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This executive summary evaluates global progress toward the 2030 goals of ending and reversing deforestation and forest degradation. It reports that global gross deforestation in 2022 exceeded the necessary trajectory for 2030 targets, highlighting a critical gap between ambitious commitments and actual financial and political action.

This executive summary evaluates global progress toward the 2030 goals of halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation. It reports that the world is currently off track, with significant gross deforestation and primary forest loss in 2022, despite some regional successes and an increase in tropical reforestation. The document highlights a critical gap in funding, a lack of transparency in data, and the need for a radical transformation of economic models to prioritize long-term forest value over short-term gains from extraction.

This executive summary evaluates global progress toward the 2030 goals of stopping and reversing deforestation and degradation. It highlights a critical gap between current financial investments and the scale of the crisis, noting that while some countries and companies show leadership, global trends remain alarming, with significant losses in primary tropical forests and a lack of transparency in restoration and corporate reporting.

The 2023 Forest Declaration Assessment executive summary reports that the world is off track to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030, citing a 2022 global gross deforestation of 6.6 million hectares. While some countries and regions, such as tropical Asia, show progress, the report highlights a critical lack of funding, transparency, and accountability among governments, companies, and financial institutions.

The report 'Boom & Bust Coal 2023' analyzes the global state of coal-fired power plants in 2022, highlighting a stark divergence between China's surge in new capacity and a general decline in coal development elsewhere. While global operational capacity grew by 19.5 GW, the report notes that nearly one-third of global operational capacity (580 GW) is scheduled for phase-out, though the current pace of closures remains insufficient to meet Paris Agreement goals.

The World Resources Institute's (WRI) 2023-2027 Strategic Plan outlines a transition from a period of global commitments to one of tangible impact on the ground. The strategy centers on three interconnected global goals—improving human well-being, protecting nature, and tackling climate change—and targets systemic change across three 'Human-Centered Systems' (Food, Land and Water; Energy; and Cities) supported by three 'Enabling Systems' (Economics, Finance, and Governance). WRI aims to operate as a centrally coordinated global network with a specific focus on 12 priority countries to drive just transitions.

This briefing by RMI analyzes the state of the global coal transition in 2022, highlighting a contradiction where coal emissions are poised to break records while retired and canceled coal capacity also hit record levels. The document focuses on the emergence of Coal Transition Mechanisms (CTMs) and Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) as critical financial levers to accelerate the shift from coal to clean energy, particularly in South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

A statement by Trend Asia opposing the House of Representatives' plan to pass the Draft Criminal Code (RUU KUHP) in Indonesia, citing concerns over human rights, civil society freedoms, and press freedom.

This policy brief examines ESG implementation in Chinese-led infrastructure projects in Africa and Southeast Asia. It identifies key challenges including lack of transparency in loan contracts, weak domestic regulatory environments in recipient countries, and inadequate planning for long-term local capacity and land acquisition. The document recommends that the AU and ASEAN create joint platforms for ESG standards, that recipient governments increase transparency through the publication of loan contracts, and that local capacity building be prioritized to ensure project sustainability.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative evaluates the readiness of major commercial financial institutions in Indonesia to assess and disclose climate-related risks and opportunities. Based on a survey conducted between September 2021 and June 2022, the report finds that while banks show high compliance with national sustainability reporting mandates (POJK 51/2017), they lack the depth of disclosure required by international benchmarks like the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). The report highlights a gap between the growth of green portfolios and the actual integration of climate risk into financial statements and risk management frameworks.

This policy brief explores the complex relationship between international trade and sustainable agriculture, highlighting that while agri-food systems contribute 31% of global GHG emissions and drive 80% of deforestation, trade is essential for the 80% of the world population relying on food imports. The author argues for a shift from production-enhancing subsidies to market-correcting ones and suggests utilizing WTO mechanisms—such as the SPS Committee and the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD)—to coordinate global efforts toward sustainable food systems.

Climate Policy Initiative, Climate Bonds Initiative, and RMI have developed guidelines to manage the reputational and financial risks associated with Coal Transition Mechanisms (CTMs). These mechanisms aim to accelerate the retirement of coal plants and the expansion of renewable energy, particularly in emerging markets where 93% of coal capacity is protected from market pressures by regulation or long-term contracts.

This guide by RMI, developed in collaboration with the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) and Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), introduces guidelines for Coal Transition Mechanisms (CTMs). These financial tools are designed to accelerate the retirement of existing coal plants, particularly those shielded from market pressures by regulation or long-term contracts, while mitigating the reputational and financial risks associated with financing coal plant owners.

A commentary by members of the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) urging the Swedish government to use its presidency of the Council of the EU in 2023 to increase the European Union's sustainability ambitions and lead on the European Green Deal.

This briefing from the International Institute for Sustainable Development argues that Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) in South Africa, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Senegal should facilitate a direct leap from fossil fuels to renewable energy, bypassing fossil gas to avoid economic volatility and asset stranding.

This report by the NewClimate Institute analyzes the impact of the global energy crisis on Southeast Asia, specifically focusing on Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Viet Nam. It argues that while these nations have implemented short-term measures to secure fossil fuel supplies and protect consumers, they have yet to address underlying vulnerabilities through structural shifts toward clean energy and energy efficiency.

This methodology document outlines how Ember estimates the fossil fuels and costs avoided through solar energy generation in Asia. It details the use of counterfactual scenarios for fuel substitution, the application of linear regression models to estimate 2022 fuel prices using spot price lags, and the reliance on National Energy Plans for 2030 projections. It specifically notes adjusted assumptions for Indonesia and the use of regional averages for countries with missing 2022 trade data, including Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

The NewClimate Institute reports that global expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fossil gas is undermining the Paris Agreement and the 1.5°C warming limit. Despite some policy progress in the US, China, and the EU, current 2030 targets put the world on a path toward 2.4°C of warming, while the pipeline of new LNG capacity threatens to significantly increase emissions by 2030.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative outlines seven key actions for national governments to scale financing for urban climate adaptation and resilience. It highlights a significant gap between urban climate mitigation and adaptation funding, arguing that while cities are critical economic hubs and highly vulnerable to climate risks, adaptation projects often lack the quantifiable financial returns and clear mandates needed to attract private and public investment.

This policy brief examines Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) in South Africa, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Senegal. It argues that these partnerships should facilitate a direct leapfrog from fossil fuels to renewable energy, rather than using fossil gas as a bridging fuel, which the author claims is economically risky, technically unnecessary, and climatically dangerous.