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This report summarizes interviews with 22 UNFCCC stakeholders to analyze the dynamics of consensus-building in climate negotiations. It introduces a Policy Dialogue Model focusing on political context, negotiation dynamics, and group processes, while highlighting the importance of interpersonal trust, the role of 'hybrid' negotiators (combining diplomacy and technical expertise), and the critical influence of capable chairs. The findings suggest that reducing the frequency of meetings and increasing informal dialogue could enhance the quality of outcomes, while cautioning that moving from consensus to majority voting could undermine the process's inclusivity.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative compares energy efficiency policies for buildings in China, Germany, and the United States. It analyzes four primary policy intervention points—new construction, building retrofit, equipment, and operations—and examines how different national building stocks, climatic conditions, and economic environments shape the priorities and effectiveness of these policies.

The research paper evaluates the Platinum Sector Peace and Stability Accord, arguing that while it provides a framework to manage conflict and prevent violence at South African platinum mines, it cannot resolve the broader socio-economic and market crises facing the industry.

This executive summary by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that stricter laws and regulations regarding hazardous chemicals act as drivers for innovation rather than obstacles. By analyzing patent filings and case studies, the document demonstrates how the prospect of stronger regulation encourages the development and market adoption of safer chemical alternatives.

This briefing examines how public authorities can manage and modify existing public-private partnerships (PPPs) to improve their economic, environmental, and social sustainability. Using the United Kingdom's Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and its transition to Private Finance 2 (PF2) as a primary case study, the document provides a framework for 'health checks' to assess value-for-money, life-cycle environmental impacts, and social returns during the lifetime of long-term contracts.

This executive summary details an impact analysis of environmental fees in Estonia from 2000 to 2011, conducted by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Tallinn and the University of Tartu's RAKE center. The study evaluates how these fees—specifically resource use fees and pollution charges—affect corporate behavior, competitiveness, and the overall efficiency of resource use and pollution reduction in Estonia.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute explores extraction-based emissions accounting as a method to track greenhouse gas emissions associated with the supply of fossil fuels, contrasting it with traditional territorial and consumption-based frameworks to better assess economic risks and producer responsibility.

This research synthesis brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) outlines strategies for transitioning biomass-dependent energy economies toward cleaner cooking stoves and fuels. It emphasizes the need for market transformation over isolated project installations, advocating for user-centered design and a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, and economic drivers of household energy decisions.

This research paper evaluates the potential economic impact of Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs) on Chinese exports, specifically focusing on proposed schemes from the United States and the European Union. Using 2007 input-output tables and IPCC methodology, the authors analyze how different carbon pricing, product coverage, and emission calculation methods (direct vs. embodied) affect the vulnerability of various industrial sectors.

This executive summary from the Climate Policy Initiative assesses climate finance flows in Germany for the year 2010. It maps the sources, intermediaries, and sectors of investment to understand the current level of funding and the role of public policy in mobilizing private capital for the energy transition (Energiewende).

This executive summary from the Climate Policy Initiative provides a snapshot of climate finance in Germany for the year 2010. It analyzes the volume of investments, the primary sources of funding, and the effectiveness of policy instruments, while highlighting significant gaps in data collection and monitoring (MRV) systems.

This 2012 report by the Climate Policy Initiative evaluates the preparedness of China, Germany, Italy, and the United States to meet emerging measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) needs. It finds that while most countries are well-positioned for emissions tracking, significant gaps exist in tracking the impact of mitigation actions, particularly regarding sub-national data in China and the U.S., and policy comparability in Germany and the U.S.

This document is an address by Aaron Cosbey of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) delivered to the 49th Session of UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Board on September 25, 2012. Cosbey argues that the outcomes of the Rio+20 conference are insufficient for guiding states through the trade tensions arising from the transition to a green economy. He highlights the conflict between the use of green industrial policies—such as subsidies and local content requirements—and their impact on the multilateral trading system, particularly for developing countries. Cosbey calls for a non-legal, non-negotiating framework, potentially led by UNCTAD, to determine the propriety and effectiveness of these measures before they escalate into formal trade disputes.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the effectiveness of investment incentives in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). It argues that fiscal incentives cannot compensate for a weak investment climate and recommends a transition from automatic tax holidays toward targeted, performance-based incentives and transparent tax administration.

This case study by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the Ouarzazate I Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project in Morocco. It examines how a public-private partnership (PPP) model, supported by significant international concessional finance and government subsidies, was used to overcome the high capital costs and commercial immaturity of CSP technology to establish a foundation for a larger regional solar portfolio.

This research paper evaluates the potential of biofuels to help the UK meet emission reduction targets set in the Low Carbon Transition Plan (LCTP) and EU obligations, using a hybrid life-cycle assessment across four scenarios.

This research paper analyzes the compatibility of the Australian Government's Illegal Logging Prohibition Bill with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. It examines the bill's proposals to ban illegally logged timber imports and domestic processing, while requiring due diligence from importers and processors. The authors conclude that the legislation is likely WTO-compatible provided it is implemented non-discriminatorily and does not afford protection to domestic products.

This research paper evaluates the MRV systems of China, Germany, Italy, and the United States, finding that while emissions tracking is generally robust and standardized due to international frameworks (UNFCCC/IPCC), the tracking of mitigation actions is fragmented, less transparent, and lacks consistent methodologies. The report highlights that mandatory and international policies have stronger MRV than voluntary domestic ones and emphasizes the need for better cost-effectiveness analysis to inform policy design.

This briefing describes the outcomes of the May 2012 Bonn Climate Change Conference, focusing on the initialization of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP) and ongoing tensions regarding the Kyoto Protocol's second commitment period and climate financing.

This research paper analyzes the challenges and opportunities for establishing a common trade and investment agenda among the BRICS nations. It highlights the tension between complementary economic relationships—where China imports resources from Brazil, Russia, and South Africa—and conflicting national strategies to promote domestic manufacturing. The author suggests that BRICS cooperation should focus on resuscitating the WTO Doha round, engaging with China's shift toward a consumption-led economic model, and coordinating currency reform positions within the G20.