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The document examines the 'digital divide' facing approximately 38 developing countries in the WTO e-commerce JSI, highlighting gaps in infrastructure and information asymmetry. It argues that current cooperation provisions are too focused on regulatory alignment and recommends a hybrid Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) model—combining elements of the Trade Facilitation Agreement and GATS—to provide enforceable capacity building and flexible implementation periods.

The document highlights a significant digital divide and information asymmetry that hinder developing countries and LDCs from effectively participating in and benefiting from the WTO's Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce. It argues that current cooperation efforts are too focused on regulatory alignment and lack targeted technical assistance. The report proposes a hybrid model of Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) and a comprehensive support framework—including negotiation facilitation and multi-stakeholder consultations—to ensure that e-commerce rules serve as inclusive development tools.

The document highlights the role of boreal forests in storing two-thirds of global forest carbon and the threat posed by intensifying wildfires. It argues that current fire management in Alaska does not account for carbon emissions and is underfunded relative to its contribution to US fire emissions. Research suggests that increasing spending on fire suppression could cost-effectively reduce fire size and CO2 emissions, costing approximately $12.63 per ton of CO2 averted.

The document outlines the escalating impacts of human-induced climate change on humans and ecosystems, emphasizing that the most marginalized populations are hit hardest. It highlights the role of 'attribution literature' in linking extreme weather to human activity and discusses the critical need for transformative adaptation and nature-based solutions. The briefing warns that the costs of inaction far exceed those of mitigation and adaptation, noting significant GDP losses in vulnerable nations and the potential for mass migration and biodiversity loss.

The KE4CAP project created a global forum for practitioners of climate adaptation platforms (CAPs) to engage in mutual learning and improve the effectiveness of their platforms. Over approximately two years, the initiative built a community of more than 200 specialists representing 30 platforms across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America.

The report finds that the 2020 target of restoring 150 million hectares of forest was not met, with only 18% achieved by 2019. It highlights the difficulty of monitoring restoration progress due to the limitations of satellite data and notes that in regions like Central America, gross tree cover gains have been offset by higher rates of loss. The document argues that achieving the 2030 goal requires transforming the enabling environment through quantified targets, strengthened policy and finance, and more consistent monitoring frameworks.

The research analyzes 130 case studies from the past decade to examine social mobilization against energy infrastructure, including low-carbon options. It identifies how national institutions and responses to global pressures influence the varying politics of energy transitions across different countries and energy types.

The report finds that while global climate finance almost doubled between 2011 and 2020 to a cumulative USD 4.8 trillion, current growth rates are insufficient to meet climate goals. Renewable energy dominates mitigation finance, while adaptation and sectors like agriculture and industry remain severely underfunded. A significant barrier is the continued high level of fossil fuel subsidies, which exceeded total climate finance during the decade. The report emphasizes the need for a 20% annual increase in finance by 2030, reaching USD 4.3 trillion annually, and calls for holistic sectoral strategies and a shift in the financial paradigm to mobilize private capital.

The report presents survey data from 108,946 Facebook users worldwide, revealing high global levels of worry and belief that climate change is happening, though perceptions of its causes and the responsibility for action vary significantly by region. While there is widespread support for renewable energy and the belief that climate action will not harm economic growth, willingness to engage in organized climate activism remains low in most regions, with a notable exception in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The report synthesizes findings from a 2021 scoping workshop involving over 150 experts to identify barriers and opportunities for integrating climate, environment, and health (CEH) data and policy in Latin America and the Caribbean. Key obstacles include a lack of standardized, real-time data and a disconnect between academic research and policy application. The document advocates for a transdisciplinary 'community of practice' and identifies researchers, academics, and civil society as core partners for future collaborative research actions.

The livestock sector's growth poses a significant risk to climate goals, potentially consuming 80% of the remaining GHG budget by 2050 if current trends continue. While global meat production is rising—projected to reach 374 million tonnes by 2030—there is a growing market for Alternative Protein (AP) products, valued at USD 14 bn and expected to exceed USD 162 bn within a decade. However, the transition is hindered by substantial government subsidies, with nearly 90% of global farming subsidies (USD 540 bn annually) supporting beef, milk, and rice. The document emphasizes that while total veganism offers the highest emission reductions, flexitarian and vegetarian diets can also significantly lower emissions. It calls for government policy reforms to redirect subsidies away from industrial agriculture and for businesses to move beyond 'meaningless' net zero targets toward actual reductions in animal numbers in supply chains.

