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The Allianz Climate and Energy Monitor 2018 evaluates G20 nations on their investment attractiveness for renewable energy and their long-term decarbonization strategies. France is ranked as the most attractive destination, while Russia ranks last. The report finds that most G20 countries lack binding long-term strategies and sufficient renewable energy targets to meet the Paris Agreement goals, although some previous stragglers like Saudi Arabia and Turkey are improving their policy environments.

The report finds that ten companies were responsible for an estimated two-thirds of the health damage caused by EU coal power plants in 2016, including 7,600 premature deaths. RWE is identified as the most harmful company, with health costs of €5.4 billion in 2016. The analysis highlights that for many companies, the health costs imposed on society are similar in magnitude to the revenues they earn from selling coal-fired electricity. The report argues that companies are 'clinging to coal' through lack of retirement plans, continued investment in old plants, and lobbying for subsidies, and recommends a full phase-out of coal by 2030.

The report finds that G20 countries are not on track to meet Paris Agreement goals, with energy-related CO2 emissions increasing again in 2017 and 82% of energy supply still coming from fossil fuels. It highlights significant gaps in sectoral actions—particularly in power, transport, and industry—and notes that fossil fuel subsidies in the G20 nearly doubled between 2007 and 2016. While some countries are implementing 'just transition' initiatives for workers, others lack dialogue or action.

The briefing examines the first EU-South Africa summit since 2013, highlighting the importance of attracting foreign direct investment and leveraging the EU's External Investment Plan. It notes that while the EU is South Africa's largest investment partner and a primary destination for manufactured exports, the partnership has struggled due to internal crises in both regions. The agenda includes economic cooperation, sustainable energy, multilateralism, and climate change.

The survey reveals a strong consumer demand for transparency regarding environmental commitments and supply chain locations, though a significant majority find it difficult to identify ethical brands and distrust company-provided sustainability information.

The report updates global climate finance estimates for 2015 and 2016, finding an annual average of USD 463 billion. While private investment remains the dominant source, particularly in renewables and the growing electric vehicle sector, the report highlights significant data gaps in tracking adaptation and energy efficiency. It also discusses the challenges of operationalizing Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement to ensure all financial flows are consistent with low-emission and climate-resilient development.

The meeting established the organizational framework for the Green Climate Fund's (GCF) first formal replenishment, including the adoption of rules of conduct and a workplan leading to a pledging conference in October 2019. Key outcomes include the definition of the Global Facilitator's role, the agreement to invite the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as an observer, and the initiation of analysis regarding minimum contribution thresholds for participation in consultations. The process will be guided by a performance review of the GCF and a strategic programming document focusing on mitigation and adaptation scenarios.

The document examines the scale of public money supporting fossil fuels in G20 countries and presents case studies of reforms to align these flows with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. It highlights the use of consumption and production subsidy removals, increased taxation, and the diversification of state-owned enterprise investments. The paper argues that shifting these resources can create fiscal space for social protection, health, and clean energy, while recommending that G20 nations adopt ambitious reform timelines and protect vulnerable groups during the transition.

The report examines how G20 countries can shift public funds away from fossil fuels through subsidy reform, increased taxation, and the redirection of state-owned enterprise investments. It highlights specific national examples, such as Indonesia's consumption subsidy reform and the EU's transition funds, while arguing that the current scale of public support for fossil fuels hinders decarbonization and sustainable development.

The report examines Plan S, an initiative by European research funders to ensure immediate open access to publicly funded research by January 1, 2020. The authors argue that by primarily permitting Gold Open Access (Gold OA) journals, the plan may exclude researchers from 86% of all academic journals and 97% of leading journals. The analysis suggests that the author-pays model via Article Processing Charges (APCs) may not cover the actual costs of high-quality publishing, potentially leading to a decline in research quality, the rise of predatory journals, and increased inequalities for researchers in low-income countries or those in early career stages. Furthermore, the report highlights risks to academic freedom, international cooperation, and the reliability of research evaluations, as the loss of established journal hierarchies may introduce subjective biases in hiring and promotion.

