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The document explains the difference between cap-and-trade systems and offsetting mechanisms, detailing the failures of the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and the risks associated with the Paris Agreement's Article 6. It highlights issues such as 'hot air' credits, double counting, and the lack of local safeguards. It also assesses the CORSIA aviation scheme and the voluntary carbon market, arguing that the global community must move beyond offsetting toward direct climate finance to achieve net-zero emissions.

The report identifies five major barriers to climate-aligned finance: structural challenges to influencing the real economy, competitive disadvantage, varying alignment methodologies, multiple decarbonization pathways, and inadequate data. It argues that while divestment alone is insufficient, financial institutions can use levers such as sustainability-linked loans, transition finance, and collective action initiatives (e.g., Climate Action 100+, Poseidon Principles) to drive decarbonization. The document emphasizes the need for harmonized assessment methodologies, industry-informed decarbonization pathways, and standardized reporting to move the financial sector from a reactive to a proactive role in the low-carbon transition.

As of July 2020, 19 countries and the European Union have adopted net-zero targets. The document compares these targets across several dimensions: the coverage of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and domestic sectors, the target year for achievement, whether separate emissions reduction targets exist, the use of international GHG mitigation, and the legal status of the targets.

The document outlines a framework for establishing comprehensive net-zero targets, emphasizing the need for all-sector and all-gas coverage, the setting of separate emissions reduction targets to avoid over-reliance on carbon removals, and the importance of transparent communication and participatory design processes.

The report analyses a network of 208 Telegram channels, finding that the platform's limited content moderation makes it a 'safe space' for white supremacists to share pro-terrorist content, tactical guides for violence, and anti-minority hate speech. It highlights a shift toward a 'post-organisational' model of extremism where online networks replace formal group affiliations. The analysis reveals high interconnectivity between channels, the use of 'boogaloo' civil war narratives, and the glorification of lone-actor terrorists.

Reclaim Finance responds to the ACPR's consultation on climate stress tests in France, warning that the current framework may underestimate risks. The organization advocates for a precautionary approach regarding fossil fuel exposure, more precise international risk accounting, and a critical review of the 'dynamic balance sheet' assumption. It also suggests that the 'orderly transition' reference scenario is unlikely and that the exercise fails to account for systemic shocks like the coronavirus pandemic.

The GEC Steering Group reviewed four strategic priorities, all of which were downgraded to 'amber' status due to the challenges and increased expectations brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. The group evaluated two major programmes: 'Economics for Nature' and the 'EC dialogues programme', emphasizing the need for better governance and integration with the GEC's COVID-19 campaign. The Steering Group unanimously decided that the GEC must launch a COVID-19 intervention, focusing on structural economic reforms and societal demand for a green recovery, while noting the need for additional funding to avoid unrealistic expectations.

As of June 23, 2020, Ghana recorded 14,568 Covid-19 cases and 95 deaths, leading to severe pressure on health infrastructure and the economy. The government responded by implementing partial lockdowns in Accra, Kumasi, and Kasoa, and later announced an ambitious plan to build 88 hospitals in districts currently lacking them. Financial measures included a $100m initial commitment, GHS 600m for SMEs, and utility bill relief. The pandemic disrupted the informal sector, affected road development priorities, and complicated the 2020 general election preparations, specifically the compilation of a new voters' register.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) supports the European Commission's goal of at least 55% emissions reductions by 2030 and argues that achieving carbon neutrality by mid-century requires a diverse portfolio of advanced technologies beyond wind and solar. CATF recommends optimizing the EU ETS to fund commercial-scale demonstrations of carbon capture and hydrogen, implementing mandatory leak detection and repair for oil and gas systems, and using the EU's purchasing power to pressure major gas suppliers like Russia and Qatar to reduce methane emissions.

