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This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the climate commitments of the 70 largest public financial institutions, representing USD 20.4 trillion in assets. It finds a significant gap in ambition, particularly among national and subnational development banks and institutions in non-OECD countries, where Paris-aligned and net-zero targets are rare. The report highlights a lack of specificity in climate finance goals, a deficiency in adaptation-focused commitments, and a general slow adoption of institutional climate strategies. CPI identifies insufficient accountability and a lack of government and global coalition guidance as primary barriers and provides recommendations to strengthen the integrity of public finance in the energy transition.

This briefing by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) analyzes the global expansion of crude oil pipeline infrastructure, detailing over 24,000 km of pipelines in development. The report highlights the financial costs, environmental impacts, and the risk of stranded assets as countries transition to renewable energy, noting that this buildout contradicts global climate goals to limit warming to 1.5°C or 2.0°C.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics analyzes the volume and value of Russian jet fuel imports into Europe, highlighting a significant decline in reliance since the pre-pandemic period and identifying the specific airlines and airports with the highest consumption levels in 2021.

This research paper by the NewClimate Institute compares 2021 greenhouse gas emission projections for G20 countries up to 2030 against projections made in 2015. While absolute projected emissions have decreased and growth rates have slowed, the G20 collectively remains off track to meet the Paris Agreement temperature goals, with emissions still expected to increase slightly by 2030.

The report analyzes the climate implications of the European Union's phaseout of Russian oil imports. It argues that while replacing Russian crude is complex due to refinery specifications, the EU has an opportunity to reduce supply-chain emissions by selecting lower-intensity alternatives and transitioning toward clean energy infrastructure.

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 RMI examines the environmental implications of the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), arguing that a lack of data transparency regarding the origin and emissions intensity of stored oils hinders climate goals. It highlights a mismatch between the SPR's lighter crudes and the heavy-oil capacity of the refineries that primarily receive them, and calls for the strategic refilling of the SPR with low-emissions intensity oils to reduce greenhouse gas impacts.

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity trends in 2021, tracking progress against the IEA's Net Zero by 2050 pathway. While wind and solar reached a historic milestone of over 10% of global electricity, an unprecedented surge in electricity demand led to record-breaking coal generation and the largest absolute rise in power sector CO2 emissions ever recorded.

This policy brief by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the evolving nature of sovereign debt in Africa, highlighting a shift from traditional multilateral creditors to private bondholders and emerging economies like China. It argues that current debt relief mechanisms are insufficient because they lack statutory, human rights-based frameworks and fail to compel the participation of private creditors, leaving African nations vulnerable to economic shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the evolution of international land governance, focusing on the transition from top-down desertification efforts to the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). It details the drivers of land degradation, the role of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the socio-economic barriers—such as land tenure and gender inequality—that hinder restoration efforts.

The September 2021 Global Update from Climate Action Tracker reports that global climate action continues to lag behind the requirements for limiting warming to 1.5°C. While some countries have updated their NDCs, the 2030 emissions gap remains significant (20-23 GtCO2e). The report introduces a new rating system where only The Gambia is rated as overall 1.5°C compatible, while most developed nations are rated as 'Insufficient' or worse due to inadequate climate finance and policy implementation. It further critiques the lack of transparency and robustness in most national net zero targets and highlights the continued reliance on coal and gas in several major economies.

The G20, responsible for 75% of global GHG emissions, currently has commitments that put the world on a trajectory for 2.4°C of warming. While announced but non-formalized pledges could lower this to 2.1°C, only a comprehensive shift where all G20 members align with 1.5°C pathways and mid-century net zero targets could limit warming to 1.7°C. The report identifies a 23 GtCO2e emissions gap for 2030 and warns that many net zero pledges are unrealistic without significantly stronger near-term (2030) targets. Achieving the 1.5°C goal will require G20 leadership, action from non-G20 countries, and the fulfillment of climate finance commitments to developing nations.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the strategic position of African states within the World Trade Organization (WTO). It argues that African nations must shift from a strategy of blocking new negotiations to one of active participation, particularly regarding the COVID-19 vaccine TRIPS waiver, the stalled Doha Round, and Joint Statement Initiatives (JSIs) on digital trade and investment.

This report uses the Global Subsidies Initiative – Integrated Fiscal Model (GSI-IF model) to analyze the potential for greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions and fiscal savings across 32 countries through fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR) and fossil energy taxation by 2030.

The Climate Action Tracker (CAT) reports that global warming estimates for 2100 have reached a record low of 2.4°C, driven by announcements from President Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate and other pledges since September 2020. Despite this 0.2°C improvement, current projections remain above the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C limit, and a significant gap persists between targets and the policies required to achieve them.

This May 2021 briefing from the Climate Action Tracker (CAT) analyzes the impact of recent Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) updates and net-zero pledges on global warming projections. It finds that while recent commitments have lowered the estimated end-of-century warming to 2.4°C, this remains significantly above the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal, and current policies are still on track for 2.9°C of warming.

This case study by Ember evaluates the transition strategy of ENGIE, a France-based global energy company. The report argues that ENGIE's reliance on converting coal plants to fossil gas and biomass, its lack of a comprehensive coal phase-out schedule, and its 2°C Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) accreditation are not aligned with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C objective.

The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2021 evaluates 57 of the world's highest greenhouse gas emitters, finding that no single country is currently on a path compliant with the Paris Agreement goals. While the European Union improved its ranking to 16th place, the report highlights a stark divide between leading nations and G20 members like the USA, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, who are rated 'very low'.

This methodology note describes the framework used by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and its partners to track and score government support for fossil fuels across G20 countries between 2014 and 2020.

Saudi Electricity issued USD 1.3 billion in green Sukuk on September 17, 2020, to fund the installation of 10 million smart meters and the development of grid infrastructure for wind and solar energy. The government-backed entity committed to annual reporting and the publication of a dedicated impact report.