Search Climate Insights Directory

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the role of transition finance in decarbonising high-emitting sectors, with a particular focus on Asia. It discusses the challenges emerging and developing economies face in accessing climate finance, the various transition taxonomies being developed in Asian markets, and the risks of 'transition-washing'. The document advocates for more robust guardrails, such as science-based targets and independent verification of corporate transition plans, to ensure financial flows align with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement.

This research paper analyzes the relationship between Indonesia's palm oil production, its export markets, and the resulting deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, utilizing Trase supply chain data.

This report introduction by Ember highlights the significant but underreported climate impact of methane emissions from global coal mining, noting that these emissions are often underestimated and poorly monitored by governments.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics argues that nature and ecosystem services provide immense economic value, often exceeding the gains from their exploitation, and that the costs of biodiversity loss pose systemic risks to global GDP and financial stability.

This report examines the financing gap in China's agri-food system transition, noting that while the sector is a major global emitter, it receives minimal climate finance. It argues that current green and inclusive finance policies are insufficient and advocates for a 'transition finance' framework. Key recommendations include improving GHG disclosure, developing credible entity-level transition plans, and aligning agricultural subsidies with climate goals to ensure a just transition for smallholders.

This report by Global Energy Monitor analyzes the power sector transition across the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates). It finds that while the bloc continues to build fossil-fueled capacity, non-fossil capacity additions are accelerating, with the share of power capacity fueled by coal, oil, and gas potentially falling below 50% by the end of 2024.

This research paper analyzes the potential implications of the World Trade Organization (WTO) moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions, which was renewed in 2024 but is expected to expire by March 31, 2026. The authors examine the economic risks for consumers and businesses, the fragmented regulatory landscape that may emerge, and the tension between revenue generation for developing countries and the maintenance of an open global internet.

This research paper by Neha Mishra examines the intersection of international trade law and global data governance, arguing for a balanced approach to cross-border data flows that reconciles commercial goals with privacy, security, and equity. The author proposes a multi-layered framework to bridge the gap between trade rules and data governance, emphasizing the need for digital inclusion for developing nations and the move away from polarized narratives of 'free flow' versus 'data sovereignty'.

This research paper examines the potential economic and regulatory consequences of the expiration of the World Trade Organization (WTO) moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions. The moratorium, first adopted in 1998, has been extended until March 31, 2026, but faces increasing opposition from developing countries seeking to recover public revenues and maintain policy space for national digital industrialization. The authors argue that the end of the moratorium could lead to a fragmented global regulatory landscape, increased costs for consumers, and reduced market access for digital service providers.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) evaluates the proposal that Canada should receive climate credits under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG). The author argues that such credits are likely impossible to obtain and environmentally unsound, as they would struggle to meet the 'additionality' requirement—proving that LNG exports directly caused a reduction in coal use abroad. The brief concludes that the only feasible path to such credits would involve costly subsidies and technology transfers that would contradict Canada's own climate policies and lock in fossil fuel infrastructure.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute provides a policy overview of solar and wind energy in Mongolia as of June 2024. It details the country's renewable energy potential, current installed capacity, legislative frameworks, financing from international partners, and gender disparities within the sector.

This briefing note by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) examines the expansion and dynamics of global carbon markets, categorizing them into compliance-based, voluntary, and multilateral systems under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. It analyzes the trade implications of these markets, including competitiveness concerns and the use of mechanisms like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), while highlighting the specific opportunities and financial challenges facing developing countries in adopting these tools.

This guide by Transforma provides a comprehensive framework for strengthening Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to be submitted by 2025. It outlines a 'decalogue of ambition' requiring emissions reductions of 43% by 2030 and 60% by 2035 (relative to 2019) to limit warming to 1.5°C. Key recommendations include sectoral targets for energy, transport, and industry, a phase-out of fossil fuels, the protection of 30% of global ecosystems by 2030, and the establishment of national loss and damage monitoring systems by 2030.

In 2023, G20 governments provided at least USD 168 billion in public financial support for renewable power, a figure that is less than one third of the USD 535 billion provided in fossil fuel subsidies that same year.

This research paper by the Africa Policy Research Institute analyses the industrial relations between Africa and the European Union (EU), arguing that despite the African Union's (AU) consistent focus on industrialisation, the EU has largely sidelined industrial policy in their partnerships, maintaining a relationship based on trade and aid that favours the extraction of raw materials.

This executive summary describes a proposed "cluster development" model designed to scale the integration of green hydrogen within China's industrial sector, which is the country's largest hydrogen consumer. The model aims to overcome challenges related to supply stability and high costs by optimizing the alignment of production and consumption through a "production-storage-transportation-utilization" system.

This report by RMI analyzes opportunities to decarbonize China's building sector to achieve carbon neutrality, focusing on operational emissions, embodied carbon, new growth models, and social equity.

Ember analysis indicates that global solar capacity additions will reach 593 GW in 2024, a 29% increase over 2023. This growth is driven by continued dominance in China and the US, as well as emerging markets like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, significantly exceeding several industry forecasts.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International and partners arguing that the current multilateral system, led by the United Nations, has failed to address global crises due to the dominance of corporate interests and geopolitical power struggles, calling for a democratic restructuring of global governance.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International, Transnational Institute, and IT for Change criticizing the current UN-led multilateral system as a failure that prioritizes corporate interests and neoliberalism over the needs of the Global South and the planet.