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Vlaams Belang (VB) has evolved from a marginalised, racist movement into a major political force in Flanders. Despite being largely excluded from government by a 'cordon sanitaire', VB has successfully shifted the political discourse on immigration and crime, influencing other parties to adopt more right-wing stances. Recent breakthroughs in municipal elections, including an absolute majority in Ninove and a coalition in Ranst, signal a potential erosion of the political isolation that has historically defined the party's relationship with the Belgian state.

The author analyzes the ascent of far-right populism in Europe and globally, attributing its success to the exploitation of economic insecurities and the use of 'culture wars' to fuel cultural panic. The text highlights how mainstream parties have assimilated far-right stances, particularly on immigration and climate policy. It positions political ecology as a radical alternative and argues that the most effective way to confront the far right is to mobilize majorities around a desired progressive world rather than centering the narratives of the right.

The document examines the challenge of carbon leakage, where carbon pricing in one jurisdiction drives emissions to others. It evaluates several policy responses: international carbon pricing frameworks, Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs), carbon cost containment (such as free allocations in ETS), subsidies, and product standards. Each tool is analyzed based on its effectiveness in preventing leakage, its impact on decarbonization incentives, administrative complexity, and potential conflicts with WTO law or international principles like 'common but differentiated responsibilities'.

The document introduces a novel five-step modelling framework designed to identify power infrastructure vulnerabilities and design cost-optimal decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions for islands and low-lying states. The framework involves identifying disruption hotspots, assessing disruptive potential, designing DRE systems using HOMER Pro, integrating local contextual factors, and evaluating resilience improvements. Testing the framework in Cuba revealed that municipalities with high electricity demand from industries and large buildings are most vulnerable to single-point failures. The results demonstrate that while DRE systems—incorporating solar PV, wind, battery storage, and biomass—improve power supply continuity, their effectiveness and cost are heavily influenced by local contexts, such as the US embargo on Cuba, which increased capital investment costs by 5-40% compared to global scenarios.

The report identifies a massive boom in LNG infrastructure, with 156 new terminals planned by 2030, supported by hundreds of billions of dollars from global banks and investors. Despite IEA guidance that new export terminals are unnecessary for net zero, financing has increased, led primarily by US and Japanese banks and US-based investors, with almost no financial institutions effectively restricting services for LNG expansion.

Reclaim Finance identifies banks and investors funding the expansion of LNG terminals, noting that 400 banks provided $213 billion and 400 investors held $252 billion in exposure between 2021 and May 2024. The report highlights that US and Japanese banks, as well as major US asset managers like BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street, are primary drivers of this growth, which contradicts IEA Net Zero scenarios.

The document analyzes the factors driving the high demand for BRICS membership, introducing the concept of 'magnetic pull'—where ideas about development and systemic reform act as coalition magnets. It traces the group's expansion from South Africa's entry in 2010 to the 2023 enlargement (adding Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE) and the 2024 introduction of a 'Partner Country' category. While the group's appeal is rooted in South-South cooperation and de-dollarization, the author notes challenges to internal cohesion and the limits of its attraction, as seen in Argentina's rejection of membership.

The document identifies concentrated carbon capture as a "safe bet" for industrial processes with high-concentration CO2 streams, such as cement and ammonia production, while categorizing non-concentrated applications (e.g., natural gas power) as "risky bets." It highlights the technology's potential role in Canada's net-zero pathways, noting that while it could reduce oil and gas emissions by 17 to 50 megatonnes by 2030, its large-scale deployment depends on long-term policy certainty and government financial support, including investment tax credits.

The document identifies smart grids as a 'safe bet' for Canada's energy transition, noting that while technologies like smart meters and virtual power plants are proven, their widespread adoption is hindered by regulatory barriers and consumer hesitation. It highlights existing provincial initiatives in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia as models for scaling digital grid infrastructure to manage increasing electricity demand and integrate variable renewable energy.

Onshore wind is a mature, low-cost technology central to Canada's energy transition, though its rapid expansion is hindered by slow regulatory approvals and local resistance.

