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The paper evaluates whether intensity standards for energy-intensive and trade-exposed (EITE) industries are an efficient alternative to uniform carbon taxes in the US. Using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, the authors find that while lax standards may slightly reduce leakage, stringent standards can actually increase carbon leakage and lead to substantial welfare losses compared to economy-wide emission pricing. The study concludes that intensity standards are primarily driven by political economy considerations rather than economic efficiency.

The document outlines a framework called 'Planetary Economics' to address the inadequacy of traditional neoclassical economics in solving climate change. It proposes three domains of socio-economic processes: the First Domain (Satisficing), focusing on human behaviour and efficiency gaps; the Second Domain (Optimising), focusing on market trade-offs and pricing; and the Third Domain (Transforming), focusing on innovation and systemic change. These domains map to three policy pillars: standards and engagement for efficiency, markets and prices for carbon reduction, and strategic investment for infrastructure and innovation. The author concludes that only an integrated strategy combining all three pillars can effectively decarbonise energy systems and overcome systemic 'lock-in' and behavioural inertia.

The paper assesses the escalating poaching crisis of African elephants, driven by ivory demand in Asia, particularly China. It proposes a strategic framework prioritizing targeted demand reduction and reinforced anti-poaching efforts, while cautioning that domestic trade bans are only effective as complements. The author emphasizes the need for range states to coordinate the simultaneous disposal of ivory stockpiles to remove incentives for criminal syndicates and to increase the 'use value' of elephants for local communities through eco-tourism and payment for ecosystem services (PES) to prevent habitat conversion.

This document is a participant list for the 39th Executive Council Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, held in Lima, Peru, on June 23, 2015. It lists representatives from various countries including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and the USA, as well as observers from Panama, Japan, Ecuador, and organizations such as UNESCO and the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research.

As of 31 March 2015, the Green Climate Fund Trust Fund had received total contributions of USDeq. 171.20 million, with USDeq. 128.00 million deposited by 23 contributors. The GCF Board approved funding totaling USD 65.11 million for administrative budgets and readiness activities, while the interim trustee transferred USD 19.62 million. Total funds available to support GCF Board funding decisions were USD 63,147,206.

The report argues that the pharmaceutical industry is fueling the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis through the unmonitored dumping of antibiotic-laden waste into the environment during the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). It highlights a 'three-tier chain' where raw materials from China are processed in India and then sold to global markets. The document identifies specific polluting factories in China—including NCPC, CSPC/Inner Mongolia Changsheng, and Sinopharm—and links them to major companies such as Pfizer, Teva, and McKesson. It concludes that current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are insufficient because they lack environmental criteria, and calls for greater supply chain transparency and the integration of environmental protection into global pharmaceutical standards.

The report assesses the global climate finance landscape, highlighting the critical role of public finance in catalyzing private investment. It examines various financial tools—including green bonds, carbon pricing, and risk mitigation instruments—and analyzes the performance of multilateral development banks and bilateral agencies. The document emphasizes that while global flows have increased, significant gaps remain in tracking private finance and achieving the USD 100 billion goal due to low carbon prices and a lack of stable enabling environments in developing nations.

The report analyzes GHG emission trajectories for Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, and the United States up to 2030. It evaluates the effectiveness of current and planned policies alongside enhanced mitigation actions aligned with national priorities to estimate the potential reduction in the emissions gap relative to a 2°C target for 2025 and 2030.

The report identifies that the energy efficiency market in India is hindered by a lack of attractive financing structures and a misperception among banks that such projects are high-risk. It argues that commercial banks lack the tools to monetize energy savings as cash flows, leading to prohibitive collateral requirements. To address this, the author proposes an 'India-Adjusted Financing Protocol' to standardize how banks calculate energy savings as predictable cash flows. Additionally, the report suggests a deal aggregation business model where energy efficiency loans are pooled into a single package and securitized, potentially using Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and credit enhancements like overcollateralization and excess interest spreads to attract institutional investors. The document draws on international examples such as the PACE and WHEEL programs in the United States, and discusses the roles of Indian institutions like SIDBI, ICICI Bank, and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) in implementing these models.

The study analyzes 48 bottom-up energy system scenarios for Japan's 2030 GHG emissions. It finds that high-mitigation scenarios consistent with a 2°C target result in emissions 16-39% below 1990 levels. The authors argue that a minimum reduction of 25% from 1990 levels is necessary, which could be achieved through a combination of restarting nuclear reactors, increasing renewable energy and CCS deployment, and significantly reducing total final consumption (TFC). The paper emphasizes that the choice between coal and natural gas for electricity is as critical as the share of renewables, noting that unabated coal-fired power must remain below 21% to achieve reductions exceeding 20% from 1990 levels.

