Search Climate Insights Directory

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the trade-related obstacles preventing the inclusion of agriculture as a sectoral approach to mitigation within international climate change negotiations. It highlights the tension between developed nations' desire for a work program and developing nations' fears that agreed-upon 'good practice' standards could be used as unilateral trade barriers, while also addressing concerns regarding food security and market-based mechanisms.

This report by Friends of the Earth International and several partner organisations argues against the 'Principles for Responsible Agricultural Investment' (RAI), asserting that large-scale land acquisitions—or 'land grabbing'—cannot be made responsible and should instead be outlawed to protect food sovereignty and human rights.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International and a coalition of social movements condemning the 'Principles of Responsible Agricultural Investment' (RAI) as a facade to legitimize large-scale land grabbing. The document argues that these voluntary principles, promoted by the World Bank and other international agencies, mask financial speculation and human rights violations while advocating instead for food sovereignty and genuine land reform.

This WRI fact sheet provides a regional overview of the 'Reefs at Risk Revisited' analysis for the Middle East, detailing the extent of coral reefs, the human populations dependent on them, the prevalence of local and climate-driven threats, and the current state of conservation efforts.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides an overview of the status of international climate change negotiations as of September 2009, focusing on the outcomes of the Bonn II and Bonn III talks. It details the progress and divergences across the four pillars of the Bali Action Plan—mitigation, adaptation, technology, and financing—as member countries of the UNFCCC worked toward a post-2012 emission reduction regime to be adopted at COP 15 in Copenhagen.

This research paper evaluates the 'price-gap approach' for measuring fossil fuel subsidies, arguing that while it provides a useful global benchmark, it systematically understates the total magnitude of government support by ignoring transfers that do not affect end-user prices.

This research paper examines the divergent perspectives between Western leaders and the Muslim world regarding the 'war on terror,' arguing that while the West frames the conflict as a defense of freedom, many Muslims view it as a reaction to Western policies and actions in the Muslim world.

This research paper, authored by Rachel Goldwyn and Jason Switzer, critiques existing impact assessment tools used by the extractive industry—specifically Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Social Impact Assessments (SIA), and political risk analysis—from a conflict-sensitive perspective. It argues that while these tools are standard, they often fail to identify or mitigate the drivers of violent conflict. The authors propose the development of a Conflict-Sensitive Business Practice (CSBP) toolbox to integrate conflict analysis into the project lifecycle, helping companies minimize their contribution to violence and contribute to peacebuilding.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) analyzes U.S. energy insecurity, focusing on the risks associated with oil dependence and the potential for energy efficiency to mitigate these threats. Using data primarily from the 2001 EIA Annual Energy Review, the document details the sources and uses of U.S. oil, the economic and security costs of dependence on OPEC and the Persian Gulf, and the technical potential for reducing oil consumption through vehicle efficiency and alternative fuels.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines the relationship between corruption and development, with a specific focus on South Africa. It argues that corruption is a global phenomenon that distorts public spending, undermines efficiency, and discourages investment, thereby hindering economic growth and social equity. The authors contend that while economic liberalisation and democratisation can create opportunities for better governance, they are not panaceas; instead, a multifaceted approach involving institutional reform, legal frameworks, and strong political will is required to eradicate corruption and promote sustainable development.

The Healthy NDC Scorecard is a visual tool designed to evaluate whether national climate commitments (NDCs) are sufficient to protect human health, measuring them against the Paris Agreement and science-aligned targets.

This report by the Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA) provides reflections from its members on the outcomes of the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) in May 2025. It details key policy achievements, such as the adoption of the Global Action Plan on Climate and Health and the first pandemic agreement, while highlighting critical gaps regarding fossil fuel phase-outs and implementation uncertainties.

A 2011 statement by Friends of the Earth International and partners rejecting the 'Principles for Responsible Agricultural Investment' (RAI). The authors argue that large-scale land acquisitions are driven by financial speculation, violate human rights, and threaten food security, calling instead for the prohibition of land grabbing and the promotion of food sovereignty and peasant-led agriculture.

This executive summary synthesises three reports from the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA) regarding the 'Blue Acceleration'—the rapid expansion of ocean-based industries. It highlights the systemic inequities of this growth, noting that benefits primarily flow to powerful states and corporations while Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) face disproportionate risks. The document emphasizes the need for multidimensional risk assessments, the integration of local and indigenous knowledge, and gender-transformative approaches to ensure an equitable and resilient ocean economy.

This fact sheet by the Institute for Economic Justice examines the challenges and progress of phasing out fossil fuels within G20 nations. It highlights the economic and social dependencies that hinder the transition, the failure of G20 countries to meet subsidy reduction promises, and the specific goals of South Africa's 2025 G20 presidency to champion a people-centered, just energy transition.

This briefing paper, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development on 14 December 2004, presents the collective understanding of an international research collaboration on the future of the global climate regime following the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period. The authors explore two primary strategies—'Cap First' and 'Empower First'—to reach a long-term global solution consisting of a cap-and-trade scheme, technology development agreements, and assistance for developing countries.

This fact sheet, based on a report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, outlines the potential climate and financial impacts of fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR) and fossil energy taxation across 32 countries by 2030.

The report concludes that Alberta's oil sector faces a bleak long-term outlook due to technological shifts, climate action, and market volatility. Modelling indicates that price volatility could cause significant losses in GDP and employment. The authors recommend that the government pivot industrial policy away from combustible hydrocarbons toward economic diversification to manage the transition for workers and communities.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) details the outcomes of the UNFCCC climate change negotiations held in Bonn in June and August 2009. It outlines the progress and persistent divisions between developed and developing nations across four key pillars—mitigation, adaptation, technology, and finance—as they worked toward a global post-2012 agreement intended for adoption at COP-15 in Copenhagen.

In 2014, Indonesia removed gasoline subsidies and transitioned diesel to a fixed-price subsidy, saving an estimated USD 15.6 billion in 2015. These funds were used to increase spending on ministries, infrastructure, and regional transfers. While the reform initially reduced fuel consumption and improved fiscal space, the document reports a trend of backsliding by 2018, with the government freezing prices and effectively reintroducing subsidies borne by the state-owned company Pertamina.