The report details how private equity firms continue to acquire coal assets in the US, India, the Philippines, and Europe, often facing financial failure or environmental criticism. While US coal consumption dropped 44% since 2010 and utilities plan to retire dozens of plants by 2025, firms like KKR, Blackstone, and Macquarie have pursued coal investments that have resulted in bankruptcies or increased emissions. The document highlights a disconnect between the global need to reduce coal for the Paris Agreement and the investment strategies of private equity, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic further reduces energy demand.

The Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019 establishes a framework for Aotearoa (New Zealand) to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions (excluding biogenic methane) by 2050. The law introduces five-year emissions budgets, an independent Climate Change Commission to provide expert advice and monitoring, and a requirement for the government to produce public action plans and national climate risk assessments every six years. Notably, the Act differentiates between long-lived and short-lived pollutants by setting a separate target for biogenic methane: a 10% reduction from 2017 levels by 2030 and a 24% to 47% reduction by 2050. The legislation also mandates the inclusion of Māori and iwi through consultations, the integration of traditional knowledge, and the recognition of the Treaty of Waitangi in climate planning.

The document analyzes Manitoba's 2018 climate accountability legislation, highlighting its use of a 'carbon savings account' with five-year cumulative emission reduction targets and an independent expert advisory council. While praising the framework's governance and the advantage of cumulative budgets over annual targets, the study notes that the absence of long-term targets and a multi-budget strategy reduces predictability and accountability for investors and policymakers.

The document examines Manitoba's 2018 climate accountability legislation, highlighting the Carbon Savings Account (CSA) and the role of the Expert Advisory Council. While praising the cumulative emissions budget approach, it notes that the lack of long-term targets and the practice of setting budgets one-at-a-time reduce predictability and accountability.

The report argues that a well-designed climate accountability framework can increase government transparency and coordination across different levels of government to meet 2030 and 2050 targets. Based on international and domestic case studies, it identifies six common elements of such frameworks and proposes a national Canadian model that balances federal leadership with subnational flexibility.

The document examines the 2019 Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act of Aotearoa New Zealand, highlighting its accountability framework, the role of the Climate Change Commission, and its specific approach to biogenic methane and Indigenous engagement.

The document analyzes the 2019 amendments to British Columbia's Climate Change Accountability Act, which established a broader climate accountability framework. Key features include the requirement for intermediate and sector-specific emission targets, the creation of an independent advisory committee (the Climate Solutions Council), and enhanced reporting obligations for the provincial government and public bodies. While the author notes that regular reporting improves transparency, the study identifies several gaps: a lack of independent oversight to monitor government progress, the absence of formal requirements to actually reduce climate risks, and no codified mechanism for reviewing long-term emission targets, such as the 2050 goal.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) supports the European Commission's vision for clean hydrogen but urges a broader approach that includes carbon capture and storage and nuclear energy alongside renewables to accelerate decarbonization. CATF recommends sustained financial support for production demonstrations, investment in storage and delivery infrastructure, and cost assistance for hydrogen use in heavy industry and transport. Additionally, the document emphasizes the need for international collaboration, particularly with North African countries and the United Kingdom, and the implementation of transparent carbon intensity assessments for supplied hydrogen.

Ember argues that the 4th Projects of Common Interest (PCI) list should be the last to include fossil gas projects, as current infrastructure is sufficient and demand is projected to decrease by 2030. The organization advocates for prioritizing renewable energy sources (RES), energy storage, and smart grid technologies to meet EU emission targets, while suggesting that the responsibility for writing the Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) be expanded beyond the two ENTSOs to reduce conflicts of interest.

The We Mean Business coalition calls on governments to integrate climate action into economic recovery plans following the Covid-19 pandemic. Citing support from over 700 businesses, the statement advocates for prioritizing investments in clean power, electric mobility, zero-carbon infrastructure, and nature-based solutions to avoid future systemic shocks and create a sustainable labour market.

ClientEarth urges the UK government to mandate that companies receiving public recovery funds commit to TCFD reporting, net zero emissions by 2050, Paris-aligned business plans, linked executive remuneration, and restrictions on executive pay and capital distributions.