Search Climate Insights Directory

This policy brief explores the complex relationship between international trade and sustainable agriculture, highlighting that while agri-food systems contribute 31% of global GHG emissions and drive 80% of deforestation, trade is essential for the 80% of the world population relying on food imports. The author argues for a shift from production-enhancing subsidies to market-correcting ones and suggests utilizing WTO mechanisms—such as the SPS Committee and the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD)—to coordinate global efforts toward sustainable food systems.

The Climate Change Performance Index 2023 executive summary evaluates the climate mitigation efforts of the 60 largest emitters. It highlights that no country is currently on a 1.5°C pathway, leaving the top three ranks unoccupied. While Denmark leads in most categories, major emitters like China and the US are ranked in the 'very low' category. The report notes a wide disparity in performance among EU member states and identifies Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Kazakhstan as the worst overall performers.

A November 2022 briefing by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) identifies 30 fossil fuel companies responsible for 43% of the energy sector's global methane emissions. The analysis breaks down emissions by fuel sector (oil/gas and coal) and ownership type (national/state-owned vs. international/investor-owned), highlighting the disproportionate impact of a small number of large producers.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the climate commitments of the 70 largest public financial institutions, representing USD 20.4 trillion in assets. It finds a significant gap in ambition, particularly among national and subnational development banks and institutions in non-OECD countries, where Paris-aligned and net-zero targets are rare. The report highlights a lack of specificity in climate finance goals, a deficiency in adaptation-focused commitments, and a general slow adoption of institutional climate strategies. CPI identifies insufficient accountability and a lack of government and global coalition guidance as primary barriers and provides recommendations to strengthen the integrity of public finance in the energy transition.

This document contains the independent auditors' reports and consolidated financial statements for the World Resources Institute (WRI) and its subsidiaries for the fiscal years ending September 30, 2022, and 2021. The reports, prepared by Grant Thornton LLP, provide an unmodified opinion on the financial statements and compliance with federal award requirements under the Uniform Guidance.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the current state and prospects of carbon capture and storage (CCS), describing it as an "integrated infrastructure" rather than a single technology. While the history of CCS is marked by high failure rates and limited impact on global emissions, the document notes a recent surge in investment and project announcements, particularly in North America and Europe. The author argues that CCS is most critical for the cement industry, where few alternatives exist, but is largely uncompetitive in the power sector compared to renewables.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that the modernized Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) text, released on September 12, 2022, fails to resolve critical issues regarding fossil fuel carveouts and entry timing, creating legal uncertainty for governments implementing climate measures aligned with the Paris Agreement.

This report by Ember analyses electricity generation data for the European Union from May to August 2022, highlighting a record share of solar power and its role in reducing the need for expensive fossil gas imports during an energy crisis.

This report analyzes the potential for subnational pension funds to increase investments in climate-smart urban infrastructure. It defines subnational pension funds as those limiting membership by location (province, region, state, city) or occupation. The document identifies structural and external barriers to these investments, evaluates the landscape across seven countries, and proposes financial instruments and policy recommendations to mobilize this untapped capital for the climate transition.

The report 'Ready, Set, Go: Europe’s Race for Wind and Solar' by Ember analyses the gap between current wind and solar deployment rates in the European Union and the capacities required to align with a 1.5C climate pathway by 2030. It finds that the EU is not on track, with annual additions forecast to reach only half of the required levels by 2026. The report identifies administrative permitting barriers as a primary cause of underperformance, noting that permitting times frequently exceed EU legislative limits.

An assessment of 29 Dutch companies and financial institutions finds that none achieved high or reasonable integrity ratings for their climate targets. The 21 businesses assessed commit to an average emission reduction of 19%, falling short of the 50% reduction by 2030 needed for a 1.5°C pathway. None of the companies have publicly accessible, Paris-compatible decarbonisation plans, and the eight financial institutions reviewed continue to finance fossil fuel value chains and unsustainable agriculture.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the implementation of Green Public Procurement (GPP) in the road transport and construction sectors of Sweden and the Netherlands. It analyzes the governance structures, tools, and barriers that influence the adoption of low-carbon procurement practices in these two EU Member States.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that the 'agreement in principle' to modernize the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is insufficient for achieving international climate goals. The organization highlights that the revised treaty continues to protect fossil fuel investments and allows for investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) claims, potentially hindering governments' ability to implement environmental measures and meet Paris Agreement objectives.

European countries are accelerating their transition to renewable energy to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels. EU national plans now target a 63% share of renewable electricity by 2030, with planned fossil fuel generation slashed by 31% compared to 2019 strategies. Major importers like Germany and Italy have significantly raised their renewable targets, while several Central and Eastern European nations have announced coal phase-out dates. The REPowerEU proposal further aims for a 69% renewable electricity share by 2030 and the deployment of 10 million heat pumps.

This report describes the methodology used by Ember to measure the impact of energy policy changes announced by national governments between 2020 and 2022, focusing on the transition from fossil fuels to renewables and clean energy.

This research paper examines the intersection of global supply chain governance, digitalization, and environmental sustainability, emphasizing the need for international cooperation and the integration of decent work into green transitions.

The Global Energy Monitor's Europe Gas Tracker Report 2022 details planned gas infrastructure expansions in the EU, including pipelines and LNG terminals, and notes their incompatibility with climate goals.

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity trends in 2021, tracking progress against the IEA's Net Zero by 2050 pathway. While wind and solar reached a historic milestone of over 10% of global electricity, an unprecedented surge in electricity demand led to record-breaking coal generation and the largest absolute rise in power sector CO2 emissions ever recorded.

The Ember 2022 Global Electricity Review analyzes global power trends for 2021, highlighting a record-breaking year where wind and solar power reached a historic share of global electricity, yet were offset by record-high coal generation and carbon emissions driven by a surge in global electricity demand.

This research paper examines changes in transportation behaviors, specifically working from home, during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands, Sweden, and the UK, using the Opportunity, Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) model to suggest how policy-makers can maintain these pro-environmental changes to mitigate climate change.