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This report analyzes the impact of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) on coffee production in the East African Community (EAC) and its role in accessing the EU market. Meta-analysis shows that mulching, organic manure, and irrigation significantly increase yields, while agroforestry substantially boosts carbon sequestration. The EU is a primary export destination, accounting for 60.1% of EAC coffee exports in 2021, but access requires compliance with strict sustainability, deforestation, and phytosanitary regulations.

This briefing note by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) examines the expansion and dynamics of global carbon markets, categorizing them into compliance-based, voluntary, and multilateral systems under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. It analyzes the trade implications of these markets, including competitiveness concerns and the use of mechanisms like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), while highlighting the specific opportunities and financial challenges facing developing countries in adopting these tools.

The report by RMI and the Green Hydrogen Catapult proposes the creation of 'green iron corridors' to decarbonize the steel sector. This strategy involves splitting production: ironmaking occurs in regions with abundant iron ore and renewable energy, while steelmaking remains in manufacturing hubs. This approach aims to reduce emissions and costs by leveraging renewable hydrogen-based ironmaking.

This briefing examines how Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) can serve as policy tools and 'laboratories' to promote climate action and inform multilateral negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO). It argues that while PTAs often have a broader scope for environmental provisions than the WTO, many current provisions remain vague and weak, requiring improved design in areas such as fossil fuel subsidies, environmental goods, and investment protections.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International and partners arguing that the current multilateral system, led by the United Nations, has failed to address global crises due to the dominance of corporate interests and geopolitical power struggles, calling for a democratic restructuring of global governance.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International, Transnational Institute, and IT for Change criticizing the current UN-led multilateral system as a failure that prioritizes corporate interests and neoliberalism over the needs of the Global South and the planet.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International, Transnational Institute, and IT for Change arguing that the current UN-led multilateral system has failed due to corporate capture and geopolitical conflict, and calling for a democratic global government to address climate and social crises.

This report outlines the potential and challenges of the global bioeconomy, emphasizing the need for an integrated, equitable, and sustainable approach to financing and governance to support a low-carbon, nature-positive economy.

A case study by the NewClimate Institute, commissioned by Greenpeace e.V. and Germanwatch e.V., analyzing the impact of delayed climate action in Germany's transport sector on future generations and the feasibility of achieving climate neutrality by 2045 or 2050.

This policy brief examines China's dominant role in Africa's critical minerals sector, highlighting the tension between increased investment and the lack of local value addition. It argues that while China's infrastructure-led approach and state support provide a competitive edge, African nations must shift from exporting raw materials to developing domestic processing and refining capabilities to avoid the 'resource curse' and benefit from the global energy transition.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines whether deep sea mining is necessary for the clean energy transition. It concludes that deep sea mining is unlikely to alleviate short-term mineral supply crunches because the technology for commercial extraction and processing is not yet available, and the steepest growth in mineral demand is expected before 2035. The document highlights that there is no physical scarcity of critical minerals in the earth's crust, but rather supply risks driven by lack of investment, recycling, and geopolitical concentration of processing in China. It suggests that sustainable land mining, supply diversification, recycling, and material substitution are more viable alternatives to deep sea mining, which carries significant unknown environmental risks.

This policy brief examines the global race to secure critical minerals for green and digital industrial revolutions, detailing the strategies of the US, EU, UK, Canada, and China. It argues that African countries can leverage their mineral wealth through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by adopting a 'climate-resilient developmental regionalism' approach to build regional value chains and achieve sustainable structural transformation.

A speech delivered by WTO Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam on 4 July 2024, discussing the evolving relationship between global trade and environmental sustainability. Paugam argues that the WTO must move beyond a history of 'benign neglect' toward the environment to address current climate-driven trade disruptions and the risks of trade fragmentation caused by uncoordinated green policies.

The report "Financiando uma Bioeconomia Global Sustentável" (September 2024) analyzes the current and future interaction between finance and the bioeconomy. It advocates for a sustainable, equitable, and nature-positive bioeconomy as a cornerstone for a low-carbon global economy, emphasizing the role of the G20, international cooperation, and innovative financial instruments to bridge investment gaps and protect biodiversity.

This report summarizes stakeholder dialogues from Brazil, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam regarding the design, implementation, and impacts of border carbon adjustments (BCAs). It examines BCAs as a tool to prevent carbon leakage, compares the emerging systems in the EU and UK, and details stakeholder concerns regarding emissions measurement, equity for developing nations, and the potential for trade frictions.

This research paper, prepared for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality by the Stockholm Environment Institute, discusses the rationale and methodology for setting consumption-based greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. It argues that supplementing Oregon's existing sector-based targets with consumption-based goals would provide a more comprehensive and equitable approach to climate mitigation by accounting for the full carbon footprint of goods and services consumed within the state.

This report by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) provides guidance on the design and implementation of trade-related circular economy policies and measures (TrCEMs). It aims to help governments create frameworks that achieve environmental and public health goals while minimizing trade costs and supporting fair transitions, particularly for developing countries.

This research paper by Global Energy Monitor analyzes the market dominance of the top three gas turbine manufacturers—GE Vernova, Siemens Energy, and Mitsubishi Power—and the financial and geopolitical risks they face as the energy transition accelerates. The report highlights the industry's reliance on 'hydrogen-ready' technology and long-term service contracts as precarious strategies in the face of rising renewable energy capacity and potential gas power overcapacity.

This research paper examines the intersection of the G7's climate and energy agendas with South Africa's role as a representative for African interests. It analyzes the outcomes of the Italian G7 presidency, including the Energy for Growth in Africa Initiative and the Mattei Plan, while highlighting tensions over 'green protectionism' and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR-RC).

This report examines the sustainability of the avocado value chain in East Africa, specifically regarding exports to the European Union, and identifies the requirements for smallholder farmers to transition to sustainable practices.