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The report analyzes 75 green bonds totaling USD 75.9bn issued in H1 2021, finding that green bonds generally achieved higher book cover and greater spread compression than vanilla equivalents. It highlights a significant increase in allocations to green investors, reaching 66%, and provides evidence of a 'greenium' for 26 out of 33 non-sovereign bonds. Additionally, the report examines sovereign green bond issuance and concludes that green labels can enhance secondary market liquidity, particularly in the EUR utility sector.

The document analyzes the growth of commercial aviation and its contribution to climate change, noting that while aircraft efficiency has improved, increasing traffic is driving up total emissions. It details the specific warming effects of CO2 and contrails, the role of air freight, and the economic drivers—particularly the expanding middle class in Asia—that are projected to triple commercial aircraft emissions by 2050. It also discusses international and U.S. regulatory efforts to set CO2 standards for new aircraft.

The global pipeline of proposed coal power plants has collapsed by 76% since the 2015 Paris Agreement, with 1,175GW of projects cancelled. While China remains the largest pursuer of coal, hosting 55% of the remaining pre-construction pipeline, many OECD and non-OECD countries have already committed to or are positioned for 'no new coal'. The report highlights that action by six countries—China, India, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Turkey, and Bangladesh—could remove 82% of the remaining global pre-construction pipeline.

The document analyzes Indonesia's National Economic Recovery (PEN) program, finding that 2020 spending heavily favored fossil fuel-related state-owned enterprises and subsidies over clean energy. It highlights a gap in renewable energy targets—reaching only 11.2% in 2020 against a 13.4% target—and recommends reforming fossil fuel subsidies and implementing conditional fiscal support to accelerate the energy transition.

The briefing examines how nature-based infrastructure (NBI) can provide equitable benefits for women, who are disproportionately affected by climate change. It highlights that while women often face barriers to accessing natural resources due to social norms and land tenure systems, NBI projects—such as mangrove restoration in Senegal or agroforestry in Belgium—can protect livelihoods and improve public health. The author emphasizes that integrating gender-responsive approaches and capacity-building strategies is essential for making climate adaptation more effective and sustainable. To support this, the IISD's NBI Global Resource Centre aims to incorporate gender-disaggregated data and specific gender-related questions into the valuation of NBI projects to ensure inclusive benefits.

The document proposes that Indonesia generate approximately IDR 261 trillion per year by reforming fossil fuel subsidies and introducing new taxes on coal and transport fuels. These funds could cover COVID-19 health and social protection expenditures while supporting a transition to renewable energy. The authors recommend a phased approach to price reform, including targeted social safety nets to protect vulnerable populations from rising energy costs.

The September 2021 Global Update by the Climate Action Tracker (CAT) finds 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, estimated at 20 to 23 GtCO2e. The report introduces a new rating system that integrates targets, policies, and climate finance, revealing that only The Gambia is overall 1.5°C Paris Agreement compatible. Most net zero targets are rated as poor or incomplete, and developed countries are failing to provide sufficient international climate finance or implement policies that align with their fair share of global mitigation efforts.

The document presents principles for communication in the digital age to support social justice. It argues that effective communication is essential for addressing issues such as climate, poverty, and human rights. The principles advocate for universal rights to information, inclusive governance of digital platforms, privacy, cultural identity, and affordable access to media devices and sustainable energy sources like solar and wind power.

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.

The report finds that current G20 commitments put the world on a trajectory for 2.4°C of warming by 2100. While announced but non-formalised pledges could lower this to 2.1°C, only an 'enhanced ambition' scenario—where all G20 members align 2030 targets with 1.5°C pathways and commit to mid-century net zero—could limit warming to 1.7°C. The authors argue that G20 countries, accounting for 75% of global emissions, are uniquely positioned to close three-quarters of the temperature gap, provided they accelerate near-term action and developed nations ramp up financial support to developing countries.

