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The report argues that the aquaculture industry faces significant systemic risks due to high fish mortality rates and a dependence on fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) derived from wild-caught fish. It finds that most investors fail to integrate these material risks into their policies, often relying on inadequate certification schemes. The document highlights the economic cost of fish deaths, the threat to food security in regions like West Africa due to FMFO extraction, and the potential for 'greenwashing' through green bonds. It recommends that investors require full supply chain transparency, the elimination of wild-caught fish in feed by 2025, and the adoption of robust fish-welfare standards.

The 2020 research identifies a global universe of USD 913.2 billion in unlabelled climate-aligned bonds from 420 issuers across 45 countries. Transport is the dominant theme, accounting for 55% of the volume, followed by Energy (24%) and Water (10%). China is the largest single source, representing 36% of the global total, while Developed Markets (DM) account for 50%. The report emphasizes a significant opportunity for refinancing, as over 40% of these bonds will mature by 2024, potentially increasing the labelled green bond market by 65% within nine years if transitioned. The analysis also highlights the role of the EU Taxonomy in improving disclosure and the potential for green hydrogen and electric vehicle infrastructure to drive future issuance.

The report analyzes the fragmentation of current biosurveillance systems and proposes a transition to a global early warning ecosystem. It highlights the role of emerging technologies like metagenomic sequencing and CRISPR-based diagnostics in reducing detection timelines. Through regional case studies and historical vignettes of outbreaks like COVID-19, SARS, and Ebola, the document identifies critical gaps in infrastructure, political will, and data interoperability, while providing a roadmap for future investments and diplomatic coordination.

The document proposes a suite of financing mechanisms to fund a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG) in South Africa, focusing on progressive taxation and the reduction of government waste. Key proposals include a ring-fenced Social Security Tax, a Resource Rent Tax on extractive industries, and a wealth tax for the top 1% of the population. The brief argues that many UBIG scenarios, particularly those aligned with national poverty lines, are immediately affordable without borrowing if these revenue-generating measures and VAT recoupments are implemented.

The Institute for Economic Justice proposes a suite of financing mechanisms to fund a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG) in South Africa, focusing on progressive taxation and the reduction of government waste. Key proposals include a ring-fenced Social Security Tax (SST) with rates between 1.5% and 3%, a Resource Rent Tax on extractive industries, and the selective removal of tax deductions for high-income earners regarding pension funds and medical aid. The brief also suggests implementing a 25% luxury VAT, a wealth tax for the top 1% and 0.1%, and a Financial Transactions Tax (FTT) of 0.1%. Additionally, it argues for the cancellation of the Employment Tax Incentive and the reversal of proposed Corporate Income Tax reductions. The document concludes that many UBIG scenarios, particularly those aligned with national poverty lines, are affordable without borrowing if these revenue-generating measures and reductions in irregular government expenditure are adopted.

The document introduces the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology, a simulation-based tool designed to calculate environmental, social, governance, and climate risks, as well as externalities in infrastructure projects. It details the three-pronged modelling approach—system dynamics, project finance, and spatially explicit models—to provide a more comprehensive cost-benefit analysis than traditional financial valuations. The report provides sector-specific examples (energy, buildings, roads, wastewater, irrigation, and natural infrastructure) and outlines how these modules can be integrated into Indonesia's Vision 2045 (IV2045) system dynamics model to bridge top-down national strategy with bottom-up project implementation.

The report analyzes the value chain of wind and solar projects to identify which components are suitable for local production versus global sourcing. It argues that while highly centralized components like solar modules and wind turbines are best imported to keep costs low, significant economic opportunities exist in localizing structures, towers, and electrical subsystems. Through case studies of countries like Mauritius, Namibia, Cambodia, and the Philippines, the report demonstrates how different tariff strategies—ranging from revenue generation to industry protection—impact renewable energy deployment and suggests that international cooperation to reduce trade barriers on environmental goods can accelerate the energy transition.

The report examines the trade implications of global climate policies on developing nations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and least developed countries (LDCs). It finds that while fossil fuel exports face significant short-to-medium term threats due to decarbonization, the transition to renewable energy creates substantial growth potential for non-ferrous metals and specialty minerals. However, the report warns that these opportunities require significant investment and economic diversification to avoid the 'resource curse'. Agricultural exports are less directly affected by energy transitions but remain vulnerable to greenhouse gas intensity standards and consumer preferences in importing markets.

The report finds that the complete removal of fossil fuel consumption subsidies across 32 modelled countries could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 6.09% by 2030. When combined with a 'subsidy swap' (reinvesting savings into energy efficiency and renewables) and a 10% energy tax, the average national emission reduction increases to 11.84%. The analysis highlights that while some countries like Venezuela see reductions over 30%, G20 nations provide the largest absolute reductions due to their economic scale. Financially, fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR) alone could generate USD 2.99 trillion in cumulative savings by 2030, offering a cost-effective mechanism for a 'green recovery' from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The document provides a multi-faceted analysis of how trade policies impact environmental and social sustainability. It highlights the new environmental provisions in the USMCA/T-MEC/CUSMA, the European Union's leadership in circular economy product policies, and the vulnerability of small island states' tourism sectors post-COVID-19. It also warns of rising non-tariff protectionism and discusses India's potential as a hub for electric vehicle battery recycling, while detailing the complexities of trade agreements in Latin America and the EU's proposed carbon border adjustment mechanism.

