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This policy brief provides a state-of-play analysis of the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on Electronic Commerce as of December 2022. It examines the evolving global e-commerce governance landscape, including national regulatory trends and the rise of Digital Economy Agreements, while detailing the progress of JSI negotiations, the restructuring of the consolidated negotiating text, and the efforts to address the digital divide and development concerns.

This report provides a status update on the World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-commerce as of December 2022. It analyzes the initiative's progress during its fifth year, contrasting it with broader trends in national, regional, and multilateral digital governance. The report highlights a shift toward a potentially less ambitious agreement for the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), focusing on resolved trade facilitation issues while deferring controversial market access and data flow topics.

This report provides a status update on the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce as of December 2022. It analyzes the evolving landscape of digital trade governance at national, regional, and multilateral levels, noting a trend toward more flexible regional Digital Economy Agreements (DEAs) and an increased focus on the digital divide within the WTO's broader Work Programme. The author suggests that the JSI is likely moving toward a less ambitious agreement focusing on minor facilitation points to ensure a conclusion by the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13).

This discussion paper by the Climate Bonds Initiative proposes a framework for credible transition finance in the agri-food sector. It argues that current transition instruments, such as Sustainability-Linked Bonds (SLBs), often lack ambition and fail to account for scope 3 emissions. To address this, the paper applies five 'Credible Transition Principles' and five 'Hallmarks' for transforming companies to ensure alignment with 1.5°C climate targets, science-based pathways, and broader sustainability goals including biodiversity and just transition.

This case study examines the process leading to the June 2022 World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, the first multilateral trade deal centered on environmental sustainability. It details the complementary roles of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), which provided impartial technical and legal advice, and The Pew Charitable Trusts, which led advocacy and the 'Stop Funding Overfishing' campaign to create external pressure on WTO members.

The NewClimate Institute reports that global expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fossil gas is undermining the Paris Agreement and the 1.5°C warming limit. Despite some policy progress in the US, China, and the EU, current 2030 targets put the world on a path toward 2.4°C of warming, while the pipeline of new LNG capacity threatens to significantly increase emissions by 2030.

This report by the World Resources Institute evaluates the progress made one year after the COP26 summit in Glasgow. It tracks commitments across national emissions targets, renewable energy, climate finance, net-zero goals, the financial sector, methane reduction, deforestation, urban emissions, and electric vehicles, noting that progress is mixed and often hindered by geopolitical tensions and economic crises.

This executive summary from the Climate Bonds Initiative outlines a comprehensive framework of 101 sustainable finance policies designed to align global capital flows with the 1.5°C warming limit. It argues that while the costs of climate action are high, the costs of inaction are higher, citing increased capital costs for vulnerable nations and credit downgrades for fossil-fuel-dependent sovereigns. The proposed framework is built on three pillars: providing clarity on green investments via taxonomies, tilting investment toward green opportunities through de-risking and carbon pricing, and building green investment pipelines for resilient development.

This report presents the first research application of the AIIB – Amundi Climate Change Investment Framework (CCIF), a benchmark designed to assess investments against climate-related financial risks and opportunities based on the Paris Agreement. The research analyzes sectors, companies, and debt issuers, primarily focusing on corporates in EM Asia, to evaluate alignment with climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience, and low-carbon transition objectives.

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) is a flexible, non-traditional economic initiative launched by the United States in May 2022 with 13 partner countries. Unlike traditional free trade agreements, the IPEF eschews tariff liberalization and market access, focusing instead on four pillars: a connected economy, a resilient economy, a clean economy, and a fair economy. While the initiative aims to reassert U.S. influence in the region, it faces challenges regarding the willingness of partners to commit to high standards and criticisms over the lack of U.S. concessions.

In H1 2022, GSS+ labelled debt volumes reached USD417.8bn, a 27% year-on-year decrease driven by inflation, rising interest rates, and geopolitical instability. Green bonds remained the largest segment (52% of volume), with China emerging as the most prolific country. While social and sustainability bonds declined, sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) grew by 5.2%, and transition UoP bonds saw a 2.5-fold increase from Q1 to Q2. Key policy shifts included the EU's inclusion of gas and nuclear as transitional activities and the launch of green taxonomies in Colombia and South Africa.

This report by Ember analyzes electricity generation and clean energy targets in the five largest ASEAN economies (ASEAN 5). It finds that while electricity demand is growing rapidly, the deployment of solar and wind power is lagging behind global averages and is insufficient to meet 1.5-degree climate pathways, with current 2030 plans projected to reach only 11% of total generation.

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.

A June 2022 briefing by the Climate Action Tracker reporting that progress on updating 2030 climate targets has stalled following the Glasgow Climate Pact. The document warns that current targets and policies are insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C, projecting end-of-century warming of 2.4°C based on 2030 targets and 2.7°C under current policies.

The document outlines the negotiations and eventual adoption of a WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies aimed at curbing subsidies that contribute to overfishing, overcapacity, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It highlights the convergence of WTO members during the lead-up to the June 2022 MC12 conference and notes Singapore's role as the first coastal state to ratify the legally binding framework.

This research paper explores the multi-dimensional challenges and pathways toward achieving sustainable urban development. It examines the historical evolution of global urban policy, the disparate needs between the Global North and Global South, the role of various governmental and non-governmental actors, and emerging trends such as nature-based solutions and inclusive planning.

This report analyzes the global development of green taxonomies, highlighting three main approaches: whitelist-based, technical screening criteria (TSC), and principle-based. It focuses on the alignment between the EU and China taxonomies, noting that while the EU emphasizes six environmental objectives and strict 'do no significant harm' (DNSH) criteria, China focuses on three broader objectives aligned with its national pollution and climate goals. The report emphasizes the Common Ground Taxonomy (CGT) as a tool to reduce market fragmentation and facilitate cross-border investment. It also discusses implementation, noting mandatory disclosure requirements in the EU and mandatory labeling for onshore green bonds in China.

This report examines the critical role of sustainable cooling and electricity in health services, focusing on vaccine cold chains, the management of temperature-sensitive medical products, and the need for temperature regulation in hospitals and clinics to improve patient care and resilience against heat stress.

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.

This policy brief examines the evolution of global hazardous waste regulation, from early marine pollution treaties to the Basel Convention and its Ban Amendment. It highlights the risks of 'toxic colonialism,' the challenges of managing rapidly growing e-waste streams, and the need for proactive governance to protect vulnerable populations during the energy transition.