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This report examines the role of international finance institutions (IFIs) in supporting the transition to low-carbon steel production, particularly in emerging and developing economies. It finds that IFIs have historically had limited exposure to the steel sector and are only in the early stages of developing green industrial strategies. However, the report argues that IFIs can accelerate the transition by de-risking first movers, supporting the development of green hydrogen and circular economy strategies, and creating demand for green steel through sustainable procurement in infrastructure projects.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the climate commitments of the 70 largest public financial institutions, representing USD 20.4 trillion in assets. It finds a significant gap in ambition, particularly among national and subnational development banks and institutions in non-OECD countries, where Paris-aligned and net-zero targets are rare. The report highlights a lack of specificity in climate finance goals, a deficiency in adaptation-focused commitments, and a general slow adoption of institutional climate strategies. CPI identifies insufficient accountability and a lack of government and global coalition guidance as primary barriers and provides recommendations to strengthen the integrity of public finance in the energy transition.

This briefing by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) analyzes the global expansion of crude oil pipeline infrastructure, detailing over 24,000 km of pipelines in development. The report highlights the financial costs, environmental impacts, and the risk of stranded assets as countries transition to renewable energy, noting that this buildout contradicts global climate goals to limit warming to 1.5°C or 2.0°C.

The Americas Conference on Solar Radiation Modification, held in August 2022 in Kingston, Jamaica, served as a regional forum to introduce the science, governance, and implications of Solar Radiation Modification (SRM). The event brought together scientists, policymakers, and representatives from various Americas nations to discuss SRM as a potential supplement to climate mitigation, emphasizing the need for inclusive research, regional collaboration, and a risk-risk framework to evaluate the technology's potential benefits against the dangers of unchecked global warming.

A June 2022 briefing by the Climate Action Tracker reporting that progress on updating 2030 climate targets has stalled following the Glasgow Climate Pact. The document warns that current targets and policies are insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C, projecting end-of-century warming of 2.4°C based on 2030 targets and 2.7°C under current policies.

This SEI discussion brief examines the relationship between tropical deforestation and water use in agricultural commodity supply chains, specifically focusing on imports into the European Union. It argues that while current policy focuses on deforestation, overlooking water use may shift environmental burdens to water-scarce regions. The brief identifies critical data gaps for beef and wood products and suggests that a comprehensive definition of sustainable supply chains must integrate both land and water stewardship.

The report 'Boom and Bust Coal 2022' tracks the global coal plant pipeline, highlighting a stark divergence between China's continued expansion and a broader global trend toward phasing out coal. While COP26 commitments significantly increased the number of plants with phase-out dates, China's surge in new construction and the persistence of 'clean coal' narratives in some OECD countries challenge the 1.5 degree Celsius warming target.

This policy brief examines the global frameworks and challenges associated with protecting endangered species, focusing on the roles of the IUCN Red List, CITES, and CMS. It highlights the importance of international cooperation and funding, while arguing that conservation efforts must expand beyond iconic species to include lesser-known species that provide critical ecosystem services.

This report chapter analyzes the growth of the lower-middle-income population in high-impact countries in 2022, highlighting the risks associated with their potential purchase of inefficient cooling devices and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on income levels.

This report examines the critical role of sustainable cooling and cold chains in reducing global food loss, improving nutrition, and supporting agricultural economies, particularly in low-income and high-impact countries.

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.

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 policy briefing examines the current state of global nuclear disarmament, framed by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' Doomsday Clock being set to 100 seconds to midnight in January 2020. It analyzes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diplomatic processes, the success of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (Ban Treaty), and the role of non-state actors and small nations in driving a 'humanitarian turn' in disarmament diplomacy.

This report analyzes regional trends in cooling access gaps for 2021, focusing on high-impact countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It highlights an overall increase in populations at highest risk—specifically the rural and urban poor—across all regions, with the COVID-19 pandemic cited as a contributing factor to rising poverty and cooling access challenges.

This report by the NewClimate Institute, PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, and IIASA provides an update on climate mitigation policies, COVID-19 response measures, and the status of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and Long-Term Strategies (LTS) across 25 countries and regions between July 2019 and August 2020.

This working paper models the impact of removing fossil fuel subsidies across 26 countries and reviews 60 research papers to estimate global greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. It finds that subsidy removal alone leads to a national average emission reduction of 6 per cent, which increases to 13.2 per cent when combined with a modest energy tax and investments in renewables and energy efficiency.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the use of 'security for costs' in investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), where tribunals require investors to deposit funds to cover a state's potential legal costs. The document analyzes the high financial burden on taxpayers, the challenges states face in obtaining such orders due to high judicial thresholds, and the impact of third-party funding. It concludes by recommending stronger, more explicit treaty language to ensure states can recover costs and prevent 'arbitral hit and run' scenarios.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the use of 'security for costs' (cautionnement pour frais) in Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). It analyzes why states seek these deposits to protect taxpayers from high defense costs and speculative claims, the legal obstacles they face due to vague arbitration rules, and the current restrictive jurisprudence of tribunals. The document concludes by recommending that states integrate specific, robust security for costs provisions into their investment treaties to ensure a more equitable balance between investors and states.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines South Africa's role as chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) starting in October 2017. It argues that while South Africa has set thematic priorities in maritime security and the Blue Economy, its most significant potential legacy lies in driving institutional and procedural reforms to increase the organization's openness, transparency, and inclusivity for researchers and non-governmental stakeholders.

This research paper examines the implications of the United States' unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) from an African and South African perspective, highlighting the deterioration of international cooperation and the increased risk of nuclear proliferation.