The document argues that Indonesia must shift from carbon-intensive 'grey' infrastructure to sustainable solutions to meet its low-carbon development goals and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. It identifies key barriers to this transition, including a lack of bankable project pipelines, inadequate valuation methods that ignore ESG risks, and a mismatch between infrastructure and budget planning. The author recommends adopting integrated planning, utilizing the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology to quantify externalities, and establishing project preparation facilities to attract private investment. The brief also highlights international examples from Malaysia, the Netherlands, Saint Lucia, and South Africa to illustrate successful sustainable infrastructure strategies.

The report finds that fossil fuel subsidies in India increased relative to clean energy in FY 2020, with electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) remaining the largest subsidy category. While electric vehicle (EV) subsidies grew, renewable energy support stagnated. The authors argue that India's energy PSUs remain heavily skewed toward fossil fuel investments and lack clear decarbonization roadmaps. The report recommends a 'second generation' of clean energy support focusing on storage, green hydrogen, and offshore wind, alongside reforms to DISCOM finances and a strategic shift in PSU capital expenditure.

The 2021 State of Cities Climate Finance report finds that annual urban climate finance averaged USD 384 billion in 2017/2018, which is significantly lower than the estimated annual need of USD 4.5 to 5.4 trillion. Investment is heavily concentrated in OECD countries and China, with critically low levels in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. The report emphasizes that while cities act as providers of infrastructure and stewards of regulation, their ability to mobilize finance depends on national-level governance, city-level capacity, and the alignment of climate-specific financial instruments. It recommends strengthening municipal finance fundamentals, integrating carbon pricing into capital planning, and utilizing catalytic funding to de-risk private investment in developing economies.

The report finds that while the number of non-state and subnational actors setting climate targets is growing, there is limited evidence that this ambition is translating into realized impacts. Full implementation of individual targets could reduce 2030 emissions by 2.0 to 2.5 GtCO2e/year, while international cooperative initiatives' goals could lead to a reduction of 16 GtCO2e/year. However, progress is uneven, with only half of city governments and 80% of companies meeting their 2020 targets.

Reclaim Finance argues that Japan's three megabanks (Mizuho, MUFG, and SMBC) maintain policies that allow continued support for the coal industry. While the banks have updated policies to restrict direct project financing for new coal plants 'in principle', these policies contain exceptions and do not apply to general corporate financing. Between October 2018 and October 2020, these banks provided $39bn, $36bn, and $32bn respectively to companies on the Global Coal Exit List. The document contrasts this with European peers like Crédit Agricole and notes increasing shareholder and activist pressure on the Japanese institutions to align with the Paris Agreement.

The document argues that African nations must align their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Long-term Low Emissions Strategies (LTSs) with a cohesive vision for carbon neutrality by 2050. It highlights the necessity of integrating COVID-19 green recovery plans with these climate goals and emphasizes that current global mitigation and adaptation pledges remain insufficient to meet IPCC recommendations. For Africa, the briefing identifies climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage, and youth inclusion as critical priorities for the COP26 agenda.

The briefing evaluates the virtual UN Climate Change subsidiary bodies sessions, noting that while substantive discussions occurred, significant divides between developed and developing nations persisted. Key areas of limited progress include the Paris Agreement Rulebook, carbon markets under Article 6, and the delivery of climate finance. The document highlights logistical hurdles of virtual negotiations and a perceived imbalance in the agenda, which sidelined critical issues like loss and damage and the global goal on adaptation, leaving substantial political and technical work for COP26 in Glasgow.

The report identifies three primary opportunity areas to reduce the negative impacts of India's growing freight demand: increasing the share of rail transport, optimizing truck usage, and adopting zero-emissions vehicles and fuel economy technologies. Implementing these solutions could save 10 gigatons of cumulative CO2 emissions by 2050 and lower logistics costs from 14 percent to 10 percent of GDP.

Between January 2020 and March 3, 2021, G7 nations invested more in fossil fuels (US$189 billion) than in clean energy (US$147 billion), despite pledges to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century. The report finds that over 80% of fossil fuel funding lacked 'green strings' or climate targets, while only 10% of COVID-19 response funds supported the cleanest energy measures. To align with the Paris Climate Agreement, the report recommends that the G7 end support for fossil fuel production, increase green recovery spending to at least 40% of total COVID-19 recovery funds, and double climate finance pledges to assist low- and middle-income countries.

The report details CDKN's efforts to bridge the gap between climate knowledge and action through regional programmes in Africa, Asia, and South America. Key initiatives include improving climate information on Wikipedia, tailoring IPCC reports for regional audiences, and mainstreaming gender into climate policy in countries like Peru, Ecuador, and Ethiopia. The network also focused on urban resilience in India and Nepal, and community-led responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.