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This report, curated by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS), is a compilation of 34 expert views exploring how the international trading system can support the Paris Agreement and climate-resilient development. It identifies critical synergies and tensions at the nexus of trade, climate, and sustainable development, focusing on clean energy transitions, green industrial policies, and the specific vulnerabilities of developing nations.

Ember provides feedback on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) Indonesia Progress Report 2025, arguing that Indonesia needs more ambitious emissions targets, stronger regulation of the captive power sector, and a more comprehensive just transition framework for coal-dependent regions.

This policy brief by Ember responds to Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) Progress Report 2025. It argues that Indonesia must adopt more ambitious emission targets, specifically by integrating the captive power sector into peaking emission scenarios and accelerating the retirement of coal plants. The document highlights the potential for solar PV to replace ageing captive coal plants and emphasizes the need for a just transition that provides economic diversification and investment in coal-producing provinces to mitigate fiscal and employment risks.

This research paper analyzes clean cooking policies across G20 countries, arguing that the current reliance on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidies is financially unsustainable, often fails to reach the poorest populations, and contradicts net-zero goals. The authors advocate for redirecting these subsidies toward electric cooking and renewable energy alternatives to achieve universal access by 2030.

This guide from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) explains the nature of fossil fuel subsidies, the challenges of reforming them, and the benefits of transitioning to targeted social protection and clean energy. It highlights the role of the Coalition on Phasing Out Fossil Fuel Incentives Including Subsidies (COFFIS) in fostering international cooperation and transparency to make these reforms politically and socially viable.

The Indonesia Power Sector Finance Dashboard (2019-2023) analyzes investment trends in renewable energy (RE) and fossil fuel (FF) power plants, highlighting a significant funding gap for 2030 climate targets and a continued reliance on fossil fuel investments, particularly for industrial captive power.

The NewClimate Institute's 2025 update evaluates the progress of 25 major emitters, representing over 80% of global emissions, toward their climate mitigation targets. The report finds that while total emissions under current policies may peak by 2026, the projected reductions are insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal, which requires a 43% reduction by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.

A report by Ember analyzing the current state and outlook of Indonesia's coal sector, noting a shift from record production levels toward a projected decline in 2025 driven by weakening export demand from major partners like China and India.

This report by Ember examines the surge in coal mine methane (CMM) emissions in Indonesia, arguing that official government figures significantly understate the actual emissions due to flawed reporting systems and the exclusion of underground mines.

This report by Ember analyzes the economic and environmental consequences of Indonesia's coal over-expansion. It finds that while production hit record highs in 2024, shrinking demand from major importers like China and India, coupled with rising production costs, is eroding company profits and state revenues. Additionally, the report highlights a significant underreporting of coal mine methane (CMM) emissions, which are projected to increase by 25% by 2030 due to the expansion of underground mining.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) submitted a contribution to the OECD's public consultation on aligning investment agreements with climate and environmental goals, proposing reforms to investor transparency, responsible business conduct, and the removal of barriers to green investment.

This RMI briefing outlines the roles of key countries and regions—China, Brazil, India, Southeast Asia, and the United States—in the global energy transition as they approach COP30 in Belém, Brazil. It highlights the shift from high-level commitments to tangible actions, such as large-scale renewable deployment, the development of low-carbon shipping hubs, and subnational leadership in the US.

The Taxonomy Roadmap Initiative Progress Report (November 2025) details the global expansion of sustainable finance taxonomies, noting that over 60 are currently in use or development. While high-level interoperability is increasing—with 64% using ISIC-based sector structures and 100% of published taxonomies covering climate mitigation—granular alignment remains difficult. The report highlights that implementation is still in early stages in emerging markets and announces the launch of new tools at COP30, including the Sustainable Finance Taxonomy Mapper and Principles for Taxonomy Interoperability, to catalyze cross-border capital flows.

The 'Principles for Taxonomy Interoperability' report, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative in November 2025, provides a framework for sustainable finance taxonomy developers and policymakers to ensure that national and regional taxonomies are comparable and interoperable. Launched under the Taxonomy Roadmap Initiative at COP29, the document outlines seven high-level principles designed to reduce barriers to cross-border capital flows by establishing common design features, terminology, and implementation strategies while respecting jurisdictional priorities.

The 'Princípios de Interoperabilidade Taxonômica' report, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative in November 2025, provides a high-level framework to help sustainable finance taxonomy developers and policymakers increase the comparability and cross-border flow of capital. It introduces seven principles designed to align national and regional taxonomies through common languages, scientific baselines, and collaborative international efforts, supporting the broader 'Taxonomy Roadmap Initiative' launched at COP29.

The 'Global Landscape of Climate Finance 2025: EMDE Spotlight' fact sheet analyzes climate finance flows to emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). It reports that while total climate finance to these 157 countries surpassed USD 1 trillion in 2023, there remains a significant gap compared to the estimated USD 4 trillion required annually by 2030. The document highlights the dominance of China in overall flows, the growth of domestic private financing in emerging markets, and the persistent underfunding of adaptation and hard-to-abate sectors.

The report identifies 30 international financial mechanisms mobilizing US$ 25.9 billion for tropical forests, though this remains far below the US$ 66.8 billion annual requirement estimated by UNEP. Financing is concentrated in conservation and is heavily skewed toward a few countries like Brazil and Guyana. While REDD+ mechanisms provide over half of the identified funding, there is a significant gap in the actual disbursement of planned funds, particularly from private and blended sources.

The report identifies 30 international financial mechanisms mobilizing US$ 25.9 billion for tropical forests, though this is far below the US$ 66.8 billion annual need estimated by UNEP for 2030. While Brazil and Guyana have high access to these funds, many high-potential countries remain underserved. Financing is dominated by credit, grants, and results-based payments (especially JREDD+), with a strong current focus on conservation over restoration and deforestation reduction.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the socio-economic challenges of phasing out coal in Indonesia. It argues that while coal mine closures will lead to projected losses in output, income, and employment—particularly in East Kalimantan—these can be mitigated through strategic investment in high-potential green sectors, improved intergovernmental coordination, and the inclusion of informal workers, women, and youth in transition planning.

This report provides a comparative analysis of global electricity tariff-setting methodologies, focusing on the process of determining revenue requirements and conducting Cost of Supply (CoS) studies. It examines various regulatory models—including rate-of-return, incentive-based, performance-based, and market-based pricing—and evaluates their effectiveness in balancing financial sustainability for utilities with affordability for consumers. The document concludes with specific recommendations for South Africa to modernize its tariff structures and revenue determination processes as it transitions toward a wholesale electricity market.