Search Climate Insights Directory

The Climate Bonds Initiative's Green Bonds Global State of the Market 2019 report analyzes the growth and trends of the global green bond market in 2019. It highlights a record issuance of USD 258.9 billion, the expansion of the market into new countries, the dominance of non-financial corporates as the top issuer type, and the increasing role of Certified Climate Bonds and external reviews in ensuring alignment with climate goals.

This research paper outlines the transition of public procurement from an administrative task to a strategic lever for sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean, providing four regional case studies and ten essential ingredients for reform.

This briefing is a report from the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), prepared for the 28th Conference of the Parties (CoP-28) on August 19, 2020. It details the EC's activities, recommendations for the IAI Scientific Agenda, and the status of financial reporting and budget approvals.

This briefing report from the Chair of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC) outlines activities and recommendations for the 49th meeting on 19 August 2020. It focuses on the transition of EC membership, the development of a flexible funding mechanism for the Americas, the revision of the IAI Scientific agenda, and pending financial reports and budget approvals for the Conference of the Parties (CoP-28).

This briefing document, prepared by the President of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), outlines the activities, recommendations, and administrative matters to be discussed during the EC's 49th meeting on August 19, 2020.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment within the mining sector. It examines immediate disruptions to labor and supply chains, the varying risks across the mining lifecycle, and the short-term responses from governments and corporations. The document concludes with strategic recommendations to build long-term resilience through automation, local procurement, and updated regulatory frameworks.

This briefing outlines the history and current state of the WTO's Informal Working Group (IWG) on Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs). It details the group's efforts to identify trade barriers and propose non-binding outcomes—such as improved access to information, trade finance, and the application of a "Small Business Lens" in regulation—to be presented at the Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12). The document also compares these efforts with SME provisions in regional trade agreements like the CPTPP and USMCA.

This report provides a detailed history and status update on the efforts of an informal Working Group of over 90 World Trade Organization (WTO) Members to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). It outlines the group's activities from 2018 to early 2020, focusing on improving MSME access to information, trade finance, and global markets, while analyzing the role of regional trade agreements and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these initiatives.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on April 24, 2020, between the Executive Direction of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the Latin American Cooperation of Advanced Networks (CLARA) to promote collaboration in science, technology, and innovation in Latin America.

This fact sheet details a green bond issuance by Atlantica Yield (now Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure), a UK-headquartered sustainable infrastructure company. The bond, issued on April 3, 2020, raised EUR 290 million (USD 320 million) via private placement to finance renewable energy projects and transmission lines.

This briefing paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute analyzes the Green Climate Fund's (GCF) allocation of energy finance between 2015 and July 2018. It finds that the GCF significantly underfunds energy access projects compared to large-scale renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, and that funding largely bypasses 'high-impact' countries and low-income nations most in need of energy access.

The report details the 27th meeting of the IAI Conference of the Parties (CoP-27) held in Brasilia, Brazil, in June 2019. Key outcomes include the adoption of a new Strategic Plan and a revised Scientific Agenda, the renewal of the Executive Director's mandate, and the approval of the 2019-2020 operating budget. The meeting highlighted critical financial sustainability challenges due to inflation and unpaid contributions. Strategic initiatives discussed include the creation of a flexible funding mechanism with the Belmont Forum, the implementation of a science-policy fellowship program (STeP), and the expansion of open data cooperation through South-South partnerships. The IAI also expanded its network by inviting research institutes from Colombia and Panama to become associates.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the impact of the Zona Franca de Manaus (ZFM) on the Brazilian industrial sector, focusing on tax incentives, sectoral production, and workforce distribution compared to the rest of Brazil.

The 2020 Global Electricity Review by Ember analyzes global electricity generation changes in 2019, highlighting a record 3% fall in global coal-fired generation and a corresponding 2% drop in power sector CO2 emissions. While the EU and US saw significant coal collapses, China's coal generation rose, making it responsible for over half of global coal generation for the first time. Wind and solar generation grew by 15%, though the report notes that this growth rate is slowing and may be insufficient to meet Paris Agreement goals without concerted global effort.

The 'Boom and Bust 2020' report by Global Energy Monitor and partners analyzes global coal power plant trends in 2019. It highlights a general decline in new coal project proposals and construction, though China remains a significant outlier with continued capacity increases. The report emphasizes the growing gap between current trends and the IPCC's requirement to reduce coal power by 80% by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and partners analyzes global coal-fired power plant trends in 2019, noting a general decline in new project planning and construction, contrasted by a net increase in global capacity driven primarily by China.

This report by Global Energy Monitor, Sierra Club, Greenpeace, and CREA analyzes global coal power plant trends in 2019. It highlights a general decline in new coal development and operational capacity globally, though this trend is heavily skewed by China, which continued to increase its capacity. The report details the financial pressures on the coal industry, the role of public funding, and regional shifts in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the OECD.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the increasing trend of states terminating old-generation bilateral investment treaties (BITs) to reform investment regimes. It details the legal mechanisms for termination under international law, analyzes common termination and survival clauses, and provides recommendations for states on how to manage the extinction of these treaties and draft new ones.

Red Eléctrica issued a EUR 700 million green bond on 24 January 2020 to fund renewable energy integration and clean transportation projects. The issuance supports Spain's target of 100% renewable electricity by 2050 and includes commitments to detailed annual reporting on asset distribution and CO2 emissions avoided.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law analyzes the outcomes of the COP25 climate negotiations held in December 2019 in Madrid, focusing on the integration of human rights into climate policies. It highlights a disconnect between the urgency demanded by global activists and the lack of ambition shown by negotiating Parties, while detailing specific developments regarding carbon markets, loss and damage, and gender action plans.