Search Climate Insights Directory

The September 2021 Global Update from Climate Action Tracker reports that global climate action continues to lag behind the requirements for limiting warming to 1.5°C. While some countries have updated their NDCs, the 2030 emissions gap remains significant (20-23 GtCO2e). The report introduces a new rating system where only The Gambia is rated as overall 1.5°C compatible, while most developed nations are rated as 'Insufficient' or worse due to inadequate climate finance and policy implementation. It further critiques the lack of transparency and robustness in most national net zero targets and highlights the continued reliance on coal and gas in several major economies.

The G20, responsible for 75% of global GHG emissions, currently has commitments that put the world on a trajectory for 2.4°C of warming. While announced but non-formalized pledges could lower this to 2.1°C, only a comprehensive shift where all G20 members align with 1.5°C pathways and mid-century net zero targets could limit warming to 1.7°C. The report identifies a 23 GtCO2e emissions gap for 2030 and warns that many net zero pledges are unrealistic without significantly stronger near-term (2030) targets. Achieving the 1.5°C goal will require G20 leadership, action from non-G20 countries, and the fulfillment of climate finance commitments to developing nations.

This case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that gross domestic product (GDP) is an insufficient measure of economic health and national well-being, particularly during the post-COVID-19 recovery. It highlights the 'Measuring Wealth to Promote Sustainable Development Project,' which advocates for 'comprehensive wealth' accounting—incorporating natural, produced, human, financial, and social capital—to guide sustainable government policy and prevent environmental degradation.

This policy brief recommends that the Government of Indonesia implement a coal tax as an immediate, interim measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution while more complex carbon pricing details are resolved.

This case study describes the implementation and temperature-reducing effects of cool roof reflective paint in low-income communities and industrial settings in Bangladesh and Indonesia.

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the engagement of young people (aged 10-24) in climate change and health actions within six low- and middle-income countries across Africa and Asia, focusing on structural barriers to their participation and the need for inter-generational climate justice.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the mineral requirements of the energy transition, focusing on the ethical, environmental, and geopolitical challenges associated with the sourcing of cobalt, nickel, and lithium for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

This research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the feasibility of using municipal green bonds to support Indonesia's goal of achieving a 23% renewable energy contribution in its energy mix by 2025. While identifying a strong case for these instruments based on energy targets and the fiscal capacity of certain local governments, the paper highlights significant bureaucratic, regulatory, and market-driven barriers that have prevented their issuance to date.

This report uses the Global Subsidies Initiative – Integrated Fiscal Model (GSI-IF model) to analyze the potential for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and fiscal savings across 32 countries through fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR) and fossil energy taxation by 2030.

This report by Dr. Ranajit Sahu evaluates the technical and environmental feasibility of adding 1,500 MW of new coal generation as proposed in South Africa's 2019 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The author argues that 'clean coal' is a myth, asserting that any new capacity will inevitably cause significant air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, regardless of the high-efficiency, low-emission (HELE) technologies employed.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the feasibility of using municipal green bonds to finance renewable energy in Indonesia. While the legal framework exists and several provincial governments possess the fiscal capacity to issue bonds, the market remains conservative. Key barriers include complex bureaucratic procedures, a lack of profitable project pipelines, and investor preference for high credit ratings and short tenors over environmental mandates. The report recommends simplifying issuance requirements, implementing consistent central government policies on renewable energy, and targeting quasi-government institutions as initial investors.

This technical report describes the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology and its application to various infrastructure types to calculate the costs of environmental, social, governance, and climate risks, as well as externalities. It specifically explores how SAVi can be integrated into Indonesia's Vision 2045 (IV2045) system dynamics model to better inform low-carbon development and investment strategies by bridging top-down national planning with bottom-up asset-specific analysis.

The 2021 report by the NewClimate Institute evaluates climate action by subnational and non-state actors across ten major emitting economies, focusing on the progress of cities, regions, and businesses toward emissions reduction targets.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and Oxpeckers analyzes global coal mine proposals, finding that 2,277 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of new capacity is under development. This expansion is led by China, Australia, India, and Russia, and is largely inconsistent with the 1.5°C warming limit of the Paris climate agreement.

This policy brief analyzes the services market access negotiations under the WTO E-commerce Joint Statement Initiative (JSI). It highlights a significant trade imbalance, where developed nations are net exporters of the targeted digital services while developing nations are net importers. The brief identifies key challenges, including the 'technological neutrality' of GATS, the undecided legal architecture of the JSI, and a lack of gender and social inclusion considerations. It recommends that developing countries pursue a 'built-in development dimension' through progressive liberalization and multi-stakeholder national assessments.

This report analyzes the role of COVID-19 fiscal stimulus packages in South Korea and Indonesia, evaluating how these recovery efforts align with each country's energy transition goals. While South Korea has integrated climate challenges into its recovery via the Green New Deal, Indonesia's National Economic Recovery program focuses primarily on short-term social and economic survival with minimal allocation to the energy transition.

Ember's message to the 2021 P4G Seoul Summit emphasizes that achieving 100% clean power is a prerequisite for global carbon neutrality by 2050, citing the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Net Zero by 2050 report.

The report 'The Road to Sustainable Transport' examines the environmental and social impacts of global transportation, the evolution of international policy from the 1972 Stockholm Conference to the Sustainable Development Goals, and case studies of sustainable urban mobility. It highlights the role of public transit, non-motorized transport, and electrification in reducing carbon emissions and improving public health, while noting the potential for post-COVID-19 recovery packages to accelerate these transitions.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the potential for reforming liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidies in Indonesia. It argues that current subsidies are a budget drain and socially inefficient, primarily benefiting wealthier citizens. The document provides case studies from other emerging economies to demonstrate that crises can be opportunities for fossil fuel pricing reform and offers four specific recommendations for the Indonesian government to implement a closed distribution system for LPG subsidies.

The Climate Action Tracker (CAT) reports that global warming estimates for 2100 have reached a record low of 2.4°C, driven by announcements from President Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate and other pledges since September 2020. Despite this 0.2°C improvement, current projections remain above the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C limit, and a significant gap persists between targets and the policies required to achieve them.