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The document reports that non-fossil sources reached a record 46.2% of the global electricity mix in April, with wind and solar accounting for 21.3%. It discusses how the instability of the Strait of Hormuz has exposed the fragility of fossil fuel supply chains, prompting countries like China, Poland, and the Philippines to accelerate electrification and renewable energy adoption. Despite this, global fossil fuel subsidies are expected to exceed USD 1 trillion this year, and major energy firms like Shell and BP are pivoting back toward traditional oil and gas models. The text also notes the climate risks evidenced by record heatwaves in Europe and record global carbon emissions in 2025.

The paper identifies parametric insurance as a critical tool for strengthening the financial resilience of cities in EMDEs, where less than 10% of climate-related losses are currently insured. It highlights a structural collaboration gap between municipalities and insurers, noting that only 5 of 16 mapped programs engage directly with municipal governments. To address this, the authors propose three priority actions: supporting affordable premiums through national and international funding, strengthening municipal capacity for risk-layering, and improving legal and regulatory enabling environments. The document argues that parametric insurance is a particularly effective entry point due to its ability to provide rapid liquidity and simpler product structures compared to traditional indemnity insurance.

The report argues that the primary barriers to subsea power cable deployment in ASEAN are institutional rather than technical. It identifies gaps in regional planning, cost allocation, and maritime coordination, suggesting a phased approach to strengthen governance. Key recommendations include operationalising the ASEAN Power Grid Generation and Transmission Planning (AGTP) function, exploring cross-border cost allocation (CBCA) frameworks, and deepening the role of the Submarine Cable Working Group to manage the complexities of shared maritime spaces.

Japan has become a major global LNG trader, significantly increasing its resales of US-sourced LNG to Asian markets between 2021 and 2025. This trade pattern, supported by Japanese government initiatives and financing, contributes to substantial lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. The analysis shows that 16.5 billion kg of US LNG resold by Japan to Asia released 63.5 billion kg of CO2, with methane leaks and combustion being the primary drivers. The document argues that promoting LNG infrastructure in Asia risks locking in fossil fuel dependence and exacerbating climate-induced disasters in a region already vulnerable to extreme weather.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute describes the role of cobalt as a critical mineral for the clean energy transition, detailing its applications in lithium-ion batteries, global distribution of reserves and production, and the significant human rights and environmental impacts associated with its extraction, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war has triggered a global energy crisis, causing Brent crude to reach USD 138/barrel and spiking natural gas prices, particularly in Asia. This disruption has led to increased food and fertiliser prices, slowed global GDP growth, and strained national budgets through increased fossil fuel subsidies. In response, 26 countries and regions have implemented clean energy measures, with Asia leading in both vulnerability to supply shocks and the acceleration of clean technology investments and deployments.

The report provides a detailed breakdown of aligned GSS+ debt volumes, issuer types, and geographic trends for Q1 2026, highlighting the continued dominance of green bonds and the European market.

Global Witness reports that conflict coltan from the DRC's Rubaya mines is being smuggled into Rwanda and laundered into global supply chains through failed due diligence systems like ITSCI and Better Mining. The investigation identifies seven Rwandan companies responsible for 85% of exports, five of which are directly linked to conflict coltan. This material is processed by smelters in China, Kazakhstan, and Thailand, eventually reaching global brands such as Apple, Microsoft, and Toyota via tantalum capacitors.

The report highlights a growing 'e-mobility divide' where the Global North adopts high-value lithium-ion systems while the Global South relies on affordable but toxic lead-acid batteries. It identifies critical failures in traceability and international governance, specifically within the Basel Convention, which allow for 'waste colonialism' and hazardous informal recycling. The authors argue for mandatory extended producer responsibility, the creation of regional recycling hubs, and the integration of informal workers into formal systems to ensure a just energy transition.

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.

ClientEarth warns FMCG companies that relying on recycling is insufficient to mitigate legal risks and urges a shift toward upstream plastic reduction. The document details risks from mandatory due diligence laws, product liability for health harms, and anti-greenwashing enforcement, specifically targeting misleading 'recyclable' claims. It also highlights the impact of the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) on plastic-related disclosures.

