Search Climate Insights Directory

A statement by Helen Mountford of the World Resources Institute regarding the conclusion of COP24 in Katowice, Poland, noting that while negotiations were contentious, they established the necessary rulebook and foundations to implement the Paris Agreement.

The Allianz Climate and Energy Monitor 2018 evaluates G20 member states based on their attractiveness for low-carbon electricity infrastructure investments and their alignment with the Paris Agreement's temperature limits. The report finds that while France currently leads in investment attractiveness for renewables, no G20 country serves as a complete role model, and most lack the binding long-term strategies necessary to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

This working paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes examples from G20 countries regarding the reallocation of public funds away from fossil fuels to align with the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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.

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 case study by FSD Africa examines the remittance landscape in Uganda, identifying it as a net recipient of remittances with significant inflows from the UK, South Sudan, and Rwanda. While the market is advanced, it faces high costs, significant informality, and regulatory hurdles, particularly regarding mobile money and KYC requirements.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides a strategic framework for governments to design and implement local content policies in the mining sector. It outlines a four-step process—aligning with national objectives, taking stock of capabilities, crafting specific policies, and establishing monitoring mechanisms—to ensure mining investments contribute to sustainable, inclusive economic development and diversification.

This executive summary from the 2018 'Brown to Green' report analyzes the progress of G20 countries toward a low-carbon economy. It highlights a significant gap between current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the goals of the Paris Agreement, noting that G20 energy-related CO2 emissions began increasing again in 2017 and that 82% of the G20 energy supply remains dependent on fossil fuels.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the synergy between fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR) and the 'just transition' framework. It argues that reforming subsidies not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions and market distortions but also unlocks significant financial resources to support workers and communities affected by the shift to a green economy.

This executive summary describes a guidebook designed to help countries conduct self- and peer reviews of fossil fuel subsidies (FFS). It outlines the purpose of these reviews as tools for transparency, accountability, and peer learning to support the phase-out of inefficient subsidies. The document details the 'building blocks' of a review—scope, definition, measurement, evaluation, and next steps—and provides practical recommendations based on the experiences of countries such as China, Finland, New Zealand, Peru, and Sweden.

The Allianz Climate and Energy Monitor 2017 ranks G20 member states on their attractiveness for low-carbon electricity infrastructure investments and assesses their investment needs to meet Paris Agreement temperature limits. While OECD countries like Germany, the UK, and France remain the most attractive destinations due to stable policy frameworks, emerging markets such as China, India, and South Africa show significant growth in renewable installations but face high investment needs to create climate-resilient power infrastructure.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute argues that meeting the Paris Agreement's temperature goals requires an explicit phase-down of fossil fuel production, not just consumption. It outlines six mechanisms within the UNFCCC framework—including NDCs, long-term strategies, and the global stocktake—that Parties can use to integrate supply-side restrictions and transition support into their climate commitments.

This research paper analyzes 163 Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (I)NDCs submitted by October 12, 2016, to evaluate how their diverse structures impact the robust accounting of international transfers under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The authors categorize targets by type, scope, and methodology, concluding that economy-wide absolute emission targets are the most conducive to straightforward accounting.

This policy brief from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides recommendations for G20 countries to reform fossil fuel subsidies. It advocates for the use of voluntary peer review processes to increase transparency, the establishment of an ambitious and defined timetable for phasing out inefficient subsidies, and the implementation of targeted support to protect the poorest populations during the transition.

This policy brief describes the outcomes of two workshops held during the 2016 SIPRI Forum on Security and Development. The workshops used two contrasting climate scenarios—Radical Emissions Reduction (RER) and High-end Climate Change (HCC)—to analyze risks to security, development, and the implementation of four specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): food security (SDG 2), gender equality (SDG 5), clean energy (SDG 7), and inequality (SDG 10).

The 2016 Annual U.S. & Global Geothermal Power Production Report details a global operating capacity of 13.3 GW across 24 countries, with a forecast to reach 18.4 GW by 2021. While the U.S. maintains a significant presence with 3.7 GW of nameplate capacity, the report highlights vast untapped global potential (only 6-7% utilized) and growth in regions like East Africa and Central/South America. It emphasizes the role of geothermal energy in meeting COP21 climate commitments and outlines the GEA's project tracking methodology.

This report argues that Iran has a strategic opportunity to replace its costly and ambiguous nuclear power program with a modernized energy strategy focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy. The author contends that shifting away from nuclear power would reduce the risk of proliferation, lower the likelihood of renewed sanctions, and improve regional stability by discouraging a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.

This commentary examines the governance of transboundary aquifers, arguing that the principle of "no significant harm" should be prioritized over "reasonable and equitable use" in management negotiations.

This 2015 research paper argues that removing fossil-fuel subsidies could reduce global GHG emissions by 6-13% by 2050, though this potential is maximized when combined with binding emission caps and investments in low-carbon infrastructure. It provides a roadmap for countries to integrate subsidy reform into their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) and other UNFCCC processes to unlock government savings and accelerate the energy transition.