Search Climate Insights Directory

This report by the NewClimate Institute evaluates the progress of G20 countries in transitioning from fossil-fuel-based economies to low-carbon, climate-resilient ones, highlighting a significant gap between current national commitments and the goals of the Paris Agreement.

An open statement by Friends of the Earth International and the World Rainforest Movement, signed by over 100 organizations, denouncing the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) for failing to eliminate violence and environmental destruction in the industrial palm oil sector over 14 years.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International and the World Rainforest Movement, signed by over 100 organizations, denouncing the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) for failing to eliminate violence and environmental destruction over 14 years of operation.

A statement signed by over 100 organizations criticizing the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) for failing to eliminate violence and environmental destruction over 14 years. The document argues that the RSPO serves as a 'greenwashing' tool for the industrial palm oil sector, masking human rights violations and deforestation while facilitating the industry's expansion.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) provides updated estimates of global climate finance flows for 2015 and 2016, incorporating new data on electric vehicle sales and national development finance institutions. It analyzes the distribution of these flows by actor, sector, and region, while discussing the challenges of tracking adaptation and energy efficiency investments and the operationalization of Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement.

This executive summary evaluates progress toward Goal 10 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), focusing on the relationship between forest governance and deforestation. It concludes that while some progress has been made in transparency and law enforcement, governance improvements are too slow to significantly reduce deforestation, with critical failures remaining in the recognition of indigenous rights and the prevalence of corruption.

This executive summary evaluates progress toward Goal 10 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which focuses on strengthening forest governance, transparency, and the rule of law while empowering indigenous peoples and local communities. The report finds that while some progress has been made in transparency and law enforcement, improvements are too slow to measurably reduce deforestation, and significant challenges remain regarding corruption, illegal logging, and the violation of land rights.

This executive summary evaluates progress toward Goal 10 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), focusing on forest governance, the rule of law, and the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. It concludes that while some progress has been made in transparency and law enforcement, improvements are too slow to quantifiably reduce deforestation, with significant gaps remaining in land rights and the protection of environmental defenders.

This policy brief evaluates progress toward Goal 10 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which focuses on improving forest governance, transparency, and the rule of law while empowering indigenous peoples and local communities. The report concludes that while some progress has been made in transparency and demand-side measures, governance improvements are too slow to effectively reduce deforestation, and violence against land defenders is increasing.

This executive summary evaluates progress toward Goal 10 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), focusing on forest governance, the rule of law, and the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities. It concludes that while some progress has been made in transparency and international cooperation, governance improvements are too slow to measurably reduce deforestation, which continues at an alarming rate.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the flow of public money in G20 countries that supports fossil fuel production and consumption. It argues that despite international commitments like the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals, G20 governments continue to provide substantial subsidies, credit support, and state-owned enterprise (SOE) investments to the fossil fuel sector. The document provides eight case studies of reforms in countries such as Indonesia, Canada, Argentina, and India, as well as the European Union, to illustrate how public resources can be shifted toward a low-carbon economy and sustainable development.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines how G20 governments can reform public support for fossil fuels to align with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. It provides eight case studies of reforms in consumption and production subsidies, public financing, and taxation, while offering a framework for transitioning public funds toward clean energy and social needs.

This policy brief by Friends of the Earth International argues that agroecology, rather than 'climate smart agriculture' (CSA), is the viable solution to combat hunger and climate change. It critiques the industrial agrifood system for its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and corporate capture of policy, while promoting small-scale, diversified production as a means to increase climate resilience, reduce emissions, and strengthen food sovereignty.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines policies and strategies used by governments to promote direct local employment in the mining sector. It outlines a five-step process for developing local employment policies and categorizes interventions into regulatory 'stick'-based approaches and facilitative 'carrot'-based incentives. The document emphasizes the importance of matching labour supply with industry demand, promoting gender equity and Indigenous participation, and preparing for technological shifts such as automation.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute discusses the potential climate, environmental, and social impacts of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Southeast Asia. It highlights the risks of 'carbon lock-in' from coal and fossil fuel investments and the ecological threats posed by hydropower dams in the Mekong region. To mitigate these risks, the authors propose a participatory decision-making framework based on transparency, stakeholder inclusion, and adherence to international sustainable finance standards.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute discusses the 'Leaving No One Behind' (LNB) pledge from the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and its application to climate action. It argues that because the poorest populations are most vulnerable to climate impacts and often excluded from the benefits of low-carbon transitions, climate policies must be intentionally designed to prioritize the most marginalized to avoid exacerbating inequality.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International calling for a radical systemic overhaul of global energy, food, political, and economic systems to prevent global warming from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius. The document argues that current incremental measures and 'false solutions' are insufficient and that a transition to decentralized, people-led renewable energy is necessary to achieve climate justice.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International calling for a radical systemic change in global energy, food, political, and economic systems to limit global warming to 1.5°C and achieve climate justice.

This research paper quantifies the global impact of tropospheric ozone on crop yields, estimating a total annual loss of 227 Tg. It identifies the highest losses in the Americas, China, India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, noting that these areas often face concurrent stresses from heat, pests, and disease. The authors recommend integrating ozone tolerance into crop breeding and management to improve food security.

This policy brief by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) argues that South Africa's unemployment crisis is a macroeconomic phenomenon that cannot be solved through microeconomic interventions alone. The document criticizes the 'orthodox' macroeconomic framework adopted since 1996, characterizing both fiscal and monetary policies as contractionary and detrimental to job creation. It proposes a shift toward a developmental macroeconomic approach, featuring a significant fiscal stimulus and a restructured monetary policy mandate to prioritize employment and productive investment over strict inflation targeting.