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Climate Central analysis shows that 14 of the 16 host stadiums for the 2026 World Cup are experiencing more extremely hot days during the June-July tournament period than in 1970. Human-caused climate change is responsible for an average of 49% of these extreme heat days across all stadiums, with the highest impact seen in Miami and Mexico City. In 10 repeat host cities, the frequency of extremely hot days has tripled on average since they last hosted the tournament.

As of the end of 2025, the Climate Bonds Initiative recorded a cumulative aligned GSS+ debt volume of USD6.8tn, with annual aligned volume reaching USD1.0tn for the third consecutive year. Green bonds remain the dominant label, accounting for 64% of 2025 aligned volume (USD653.5bn), while sustainability bonds reached a record annual volume of USD217.3bn. Europe leads globally in both annual and cumulative aligned volume, though the USA remains the largest single country source of cumulative aligned volume at USD887.4bn. The report also highlights the launch of the Climate Bonds Resilience Taxonomy (CBRT) to address the funding gap for climate adaptation and resilience, exemplified by the world's first CBRT-certified resilience bond issued by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

The 2025 East Asia Quadrilateral Dialogue joint statement argues that geopolitical zero-sum thinking and great power competition increase the risk of military conflict in East Asia and hinder cooperation on the climate crisis. The signatories advocate for the institutionalization of Track II diplomacy—linking civil society, parliaments, and experts—to maintain peace and manage regional competition.

The report identifies a conservative USD 4.4 trillion pipeline of creditworthy sustainable bonds from 12 climate-leader countries through 2035. It argues that global megatrends—such as electrification, urbanisation, and the rise of AI—will further accelerate this pipeline beyond current projections. The document also outlines policy levers, including taxonomies and monetary policy, that governments can use to channel capital into mitigation and resilience projects.

Climate Central analysis of 221 marathons indicates that the probability of optimal, cool race-day temperatures is decreasing due to global warming. For recreational runners in the U.S., the current average chance of optimal temperatures is 27%, and this is projected to decline in 46 of 51 analyzed U.S. marathons by 2045 if high levels of heat-trapping pollution continue. The analysis highlights regional disparities, with the Northwest having the best current odds (55%) and the Southwest the worst (14%). Beyond performance, the document notes that rising heat and humidity increase risks of heat-related illness and that climate-driven air quality issues, such as wildfire smoke, further threaten runner health.

The report finds that 86% of analyzed global marathons will see a decline in the odds of optimal running conditions by 2045. While elite women are more resilient to heat, elite men are most affected, particularly at the Tokyo Marathon, which is projected to see the largest decline in ideal conditions among the Abbott World Marathon Majors. The analysis highlights that the 2025 Tokyo and Berlin Marathons experienced unusual heat made two to three times more likely by climate change. Shifting race start times to sunrise is identified as a potential adaptation to increase the likelihood of optimal temperatures for most runners.

The document outlines the economic, health, and social benefits of transitioning Canada's passenger transport sector to net-zero. It highlights that while ZEV sales are increasing, Canada remains heavily dependent on personal vehicles due to zoning laws and a preference for light-duty trucks. The brief proposes a shift toward active transport, public transit, and ZEVs to reduce emissions, lower household costs, and create jobs in battery manufacturing and transit infrastructure.

Analysis of daily minimum temperatures in Japan from 2014 to 2023 indicates that climate change has added at least eight winter days above freezing annually across the country. In 32 of 57 analyzed Japanese cities, this increase amounted to at least two additional weeks of days above freezing per year. These 'lost winter days' impact snowfall, water supplies, crops, and winter sports.

Zero Carbon Analytics finds that Japanese households with rooftop solar panels would have saved nearly 135% compared to those without in FY 2020, resulting in a net benefit of JPY 37,422 (USD 353). The report argues that Japan, which has the lowest clean energy share among G7 countries, can accelerate its energy transition by leveraging rooftop solar to overcome mountainous terrain constraints. It highlights the role of policy incentives like feed-in-tariffs (FiT) and tax credits in driving adoption in the US, EU, and UK, and suggests that Japan needs low-cost finance to reduce upfront costs and avoid diverting support toward unproven technologies like hydrogen.

Between October 1 and 6, 2024, over 120 million people in Japan experienced unusual heat that was made at least 3 times more likely by human-caused climate change. At least 74 cities recorded temperatures of 30°C or higher, with conditions 5°C to 8°C above the 1991-2020 average. The analysis uses the Climate Shift Index (CSI), noting that 259 cities reached CSI level 3, while some cities like Kusatsu, Toyota, and Miyazaki reached CSI level 5, indicating an exceptional climate change event. The document also notes broader impacts of extreme heat in Japan, including a record 252 deaths in Tokyo from a summer heat wave, reduced agricultural output for vegetables, dairy, and fish, and delayed peak fall foliage in northern and eastern regions.