The statement criticizes the imposition of travel bans on Southern African countries, asserting that such measures are ineffective at stopping mutations and cause significant economic damage. It highlights the disparity in vaccination rates between Africa and advanced economies, calling for the decentralization of vaccine manufacturing, the implementation of a WTO intellectual property rights waiver, and a shift from unilateralism to collective global action to ensure equitable vaccine distribution.

The briefing introduces an 'energy efficiency cost premium' method to isolate energy efficiency spending from total construction costs in green-certified buildings. Analyzing over 16,000 certifications from 2019-2020, it finds that incremental energy efficiency investments averaged USD 10.5 billion annually, representing only about 5% of the total cost of those buildings. The report highlights that green certifications are inconsistent indicators of energy performance, with over half of tracked assets achieving less than a 30% efficiency gain. It argues that current certifications often fail to align with 1.5°C or 2°C decarbonization pathways and recommends standardized asset-level reporting and a shift toward certifying retrofits in developed economies.

The research explores how climate impacts in countries of origin can cause subsequent impacts in the EU through international markets, migration, and capital flows. While the analysis finds significant uncertainty regarding the exact dynamics of these cross-border impacts, it identifies specific 'hotspots' of risk, such as regions producing materials for EU consumption or those holding EU financial investments. The paper emphasizes that the interaction between these domains creates complex risk exposure, complicating the development of effective policy responses.

The document traces the path from the 1972 Stockholm Conference to the 2017 entry into force of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. It highlights the role of activism and scientific evidence in driving global action and details the treaty's mechanisms for phasing out mercury-added products and regulating artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). The brief also explains that the discrete nature of mercury's industrial sources and a stronger scientific consensus on its global threat allowed it to move toward a binding treaty, whereas lead and cadmium remain managed through voluntary partnerships and regional agreements.

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), established in 2010, is a federal interagency collaboration led by the EPA to restore the Great Lakes ecosystem. The program focuses on providing safe water, controlling invasive species, mitigating algal blooms, and protecting native habitats. GLRI supports climate resilience by restoring coastal wetlands, forests, and grasslands, and by funding indigenous-led resilience projects. Since its inception, GLRI has funded over 6,000 projects totaling $3.48 billion, protecting over 440,000 acres of habitat and generating an estimated $3.35 in economic activity for every federal dollar spent. Funding is increasing under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2019, rising from $300 million to $375 million in FY 2022, with annual increases of $25 million through FY 2026.

The report assesses the progress of SDG localization across 28 global case studies, highlighting a significant gap between high-level commitment and practical local implementation. Key findings indicate that while some 'SDG champions' like New York City lead in data analysis and engagement, many regions struggle with weak institutional governance, a lack of systematic analysis of SDG interlinkages (synergies and trade-offs), and limited financial resources. The COVID-19 pandemic is noted as a major setback that reallocated budgets toward healthcare, though it also created opportunities for green recovery. The study emphasizes the need for better evidence-based local data, increased participation of local actors in international forums, and the use of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) to enhance accountability.

Cincinnati is developing a local electric transportation ecosystem involving the manufacturing of electric step vans by Workhorse and their adoption by Servall Electric. Servall is transitioning its fleet of 25 to 30 vehicles to electric and participating in the Run on Less – Electric (RoL-e) demonstration. The transition has resulted in a 75 percent reduction in daily fuel costs, dropping from approximately $60 for gas to $15 for electricity. Beyond financial savings, the electric trucks offer driver benefits such as 'one pedal driving' via regenerative braking and a lower vehicle architecture that reduces physical strain on drivers. The document also notes that urban last-mile delivery emissions in the top 100 global cities could increase by over 30 percent by 2030, reaching 25 million tons of CO2 annually.

The report identifies 90 advertising and PR companies working for the fossil fuel industry, highlighting a conflict between the sustainability pledges of major holding companies and their continued representation of high-polluting clients. It details specific case studies of disinformation and lobbying efforts in the US, Australia, and the EU, while warning that the term 'Net Zero' is being used as a primary tool for greenwashing ahead of the 2021 Glasgow climate talks.

The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), and IKEA are creating a guide for businesses to develop air pollutant emission inventories for their value chains, intended for publication in 2022. The initiative addresses a gap in comprehensive guidance for the private sector, aiming to align air pollution reporting with existing greenhouse gas (GHG) standards to leverage existing corporate resources. The guide will cover pollutants including particulate matter, black carbon, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, providing a framework to identify emission sources and quantify them using activity-based methods. The business case for this action includes meeting customer demands, reducing legal and financial risks—highlighted by multimillion-dollar fines for companies like Toyota and ExxonMobil—and improving operational efficiency.