The document is a public statement addressed to the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) of Japan. It argues that current nuclear safety standards lack rationality and fail to ensure safety, citing a Fukui District Court ruling that blocked the restart of reactors No. 3 and 4 at the Takahama nuclear power plant. The authors demand a fundamental review of these standards and a halt to all current vetting procedures for restarting reactors.

The document assesses the capabilities of various trade models—primarily Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models—in quantifying the effects of mega-regional trade agreements like the TPP and TTIP. It identifies significant gaps in modelling foreign direct investment, value chains, and 'behind the border' issues such as intellectual property and government procurement. The authors argue that while CGE models are the most comprehensive tool available, they must be supplemented by gravity models, partial equilibrium models, and meta-analysis to provide a realistic assessment of these complex agreements.

The report argues that sustainable urban design, guided by 'The 8 Principles' (Walk, Connect, Transit, Cycle, Mix, Densify, Compact, Shift), delivers significant environmental, economic, and social benefits. It provides a comprehensive review of data from Chinese cities and international examples to demonstrate that reducing car dependence and increasing density improves air quality, boosts property values, and enhances public health. The document specifically highlights China's unprecedented scale of urbanization as a critical area for applying these principles to avoid the pitfalls of 'superblocks' and car-centric planning.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) advocates for a stringent cap-and-trade system, the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, and the integration of climate adaptation into infrastructure and building codes to advance Ontario's climate goals.

The report provides a framework for measuring the transition to sustainable consumption and production (SCP) by identifying specific indicators for SDG 12 and related targets in other SDGs. It organizes these indicators into six domains: scale of resource use, decoupling, environmental impact, technology and lifestyles, financing and investing, and policy support. The document emphasizes the need for 'positive indicators' to show the return on investment in SCP and highlights significant data gaps, particularly in developing countries, while suggesting a set of headline indicators to serve as proxies for global progress.

The report examines China's effort to transition its industrial sector—responsible for 70% of energy consumption and 72% of carbon emissions—through three primary pilot programs: the Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) Demonstration Program, the Circular Transformation of Industrial Parks (CTIP), and the Low-Carbon Industrial Park Program. While these programs overlap in their goals to reduce pollution and resource scarcity, they differ in governance and metrics. The EIP program uses a rigid set of threshold values, whereas the CTIP program allows zones to set their own targets and provides direct national financing, averaging RMB 182 million per zone. The Low-Carbon Industrial Park Program, launched in 2013, specifically targets greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The report concludes that while these voluntary schemes help build technical capacity and attract investment, they often lack comprehensive life-cycle assessments and clear guidance for participating firms.

The document advocates for the revitalization of publicly funded classical breeding programs in the U.S., asserting that this low-cost technology is more effective than genetic engineering for developing seeds adapted to sustainable, organic, and regional farming systems. It highlights a severe decline in public breeding resources, noting that the shift toward corporate-led seed development threatens food security by reducing genetic diversity. The author recommends that the USDA's National Institute for Food and Agriculture prioritize long-term funding for cultivars suited to agroecological systems to improve crop resilience, nutrient efficiency, and productivity.

The document describes the OECD's framework for the safety of manufactured nanomaterials, centered on the Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN). It details four steering groups focusing on testing, risk assessment, exposure measurement, and sustainable use. Key mechanisms discussed include the Mutual Acceptance of Data (MAD) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) to harmonize international chemical safety standards.

The document outlines the need for more inclusive, evidence-driven partnerships between African governments, extractive companies, and communities to move beyond raw material exports toward value-addition and beneficiation. It proposes the creation of Regional Mining Visions (RMVs) to set standards on social and environmental impacts and calls for strategic global partnerships with systemic players like China to enhance Africa's position in global minerals value chains.

The Lima COP 20 summit focused on defining the instructions for a legally binding global agreement to be finalized in Paris in December 2015. Key achievements included the agreement that Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) be presented by October 2015 and the shift away from the Kyoto Protocol's industrialisation-based differentiation, with major emitters like the USA and China showing willingness to reduce emissions. The summit also saw new contributions to the Green Climate Fund, which reached US$10.2m, and progress on the REDD+ mechanism and gender-responsive climate policies. However, issues regarding the International Mechanism for Loss and Damage, market mechanisms, and the Technology Mechanism remained unresolved.