Search Climate Insights Directory

This working document, compiled by the Network of Southern Think Tanks (NeST), proposes a conceptual framework to define, account for, and measure the quality and impact of South-South co-operation (SSC). It seeks to establish a common narrative and methodological approach for Southern partners to track development co-operation independently of the OECD-DAC's Official Development Assistance (ODA) standards.

This research paper analyzes Brazil's trade policy and reform, noting a significant increase in trade surpluses and productivity following liberalization in the 1990s. However, it argues that Brazil remains relatively closed compared to other BRIC nations and is hindered by the 'Brazil Cost' (bureaucracy and infrastructure deficits). The author contends that current trade policy is overly driven by geopolitical goals—such as seeking a UN Security Council seat—rather than commercial strategy, and calls for a more transparent, strategic, and less bureaucratic trade regime.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the historical evolution of Brazil's regional identity and its transition toward becoming a regional power. It argues that Brazil historically distinguished itself from 'Latin America'—which it viewed as synonymous with Spanish America—and has only recently shifted its foreign policy focus toward active engagement and leadership within South America.

The Global Tracking Framework, coordinated by the World Bank/ESMAP and the IEA, establishes a system of indicators to monitor progress toward three 2030 goals: universal access to modern energy services, doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvement, and doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.

This briefing describes the development and findings of a global Evidence Gap Map (EGM) on sustainable energy, co-funded by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and 3ie. The EGM systematically screens rigorous evidence on the causal effects of sustainable energy interventions in low- and middle-income countries (L&MICs) to support SDG 7 targets regarding energy access, efficiency, and renewables.

This fact sheet from Sustainable Energy for All outlines three strategic solutions for sustainable urban mobility and categorizes cities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America into four types based on their specific opportunities for energy and transport interventions.

This scoping paper analyzes the progress, challenges, and best practices in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development across 13 Latin American countries. It focuses on three primary dimensions: the mainstreaming of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into national policies, the operationalization of these goals through institutional and budgetary frameworks, and the level of ownership among diverse social actors. The document identifies a significant diversity in progress, ranging from initial set-up phases to the establishment of advanced monitoring systems, while highlighting systemic barriers such as short-term political cycles, lack of cross-sectoral coordination, and budgetary constraints exacerbated by economic recessions.

This fact sheet by the Stockholm Environment Institute describes the challenges of tracking climate finance in Latin America and presents findings from the Climate Finance Group for Latin America and the Caribbean (GFLAC) regarding international public climate finance across eight countries.

This policy brief summarizes the outcomes of a regional retreat held in October 2017 in Colombia, organized by the Government of Colombia and the Independent Research Forum (IRF). The event brought together policy-makers from 12 Latin American countries to share experiences and identify strategies for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The brief focuses on five key themes: mainstreaming the SDGs into national policy, building cooperation and partnerships, monitoring progress, financing the agenda, and creating spaces for dialogue and learning.

This policy brief, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute in June 2015, defines 'frontier landscapes' as remote, sparsely populated areas undergoing rapid transformation due to agricultural expansion and socio-economic shifts. Based on a multi-stakeholder forum at the Global Landscapes Forum in Lima, Peru, the document outlines six propositions to foster sustainable, inclusive, and legitimate development in these regions, emphasizing the need for early action, common ground, institutional capacity, political support, valuation of actor diversity, and robust monitoring.

A guide produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Holy See's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si’. It outlines the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and social injustice, advocating for a fundamental transformation of economic and social systems away from fossil fuel dependency and over-consumption toward stewardship and care.

This guide, a joint initiative by the Holy See and the Stockholm Environment Institute, provides a framework for environmental stewardship inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical 'Laudato si’'. It outlines the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, arguing that these are rooted in excessive consumption and fossil-fuel-based economic models. The document calls for a fundamental transformation of societal behaviors and economies to ensure social justice and the survival of the planet.

This executive summary analyzes opportunities for Latin America to benefit from the restructuring of the international financial system, specifically through the lens of the Bridgetown Initiative and the goals of the Paris Agreement. It identifies five priority areas for reform—immediate liquidity, private capital access, sustainable debt, SDG stimulus, and governance—to address climate, social, and debt crises in the region.

A statement from 82 civil society organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean providing strategic recommendations to the COP30 Presidency to ensure the conference delivers concrete implementation outcomes regarding climate ambition, finance, adaptation, and just transition.

This fact sheet from Transforma provides a statistical overview of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by June 2026, detailing emission reduction targets for developed countries, G20 members, and Latin American nations relative to global emissions.

A fact sheet by Transforma outlining the concept of a Just Energy Transition (TEJ) in Latin America, emphasizing the need for decarbonization, community participation, and state-led long-term policies to combat climate change.

This policy brief by the Latinoamérica Sostenible alliance (comprising Espacio Público, Transforma, and Ethos) analyzes the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women, green jobs, and rural indigenous communities in Mexico, Chile, and Colombia. It argues that the pandemic exacerbated structural inequalities and that regional recovery strategies must prioritize social inclusion, gender equity, and environmental sustainability to be just and resilient.

This report advocates for repurposing global agricultural subsidies—which grew from $325 billion in 2000 to $619 billion—into land restoration efforts. It highlights that low-carbon techniques like agroforestry can return $7-30 per $1 invested, helping to mitigate the fact that agriculture and land use cause up to 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions and threatening the ability to feed 10 billion people by 2050.

This report by the World Resources Institute examines Concentrating Solar Thermal power (CST) as a large-scale, zero-carbon alternative to coal-fired power generation. It highlights the role of thermal storage in providing baseload power and discusses the policy and economic barriers—such as high upfront capital costs and the need for carbon pricing—that must be addressed to accelerate global deployment, particularly in rapidly developing economies.

This report by the World Resources Institute synthesizes findings from a review of major bus improvements in 13 cities across Latin America and Asia. It evaluates the benefits, challenges, and lessons learned regarding the planning, implementation, and operation of bus systems, specifically focusing on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to provide recommendations for urban transport planners in developing nations.