to improve efficiency and sustainability in the face of climate change.

The report evaluates agricultural risk management in Brazil, finding that while the insurance market has grown, it remains highly concentrated and underfunded compared to rural credit. It highlights that nearly 60% of municipalities lack insurance and suggests redirecting public funds from credit to insurance and expanding the use of Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (ZARC) to improve productivity and land use.

This fact sheet details a EUR 500 million green bond issued by Hypo Neo on June 25, 2020, with a maturity date of June 25, 2024. The bond is issued by a government-backed entity in Austria and is intended to finance a broad range of green projects including renewable energy, energy-efficient buildings, sustainable agriculture, and water management.

In the first half of 2020, renewable electricity generation exceeded fossil fuel generation for the first time in the EU-27, driven by new installations, favorable weather, and a COVID-19-related drop in electricity demand.

This World Resources Institute research paper provides a framework for countries to design and communicate net-zero GHG targets. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive, sector-wide targets with ambitious time frames—especially for major emitters—and argues that targets should be legally binding and informed by stakeholder engagement to ensure a just transition. The paper advocates for prioritizing domestic reductions over international transfers and integrating long-term net-zero goals into near-term policies and NDCs.

This fact sheet from the World Resources Institute provides a comparative analysis of net-zero targets adopted by 19 countries and the European Union as of July 2020, evaluating their design robustness, target years, sectoral coverage, and legal status.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) proposes a legal framework for states to suspend investor–state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions in investment treaties for measures taken in response to COVID-19. The proposal includes a 'self-judging' definition of COVID-19-related measures starting from December 1, 2019, and suggests that states pursue both multilateral and bilateral agreements to prevent a surge of investor claims against emergency public health and economic interventions.

The IISD proposes a coordinated suspension of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms to protect governments from legal claims by foreign investors regarding emergency measures adopted after December 1, 2019, to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposal suggests both multilateral and bilateral implementation paths to ensure states can prioritize public health and economic stability without the risk of treaty-based litigation.

This report assesses the European Commission's March 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP), noting that while it continues efforts from 2015, it focuses too heavily on production rather than consumption. The authors advocate for demand-side policy measures and the involvement of various levels of government and market leaders to transition to a circular economy and mitigate the environmental impacts of the linear economic model.

This document is a feedback submission from the NGO Ember to the European Commission regarding the revision of guidelines for Trans-European energy infrastructure. Ember argues for a rapid shift away from fossil gas infrastructure, an increase in renewable energy sources (RES) and grid flexibility, and more transparent governance of infrastructure planning.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute provides guidance for Ministries of Finance on integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation into COVID-19 economic recovery packages. It argues that aligning stimulus spending with climate goals can maximize long-term economic gains, create more jobs than traditional investments, and reduce future systemic risks.

This research paper introduces a high-spatial-resolution bottom-up approach for quantifying greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in agricultural trade, applying it to Brazilian soy exports from 2010–2015 to demonstrate significant variability in carbon footprints based on origin and destination.