Search Climate Insights Directory

This report examines the role of international finance institutions (IFIs) in supporting the transition to low-carbon steel production, particularly in emerging and developing economies. It finds that IFIs have historically had limited exposure to the steel sector and are only in the early stages of developing green industrial strategies. However, the report argues that IFIs can accelerate the transition by de-risking first movers, supporting the development of green hydrogen and circular economy strategies, and creating demand for green steel through sustainable procurement in infrastructure projects.

This policy brief examines how the war in Ukraine has disrupted global supply chains and increased fertilizer prices across Africa, threatening food security and crop yields. It argues that while short-term input subsidies are necessary, African nations must pursue long-term industrialization to build local fertilizer manufacturing capacity using the continent's own natural gas, coal, and phosphate rock reserves.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the climate commitments of the 70 largest public financial institutions, representing USD 20.4 trillion in assets. It finds a significant gap in ambition, particularly among national and subnational development banks and institutions in non-OECD countries, where Paris-aligned and net-zero targets are rare. The report highlights a lack of specificity in climate finance goals, a deficiency in adaptation-focused commitments, and a general slow adoption of institutional climate strategies. CPI identifies insufficient accountability and a lack of government and global coalition guidance as primary barriers and provides recommendations to strengthen the integrity of public finance in the energy transition.

The document details how the production and use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which have grown ninefold since 1961, contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions (roughly 2% from nitrogen fertilizer alone) and biodiversity loss. It highlights a deep convergence between the fossil fuel and agrochemical industries, noting that these sectors are collaborating to use carbon capture and storage (CCS) to produce 'blue' ammonia and hydrogen. The report argues that these are 'false solutions' designed to secure government subsidies and extend reliance on fossil gas, while warning that the current industrial agricultural model undermines food sovereignty and global food security.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues that African nations must develop a unified strategy and structured communication channels through the African Union (AU) to engage with Russia. It highlights Russia's increasing military and political push into Africa, the continent's economic vulnerability to grain and oil price shocks, and the need for collective agency to avoid becoming pawns in global geopolitical disputes ahead of the 2023 Russia-Africa Summit.

This research paper by Dr. Toni Haastrup analyzes the strained relationship between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), arguing that geopolitical tensions—specifically Russia's invasion of Ukraine—have marginalized Africa as a priority for the EU and reinforced historical power imbalances.

This research paper by the NewClimate Institute compares 2021 greenhouse gas emission projections for G20 countries up to 2030 against projections made in 2015. While absolute projected emissions have decreased and growth rates have slowed, the G20 collectively remains off track to meet the Paris Agreement temperature goals, with emissions still expected to increase slightly by 2030.

This research paper argues that China is leveraging African dissatisfaction with Western paternalism and the current global order to strengthen its relations with African nations during the Ukraine conflict. The author suggests that the war is accelerating a shift toward multipolarity, allowing China to position itself as an alternative partner that respects national autonomy and non-interference, potentially boosting its Global Security Initiative and diplomatic influence across the continent.

The report analyzes the climate implications of the European Union's phaseout of Russian oil imports. It argues that while replacing Russian crude is complex due to refinery specifications, the EU has an opportunity to reduce supply-chain emissions by selecting lower-intensity alternatives and transitioning toward clean energy infrastructure.

This research paper examines the diverse responses of African nations to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and proposes four strategic options for the continent to advance its political, economic, and social interests amid the shifting geopolitical landscape.

This research paper analyzes a draft World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement aimed at curbing fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. It details the proposed prohibitions on subsidies for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, overfished stocks, and overcapacity, while examining the balance between strict disciplines and special and differential treatment for developing countries.

This policy brief clarifies the conceptual framework of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), specifically focusing on Nature-based Climate Solutions (NbCS) and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) for climate change adaptation. It outlines the requirements for these solutions to be effective, provides practical examples across various ecosystems, and discusses the social and environmental safeguards necessary to prevent rights violations and biodiversity loss.

This guidance note from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) clarifies the conceptual framework of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), Nature-based Climate Solutions (NBCS), and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), with a specific focus on climate adaptation. It outlines the requirements for a project to be classified as NBCS for adaptation, provides practical examples across various ecosystems, and discusses the social and environmental safeguards necessary to prevent rights violations and ecological harm.

A June 2022 briefing by the Climate Action Tracker reporting that progress on updating 2030 climate targets has stalled following the Glasgow Climate Pact. The document warns that current targets and policies are insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C, projecting end-of-century warming of 2.4°C based on 2030 targets and 2.7°C under current policies.

This report by RMI examines the environmental implications of the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), arguing that a lack of data transparency regarding the origin and emissions intensity of stored oils hinders climate goals. It highlights a mismatch between the SPR's lighter crudes and the heavy-oil capacity of the refineries that primarily receive them, and calls for the strategic refilling of the SPR with low-emissions intensity oils to reduce greenhouse gas impacts.

The report asserts that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has triggered a supply-side shock that aligns energy security, economic, and climate goals, accelerating a rapid and sustained global decline in fossil fuel demand in favor of renewables and energy efficiency.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics discusses the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) Working Group III, focusing on the state of climate change mitigation since 2014. It highlights the gap between current national climate plans and Paris Agreement targets, the disproportionate emissions of the global wealthy, and the critical role of renewable energy and carbon dioxide removal in achieving net-zero goals.

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity trends in 2021, tracking progress against the IEA's Net Zero by 2050 pathway. While wind and solar reached a historic milestone of over 10% of global electricity, an unprecedented surge in electricity demand led to record-breaking coal generation and the largest absolute rise in power sector CO2 emissions ever recorded.

The Ember 2022 Global Electricity Review analyzes global power trends for 2021, highlighting a record-breaking year where wind and solar power reached a historic share of global electricity, yet were offset by record-high coal generation and carbon emissions driven by a surge in global electricity demand.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) issued a statement condemning Russia's February 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the resulting humanitarian crisis and the potential for the conflict to disrupt global energy and food systems and divert resources from addressing climate change.