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This report by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the intersection of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and climate sustainability. It argues that while industrialization is a socio-political imperative for Africa, the continent must adopt sustainable production and trade practices to maintain global market access and competitiveness. The document highlights significant financial gaps in trade and energy transition and proposes innovative financing mechanisms and policy frameworks to align Africa's economic growth with its climate goals ahead of COP28.

This report by Ember analyzes the underreporting of coal mine methane (CMM) emissions, finding that global emissions may be up to twice as high as government figures reported to the UNFCCC. It highlights systemic failures in monitoring, noting that 97% of reported emissions rely on general emission factors rather than direct measurement, and recommends mandatory direct monitoring, satellite verification, and international support for low-income countries to mitigate this potent greenhouse gas.

The African Climate Foundation (ACF) issued a statement outlining its priorities for COP28, calling for equitable progress on the Global Stocktake, adaptation, finance, and loss and damage to ensure that climate actions do not exacerbate Africa's vulnerability or hinder its sustainable development.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the role of the UNFCCC in addressing fossil fuel subsidies, specifically focusing on opportunities at COP 28 and beyond. It highlights the gap between government rhetoric and the record USD 1.3 trillion in subsidies provided in 2022, arguing that the UNFCCC can strengthen global commitments through clear deadlines, improved transparency in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and integration into climate finance discussions.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics argues for a rigorous, science-based definition of 'unabated fossil fuels' to prevent the use of weak policies and inadequate technologies from undermining the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C. It highlights that while the term has become central to G7, G20, and UN climate negotiations, the lack of a consensus definition allows for interpretations that may include low carbon capture rates or ignore upstream emissions.

This report by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the distinctions, controversies, and global implementation of biodiversity offsetting and biodiversity credits (biocredits). It contrasts offsetting—a mandatory mitigation tool for development impacts—with biocredits, which are voluntary investments in conservation. The document highlights ecological and ethical concerns regarding the 'no net loss' principle and the potential for greenwashing, while detailing the efforts of the UK, France, Australia, and the EU to establish nature markets.

The 2023 update report by the NewClimate Institute analyzes projected greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions up to 2030 for 25 countries, comparing current policy outcomes against Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). While aggregated emissions projections remain stable, the report identifies significant shifts in individual countries and a persistent gap between current policies and the 43% reduction required for Paris Agreement alignment.

This background note provides energy production and demand forecasts for Africa and the global community up to 2043, based on the International Futures (IFs) forecasting platform. It details the transition of energy sources, the growth of African energy demand driven by population increases, and the status of fossil fuel reserves and renewable energy projects across the continent.

This briefing note by the Institute for Security Studies examines the outlook for natural gas in Africa up to 2043, highlighting the tension between significant proven reserves and a global market facing slowing demand and potential supply gluts.

This background note from the Institute for Security Studies projects that Africa, following its current development trajectory, will eventually become the primary global source of carbon emissions from fossil fuels, surpassing the emissions of the EU, USA, India, and China by 2061.

This background note provides historical data and forecasts for global and African energy demand and production up to 2043, highlighting the role of population growth in driving energy needs and the slow transition away from fossil fuels.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative examines investment opportunities in Brazil's agri-food sector through the lens of low-carbon transition frameworks. It highlights that agriculture and land use drive nearly 75% of Brazil's gross GHG emissions and introduces the 'Five Principles' and 'Five Hallmarks' as tools for investors to verify the credibility of corporate transition plans. Through case studies of Syngenta and Amaggi, the report illustrates the gap between public sustainability commitments and the need for detailed financial strategies and absolute emission reductions. It also reviews Brazilian financial instruments like LCAs and CRAs, noting a potential green investment opportunity of US$ 163 billion by 2030, while warning of regulatory pressures from the EU's Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

This guide, prepared by the Climate Bonds Initiative, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Green Climate Fund, provides a step-by-step framework for corporate issuers to finance their climate transition using thematic bonds. It details the process of creating a credible transition plan, selecting appropriate debt labels—such as green, sustainability, or sustainability-linked bonds—and establishing a sustainable financing framework to ensure alignment with the Paris Agreement goals.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative examines the role of fossil gas in sustainable finance taxonomies, arguing that fugitive methane emissions significantly increase the climate impact of gas-fired power generation, often making it comparable to coal. It analyzes various global taxonomies and concludes that the strict criteria for fossil gas inclusion in the EU Taxonomy make such projects economically unviable compared to renewable energy alternatives.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative outlines a framework for investors to identify credible transition opportunities in Brazil's agri-food sector. It emphasizes the need for entity-level transition plans aligned with 1.5°C goals, using case studies of Syngenta and Amaggi to demonstrate the application of the 'Triple A' (Ambition, Action, Accountability) framework. The report also analyzes Brazilian financial instruments like LCAs and CRAs and highlights the impact of international regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) on Brazilian exports.

This report by RMI argues that financial institutions (FIs) can use asset-level emissions modeling and remote detection technologies to identify and fund methane abatement in the oil and gas sector. It highlights that methane emissions from equivalent volumes of oil and gas can vary by a factor of 10 or more, and that a significant portion of these emissions can be reduced through cost-neutral or profitable investments. The document advocates for the use of 20-year Global Warming Potential (GWP) metrics to better reflect near-term climate risks and the impact of new regulations, such as the US Inflation Reduction Act's methane fee.

This policy brief by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) examines options for international trade-related cooperation to address plastic pollution, specifically focusing on single-use plastics. It analyzes existing national legislative approaches, proposes criteria for identifying problematic plastics, and outlines pathways for collective action through the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the development of a global plastics treaty.

This report by Ember analyzes global power sector emissions and electricity generation for the first half of 2023, noting that emissions plateaued due to a historic decline in hydropower output that offset gains from wind and solar growth.

This case study by RMI examines the Mississippi Clean Hydrogen Hub (MCHH), developed in collaboration with Hy Stor Energy, to demonstrate how large-scale geological storage of green hydrogen can enhance energy security and resiliency for the United States and its international partners. The document details how the MCHH can provide a secure, zero-carbon energy supply to critical industrial sectors, reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets and imported commodities, and support strategic trade partners in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

An analysis by Ember on per capita coal power emissions across G20 economies from 2015 to 2022, highlighting that while over half of these nations have seen declines, Australia and South Korea remain the highest polluters per capita.