The document describes onshore wind energy as a mature, cost-effective technology essential for the decarbonization of Canada's electrical grid. It highlights Canada's position as a global leader in installed capacity and identifies regulatory hurdles and social acceptance as the primary barriers to faster deployment.

The document discusses the outcome of the INC-5 plastics treaty negotiations in Busan, noting that while no deal was reached, there is momentum for a treaty addressing the entire plastics life cycle. It highlights the tension between countries seeking strong rules on production and consumption and oil-producing nations resisting such measures, while calling for an equitable and holistic global agreement in future sessions.

Covering Climate Now (CCNow) is a collaboration of over 500 partner news outlets that provides free training, analysis, and awards to journalists globally to improve the impact and quality of climate reporting. The organization emphasizes the necessity of an independent press and a vigorous democracy to achieve climate progress and is seeking donations to maintain its free services.

This report by QuotaClimat examines how climate disinformation has moved from social media fringes into mainstream news outlets, particularly in France. It identifies structural vulnerabilities in the media industry—such as financial crises, the rise of 'infotainment', and a regulatory vacuum—that allow anti-science narratives to proliferate. The document argues that news media, despite their perceived credibility, often act as channels for disinformation through 'false balance' and selective framing. It concludes by advocating for a new legislative framework in France to mandate environmental coverage standards and strengthen the role of the regulator, Arcom.

The document examines the feasibility of establishing green hydrogen-based ironmaking in developing nations to export green iron to developed markets. It analyzes technical and market hurdles, such as clean electricity supply and the 'green premium', while proposing commercial structures and financing requirements involving debt and equity to make such projects bankable.

Earthjustice reports a series of legal victories in 2024, including a landmark settlement to decarbonize Hawaii's transportation system by 2045, the cessation of coal leasing in the Powder River Basin, and a historic Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruling requiring Peru to remediate lead pollution in La Oroya. The organization also secured wins against cryptomining operations in New York, fossil fuel infrastructure expansion in New Jersey, and the loss of wetlands protections following the U.S. Supreme Court's Sackett v. EPA decision, notably helping Colorado pass legislation to reinstate wetland protections in May 2024. Additionally, the report highlights efforts to regulate PFAS in plastic containers, limit lead wheel weights, and protect endangered species such as the Cook Inlet beluga whale and Pacific sardine.

The document analyzes the synergy between NAPs and NDCs, finding that while most countries show partial alignment, the 2025 NDC update offers a strategic opportunity to better integrate adaptation priorities, improve data quality, and attract international finance.

The report argues that COP29 failed to advance human rights-based climate action, citing a weak new climate finance goal, the operationalization of flawed carbon markets, and a restrictive civic environment in the host country. It highlights the removal of references to the right to a healthy environment and the lack of progress on just transition and gender justice, calling for stronger legal obligations and human rights safeguards in future UNFCCC processes.

The compendium details the legal arguments presented from December 2 to December 13, 2024, at the ICJ. It highlights a fundamental divide between climate-vulnerable nations and several high-emitting States. Vulnerable nations, including many Small Island Developing States (SIDS), argue for a 'harmonious interpretation' of international law, asserting that obligations to prevent transboundary harm and protect human rights exist independently of and complement the Paris Agreement. They demand accountability for historical emissions and full reparations, including debt cancellation. Conversely, a minority of high-emitting States, such as the United States, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, argue that the UN climate treaty regime (UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement) is the exclusive source of State obligations, seeking to limit liability and reject the applicability of customary international law or human rights law to climate mitigation.

The report argues that the EU's REACH Authorisation regime, designed to phase out the most hazardous chemicals, is undermined by widespread non-compliance and a lack of deterrent enforcement. It highlights that 40% of inspected companies fail to meet their obligations, yet authorities frequently rely on 'written advice' rather than dissuasive sanctions. Through case studies in France, Germany, and Spain, the document exposes a lack of transparency, with authorities often withholding enforcement data by citing commercial interests. It concludes that the European Commission and ECHA lack sufficient oversight of national enforcement, and recommends a stricter accountability framework, more frequent reporting, and the creation of public registries of infringements to incentivize compliance.