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This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the governance challenges associated with the over-exploitation of natural resources. It argues that current resource use is unsustainable and unevenly distributed, calling for transformative change through inclusive decision-making, the protection of human rights for marginalized groups, and a shift toward circular economies.

This policy brief, prepared by the Climate Bonds Initiative in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank and commissioned by the Brazilian Ministry of Economy, explores how subnational consortia in Brazil can utilize innovative financial modeling to fund sustainable municipal infrastructure. It analyzes the legal barriers facing Brazilian municipalities, proposes the adoption of pooled financing mechanisms (MFGCs), and provides international case studies to support a green economic recovery.

This policy brief, prepared by the Climate Bonds Initiative and supported by the Inter-American Development Bank, examines the potential for Brazilian subnational consortia to use Pooled Finance Mechanisms (PFMs) to fund sustainable infrastructure. It identifies significant regulatory and financial barriers facing Brazilian municipalities and proposes updates to the legal framework and the adoption of blended finance models to attract private and international capital for climate-resilient projects.

The report analyzes the EU power sector in 2020, highlighting a landmark moment where renewables generated 38% of electricity, overtaking fossil-fired generation for the first time. While coal generation saw a significant decline, the report notes that the transition speed remains insufficient to meet 2030 and 2050 climate targets, partly due to the persistence of gas generation and a record drop in nuclear output.

This report by Agora Energiewende and Ember analyzes the European power sector in 2020, highlighting a milestone where renewables overtook fossil fuels as the primary source of electricity for the first time in the EU.

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'.

This policy brief from the International Institute for Sustainable Development explores the precautionary principle, a guide in international environmental law that advocates for taking protective action even in the absence of full scientific certainty to avoid serious or irreversible damage.

This briefing explores the precautionary principle as a guide for decision-makers to protect the environment, public health, and security in the face of scientific uncertainty. It traces the principle's evolution from national laws in Sweden to its integration into major international treaties and the law of the European Union, while discussing the ongoing tension between environmental safeguarding and economic development.

This report details a policy dialogue workshop organized by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) in autumn 2019. The workshop focused on developing a vision for a sustainable bioeconomy in the Öresund region by 2050, using the Foodhills platform in Bjuv, Sweden, as a concrete example of circular food production systems.

In the first half of 2020, renewable electricity generation exceeded fossil fuel generation for the first time in the EU-27, driven by new installations, favorable weather, and a COVID-19-related drop in electricity demand.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute describes the development and utility of Aid Atlas, an interactive platform designed to simplify the analysis of global development finance data from the OECD's Creditor Reporting System (CRS). Using the tool, the authors identify several trends and data gaps in development aid between 2013 and 2017, including the low proportion of funding for general environment protection, the impact of the European refugee crisis on donor budgets, and significant disbursement challenges specifically associated with climate finance.

This briefing by the Climate Bonds Initiative examines the role of green bonds and labelled loans in financing waste management and the circular economy. It highlights a significant investment gap, particularly in plastic waste management in Southeast Asia, and analyzes the market activity of corporate and municipal issuers globally, with a detailed focus on Japan's leadership in resource efficiency.

This SEI synthesis brief argues that low-carbon energy transitions must explicitly integrate gender and social equity to avoid marginalizing vulnerable groups. Through case studies in regions like the Lower Mekong and countries such as Zambia and Sweden, it demonstrates how political power dynamics, socio-cultural norms, and systemic barriers in job markets and technology adoption can perpetuate inequality despite technological advances.

This briefing note by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) explains how civil society can use the UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies (HRTBs) reporting procedure to hold states accountable for climate change policies. It details the process of submitting parallel reports to secure country-specific recommendations, which can then be leveraged for national advocacy and litigation.

This guide by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) explains how civil society can use the United Nations human rights treaty body (HRTB) reporting process to advocate for climate-related policy recommendations and hold states accountable for their human rights obligations in the context of climate change.

The Green Economy Coalition (GEC) has outlined a 10-year strategy (2020–2030) to catalyze systemic economic reform toward green and fair economies. The plan focuses on shifting social narratives, building public demand, and influencing policy across five key themes: governance, finance, economic sectors, inequality, and nature.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR) synthesizes the work of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) regarding climate change up to 2020. It details the Committee's use of General Recommendations, Joint Statements, and the State reporting procedure to establish that States have human rights obligations to protect women from climate-related harms and ensure their participation in climate policy.

This report provides a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of selected eco-technologies for wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery across three catchment areas in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). By combining CBA with multi-criteria analysis (MCA), the study evaluates the economic efficiency of various technologies compared to baseline scenarios, focusing on the recovery of phosphorus and nitrogen and the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.

This fact sheet from the Climate Bonds Initiative details a EUR 350 million perpetual green bond issued by Citycon on November 22, 2019, to fund environmental improvements in urban shopping centres.

This commentary by the World Resources Institute argues that climate action is only politically viable if it is 'people-centered,' meaning it purposefully unlocks social and economic benefits, targets them to enhance equity, and ensures a just transition for workers and vulnerable communities. The document provides evidence that bold climate action can deliver significant global economic gains, job creation, and public health improvements while mitigating the disproportionate impacts of climate change on the poor.