The briefing argues that Japan can mitigate its high reliance on energy imports—currently 99.7% for oil, 97.7% for LNG, and 99.6% for coal—by rapidly expanding domestic renewables and upgrading its national grid. It recommends implementing a JPY 7 trillion 'Master Plan' for interregional transmission to connect resources in Hokkaido and Kyushu to Tokyo. Internationally, the document urges Japan to lead ASEAN countries in transition and disaster resilience while ensuring its own transition measures remain science-based. It specifically warns against the use of LNG as a transition fuel due to methane leakage, noting one study found the GHG footprint of US LNG is 33% greater than coal using GWP20. Finally, it proposes leveraging Japan's financial sector and the GX Plan to make Tokyo a global hub for transition finance through supportive fund management rules and alignment with international standards.

The document analyzes adaptation planning across 136 large coastal cities, finding that over 50% lack formal plans and most existing policies fail to align with actual climate risks. It introduces the ARPA and APC frameworks to measure policy alignment and credibility, noting a significant gap between planning and implementation. Furthermore, it highlights a critical lack of outcome-based monitoring and evaluation, with 95% of indicators focusing on outputs. The brief argues for the integration of 'subaltern' knowledge to improve the social legitimacy and effectiveness of urban adaptation.

The document outlines the benefits and application of the Climate Bonds Initiative's certification for commercial and residential buildings in Tokyo and 16 other Japanese cities, aiming for a zero-carbon future by 2050.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar highlights the increasing risks of extreme heat and humidity for athletes, spectators, and outdoor workers, necessitating adaptations such as rescheduling the tournament to November and December. FIFA reports that the 2022 event will generate record-high emissions of approximately 3.6 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents, primarily from travel, though the organization aims for carbon neutrality through offsetting. The document also notes that heat-related risks will continue to affect future global sporting events in regions like Australia, Europe, Mexico, the U.S., and Canada.

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) is a flexible economic initiative launched by the United States in May 2022 with 13 partner countries. Organized into four pillars—connected economy, resilient economy, clean economy, and fair economy—the framework avoids traditional tariff liberalization to prevent domestic political backlash. Early analysis suggests waning enthusiasm among partners, with some countries requesting transition periods for binding commitments and critics arguing that the lack of U.S. concessions on market access reduces the framework's credibility. While the U.S. aims to reassert influence in the region through technical assistance in decarbonization and digital standards, the durability of the IPEF remains uncertain as partners await tangible outcomes.

The document examines how rising temperatures and worsening air quality in Japan threaten the health and performance of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, specifically highlighting the risk of exertional heat stroke and the impact of ground-level ozone. It provides data on Tokyo's warming trend since 1964 and lists specific sports at high risk, such as the marathon and triathlon. Mitigation efforts include relocating the marathon to Sapporo, implementing the 'Tokyo 2020 Cooling Project', and athlete acclimatization.

The World Resources Institute criticizes Japan's decision to maintain its 2030 emissions reduction target of 26% from 2013 levels, stating the plan is 'no stronger than the one it submitted five years ago'. The author contends that Japan could strengthen its target to 42% using affordable low-carbon technologies and warns of financial risks from stranded fossil fuel assets. The document recommends that Japan increase its renewable energy target to 50% of the electricity mix by 2030, phase out domestic coal and overseas coal finance, and end fossil fuel subsidies.

The document examines the global green bond market for low-carbon buildings, highlighting the role of securitisations, covered bonds, and public infrastructure financing. It identifies Japan as a key player with significant potential to leverage these instruments for energy efficiency and climate adaptation.

The document emphasizes the urgent need to strengthen science and technology-based disaster risk reduction (DRR) capacity in Asia to meet 2030 global goals. It advocates for a shift from managing disasters to reducing risks by improving the understanding of risk dimensions, integrating risk governance into planning, and utilizing cost-benefit analyses for resilience investments. The text highlights Asia's vulnerability to high-frequency, high-intensity hazards and argues that global DRR targets cannot be achieved unless disaster casualties and property losses decrease within the region.

The briefing advocates for shifting or supplementing production-based carbon pricing with consumption-based models to eliminate the need for free allowances and exemptions that mute price signals. It highlights that pricing at the point of final consumption can prevent carbon leakage in basic materials like steel and cement, incorporate emissions from imports, and provide sub-national governments with jurisdictional autonomy. The text proposes an evolutionary implementation path, starting with undifferentiated sector benchmarks and moving toward full life-cycle carbon accounting.