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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.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development outlines five essential elements for establishing a 'gender lens' in international trade policy. It discusses the ongoing efforts of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender (IWG) to integrate gender equality and women's economic empowerment into trade rules, arguing that a comprehensive framework is necessary to ensure trade policies support the Sustainable Development Goals and human rights commitments.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the differences between the European Commission's proposal for a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) and the draft report released by the rapporteur of the EU Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). The author, Aaron Cosbey, identifies six primary areas of divergence, noting that the rapporteur generally advocates for greater speed and ambition than the Commission.

This report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) provides a mine-level assessment of global coal mine methane emissions, finding that operating mines emit 52.3 million tonnes of methane per year. This volume rivals emissions from the oil and gas sectors and is significantly higher than many national inventories report. The analysis identifies China, specifically Shanxi province, as the primary source of these emissions and warns that proposed new mine projects could add another 11.3 million tonnes annually, potentially locking in emissions equivalent to the coal-based CO2 emissions of the United States.

This briefing note by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs argues that trade policy should facilitate a 'just and inclusive global green economy' by balancing regulatory requirements ('sticks') with supportive measures ('carrots'). It suggests that WTO members should align trade-related environmental measures with established principles of international environmental law and adopt a data-driven diagnostic approach to identify specific barriers to green transitions across different countries and sectors.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a violation of international law and human rights. CIEL argues that the crisis highlights how fossil fuels (oil and natural gas) undermine global peace by funding military action and serving as economic weapons. The organization calls for stronger international sanctions, noting that current efforts by the US and EU are inadequate.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines how the Government of Indonesia can utilize public funding and public financial institutions to attract private investment to meet its renewable energy targets, particularly in the context of its 2022 G20 Presidency.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the historical and current tensions between international trade rules and environmental protection. It highlights the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE), arguing that the removal of harmful subsidies in fossil fuels, fisheries, and agriculture is essential for achieving sustainable development and meeting climate goals.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics discusses the findings of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), specifically the Working Group II (WGII) report on impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. It outlines the severe effects of human-induced climate change on ecosystems and humans, the increasing frequency of extreme weather, the disproportionate impact on marginalised populations, and the critical need for transformative adaptation and mitigation to avoid catastrophic economic and social costs.

A letter from the Life after Coal Campaign (LAC) and the Fair Finance Coalition South Africa (FFCSA) to the South African government requesting transparency and civil society involvement in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and the work of the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team.

This fact sheet by RMI argues that renewable energy is a disinflationary force rather than a driver of inflation. It contrasts the experience curves of solar and wind technologies, which lead to falling costs as deployment increases, with the volatile commodity-based pricing of fossil fuels. The document asserts that accelerating the transition to renewables is the most effective way to reduce energy costs and mitigate inflation.

This policy brief examines the polluter-pays principle (PPP), which requires pollution producers to bear the costs of managing and preventing environmental and human health damage. While established in European Union and OECD frameworks, the PPP faces challenges in universal international application due to ambiguities in defining 'the polluter' and differing national legal systems. The document explores the PPP's intersection with international climate change law, the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR), and efforts by global financial institutions to implement carbon pricing.

This legal briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) analyzes the decision of an arbitral tribunal to deny an amicus curiae submission by CIEL and the Sociedad Cooperativa de Producción Pesquera Puerto Chale in the case of Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. v. United Mexican States. The briefing argues that the denial undermines the legitimacy of the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) system and ignores the significant environmental and human rights risks associated with the Don Diego seabed mining project.

This policy brief evaluates progress toward Goal 8 of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which focuses on providing financial support to reduce forest emissions. It highlights a massive gap between the estimated annual funding needed to protect and restore forests (USD 45 to 460 billion) and current funding (USD 2.4 billion), while noting that deforestation-linked subsidies exceed USD 10 billion per year. While the document identifies growth in green finance, REDD+ commitments, and the availability of risk-assessment tools, it warns that systemic barriers—such as perverse economic incentives and a lack of transparency in financial institutions—continue to hinder transformational change.

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.

This case study by the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) examines the conversion of abandoned mine sites (brownfields) into renewable energy generating spaces (brightfields), specifically focusing on solar and wind projects in Canada and Germany.

This briefing by RMI outlines five key trends expected to shape climate-aligned finance in 2022, focusing on the transition from high-level net-zero pledges to substantiated targets, credible transition plans, and real-world emissions reductions.

This briefing by RMI and the Coalition on Materials Emissions Transparency (COMET) proposes three changes to carbon accounting principles to better drive emissions reductions in supply chains. The authors argue that current corporate-level reporting is insufficient for procurement decisions and advocate for a shift toward product-level disclosure based on primary data, fixed boundaries for comparison, and market-driven measurement incentives.

This fact sheet by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) provides an initial analysis of South Africa's Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP), released on 4 November 2022. The IEJ argues that the plan relies too heavily on private finance and loans, which risks increasing national debt, exacerbating energy poverty through 'cost reflective' tariffs, and failing to provide adequate social security for workers in the coal sector.

The 'State of Global Environmental Governance 2022' report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) reviews the progress of multilateral environmental negotiations in 2022. It highlights a significant rebound in face-to-face diplomacy following the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in landmark agreements on biodiversity and the establishment of a loss and damage fund for climate-vulnerable nations. The report also examines the integration of human rights into environmental policy and the impact of geopolitical conflicts, specifically the war in Ukraine, on global environmental governance.