Search Climate Insights Directory

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the scale and impact of fossil fuel subsidies in the United States and globally. It details specific tax provisions and federal funding mechanisms that support the coal, oil, and natural gas industries, arguing that these subsidies are outdated and undermine climate goals. The document also analyzes the 'externalities' of fossil fuel use—societal, health, and environmental costs—that are not reflected in market prices.

Friends of the Earth International expresses deep disappointment with the July 16 revised version of the UN's legally binding treaty on transnational corporations and human rights, arguing that the text is too weak and fails to establish international jurisdiction to hold corporations accountable.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) analyzes employment trends in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate resilience, focusing on the United States and global leaders. It utilizes data from the 2019 U.S. Energy Employment Report (USEER) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to quantify jobs across various green technology sectors.

Ember's response to a joint consultation by the UK and Devolved Administrations regarding carbon pricing post-Brexit, arguing that the UK should prioritize remaining in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) or implement a carbon tax over creating a standalone UK ETS.

This fact sheet provides a comprehensive overview of employment statistics in the renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate resilience sectors, focusing primarily on the United States while providing global comparisons. It utilizes data from various sources, including the U.S. Energy Employment Report (USEER) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), to detail job growth, sectoral distributions, and the challenges of quantifying emerging fields like climate adaptation.

This report by Sandbag analyzes the significant decline in coal-fired electricity generation across the European Union during the first half of 2019, attributing the collapse to the rise of renewables, carbon pricing driving a switch to natural gas, and plant closures.

This document provides an overview of approximately 50 climate and energy policies adopted or underS under development between July 2018 and May 2019 across 25 countries and regions, supplementing a December 2018 report on projected greenhouse gas emissions.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law analyzes the June 2019 Climate Negotiations (SB-50) in Bonn, focusing on the integration of human rights into climate policies, the development of Article 6 mechanisms of the Paris Agreement, and the work of various UNFCCC constituted bodies.

This document is a written contribution from Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) to the UN's open-ended working group (IGWG) regarding a proposed legally binding treaty to regulate transnational corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises in relation to human rights. FoEI analyzes the 'Zero Draft' presented in 2018, arguing that it is too weak to end corporate impunity and represents a setback compared to previous 'Elements' papers. The document details specific legal gaps in the draft—such as the lack of direct obligations for corporations and insufficient definitions of value chains—and includes testimonies from affected peoples across different continents calling for an international court and the primacy of human rights over investment agreements.

This report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) provides a critical analysis of the 'Zero Draft' of a proposed UN legally binding instrument to regulate transnational corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises in relation to human rights. FoEI argues that the draft is too weak, lacks essential principles, and fails to provide effective mechanisms to end corporate impunity. The document includes general comments on the draft's structure, specific contributions from FoEI representatives across different continents, and recommendations for the revised version of the treaty to be presented at the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG).

This written submission by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) analyzes the 'Zero Draft' of a proposed UN legally binding instrument to regulate transnational corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises in regarding human rights. FoEI argues that the Zero Draft is too weak, lacks direct obligations for corporations, and fails to provide effective mechanisms to end corporate impunity, calling for a revised version that prioritizes human rights over commercial interests.

This report reviews 175 agriculture-related water policy recommendations from the European Commission, HELCOM, and EU BONUS projects. It finds that governance is the most prioritized area (31%), followed by financing and methods/tools. While the EU and HELCOM focus on regulatory frameworks and international harmonization, BONUS projects advocate for more innovative, result-based payments and co-governance. Notably, biodiversity and enforcement are entirely absent from the recommendations, and climate change is rarely mentioned.

Sustainalytics provides a second-party opinion on the Assicurazioni Generali Green Bond Framework, concluding that it is credible, impactful, and aligns with the Green Bond Principles 2018. The framework outlines the use of proceeds for six environmental categories, establishes a Green Bond Committee for project selection, and commits to annual reporting on allocation and impact.

This briefing argues that the European Union's (EU) reliance on 'formalisation'—increasing legalisation and transparency—in natural resource governance has failed to improve human wellbeing in producer countries. Using case studies from Sierra Leone's diamond sector and Liberia's forest sector, the author contends that these technocratic approaches often ignore local socio-political contexts and fail to deliver tangible benefits to affected populations. The document calls for the EU to adopt a 'human security' approach, shifting focus from state security to the security of individuals, specifically targeting freedom from want and fear.

This report by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and Sandbag analyzes the draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of 21 EU Member States that use coal for electricity. It finds that the EU is on track to miss the goal of stopping coal use by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C, with 60 GW of capacity projected to remain in 2030.

This research paper compares the migration regimes of South Africa and Germany, analyzing how each country manages the influx of refugees and economic migrants. It argues that while Germany has developed a sophisticated, integration-focused infrastructure to offset an ageing population, South Africa struggles with a securitized approach and socio-economic pressures that fuel xenophobia. The author suggests that South Africa can learn from Germany's inter-departmental coordination, private sector involvement, and proactive integration strategies to avoid the creation of 'parallel societies'.

This briefing from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) updates the Conference of the Parties on the implementation of Decision XXVI/42, which aims to establish a flexible financing mechanism for global change projects in the Americas.

The Stockholm Environment Institute reports a strategic dilemma for Sweden's road freight decarbonization: while biofuels are the most viable tool for meeting the 2030 goal of a 70% emission reduction, electrification is the more cost-effective long-term strategy for complete decarbonization by 2045. Stakeholder scenarios suggest that while battery electric trucks will dominate short-haul and urban delivery, electric road systems and hydrogen fuel cells are better suited for long-haul and heavy freight. The report warns that over-investing in biofuels for near-term targets may slow the necessary transition to electrification infrastructure and increase long-term costs.

This research paper examines whether Canada's international trade obligations, specifically under the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement and CETA, hinder or facilitate sustainable public procurement. It concludes that while trade agreements do not impede sustainable procurement, they do prohibit 'buying local' and discourage favoring specific social groups. The paper argues that the primary barriers to sustainability are not regulatory, but rather relate to agency capacity, funding, and political will.

A research paper quantifying tropical deforestation emissions from 2010–2014, finding that agriculture and forestry expansion caused ~2.6 gigatonnes CO2 per year. The study highlights that 29%–39% of these emissions were driven by international trade, with cattle and oilseeds as primary drivers and the EU and China as major importers.