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The report evaluates the use of solar PV, wind, mini-hydro, and biomass for rural electrification in developing countries, concluding that technology choice must be driven by local needs and productive use. It highlights that while solar PV is best for low loads, biomass and mini-hydro support more significant economic activities. The document argues that donor agencies should prioritize projects based on poverty alleviation and productive electricity use, support national energy policies, and accept higher risks for technology adaptation and workforce development.

The report examines decentralization reforms in countries including Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, China, India, Indonesia, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Senegal, South Africa, Thailand, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. It finds that most reforms fail to establish the necessary institutional infrastructure for democratic decentralization, often resulting in privatization or deconcentration instead. The author argues that for decentralization to be equitable and efficient, powers must be transferred to elected local governments that are accountable to the local population, rather than to customary authorities or NGOs. The report highlights that central governments frequently resist genuine power transfers by using 'capacity' arguments as an excuse to retain control over lucrative resources. It recommends shifting from complex management planning to a system of minimum environmental standards and sequencing power transfers to prioritize political and allocative decisions over technical ones.

The document analyzes the gap between Mongolia's formal decentralization policies and the 'de facto' decentralization occurring in pasture land management. It argues that an institutional vacuum, characterized by high political decentralization but negligible fiscal and administrative autonomy, has led to rising social inequality and environmental degradation. The author highlights how the retreat of the state from regulating land use has empowered wealthy herders while marginalizing poorer ones, resulting in decreased pastoral mobility and increased grazing pressure near settlements.

The document highlights that just 1% of Mongolia's estimated superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 3,159 GW of energy capacity, far exceeding the country's 2021 electricity consumption of 7,432 GWh. This resource could theoretically replace all coal and gas used for electricity production, reducing emissions by approximately 15 megatonnes of CO2eq, which represents 72% of Mongolia's NDC goal. Additionally, it could eliminate the 25% of electricity that Mongolia currently imports, while requiring significantly less land (12 km² per 1 GW) than solar, wind, or biomass.

The Index-Based Livestock Insurance (IBLI) project in Mongolia provides financial security to herders by triggering payouts based on aggregated livestock mortality rates rather than individual losses. This mechanism addresses the challenges of traditional insurance in sparsely populated areas and helps protect the livestock sector, which accounts for roughly 80% of the value added in Mongolia's agriculture sector. The program is designed as part of a broader risk management strategy to encourage sustainable grazing and adaptation to climate change, which has increased the intensity of droughts and dzuds.

The statement argues that the World Bank's recent updates to the Inspection Panel's Toolkit are insufficient to modernize the independent accountability mechanism. While welcoming the addition of an advisory role and improved information sharing, the signatories contend that the failure to implement monitoring and dispute resolution functions leaves the Panel deficient compared to other mechanisms. They specifically criticize the reliance on the management-led Grievance Redress Service (GRS) as a substitute for independent dispute resolution and call for the complaint filing deadline to be extended to at least two years after project completion or loan closure.

The document examines how carbon pricing affects different household income levels across developed and developing countries. It argues that while carbon pricing can be regressive—disproportionately impacting low-income households who spend more of their income on energy—these effects can be neutralized or turned into net benefits through strategic revenue recycling, such as lump-sum rebates or targeted subsidies. The briefing highlights that in very low-income countries, carbon pricing can actually be progressive due to limited fossil fuel access among the poorest. It provides case studies from the EU ETS, the US Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), South Africa, and Iran to illustrate various implementation and mitigation strategies.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of carbon finance, detailing instruments such as carbon taxes, credits, and cap-and-trade systems. It analyzes the operational requirements for implementing these mechanisms, the differences between shallow and mature markets, and the specific impacts on sectors like industrial decarbonization and AFOLU. The briefing also highlights the role of the EU ETS and CBAM, as well as the challenges related to monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) and the policy uncertainty surrounding Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

This executive summary from Ember reports that wind and solar power reached 10.3% of global electricity generation in 2021. While clean energy sources collectively provided 38% of global electricity, the report highlights a concerning record increase in coal power and carbon emissions, driven largely by surging electricity demand in Asia.

In 2021, wind and solar power reached a record 10.3% of global electricity generation, with solar growing by 23% and wind by 14%. However, a massive surge in global electricity demand—the highest absolute increase ever recorded at 1,414 TWh—outpaced clean energy growth. Consequently, coal generation hit a new historical peak of 10,042 TWh, accounting for 36% of global electricity and driving power sector CO2 emissions to a record 778 million tonnes, a 7% increase over 2020.

