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The report proposes the PAYS for Clean Transport instrument to address the high upfront costs of electric buses, which can be up to 40% higher than diesel alternatives. Under this model, utilities invest in batteries and charging infrastructure and recover costs through a fixed charge on the bus service provider's (BSP) electric bill. This approach shifts capital expenditure from the BSP's balance sheet to a monthly operating expense, reducing the need for grants and leveraging private finance. Modeling for a 100-bus fleet in Santiago, Chile, indicates that PAYS can make electric buses cheaper than diesel over their lifecycle and leverage over 70 dollars of private investment for every grant dollar provided.

The report evaluates the impact of climate commitments from over 6,000 cities, states, and regions and more than 2,000 companies. While these non-state actors can significantly lower emissions, their actions alone are insufficient to limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C or well-below 2°C. Full implementation of individual commitments could reduce global emissions by 1.5 to 2.2 GtCO2e/year by 2030 compared to current national policies, while international cooperative initiatives could further reduce 2030 emissions by approximately one-third (15-23 GtCO2e/year).

The report examines the role of economic instruments in leveraging private investment for clean energy in India, Mexico, and Indonesia. It analyzes the impact of India's GST reform, Mexico's Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) market, and Indonesia's fossil fuel subsidy reforms, concluding that economic policies must be aligned with international climate commitments to effectively signal and incentivize private sector investment.

The 2018 Talanoa Dialogue, facilitated by the Fijian and Polish presidencies, aims to raise climate ambition by taking stock of progress toward the Paris Agreement and informing 2020 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The process uses a non-adversarial, story-based methodology to foster consensus. NHRIs and civil society are encouraged to provide actionable, positive inputs that link climate action to human rights, including gender equality, indigenous peoples' rights, and just transitions. The dialogue consists of preparatory phases (online submissions and in-session dialogues) and a final political phase at COP-24 in Katowice, Poland.

The policy brief examines the tension between national climate measures and international trade rules, such as those of the WTO. Based on a literature review and 26 expert interviews, it categorizes 22 options for alignment by their short-term political feasibility. The authors recommend six immediate actions: leveraging regional trade agreements (RTAs), engaging in plurilateral efforts like the Environmental Goods Agreement, intensifying WTO and UNFCCC coordination, voluntarily including climate issues in the WTO Trade Policy Review Mechanism, advancing border carbon adjustments (BCAs) via like-minded coalitions, and promoting fossil fuel subsidy reform through a group of WTO Members.

The policy brief argues that South Africa has experienced premature deindustrialisation, with manufacturing's GDP contribution falling from 21% in 1994 to 13% in 2016. To reverse this, the Institute for Economic Justice recommends strategic interventions in three key areas: the machinery and equipment sector through a regional SADC strategy to create approximately 270,000 total jobs; the fruit industry by addressing phytosanitary constraints and expanding high-value exports (e.g., avocados) to create 130,000 jobs by 2022; and the plastics conversion industry through the establishment of light manufacturing clusters and raw material price regulation to potentially add over 40,000 jobs by 2024.

The report analyzes the role of economic instruments in mobilizing private investment for clean energy in Indonesia, Mexico, and India. It examines specific mechanisms such as Indonesia's fossil fuel subsidy reforms, Mexico's Clean Energy Certificates (CELs), and India's Goods and Services Tax (GST), highlighting how these policies can either facilitate or obstruct the transition to renewable energy.

The document outlines the process for developing long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies, emphasizing their role in guiding near- and medium-term actions and avoiding stranded assets. It details essential design elements, including long-term visions, sectoral pathways, and the critical role of the energy sector. The paper also discusses the use of modeling, scenarios, and qualitative inputs to inform these strategies, while highlighting the importance of transparent communication and just transitions.

The author proposes using border carbon adjustments (BCAs) as a strategic response to U.S. protectionism. By targeting U.S. goods based on carbon intensity, countries can signal their climate commitments and potentially pressure the U.S. to reconsider its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and its rollback of domestic climate policies.

