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Minutes from the May 26, 2021, GEC Steering Group meeting detailing the development of a green recovery intervention and a multi-year (2021-2026) 'social contract' programme to address inequality. The meeting also reviewed the status of five strategic priorities, including SME approach and funding pipelines, and approved a forward calendar for future meetings.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on green finance and development, contrasting the robust recovery packages in the global North with the funding gaps and systemic challenges in the global South. It highlights the risk that urgent health-sector spending may undermine environmental sustainability and advocates for institutional reforms, increased South-South cooperation, and coordinated global efforts to bridge the climate finance gap.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative analyzes post-issuance reporting practices for 694 green bonds (USD 212bn) issued between November 2017 and March 2019. It finds that while use-of-proceeds (UoP) reporting is widespread, impact reporting is less common and highly unstandardized. The study evaluates reporting quality through a scoring system, identifies best practices, and advocates for a global, harmonized reporting framework to move beyond binary labels toward absolute, entity-level sustainability assessments.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the industrial policy of the Zona Franca de Manaus (ZFM), arguing that while it is named a 'free zone,' it functions conceptually as an 'enterprise zone' focused on regional development rather than international trade. The authors suggest that the current incentive structure fails to drive productivity or wage growth and recommend redefining the ZFM's identity to align its fiscal incentives with either international competitiveness or sustainable regional development.

This policy brief examines the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) from an African perspective, analyzing its compatibility with the African Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Pelindaba Treaty) and the role of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE).

This executive summary, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute in May 2021, analyzes the potential for hydrogen resource usage in Estonia between 2020 and 2050. It evaluates the hydrogen value chain—production, storage, distribution, and consumption—across the transport, industrial, building, and power sectors. The report identifies the transport and chemical industries as the primary areas for decarbonization and outlines the necessary investments, infrastructure, and policy measures required to transition to a hydrogen economy.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines agroecology as a science-based alternative to the industrial food system, which it describes as unsustainable and a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. The document details the environmental, social, and economic benefits of agroecological practices, while identifying systemic barriers—such as skewed government subsidies and limited research funding—that hinder its global scaling.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute outlines four critical objectives for the Leaders Summit on Climate (April 22-23, 2021), hosted by the United States. The document argues that the summit is a vital milestone for major economies to align their 2030 emissions targets with net-zero trajectories, increase climate finance for developing nations, end public funding for coal, and ensure COVID-19 economic recovery plans prioritize green infrastructure over fossil fuels to keep the 1.5 degree Celsius warming limit within reach.

This fact sheet from the Stockholm Environment Institute explains the role of citizen participation in creating sustainable cities, detailing its importance for reducing inequalities, the various levels of engagement, and specific methods such as participatory budgeting and citizen panels.

This policy brief, prepared by the Climate Bonds Initiative in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank and commissioned by the Brazilian Ministry of Economy, explores how subnational consortia in Brazil can utilize innovative financial modeling to fund sustainable municipal infrastructure. It analyzes the legal barriers facing Brazilian municipalities, proposes the adoption of pooled financing mechanisms (MFGCs), and provides international case studies to support a green economic recovery.

This policy brief, prepared by the Climate Bonds Initiative and supported by the Inter-American Development Bank, examines the potential for Brazilian subnational consortia to use Pooled Finance Mechanisms (PFMs) to fund sustainable infrastructure. It identifies significant regulatory and financial barriers facing Brazilian municipalities and proposes updates to the legal framework and the adoption of blended finance models to attract private and international capital for climate-resilient projects.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines South Africa's transition from a secret apartheid-era nuclear weapons programme to a state committed to nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It details the country's normative frameworks, governance structures, and the challenges facing its nuclear energy expansion plans, including the legacy of state capture during the Zuma presidency and the current cautious approach under President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The report analyzes the EU power sector in 2020, highlighting a landmark moment where renewables generated 38% of electricity, overtaking fossil-fired generation for the first time. While coal generation saw a significant decline, the report notes that the transition speed remains insufficient to meet 2030 and 2050 climate targets, partly due to the persistence of gas generation and a record drop in nuclear output.

This report consists of a series of expert commentaries analyzing the global geopolitical and domestic implications of the January 6 Capitol Hill attacks. The contributors discuss how the event affected the perception of U.S. democracy and influenced the foreign policies and internal political dynamics of the United Kingdom, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, and India.

This report by Agora Energiewende and Ember analyzes the European power sector in 2020, highlighting a milestone where renewables overtook fossil fuels as the primary source of electricity for the first time in the EU.

This report summarizes the outcomes of the Green Economy Coalition (GEC) Global Meeting held from November 29 to December 3, 2021. The event brought together 359 participants from over 45 countries to discuss strategies for a green and fair COVID-19 recovery, focusing on nature, inequality, and the energy transition. The meeting culminated in a 'Declaration on a green COVID-19 recovery' calling for structural economic transformation to achieve nature-positive and net-zero economies.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development explores the intersection of circular economy solutions and international trade policies to support global decarbonization. It argues that transitioning from primary to secondary materials and extending product lifespans are essential for meeting Paris Agreement goals, as resource extraction and processing account for half of global greenhouse gas emissions. The authors advocate for the removal of trade barriers to circular goods and services and the use of bilateral and regional trade agreements to establish standards for low-carbon circularity.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the divergent approaches to migration between Africa and Europe, arguing for a shift from securitised responses toward a collaborative partnership focused on development, legal labour pathways, and the regularisation of remittances.

A statement from World Resources Institute President & CEO Andrew Steer regarding the Climate Ambition Summit, noting progress in net-zero commitments from various nations and non-state actors while criticizing the lack of bold 2030 emission targets and insufficient financial support for developing countries.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute outlines four critical technical and political areas that UN negotiators must resolve by COP26 in November 2021. It reviews the outcomes of the 2020 Climate Dialogues and highlights significant gaps in the Paris Agreement rulebook, climate finance commitments, and mechanisms for loss and damage and adaptation.