Synapse Energy Economics identifies several critical flaws in South Africa's draft 2018 IRP, arguing that it relies on an unreasonably high load forecast, overstates the costs of renewable energy and battery storage, and ignores the economic optimality of retiring aging coal plants. The report highlights a significant disconnect between the IRP's optimized modeling—which suggests no new coal in the 2020s—and the proposed resource plan, which calls for over 6,500 MW of new coal capacity. Additionally, the authors criticize the plan for inadequate carbon budgeting, failure to account for water scarcity, and a lack of transparency in providing modeling data to stakeholders.

ISS-oekom conducted a pre-issuance verification of EnBW's 2018 Green Bond against the Climate Bonds Standard (Version 2.1) and specific sector criteria for wind, solar, low carbon transport, and marine renewable energy. Following a desk-based assessment of project selection, internal controls, and reporting processes, ISS-oekom concluded that the bond is in conformance with the required standards.

The report examines the environmental and health impacts of the global livestock sector, highlighting its role in greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and antimicrobial resistance. It argues that current consumption trends are incompatible with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. The document analyzes the rise of plant-based and cultured meat alternatives as disruptive innovations and criticizes the lack of government policies to drive a transition, noting that existing subsidies often support intensive farming. It recommends shifting subsidies, implementing meat taxes, and updating dietary guidelines to promote sustainable, low-emission food systems.

The report finds that while Canada's GDP has grown, its comprehensive wealth—comprising produced, natural, human, financial, and social capital—has grown much more slowly and shows signs of fragility. Key concerns include a lack of growth in human capital, the depletion of market natural assets, and an increasing concentration of produced capital in housing and oil and gas infrastructure. The document advocates for the regular measurement of comprehensive wealth by Statistics Canada to better guide long-term policy decisions and address threats like climate change.

The report argues that Canada's long-term prosperity is fragile, as its comprehensive wealth has grown significantly slower than its GDP. While Canada possesses high levels of natural capital, it faces risks from household debt, climate change, and an over-concentration of produced capital in housing and oil and gas infrastructure. The authors advocate for the official adoption of comprehensive wealth measurement to shift policy focus from short-term gains to long-term sustainability.

The document details a high-level dialogue on the disparity between 'gray' finance (subsidies and investments driving deforestation) and 'green' finance for forest restoration. It highlights the systemic barriers facing small-scale forest enterprises, the need for better supply chain transparency to avoid stranded assets, and the potential for innovative financial models—such as blended finance and carbon monetization—to accelerate the goals of the New York Declaration on Forests.

The report examines food fortification in Mexico, focusing on the mandatory addition of micronutrients to wheat and maize flour. It highlights a 'double burden of malnutrition' where high obesity rates coexist with widespread micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron and zinc. While legislation (NOM-247-SSA1-2008) mandates fortification, the report finds that the legal framework lacks details on external monitoring and enforcement, effectively leaving the industry to self-regulate. Analysis of available government data from COFEPRIS shows variable compliance, with a concerning drop in folic acid compliance in maize flour from 100% in 2015 to one-third in 2017. The report also criticizes the 'bad fortification' of ultra-processed 'junk foods' used by the industry to mislead consumers about the health benefits of unhealthy products. It concludes with recommendations for the Mexican government to strengthen monitoring protocols, introduce penalties for non-compliance, and ensure that industrially produced tortillas and breads are made from fortified flour.

The report argues that coal transitions are already underway due to economic shifts, the falling cost of renewables, and environmental concerns, independent of climate policy. Through analysis of China, India, South Africa, Poland, Germany, and Australia, it concludes that phasing out coal is technically feasible and cost-neutral or advantageous for consumers. It emphasizes that a 'just transition' for workers and communities is possible through early stakeholder consultation, tailored workforce programs, and regional economic diversification. The document also warns coal exporters of the risks of stranded assets and the potential for abrupt declines in global demand.

The author suggests that the Talanoa Dialogue should be used as a platform for countries to share and replicate successful low-carbon policies. Based on a specific scenario, replicating successful policies in sectors covering 65% of global emissions could reduce emissions by approximately 10 GtCO2e by 2030 compared to current policies, effectively halving the reductions needed to keep temperature rise below 2 °C.

ISS-oekom conducted a desk-based assessment of Encavis AG's Green Schuldschein against the Climate Bond Standard Version 2.1 and the Solar Energy Standard version 2.1. The verification focused on the selection of nominated projects and assets, internal processes and controls, and proposed reporting. Based on limited assurance procedures, ISS-oekom concluded that the Green Schuldschein is in conformance with the Pre-Issuance Requirements.