The Coca-Cola Company partnered with BSR to move beyond greenhouse gas mitigation and develop a framework for climate resilience across its complex global value chain. By analyzing seven proxy markets (Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Kenya, Mexico, and the United States) and two commodities (coffee and tea), the partnership identified climate hazards and underlying vulnerabilities, such as insufficient infrastructure and food insecurity. The resulting framework integrates resilience into the company's existing risk management and sustainability systems to help the company anticipate and recover from climate shocks.

The report examines the widespread use of glyphosate, noting a nearly 15-fold increase in global use since 1996 due to genetically modified crops. It details the emergence of glyphosate-resistant weeds and the contamination of surface and groundwater in Europe and North America. The document highlights scientific disputes over chronic toxicity, including carcinogenicity, and criticizes the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) for its 2017 re-evaluation decision, which critics argue relied on outdated, non-peer-reviewed industry data.

The document details the growth of sovereign green bonds, the introduction of national guidelines in Latin America, and the implementation of targeted incentives in Hong Kong. It also covers the European Commission's progress on a sustainable finance taxonomy, Luxembourg's pioneering law for renewable energy covered bonds, and the increasing role of central banks, such as the People's Bank of China, in integrating green assets into financial stability frameworks.

The Indian green bond market reached a cumulative issuance of USD 6.5 billion by July 2018, with 2017 seeing a significant surge to USD 3.8 billion. Renewable energy is the dominant sector for use of proceeds, and the market is driven by both government-backed entities and private sector corporates. A high proportion of deals utilize external reviews, with 47% of total issuance comprising Certified Climate Bonds.

As of 30 April 2018, the GCF pipeline consists of 65 funding proposals requesting USD 3.9 billion and 183 concept notes requesting USD 10.9 billion. The report details the sectoral, regional, and thematic distribution of these requests, noting a strong presence of cross-cutting projects. It also assesses the status of the Project Preparation Facility, the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) pilot, and specific requests for proposals including Enhanced Direct Access (EDA), MSME support, and REDD-plus. The GCF is implementing knowledge management improvements, such as NDA/AE portals, to increase transparency and processing speed.

The 46th meeting of the IAI Executive Council took place on 22 June 2018 in Antigua, Guatemala. The primary outcome was the election of a new EC Bureau, consisting of Mr. Gabriel Aintablian (Chair), Mr. Jean Pierre Ometto (First Vice-Chair), and Ms. Milagro Mainieri (Second Vice-Chair). The Council discussed the need for increased involvement in drafting an IAI Strategic Plan and the goal of re-engaging non-active Parties. Additionally, Ecuador expressed willingness to host the 47th and 48th meetings of the EC.

The 2nd Science-Policy Workshop of the IAI focused on integrating scientific research into policy across the Americas. Key discussions included the IPBES Regional Assessment for the Americas, the launch of the IAI Open Data initiative, and the development of a new 25-year Strategic Plan. The workshop also highlighted the role of science diplomacy and the impact of Collaborative Research Network (CRN3) projects on regional policy outcomes, such as water security and protected areas.

The 2nd IAI Science-Policy Workshop brought together researchers and policymakers to discuss the intersection of science and policy in the Americas. Key discussions included the IPBES regional assessment, the implementation of an Open Data Project, and the development of a new 25-year strategic plan for the IAI. The workshop also explored the role of science diplomacy and shared experiences from the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN). Participants emphasized the need for better communication of scientific uncertainty to policymakers and the importance of incorporating traditional and indigenous knowledge into data systems.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) submitted an independent auditors' report for the period ending June 30, 2017. The auditors provided an unqualified opinion, stating that the financial statements present fairly the Institute's financial position in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles. The IAI's total assets as of June 30, 2017, were 3,412,639 USD, and total revenues, gains, and contributions for the year were 3,047,200 USD. The report details funding for various scientific programs, including the Collaborative Research Network (CRN) and Training Institutes, largely supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The report provides an audit of the IAI's financial position, operations, and cash flows, concluding that the statements present fairly the Institute's financial position in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles. It details revenues from member nations and grants, expenses for core management and research programs, and the status of contributions from member countries.

This document is a participant list for the 26th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, which took place on 20-21 June 2018 in Antigua, Guatemala. It identifies delegates from various member nations, observers from non-party states and associated institutions, and representatives from scientific bodies such as the National Science Foundation and the International Institute for Sustainable Development.