Search Climate Insights Directory

This discussion paper by the Climate Bonds Initiative proposes the certification of short-term debt instruments—defined as those with a maturity at issuance of less than 365 days—to mobilize more capital for climate action. It argues that while green bond standards have historically focused on longer-term debt, the USD55tn short-term debt market represents a significant untapped source of green capital. The paper outlines how various instruments, including Commercial Paper and Green Repos, can be certified under the Climate Bonds Standard, primarily through the Use of Proceeds (UoP) principle, and recommends the development of a 'pure-play' entity definition to further scale the market.

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.

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.

This policy brief by the Africa Policy Research Institute examines the evolving nature of sovereign debt in Africa, highlighting a shift from traditional multilateral creditors to private bondholders and emerging economies like China. It argues that current debt relief mechanisms are insufficient because they lack statutory, human rights-based frameworks and fail to compel the participation of private creditors, leaving African nations vulnerable to economic shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the evolution of international land governance, focusing on the transition from top-down desertification efforts to the concept of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN). It details the drivers of land degradation, the role of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the socio-economic barriers—such as land tenure and gender inequality—that hinder restoration efforts.

The September 2021 Global Update from Climate Action Tracker reports that global climate action continues to lag behind the requirements for limiting warming to 1.5°C. While some countries have updated their NDCs, the 2030 emissions gap remains significant (20-23 GtCO2e). The report introduces a new rating system where only The Gambia is rated as overall 1.5°C compatible, while most developed nations are rated as 'Insufficient' or worse due to inadequate climate finance and policy implementation. It further critiques the lack of transparency and robustness in most national net zero targets and highlights the continued reliance on coal and gas in several major economies.

The G20, responsible for 75% of global GHG emissions, currently has commitments that put the world on a trajectory for 2.4°C of warming. While announced but non-formalized pledges could lower this to 2.1°C, only a comprehensive shift where all G20 members align with 1.5°C pathways and mid-century net zero targets could limit warming to 1.7°C. The report identifies a 23 GtCO2e emissions gap for 2030 and warns that many net zero pledges are unrealistic without significantly stronger near-term (2030) targets. Achieving the 1.5°C goal will require G20 leadership, action from non-G20 countries, and the fulfillment of climate finance commitments to developing nations.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the strategic position of African states within the World Trade Organization (WTO). It argues that African nations must shift from a strategy of blocking new negotiations to one of active participation, particularly regarding the COVID-19 vaccine TRIPS waiver, the stalled Doha Round, and Joint Statement Initiatives (JSIs) on digital trade and investment.

The Climate Action Tracker (CAT) reports that global warming estimates for 2100 have reached a record low of 2.4°C, driven by announcements from President Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate and other pledges since September 2020. Despite this 0.2°C improvement, current projections remain above the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C limit, and a significant gap persists between targets and the policies required to achieve them.

This May 2021 briefing from the Climate Action Tracker (CAT) analyzes the impact of recent Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) updates and net-zero pledges on global warming projections. It finds that while recent commitments have lowered the estimated end-of-century warming to 2.4°C, this remains significantly above the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal, and current policies are still on track for 2.9°C of warming.

This case study by Ember evaluates the transition strategy of ENGIE, a France-based global energy company. The report argues that ENGIE's reliance on converting coal plants to fossil gas and biomass, its lack of a comprehensive coal phase-out schedule, and its 2°C Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) accreditation are not aligned with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C objective.

The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2021 evaluates 57 of the world's highest greenhouse gas emitters, finding that no single country is currently on a path compliant with the Paris Agreement goals. While the European Union improved its ranking to 16th place, the report highlights a stark divide between leading nations and G20 members like the USA, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, who are rated 'very low'.

The Climate Bonds Initiative's Green Bonds Global State of the Market 2019 report analyzes the growth and trends of the global green bond market in 2019. It highlights a record issuance of USD 258.9 billion, the expansion of the market into new countries, the dominance of non-financial corporates as the top issuer type, and the increasing role of Certified Climate Bonds and external reviews in ensuring alignment with climate goals.

This report analyzes the factors contributing to the slow growth of solar energy in Indonesia compared to the rapid expansion in India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, suggesting that Indonesia can lower energy prices by adopting supportive policies, streamlining decision-making, and rethinking local content requirements.

This research paper examines Turkey's strategic efforts to expand its influence in North and East Africa to counter regional isolation and secure energy interests. It focuses on Turkey's military and political support for the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya, its diplomatic tensions with Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, and France over Mediterranean exclusive economic zones, and its broader 'Open to Africa' policy exemplified by its deep involvement in Somalia.

This report details the history and current state of e-commerce negotiations at the WTO, focusing on the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI). It examines how existing WTO rules apply to digital trade, the growth of the JSI membership to 83 countries, and the critical divides between developed and developing nations regarding data flows, customs duties, and technical capacity.

This briefing note from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) outlines recommendations for UNFCCC Parties at COP-25 to integrate human rights, gender equality, and participatory processes into climate action. It emphasizes the need for rights-based safeguards in Article 6 market mechanisms, the ratification of the Escazú Agreement, and the protection of indigenous peoples and local communities in adaptation and loss and damage frameworks.

This briefing note from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues for the integration of procedural rights—specifically access to information, public participation, and access to justice—into climate governance and the implementation of the Paris Agreement. It highlights the roles of the Aarhus Convention and the Escazú Agreement in promoting environmental democracy and provides specific recommendations for the COP-25 agenda to ensure climate policies are inclusive, rights-based, and gender-responsive.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law analyzes the June 2019 Climate Negotiations (SB-50) in Bonn, focusing on the integration of human rights into climate policies, the development of Article 6 mechanisms of the Paris Agreement, and the work of various UNFCCC constituted bodies.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR) analyzes the activities of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) regarding climate change in 2018. It details how the Committee uses General Recommendations and the State reporting procedure to define the human rights obligations of States to protect women from the disproportionate impacts of climate change, focusing heavily on adaptation and disaster risk reduction.