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The Net Zero Stocktake 2022 executive summary analyzes the status of net zero target setting across 4,000+ entities, including national governments, sub-national governments, and companies. While the report notes a surge in the quantity of targets and an increase in domestic legislation, it highlights a widespread lack of credibility and robustness in these pledges, particularly regarding the use of external offsets and the inclusion of Scope 3 emissions.

This research paper argues that African policymakers must proactively secure digital sovereignty to prevent the continent's digital economy from becoming a battleground for great-power competition. While Africa possesses significant digital potential with a market of over 1 billion people, it remains the least connected region globally and relies heavily on foreign infrastructure, leaving it vulnerable to the unilateral decisions of global tech giants and the geopolitical interests of major powers.

This research paper analyzes a draft World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement aimed at curbing fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. It details the proposed prohibitions on subsidies for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overfished stocks, and overcapacity, while examining the balance between strict disciplines and special and differential treatment for developing countries.

This discussion paper by the Climate Bonds Initiative proposes the certification of short-term debt instruments—defined as those with a maturity at issuance of less than 365 days—to mobilize more capital for climate action. It argues that while green bond standards have historically focused on longer-term debt, the USD55tn short-term debt market represents a significant untapped source of green capital. The paper outlines how various instruments, including Commercial Paper and Green Repos, can be certified under the Climate Bonds Standard, primarily through the Use of Proceeds (UoP) principle, and recommends the development of a 'pure-play' entity definition to further scale the market.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative provides an overview of the global sustainable bond market in the first quarter of 2022, noting that cumulative issuance of GSS+ bonds surpassed $3 trillion despite a quarterly decline in issuance volume due to market volatility, rising interest rates, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative argues that expanding phone and high-speed internet services in the Legal Amazon can reduce regional isolation and boost the economy without the socio-environmental risks associated with traditional logistics infrastructure like roads.

This report by Global Energy Monitor assesses the global iron and steel plant fleet, highlighting a critical lag in the transition from carbon-intensive Blast Furnace-Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF-BOF) technology to Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking. It identifies significant stranded asset risks and underreported methane emissions from coal mining that exacerbate the sector's climate impact.

A June 2022 briefing by the Climate Action Tracker reporting that progress on updating 2030 climate targets has stalled following the Glasgow Climate Pact. The document warns that current targets and policies are insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C, projecting end-of-century warming of 2.4°C based on 2030 targets and 2.7°C under current policies.

This report analyzes land-use changes between 2015 and 2019 in the most populous cities of the 'Critical 9' countries to assess the impact of urbanization on the Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE) and cooling needs. Using Copernicus Land Monitoring Service data and the IPCC's SSP1-1.9 emissions scenario, the analysis details how the expansion of built-up areas at the expense of natural heat sinks—such as forests, wetlands, and vegetation—increases heat risks for vulnerable populations.

This discussion paper by Ember reviews the development of coal power in China during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) and proposes policy entry points to transition coal power from a primary energy source to a supportive role providing flexibility and backup capacity for a decarbonised grid.

The China Green Bond Market Report 2021, published by the Climate Bonds Initiative and CCDC Research, analyzes the rapid expansion of China's green bond market in 2021. The report highlights a record high in annual issuance, the shift toward non-financial corporate issuers, and the dominance of renewable energy projects in the use of proceeds, all occurring against the backdrop of China's '30·60' carbon targets.

The 'China Green Bond Market Report 2021', published by the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) and the China Central Depository & Clearing Co., Ltd. (CCDC) Research Center, analyzes the rapid growth of China's green bond market in 2021. The report highlights a significant increase in issuance, a shift toward non-financial corporate issuers, and the dominance of renewable energy investments, all aligned with China's 'dual carbon' goals of peaking emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

The Sustainable Debt Market Summary Q1 2022 reports that cumulative GSS+ labelled debt reached USD3 trillion by the end of the first quarter of 2022. Despite this milestone, the market experienced a year-on-year decline in issuance volumes of nearly 30% due to market volatility, rising interest rates, and the war in Ukraine.

This briefing, published by the Global Climate and Health Alliance in May 2022, summarises health and wellbeing findings from the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) on Mitigation of Climate Change. It highlights the synergies between climate mitigation and public health, arguing that immediate action in sectors like energy, transport, and agriculture can deliver significant health co-benefits, such as improved air quality and reduced non-communicable diseases, while addressing systemic inequalities.

The Mauritius-China Free Trade Agreement (MCFTA) is analyzed as a strategically motivated pact that likely benefits China more than Mauritius. Due to a massive trade imbalance and limited industrial capacity, Mauritius is unlikely to significantly increase exports to China, while Chinese imports and real estate investments are expected to grow. The paper suggests the MCFTA may be a geopolitical tool for China to increase its influence in the Indian Ocean and a prototype for future agreements with other African nations, though it currently poses little risk of diverting Mauritian trade away from the African continent.

This SEI discussion brief examines the relationship between tropical deforestation and water use in agricultural commodity supply chains, specifically focusing on imports into the European Union. It argues that while current policy focuses on deforestation, overlooking water use may shift environmental burdens to water-scarce regions. The brief identifies critical data gaps for beef and wood products and suggests that a comprehensive definition of sustainable supply chains must integrate both land and water stewardship.

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the bidirectional relationship between structural inequality and climate change, arguing that current economic systems and global environmental governance frameworks fail to address the inequitable distribution of resources and ecological space.

This policy brief examines how Aid for Trade (AfT) and Official Development Assistance (ODA) can be leveraged to help developing and least developed countries transition to sustainable trade and circular economies to combat plastic pollution. It highlights a significant mismatch between the limited funding for plastic pollution mitigation and the massive financial flows supporting the petrochemical sector, while proposing specific short- and medium-term deliverables for WTO members through the Informal Dialogue on Plastic Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (IDP).

This research paper explores the multi-dimensional challenges and pathways toward achieving sustainable urban development. It examines the historical evolution of global urban policy, the disparate needs between the Global North and Global South, the role of various governmental and non-governmental actors, and emerging trends such as nature-based solutions and inclusive planning.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute outlines six strategic measures for G20 leaders to maximize the role of forests in climate mitigation, food security, and pandemic recovery. It specifically urges Indonesia, as the 2022 G20 president, to lead by example by strengthening its own forest governance and promoting high-quality nature-based carbon credits.