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This report by Global Energy Monitor and its partners analyzes the state of global coal-fired power generation as of April 2023. It details a diverging trend where coal capacity is declining in most of the world—particularly in the US and EU—while China continues a massive expansion of new plants. The document evaluates the alignment of national commitments with the Paris Agreement and provides regional updates on coal phase-outs and new developments, with a specific focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.

This report, published by Global Energy Monitor and several partner organizations, analyzes the state of global coal-fired power plants as of April 2023. It highlights a divergence between China, where coal capacity is expanding rapidly, and the rest of the world, where development is generally declining. While the report notes that the end of coal is approaching globally, it warns that the current pace of phase-out is insufficient to meet Paris Agreement goals, particularly in non-OECD countries.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and partners analyzes the global coal power pipeline as of April 2023, highlighting a stark divergence between China's increasing coal capacity and a general decline in coal projects elsewhere. While many OECD countries are phasing out coal, China's domestic expansion and continued involvement in some international projects contrast with global climate goals. The document specifically details Pakistan's rapid increase in coal capacity and the associated economic and environmental impacts.

The Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA) is a plurilateral WTO initiative involving over 110 members aimed at increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) through improved transparency and streamlined administration. While significant progress has been made on 'clean text' regarding publication requirements and administrative efficiency, key disputes remain over the scope of the agreement (FDI vs. portfolio investment), the establishment of a funding facility, and the legal architecture for its integration into the WTO rulebook. The agreement includes special and differential treatment for developing countries and LDCs, though some members, including India and South Africa, oppose the plurilateral process.

This guide provides strategies for Project Preparation Facilities (PPFs) to help small and intermediary cities—defined as those with 10,000 to 200,000 residents—access climate finance. It addresses critical barriers such as limited municipal capacity, small project sizes that deter investors, and poor creditworthiness, which prevents borrowing on commercial terms. The document recommends tailored PPF interventions, including specific calls for proposals, project aggregation models, blended finance, and community-based funding instruments to unlock investment for low-carbon and resilient infrastructure.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) can help reduce poverty among smallholder farmers. Based on a study of 13 major standard initiatives and 12 meta-studies, the document analyzes VSSs across three dimensions of poverty: access to resources, opportunities and choice, and power and voice. While VSSs can provide benefits such as better crop prices and improved natural resource management, the brief concludes that their overall impact on poverty reduction is inconclusive and context-specific, requiring significant external support from governments and the private sector to be effective.

This policy brief, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in March 2023, examines the role of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) in reducing poverty among smallholder farmers. Based on a 2021 study of 13 major agricultural standards, 12 meta-studies, and 57 interviews across six countries, the document argues that while VSS can support poverty reduction through improved crop prices and resource conservation, they are not a standalone solution and require supportive ecosystems, government intervention, and improved governance to be truly effective.

This policy brief, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in March 2023, examines whether voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) can help reduce poverty among smallholder farmers. Based on a 2021 study that analyzed 13 VSS initiatives, 12 meta-studies, and 57 interviews across six countries, the document argues that VSS can be a tool for poverty reduction when integrated into broader strategies. It identifies key barriers to access for smallholders and provides recommendations for VSS designers and policymakers to enhance the socio-economic and environmental benefits of these standards.

This report provides a status update on the World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-commerce as of December 2022. It analyzes the initiative's progress during its fifth year, contrasting it with broader trends in national, regional, and multilateral digital governance. The report highlights a shift toward a potentially less ambitious agreement for the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), focusing on resolved trade facilitation issues while deferring controversial market access and data flow topics.

This fact sheet by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the state of energy markets one year after the invasion of Ukraine, detailing the European Union's rapid reduction of Russian gas imports, the acceleration of the global energy transition toward renewables, and the financial impacts of energy sanctions on Russia and high fuel prices on global consumers.

The research paper 'Toward Multipurpose Trade Policy?' by Nicolas Lamp describes a paradigm shift in international trade, moving from a primary focus on economic efficiency and liberalization toward 'multipurpose trade policy.' This new approach integrates substantive policy objectives—such as climate mitigation, national security, and labor rights—directly into trade policy rather than treating them as externalities. The author outlines the domestic challenges of balancing incommensurable goals and the international implications, including a declining role for multilateral trade law and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes energy efficiency (EE) mechanisms for electricity-intensive consumers, comparing international experiences from the European Union, USA, China, and other nations with the current policy landscape in Brazil. It identifies direct and indirect benefits of EE, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased industrial competitiveness, and evaluates various regulatory, fiscal, and market-based instruments to provide recommendations for improving Brazil's energy efficiency framework.

This report by the Global Center on Adaptation and the Climate and Development Knowledge Network documents 19 locally led adaptation (LLA) initiatives globally. It emphasizes the importance of devolving decision-making to the lowest appropriate level, addressing structural inequalities (particularly for women and Indigenous Peoples), and providing patient, predictable funding. The document highlights how communities use ecosystem restoration, circular economy practices, and intergenerational collaboration to build resilience, while calling for a shift in climate finance to better support holistic, community-defined priorities.

The Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) issued a call for concept notes in 2023 to fund projects led by African organisations that use Indigenous and local knowledge to drive inclusive, locally-led climate-resilient action.

This white paper by the Climate Bonds Initiative presents a blueprint for a climate resilience classification framework designed to mobilize capital market investment into climate-resilient assets, activities, and entities. It proposes a systematic approach to identify eligible investments based on their 'Substantial Contribution' to resilience while avoiding maladaptation and significant harm to other sustainability goals.

The 2023 CleanAir NDC Scorecard by the Global Climate and Health Alliance analyzes 170 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to assess how governments integrate air quality and health considerations into their climate plans. The report finds that while most NDCs mention air quality, there is a significant gap in quantifying health impacts and establishing forward-looking targets, with low- and middle-income countries generally showing higher levels of integration than high-income nations.

The report 'Boom & Bust Coal 2023' analyzes the global state of coal-fired power plants in 2022, highlighting a stark divergence between China's surge in new capacity and a general decline in coal development elsewhere. While global operational capacity grew by 19.5 GW, the report notes that nearly one-third of global operational capacity (580 GW) is scheduled for phase-out, though the current pace of closures remains insufficient to meet Paris Agreement goals.

The Resilience Evidence Forum 2023 Synthesis Report documents a global gathering of over 1,200 participants aimed at taking stock of evidence on building resilience across people, communities, urban systems, socio-ecological systems, and market systems. The report emphasizes the need for 'locally led adaptation,' the integration of mixed-methods evidence (combining quantitative data with lived experience), and the bridging of funding gaps for climate resilience, noting that less than $50 billion is spent annually against needs of $160 billion to $340 billion.

Minutes from the Green Economy Coalition (GEC) Steering Group meeting on December 14, 2022, reviewing the 2022 work plan and establishing priorities for 2023. The meeting focused on the transition to a new social contract and green deal framework, the conclusion of the Economics for Nature programme, and the urgent need for hub funding and improved impact reporting.

This discussion paper by the Climate Bonds Initiative proposes a framework for credible transition finance in the agri-food sector. It argues that current transition instruments, such as Sustainability-Linked Bonds (SLBs), often lack ambition and fail to account for scope 3 emissions. To address this, the paper applies five 'Credible Transition Principles' and five 'Hallmarks' for transforming companies to ensure alignment with 1.5°C climate targets, science-based pathways, and broader sustainability goals including biodiversity and just transition.