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The document details the global lithium landscape, highlighting the dominance of Australia, Chile, and China in mining and refining. It analyzes the shift in demand toward battery manufacturing, which now accounts for 87% of total lithium use, and examines the technical pathways for extraction, including brine-based, hard-rock, and emerging clay-based methods. The report also addresses geopolitical risks, such as export bans in Zimbabwe, and environmental concerns, specifically water scarcity in producing regions and the GHG emissions intensity of different processing routes.

Chile's mining sector, dominated by copper and lithium, contributes up to 14% of the national GDP and 58% of total exports. While the country is a global leader in copper production via the state-owned Codelco, it faces significant environmental challenges, particularly extreme water scarcity in the Antofagasta region where mining accounts for 50%–65% of regional water withdrawals. The sector is increasingly relying on desalination to meet demand. Socially, women's participation in the mining workforce remains low at 10%. Economically, Chile is pursuing a National Lithium Strategy to increase domestic value addition and public partnerships, while maintaining strong export ties, particularly with China.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo's economy is heavily reliant on mining, particularly copper and cobalt, which generate over 90% of mining revenues. While the country possesses vast hydropower potential, electricity access remains limited to 19% of the population. The sector is characterized by a mix of large-scale mining and significant artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), the latter of which is linked to conflict minerals (3TG) in the east. Infrastructure development is currently focused on strategic corridors like the Lobito Corridor and the TAZARA rehabilitation to improve export logistics.

The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) transitioned from a reporting-only phase to a definitive period on January 1, 2026, introducing financial liabilities for importers of iron, steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, electricity, and hydrogen. Exporters must now provide verified actual emissions data to avoid high default values, which include annual markups of +10% in 2026, +20% in 2027, and +30% from 2028 onward. Financial liability is calculated based on embedded emissions, adjusted by a Free Allocation Adjustment (FAA) that phases out by 2034, and monetized through CBAM certificates linked to EU ETS prices. The guide emphasizes that verified actual emissions and documentation of carbon prices paid in the country of origin are critical for maintaining competitiveness and reducing costs.

The 17th edition of the Banking on Climate Chaos report finds that the world's largest banks committed $906 billion to fossil fuel companies in 2025, an 8% increase from 2024. Financing for fossil fuel expansion rose by over 27% to $508 billion. The report highlights a high concentration of finance, with a 'Dirty Dozen' of banks providing nearly 39% of global fossil deals. It also notes a trend of policy backsliding, where banks are weakening climate commitments and abandoning net-zero targets, particularly in the US. The report argues that this financing amplifies energy instability and inequality, especially during geopolitical crises like the 2026 US-Israel war on Iran.

The report argues that many planned coal plants in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are candidates for reconsideration due to declining costs of solar and battery storage, evolving grid needs, and the risk of long-term financial lock-in. It introduces a five-indicator framework—fuel source, initiation date, sunk costs, designed grid role, and evolution of grid needs—to prioritize plants for reevaluation. RMI's analysis suggests that solar paired with battery energy storage systems (BESS) is increasingly cost-competitive with new ultra-supercritical coal, potentially offering a more affordable and flexible alternative for modernizing grids.

The document argues that Indonesia's critical minerals industry, particularly nickel, is characterized by 'green extractivism' where global decarbonization narratives mask local ecological destruction and human rights abuses. It highlights the role of National Strategic Projects (PSN) in bypassing environmental protections and the heavy dominance of Chinese capital and technology in the supply chain. The report documents severe impacts including fatal workplace accidents, massive deforestation in North Maluku, health crises such as spikes in respiratory infections, and the systemic impoverishment of local communities.

The report presents a business case for transitioning to an electrified economy, asserting that electricity is becoming the foundation for global economic growth. It highlights that electrification is the most efficient route to decarbonization, capable of displacing approximately 60% of global fossil fuel use. The document outlines the benefits of electrification in terms of cost predictability, energy security, and public health, while identifying significant barriers such as distorted market incentives and a global skills gap. It proposes ten policy principles for governments to unlock business investment and introduces the 'Electric Advantage' program to coordinate business leadership in modernizing policy and scaling deployment.

The paper assesses climate finance provided by 14 non-Annex II countries, finding they contributed $102.38 billion between 2013 and 2023. While China is the largest contributor, other nations show a strong preference for adaptation. The study emphasizes the need to standardize this voluntary data to support the Baku to Belém (B2B) Roadmap and a multipolar financial system.

The report outlines how the port sector can transition from causing ocean degradation to enabling regeneration using the AR3T (Avoid, Reduce, Restore and Regenerate, Transform) framework. It identifies key pressures ports exert on marine ecosystems—such as seabed disturbance, pollution, and invasive species—and provides specific, evidence-based actions across the port lifecycle, from siting and design to operations and decommissioning. The document emphasizes the importance of nature-inclusive design, ecosystem-based marine spatial planning, and the integration of natural capital into financial accounting to achieve a Sustainable Blue Economy.

