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The report analyzes the compatibility of Carbon Market Clubs (CMCs)—networks of emissions trading schemes (ETSs) sharing rules and services—with various 'climate clubs' consisting of governments, cities, and businesses. It explores whether standardized CMC services, such as mitigation value assessments and international asset reserves, can reduce transaction costs and political barriers to linking diverse carbon markets. While the Paris Agreement's Article 6.2 encourages voluntary cooperation, the report finds that political concerns over sovereignty, environmental integrity, and the 'not invented here' syndrome often outweigh technical efficiencies. Case studies of the EU ETS, WCI, RGGI, and ICAO illustrate the tension between the desire for centralized control and the economic benefits of networked markets.

The report argues that the US Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system is in a state of disarray due to a 'schedule-driven' development process that bypassed standard DOD5000 acquisition rules. This approach led to the fielding of interceptors before successful testing, systemic design flaws like the 'track gate anomaly', and a poor test record where only a third of intercept tests have succeeded since deployment began. The authors conclude that the system cannot reliably protect the US from nuclear attack and may increase security risks by encouraging adversaries to modernize their arsenals.

The document argues that transitioning from fossil fuel-based electric power to clean renewable energy is a public health imperative. It details how climate change exacerbates respiratory, cardiovascular, and mental health issues, and how the Clean Power Plan's goal to reduce carbon pollution by 32% below 2005 levels by 2030 will prevent thousands of premature deaths and asthma attacks. The toolkit provides clinicians with messaging and model letters to influence state policymakers, while explicitly arguing against nuclear power due to radiation risks and waste management failures.

The report finds that while Democrats are generally more convinced of human-caused global warming than Republicans, liberal and moderate Republicans often align with the mainstream public and moderate Democrats. A significant majority of registered voters support various climate policies, including renewable energy research, tax rebates for energy efficiency, and carbon dioxide regulation, though conservative Republicans remain a distinct outlier in their skepticism and opposition to these measures.

The document argues that the institutional architecture developed under the UNFCCC for National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) provides a ready-made foundation for achieving the global adaptation goal of the Paris Agreement and SDG target 13.1. It highlights that while developing countries, especially Least Developed Countries (LDCs), have led in strategic adaptation planning, developed countries can now leverage these best practices. Furthermore, the brief suggests that the support mechanisms used for NAPs—such as technical guidelines, the NAP-Global Support Programme, and NAP Central—could be replicated to help developing countries craft the mitigation and adaptation components of their NDCs.

The report details a December 2015 workshop in Paris focused on 'low carbon clubs' or multijurisdictional cooperative approaches (MCAs). Participants argued that these clubs should aim to increase emissions reduction ambition and could use carbon pricing to fund technological innovation in sectors like gas, electricity, oil, and mining. The discussion highlighted the potential for linking diverse carbon markets through initiatives like the World Bank's Networked Carbon Markets (NCM) and emphasized the need for non-pricing incentives—such as technology transfer and capacity building—to encourage participation from developing nations and the Alliance of Small Island States.

A statement by 231 organisations calling on the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to deny funding for the Batang coal-fired power plant in Indonesia due to human rights violations and climate impacts. The signatories argue that Japan is the world's leading supporter of overseas coal and must shift its financing toward renewable energy to align with the Paris Agreement.

Five years after the Fukushima disaster, the Union of Concerned Scientists argues that the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has failed to implement critical safety upgrades, often favoring industry-led voluntary initiatives over enforceable regulations. The report highlights significant gaps in the 'FLEX' emergency equipment program, the rejection of a comprehensive new regulatory framework, and the failure to mandate filtered containment vents or expedited spent fuel transfer, leaving US nuclear plants vulnerable to beyond-design-basis events.

The document highlights a global consensus on the threats of climate change and the necessity of a massive energy transformation to limit temperature rises to below 2°C or 1.5°C. It notes that renewables became the second largest electricity source in 2014 and that costs for solar and wind technologies are falling rapidly. The briefing also emphasizes the health and economic benefits of decarbonization, specifically citing the potential for $300 million in annual health benefits from closing coal plants in Alberta and the growth of Canada's clean energy sector. Finally, it details Canada's 2013 emissions of 726 mega-tonnes and its targets to reduce these to 622 MT by 2020 and 524 MT by 2030.

The author contends that the Doha Development Round is 'dead' following the Nairobi Ministerial, a failure attributed to a shift in global power from a US-led hegemony toward a multipolar system including China and India. To prevent the fragmentation of the multilateral trading system caused by 'megaregional trade agreements', the paper suggests moving away from the 'single undertaking rule' and the 'consensus principle'. Instead, it proposes a 'plurilateral' approach where smaller interest groups negotiate sectoral agreements and link regional deals to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism. The author specifically urges emerging economies like South Africa to embrace plurilaterals to advance their trade interests, noting that the traditional North-South divide has been replaced by more complex interests, with countries like China, Brazil, and India now also utilizing agricultural subsidies.