The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid renewable energy growth and rising electricity demand, which increases grid variability. Simultaneously, escalating climate extremes—such as heatwaves, droughts, and floods—create operational disruptions. The report argues that traditional reactive repairs and infrastructure hardening are insufficient, advocating for 'systemic adaptation' that accounts for cross-sector interdependencies. AI is presented as a critical tool to scale this adaptation by fusing fragmented datasets, orchestrating siloed analytical models, and augmenting decision-making under complexity.

Germany's coffee industry, worth EUR 20 billion annually, faces significant risks as over 98% of its imports originate from countries highly or moderately vulnerable to climate change. Climate-induced supply shocks led to a 43% increase in roasted coffee prices for German consumers in 2025. To counter this, Germany utilizes climate finance through bodies like GIZ and BMZ to fund adaptation projects, such as agroforestry and regenerative techniques, in producing regions. Examples include the Yayu Forest Biosphere Reserve project in Ethiopia and the Coffee++ initiative in Asia and Africa, which aim to stabilize yields and diversify supply sources to reduce dependence on volatile markets like Brazil and Vietnam.

The document argues that policy incoherence is driven not by poor coordination, but by power asymmetries, vested interests, and the prioritization of economic growth over social and environmental goals. Based on research in nine countries, it finds that fossil-fuel interests consistently drive incoherence and that vulnerable groups disproportionately bear the resulting burdens. It calls for a post-2030 framework that moves beyond 'synergies' to address distributional consequences and cross-border spillovers.

The authors argue that the upcoming UN General Assembly resolution to operationalize the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on climate change is a critical test of global climate leadership. They assert that the resolution reflects existing legal obligations to prevent climate harm, provide reparations, and ensure a just transition from fossil fuels. While noting resistance from major emitters and oil producers who seek to weaken the text, the authors maintain that the resolution complements existing UNFCCC processes by closing an 'accountability gap' that the treaty regime has failed to address.

The US-Israel invasion of Iran in February 2026 has accelerated the global transition to clean energy as 23 countries announced new measures to reduce fossil fuel vulnerability. Clean energy ETFs have outperformed oil and gas ETFs in early May 2026, with renewable energy funds attracting over USD 3 billion in April 2026. Investor sentiment is shifting, with a rise in those ranking renewables top for one-year returns (14% vs 9% in 2025) and a decline in the perceived necessity of natural gas for the transition, particularly in Asia. While the cost of capital remains significantly higher in emerging markets (12.95%) compared to Europe (5.02%), geopolitical instability is prompting a reassessment of risk premiums in favor of domestic renewables.

The Philippines could avoid approximately PHP 1.7 billion (USD 28 million) in fossil fuel import costs by achieving its target of 9.5 GW of solar capacity by 2030. This analysis comes amid soaring Asian energy prices caused by the Iran war, which has pushed LNG prices up 54.3% since February 2026. The report highlights that the Philippines has some of the highest electricity prices in Asia due to a heavy reliance on imports. While the Philippines is currently fast-tracking renewable energy and battery storage, the report notes that coal and gas generation are still projected to increase by 2030. Comparatively, other ASEAN nations like Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam are also implementing clean energy measures to reduce reliance on volatile imported fuels.

The report argues that the Article 6.4 Sustainable Development (SD) Tool is primarily procedural and fails to protect Indigenous Peoples and local communities due to an overreliance on national laws, narrow definitions of Indigenous status, and a restrictive approach to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). Geospatial analysis reveals that hundreds of projects in the Article 6 pipeline—including both new notifications and transitioning Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects—overlap with or are in close proximity to Indigenous and community lands, particularly in Asia. Documented cases in India, Kenya, Colombia, and Brazil demonstrate that these gaps have already led to involuntary resettlement, inadequate compensation, and long-term land conflicts.

The document details the global cobalt market, highlighting the extreme concentration of mine production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and refining in China. It examines the shift toward battery-enabled end-uses, the role of Chinese investment in global supply, and the social risks associated with artisanal mining in the DRC.

The document outlines how education ministries can engage across the four phases of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process: impact, vulnerability, and risk assessment (IVRA); planning; implementation; and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL). It emphasizes the heightened vulnerability of children to climate-related learning disruptions and argues that the NAP process is a critical mechanism to elevate education priorities, secure climate finance, and align sectoral plans with national commitments. The guide provides specific strategies for data collection via Education Management Information Systems (EMIS), the use of innovative financial instruments, and the mainstreaming of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI). A case study of Saint Lucia illustrates the successful development of a Sector Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (SASAP) through participatory, multi-stakeholder engagement.