European agriculture's heavy reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, produced primarily from natural gas, creates a direct link between energy price shocks and food costs. Analysis of 17 EU member states from 2019-2024 reveals that EUR 16.4 billion was spent on fertiliser that was never taken up by crops, with EUR 6.1 billion spent on the embedded natural gas for that wasted input. Environmental damage from synthetic nitrogen application during this period is estimated at EUR 233.7 billion, dominated by water pollution. The report argues that reducing synthetic nitrogen use by up to 43% through precision management and legume integration could save farmers up to EUR 5.08 billion annually and significantly reduce gas dependency. Modeling shows that the post-Ukraine invasion energy crisis pushed wheat prices up by approximately 22%, establishing a lasting structural link between energy and food prices.

The document details specific quantitative adjustments (multipliers) across several thematic scenarios—including governance, health, education, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, trade (AfCFTA), and financial flows—designed to shift the DR Congo's development path from a 'Current Path' toward improved outcomes by 2043. These interventions aim to close gaps between the DR Congo and other regions, such as South America and South Asia, in areas like maternal mortality, democracy, and economic freedom.

The Canadian Climate Institute evaluates recent federal climate policy developments, expressing concern over industrial carbon pricing while emphasizing the critical importance of upcoming vehicle emission standards. The author argues that for Canada to meet its goal of emission reductions equivalent to a 75% electric vehicle (EV) adoption rate by 2035, the government must ensure policy details are sufficiently strict and avoid excessive compliance flexibilities. The document highlights the global trend toward EVs, noting that China's rapid adoption and the resulting decline in global oil demand threaten Canada's automotive and oil sectors if the country fails to transition effectively.

In 2025, global coal capacity additions reached 97.4 GW, the second-highest on record, primarily driven by China and India, even as global coal-fired electricity generation declined by 0.6%. The report highlights a decoupling where coal is increasingly used as system insurance rather than primary generation, as wind and solar displace coal. While China and India dominate new development, coal activity elsewhere is shrinking and becoming more isolated. However, net capacity outside China rose by 5 GW due to a slowdown in retirements and rebounds in India.

The report finds that the global iron and steel industry is facing a 'lock-in' crisis due to continued investment in coal-based blast furnace capacity, particularly in India and China. While electric arc furnace (EAF) capacity is increasing, green hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (DRI) remains a critical bottleneck, with only 2% of operating DRI capacity using green hydrogen. India is currently the primary driver of global steelmaking development, accounting for 42% of developing capacity, much of which is coal-based. China maintains the largest operating capacity, but 94% of its blast furnace capacity lacks a retirement plan. The report warns that relining existing blast furnaces locks in emissions for 15–20 years, threatening global climate goals as the sector accounts for 11% of global CO2 emissions.

Rooftop solar capacity in the Philippines has likely doubled between April 2025 and April 2026, reaching approximately 1,300 MW. This growth is driven by surging electricity prices, which have reduced payback periods for residential, commercial, and industrial users to between 2.3 and 3.1 years. The report highlights a massive influx of solar panel imports from China and the emergence of domestic manufacturing. To further scale rooftop solar to a target of 3,500 MW with 4,500 MWh of battery storage within 24 months, the author recommends expanding low-interest loan schemes, legalising 'plug-and-play' solar kits under 800 watts, and implementing a distributed grid-battery project.

Africa's population is projected to grow from 1.552 billion in 2025 to 3.850 billion by 2100, representing 39% of the global population. This growth is driven by high total fertility rates and population momentum, which could position Africa as the world's largest potential labour force by 2040 if supported by education and health investments. Significant disparities persist in life expectancy and fertility rates across the continent, with some nations already below replacement levels while others remain very high.

The report projects that Cape Verde will experience significant urbanisation and GDP per capita growth by 2043, though it remains highly dependent on food imports and tourism. While various sectoral interventions—particularly free trade and manufacturing—could further boost GDP and reduce poverty, they are also projected to increase carbon emissions. The Combined Agenda 2063 scenario suggests a potential GDP increase to US$8.7 billion and a reduction of extreme poverty to 3.6% of the population by 2043.

The document argues that current annual matching for scope 2 emissions often overestimates renewable electricity use and fails to incentivise the deployment of new renewables. It proposes 'hourly matching' (or 24/7 reporting), where electricity consumption is matched with renewable generation in the same hour. While 100% hourly matching can be costly, the briefing suggests that targeting a range of 80-90% can maintain emission reduction benefits while reducing costs. The document notes that hourly matching is becoming more viable, with 45 operational projects across five continents and tariffs available for 73% of global electricity demand. It advocates for a phased implementation strategy to allow for necessary data and grid infrastructure upgrades.

The Council on Strategic Risks (CSR) analyzes the FY27 US Presidential Budget Request, noting that while biodefense is stated as a priority, general programmatic cuts and agency reorganizations have restricted key programs and reduced budgetary transparency. While the Department of Defense saw a record topline increase to $1.45 trillion, biodefense funding did not increase proportionally. Significant cuts were observed in the Department of State's Global Health Programs and the Department of Agriculture's crop and livestock protection. Conversely, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) saw a massive increase in its "Pandemic Preparedness and Biodefense" program to $327 million to support pharmaceutical supply chain resilience. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) improved transparency by detailing the transfer of Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) functions to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).