The Measuring Wealth to Promote Sustainable Development Project argues that GDP is an inefficient measure of national well-being and economic health, particularly during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The project promotes a 'comprehensive wealth' approach that accounts for natural, produced, human, financial, and social capital. This framework has influenced Canada's Ministry of Finance in developing a Quality-of-Life Framework. The project is currently expanding its research partnerships to Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Trinidad and Tobago to advance expanded wealth measures within their specific socio-economic contexts.

The policy brief proposes that Indonesia adopt a coal tax of IDR 78,700 (USD 5.50) per tonne, similar to India's model, to address the fact that coal accounts for 40% of the country's energy-related emissions. Such a tax would generate approximately IDR 49 trillion (USD 3.6 billion) annually, which could fund clean energy investments and support vulnerable households and coal workers. The author emphasizes that this is a simpler, faster alternative to complex carbon pricing systems and would help mitigate the 7,480 premature deaths caused annually by air pollution from coal-fired power stations.

The REDD+ programme aims to curb carbon emissions by providing financial incentives to developing countries for protecting forestry resources. While small-scale projects in Kenya and Cambodia have successfully preserved biodiversity and created jobs, large-scale implementation has faced significant failures. In Indonesia, the programme has been undermined by the misclassification of palm oil plantations as revegetation projects, alleged double counting of credits, and the displacement of indigenous communities. Despite these issues, the document notes that REDD+ has improved forestry monitoring and kept rainforests on the global policy agenda.

The report examines the conflict between WTO farm subsidy rules and public stockholding programs used by developing countries for food security. It analyzes the impact of outdated reference prices and proposes five potential paths toward a permanent solution, concluding that a modified version of the 2013 Bali Decision is the most viable approach.

The report analyzes the challenges developing countries face when purchasing food at administered prices for public stockholding, which often exceeds WTO Aggregate Measure of Support (AMS) limits. It evaluates the 2013 Bali 'peace clause' and proposes five options for a permanent solution: updating reference periods for AMS calculations, redefining eligible production, exempting support when administered prices are below international levels, exempting Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and small economies, and expanding the Bali decision framework. The authors conclude that a modified Bali decision, combined with technical corrections to reference prices and production calculations, is the most promising path forward, provided transparency and anti-circumvention measures are maintained.

The briefing proposes a coal tax for Indonesia to address the environmental and health costs of coal, which accounts for 40% of the energy sector's carbon emissions. Drawing on India's experience with a coal 'cess', the authors suggest a tax of IDR 78,700 (USD 5.50) per tonne, which could generate IDR 49 trillion (USD 3.6 billion) annually. This revenue could fund a just transition, compensate vulnerable households for rising electricity prices, and incentivize clean energy investment. The document notes that while Indonesia is considering an emissions trading scheme (ETS) and a carbon tax, these take longer to implement, making a targeted coal tax a more immediate and administratively simpler solution.

The document argues that the choice of corruption definition—whether focusing on individual abuse of power or systemic institutional failure—fundamentally shapes the anti-corruption responses practitioners implement. It contrasts the 'principal-agent' theory, which emphasizes individual control and punishment, with 'collective action' approaches that address underlying social norms and trust. The author emphasizes that practitioners must account for their own 'positionality' and incorporate local knowledge, particularly in non-Western contexts, to develop effective remedies for corruption in natural resource sectors.

The document examines voluntary and mandatory digital traceability systems used to track timber and fish from harvest to consumer. It argues that while these systems can flag anomalies to deter crime, they are vulnerable to 'garbage in, garbage out' scenarios where initial data is falsified through corruption. Mandatory systems are viewed as having higher potential due to government enforcement, but their success depends on the political will to act on red flags. The authors recommend linking voluntary and mandatory systems and increasing transparency to reduce corruption risks.

The report inventories fisheries support in Indonesia, noting that central government support ranges from USD 140 to 210 million annually, with 50% allocated to fuel subsidies. It warns that these subsidies may benefit boat owners over low-income fishers and encourage overfishing, while provincial support for vessel modernization often targets already unsustainable pelagic fisheries.

The statement highlights the continued support of the coal industry by Japanese financial giants Mizuho, SMBC, MUFG, and Tokio Marine, noting billions of dollars in financing and insurance provided to coal developers and projects globally despite climate commitments.