Search Climate Insights Directory

This policy brief from the International Institute for Sustainable Development explores the precautionary principle, a guide in international environmental law that advocates for taking protective action even in the absence of full scientific certainty to avoid serious or irreversible damage.

This briefing explores the precautionary principle as a guide for decision-makers to protect the environment, public health, and security in the face of scientific uncertainty. It traces the principle's evolution from national laws in Sweden to its integration into major international treaties and the law of the European Union, while discussing the ongoing tension between environmental safeguarding and economic development.

This report by the Green Economy Coalition (GEC) and Fundação Amazonas Sustentável (FAS) argues that the Amazon is 'too big to fail' and must transition from a 'deforestation economy' to an inclusive green economy. It details the systemic risks of an ecological tipping point and proposes the creation of the Amazon Green Economy Hub in Manaus to coordinate multi-stakeholder efforts, scale bioeconomy enterprises, and reform economic policies to value standing forests over land liquidation.

Interconexion Electrica issued Colombia's first green bond on August 13, 2020, raising COP140bn (USD38m) to fund two energy transmission projects on Colombia's north coast. These projects aim to connect wind and solar energy to the National Interconnected System. The issuer will provide annual sustainability reports tracking MW of renewable energy exchanged and environmental/social impacts.

This briefing from the IAI Directorate provides an overview of the financial status of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, detailing party contributions, budget performance, and administrative controls.

This document, prepared by the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), provides a financial review for the 2019-2020 fiscal year and the status of member contributions as of April 30, 2020.

This research paper evaluates a geospatial tool from the InVEST software suite designed to quantify seasonal water balances, groundwater recharge, baseflow, and quickflow to support watershed management in Peru and Myanmar.

A statement signed by 45 organizations and individuals, including the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), condemning the dismissal of the Executive Director of Peru's forest authority, SERFOR, by the Ministry of Agriculture.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment within the mining sector. It examines immediate disruptions to labor and supply chains, the varying risks across the mining lifecycle, and the short-term responses from governments and corporations. The document concludes with strategic recommendations to build long-term resilience through automation, local procurement, and updated regulatory frameworks.

This fact sheet details a EUR234 million green bond issued by Bothwell Spain on December 19, 2019, to refinance solar photovoltaic projects.

This briefing outlines the history and current state of the WTO's Informal Working Group (IWG) on Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs). It details the group's efforts to identify trade barriers and propose non-binding outcomes—such as improved access to information, trade finance, and the application of a "Small Business Lens" in regulation—to be presented at the Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12). The document also compares these efforts with SME provisions in regional trade agreements like the CPTPP and USMCA.

This report provides a detailed history and status update on the efforts of an informal Working Group of over 90 World Trade Organization (WTO) Members to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). It outlines the group's activities from 2018 to early 2020, focusing on improving MSME access to information, trade finance, and global markets, while analyzing the role of regional trade agreements and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these initiatives.

This document is a Framework Cooperation Agreement signed on March 20, 2020, between the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the National Council for Science, Technology and Technological Innovation (CONCYTEC) of Peru. The agreement establishes a formal structure for collaboration to enhance regional and national synergies in global change research across the Americas.

This research paper examines the process of 'policy transfer' for renewable energy adoption using case studies from Peru, Thailand, and Uganda, concluding that the process is a complex, iterative interaction between national and international actors rather than a simple adoption of policies from one country to another.

Red Eléctrica issued a EUR 700 million green bond on 24 January 2020 to fund renewable energy integration and clean transportation projects. The issuance supports Spain's target of 100% renewable electricity by 2050 and includes commitments to detailed annual reporting on asset distribution and CO2 emissions avoided.

The Green Economy Coalition (GEC) has outlined a 10-year strategy (2020–2030) to catalyze systemic economic reform toward green and fair economies. The plan focuses on shifting social narratives, building public demand, and influencing policy across five key themes: governance, finance, economic sectors, inequality, and nature.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR) synthesizes the work of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) regarding climate change up to 2020. It details the Committee's use of General Recommendations, Joint Statements, and the State reporting procedure to establish that States have human rights obligations to protect women from climate-related harms and ensure their participation in climate policy.

A 2020 fact sheet from the Centro de Movilidad Sostenible detailing fuel quality standards (specifically sulfur levels and octane ratings) and emission standards for light-duty vehicles (LDV) across several Latin American and Caribbean countries.

This fact sheet details a BRL 530 million (USD 131 million) green bond issued by Transmissora Serra da Mantiqueira (TSM), a special purpose vehicle controlled by the Brazilian energy holding company Alupar, to finance transmission infrastructure connected to Brazil's national grid.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the status of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and the role of Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs). It details the two primary cooperation avenues (Article 6.2 and 6.4), the challenges of establishing a rulebook—including debates over additionality and double counting—and provides examples of pilot projects and national strategies, particularly focusing on Canada's preparations.