The research uses Structural Decomposition Analysis (SDA) and a global multi-regional input-output framework to examine how value-added creation from climate finance is distributed between recipient and donor countries. It identifies four primary drivers of economic impact: value-added intensity (VAiE), domestic multiplier (DME), foreign multiplier (FME), and trade structure (TSE). The study finds that Brazil and India are often benchmarks for retaining local benefits, while the USA and Japan are benchmarks for capturing spillovers, with results varying by the type of climate action (e.g., renewable energy vs. adaptation).

The report analyzes international climate finance for land use in Indonesia, finding that while international support is well-targeted toward building 'enabling environments' (capacity building and policy), it is significantly smaller than domestic funding and often bypasses local government institutions. The authors recommend longer project durations, better coordination through a centralized government database, and capacity building for local organizations to access international funds directly.

The report analyzes base metal beneficiation in Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia, comparing their outcomes with the successful industrial policies of Japan and China. It argues that China's state-led expansion of smelting and refining capacity has caused a 'Great Compression' of margins, making autonomous beneficiation in Africa commercially unattractive. The study concludes that African countries can only succeed in beneficiation through comprehensive industrial policies and strategic partnerships, particularly with Chinese state-owned enterprises.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of offshore wind energy as of early 2016, contrasting the advanced capacity in Europe with the nascent industry in the United States. It details the technical advantages of offshore wind over onshore wind, such as stronger and more consistent winds and proximity to coastal population centers. The text outlines U.S. government initiatives, including Department of Energy funding and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management leasing, while highlighting the United Kingdom, Germany, and Denmark as global leaders. It also discusses the economic impact of the sector, specifically the 'additional employment effect' in European ports and shipyards.

The document highlights that Europe dominates the global offshore wind market, holding over 90% of installed capacity as of 2015, led by the United Kingdom, Germany, and Denmark. In contrast, the United States is in the early stages of development, with its first commercial farm at Block Island scheduled for late 2016. Despite this gap, the U.S. possesses significant potential, estimated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory at over 4,000 GW. The report details U.S. federal initiatives, including Department of Energy funding and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management leasing, and projects U.S. capacity to reach 22 GW by 2030. It also examines the economic benefits of offshore wind, such as higher job creation per megawatt compared to onshore wind and the 'sea breeze effect' that aligns power generation with peak demand.

The green bond market experienced substantial growth in 2016, with issuance on track to double from 2015 levels, driven largely by China and other emerging markets. While mitigation projects in clean energy and energy efficiency receive the majority of capital, adaptation financing is increasing, particularly through US municipalities. The private sector now accounts for 66% of issuance. To meet Paris Agreement targets, the report advocates for governments to develop green investment pipelines and implement five key actions: issuing demonstration bonds, applying green standards, enabling domestic verifiers, providing market infrastructure, and promoting international collaboration.

The report analyzes the growth and effectiveness of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) in the seafood industry, noting that certified production grew from 0.5% of global production in 2003 to 14% in 2015. While wild catch certification is dominated by the MSC and FOS, aquaculture certification is led by GLOBALG.A.P. and ASC. The analysis reveals a strong emphasis on environmental criteria, particularly ecosystem integrity, but a significant lack of social and economic requirements, especially in wild catch fisheries. Governance is characterized by a high concentration of developed-country and male representation on boards, and a general lack of responsiveness to smallholder needs. The report argues that while VSS provide essential traceability and assurance, their ability to drive comprehensive sustainability depends on public investment in infrastructure and the alignment of trade policies, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, with sustainability goals.

The document argues that the Sendai Framework's emphasis on multi-level collaboration, learning, and innovation aligns with adaptive governance, which can help manage the complexity of social-ecological systems. While the Framework provides a window for transformative change, its implementation faces hurdles including high operational costs, power imbalances, and the lack of a dedicated funding mechanism.

The report examines how stakeholders in Swedish forestry perceive climate change risks and opportunities. It finds that while some anticipate increased growth, others fear storm damage and pests. Adaptation is driven by personal experience of extreme weather and trust in advisers, but hindered by distrust of climate science and conflicting views on effective management strategies. The document emphasizes the need for user-oriented, interactive communication between researchers and practitioners to foster adaptation.

The report analyzes the intersection of climate change, World Heritage sites, and tourism, arguing that climate change acts as a 'threat multiplier' that degrades the outstanding universal value (OUV) of these sites while simultaneously threatening the tourism economies that depend on them. Through 30 case studies across 29 countries, it demonstrates that impacts range from glacier melt and sea-level rise to increased wildfire regimes and ocean acidification. The document emphasizes that while sustainable tourism can support conservation, unplanned development often increases site vulnerability. It concludes with recommendations for intergovernmental organizations, governments, and site managers to integrate climate science into management plans, reduce tourism's carbon footprint, and empower local and indigenous communities in adaptation efforts.