In 2021, wind and solar power reached a record 10.3% of global electricity generation, with total clean energy accounting for 38%. However, a 5.4% surge in global electricity demand—driven largely by economic growth in Asia—led to a record increase in coal power, which grew by 9.0% to reach 10,042 TWh. Consequently, power sector CO2 emissions rose by 7% in 2021, the largest percentage increase since 2010, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

The report by Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific criticizes the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for continuing to fund coal-fired power plants and mines despite its own policies recognizing the risks of climate change. It highlights specific projects in India, Pakistan, and the Philippines where ADB funding led to environmental degradation and community harm. The document calls for a total ban on new coal financing and a shift toward renewable energy alternatives.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global infrastructure and economic cooperation framework led by China, focusing on energy and transport connectivity across Asia, Europe, and Africa. While marketed as a 'win-win' development strategy, the document argues it often serves Chinese domestic interests, such as exporting industrial overcapacity and asserting geopolitical influence. The briefing highlights significant environmental risks, particularly the funding of coal-fired power plants and large hydropower projects, and a lack of transparent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) safeguards. It identifies a 'debt trap' risk for recipient countries and calls for a shift toward a 'Green BRI' aligned with international sustainability standards.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), describing it as a strategic framework for Chinese foreign investment and global influence. It highlights a systemic lack of environmental and social safeguards, the dominance of Chinese state-owned enterprises, and the tendency of BRI financing to favor fossil fuel projects over renewables. The briefing also details the 'debt trap' risks for recipient nations and the efforts of civil society organizations to advocate for a 'Green BRI' and greater corporate accountability.

The document analyzes the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a strategic tool for China to export industrial overcapacity and expand global influence. It highlights a systemic lack of transparency, the dominance of state-owned enterprises, and significant environmental risks, particularly through the financing of coal and hydropower projects. While China promotes a 'Green BRI' and 'ecological civilization,' the report argues that actual implementation often lacks rigorous safeguards, leading to 'debt traps' and biodiversity loss. It calls for international civil society to push for binding treaties on multinationals and the adoption of higher environmental and social standards.

The document outlines mandatory requirements and recommendations for several GCF funding proposals across various countries. General requirements for all proposals include signing a funded activity agreement (FAA), completing legal due diligence, and confirming internal approvals. Project-specific conditions vary, including requirements for solar power financing in Mongolia, grievance mechanisms in Senegal, co-financing and budget increases for forest conservation in Bhutan, and water-balance studies in Ethiopia. Recommendations focus on gender-sensitive training, biodiversity protection in Egypt, and women's participation in water committees in Colombia.

The document outlines mandatory requirements and recommendations for various GCF funding proposals. General requirements for all proposals include signing a funded activity agreement (FAA), completing legal due diligence, and providing certification of the accredited entity's capacity. Specific conditions are detailed for several projects, including requirements for water reduction strategies in Barbados, technology procurement for pond water treatment in Bangladesh, and GHG emission analysis for cookstoves in Bangladesh. Additionally, the document provides recommendations for project implementation, such as ensuring O&M financing in Tajikistan and strengthening community knowledge management in Zambia.

The GCF approved USD 3.7 billion for 76 projects across 79 developing countries, targeting a reduction of 1.3 billion metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Key operational developments include the launch of the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) Pilot Scheme, the adoption of an Indigenous Peoples Policy, and the establishment of an Environmental and Social Policy. The fund is also preparing for its first formal replenishment process and expanding its private sector engagement through dedicated pilot programmes for MSMEs and resource mobilization at scale.

The Green Economy Coalition (GEC) aims to accelerate the transition to a green, fair, and inclusive economy by acting as a bridge between business, civil society, and government. The GEC operates as a global movement of over 50 organisations, focusing on four core activities: building a narrative of change, stimulating policy across five thematic areas, mobilising national leadership through dialogue, and expanding its network of allies. Its thematic priorities include reforming financial systems, greening economic sectors, tackling inequality, valuing nature, and improving economic measurement and governance.

The Green Economy Coalition (GEC) aims to mainstream the green economy concept by 2020, focusing on environmental limits, equity, and inclusion. Its strategy centers on four core activities: global advocacy to build a 'compelling story' of transition, collaborative action across five policy building blocks (measurement, finance, sectors, fairness, and nature), mobilizing national action through regional hubs, and expanding its network to 100 collaborating organizations. The GEC seeks to influence global institutions and national governments to adopt new economic performance measures, reform the finance sector, and integrate social fairness into green planning.