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This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative analyzes post-issuance reporting practices for Green, Social, and Sustainability (GSS) bonds, based on a sample of 75 entities that issued USD 1.4 trillion between 2020 and 2023. While reporting is widespread and generally high quality, the study identifies significant gaps in project-level granularity, impact methodology disclosure, and the quantitative linking of bond-level impacts to entity-level sustainability strategies.

A report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and Friends of the Earth US analyzing the risks and geographic scope of marine geoengineering technologies, arguing that these speculative interventions threaten all ocean basins and distract from fossil fuel phaseout.

The 'Sustainable Debt Global State of the Market H1 2025' report by the Climate Bonds Initiative provides a comprehensive analysis of aligned green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked (GSS+) debt. As of the end of H1 2025, the cumulative aligned volume reached USD 6.2 trillion, with H1 2025 alone contributing USD 555.8 billion. The report details the dominance of green bonds, the resurgence of social debt, the stability of sustainability-labelled debt, and the specific alignment trends of sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs). It also highlights the introduction of the European Green Bond Standard, the rise of data-centre focused asset-backed securities, and the strategic priorities for COP30, including methane abatement and the Tropical Forest Forever Fund.

The 2025 Energy Services Market Intelligence Report by GreenCape analyzes investment opportunities in embedded solar PV and behind-the-meter (BTM) lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) for South Africa's commercial, industrial, and agricultural (CI&A) sectors. The report highlights a shift in market drivers from mitigating loadshedding toward long-term cost savings, energy security, and decarbonization to meet international trade requirements.

This policy brief examines whether South Africa's 2025 G20 presidency, occurring alongside Brazil's hosting of COP30, can re-energise the global climate action agenda. It argues that while the G20 is a powerful 'minilateral' platform capable of driving climate finance and policy, its effectiveness is threatened by rising nationalism, geopolitical tensions, and the potential for a diluted climate focus under the subsequent 2026 US presidency.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) synthesizes the climate, sustainability, energy, and climate finance commitments made by G20 member countries from 2008 to 2024. It tracks the evolution of these commitments through various summits, highlighting the shift from general statements to specific frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the challenges posed by inconsistent national policies, particularly those of the United States. The document also details the priority areas for South Africa's 2025 G20 presidency, which emphasizes solidarity, equality, and sustainability.

The Production Gap Report 2025 by the Stockholm Environment Institute finds that global fossil fuel production plans are increasingly divergent from the Paris Agreement's goals. Governments are collectively planning higher levels of production for coal, oil, and gas than in 2023, with projected 2030 production exceeding 1.5ºC-consistent levels by more than 120%.

This policy brief examines the potential for the South African G20 presidency to facilitate the rechannelling of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), specifically the African Development Bank (AfDB). It outlines the financial mechanisms for such a transfer, the political and legal hurdles preventing it, and the potential development impacts for African nations.

This report by RMI analyzes the role of rural energy cooperatives as a collaborative model to accelerate the global transition to clean energy, focusing on overcoming barriers to energy access and affordability in rural areas.

This research paper examines the strategic importance of South Africa's G20 presidency, which begins on 1 December 2024. The author argues that South Africa is uniquely positioned to advocate for the reform of global debt governance and the integration of sustainable finance to address Africa's severe sovereign debt crisis and climate vulnerabilities.

The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2025 evaluates 63 countries and the European Union, representing 90% of global emissions, across emissions, renewables, and climate policy. While renewable energy shares have increased in 61 of the 64 assessed entities over the last five years, the report finds that many high-emitting nations continue to rely on fossil fuels, leaving the top three overall ranks vacant.

This research paper evaluates the alignment between the New Development Bank's (NDB) strategic goals and its actual lending practices from 2016 to 2023. It finds that while the NDB has expanded its mandate to support climate action and sustainable development, it struggles to meet its targets for local currency financing and non-sovereign lending.

A briefing by the NewClimate Institute reporting that global warming projections for 2100 have remained stagnant since 2021, with current policies leading to a median projected warming of 2.7°C.

This report by Ember analyzes the gap between national renewable energy targets and the global goal to triple renewable capacity by 2030, as agreed upon at COP28. It finds that while market forecasts for solar and battery storage are surging, government targets have remained largely stagnant, collectively aiming only for a doubling of capacity rather than a tripling.

This research paper examines the governance challenges of solar radiation modification (SRM), arguing that the current fragmented landscape risks unilateral deployment and the marginalization of the Global South. The authors advocate for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to formally integrate SRM into its agenda, specifically suggesting COP29 in Baku as a starting point to ensure that ethical, social, and justice-based considerations guide the technology's development.

This report by the World Resources Institute evaluates the progress of major global climate commitments across energy, forestry, finance, food systems, urban action, transport, and super pollutants. It concludes that while ambitious pledges have been made, most are currently off-track, with significant gaps between stated goals and measurable implementation.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the financial and technical viability of phasing out coal-powered electricity in Asia. It argues that prioritizing the cessation of new coal projects is critical, as most existing plants will have recouped their investment costs by 2040. The document critiques co-firing as an expensive and inefficient alternative to retirement and highlights innovative financing models—such as renewables bundling and PPA replacements—that can make early retirement financially attractive. It emphasizes the need for concessional financing from developed nations to ensure a just transition for coal-dependent communities.

This briefing examines the implementation of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs), focusing on the European Union's pioneering system and its global repercussions. It analyzes the limited impact of CBAMs on overall emissions reductions compared to domestic carbon pricing, the significant economic risks posed to developing nations, and the resulting fragmented landscape of international trade and climate policy.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines India's capacity to manufacture and recycle renewable energy technologies. It highlights a heavy reliance on Chinese imports for solar PV components, a strong but underutilised domestic wind turbine industry, and the critical need to develop recycling infrastructure for minerals and components to secure future supply chains.

This briefing by RMI outlines a strategic framework for the next US administration to sustain and advance the green industrial strategy initiated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS), and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). It emphasizes three primary goals: accelerating economic growth through decarbonization, restoring US global manufacturing and innovation leadership, and ensuring clean energy investments reduce the cost of living and revitalize disadvantaged communities.