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This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) examines the role of green guarantees in mobilizing private capital for the climate transition in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). It identifies key structural barriers—including complexity, lack of technical assistance, high costs, and time horizon misalignments—and presents case studies of innovative solutions from organizations such as the World Bank Group, Green Guarantee Company, TCX, GuarantCo, and a partnership between Sida and IFU.

This executive summary outlines the discussions and 2025 agenda of the 11th meeting of the San Giorgio Group, a coalition of climate finance leaders. The document advocates for a shift in narrative from 'doom and gloom' to one of economic opportunity, emphasizing the need to mobilize domestic resources through National Development Banks (NDBs) and to reform multilateral development banks (MDBs) to prioritize private capital mobilization over direct project finance.

This research paper analyzes the 'magnetic pull' of BRICS, exploring why non-member states seek to join the informal group. It argues that while initial appeal was based on economic credentials and promises of systemic reform, the group has transitioned toward more strategic outreach. The author examines the evolution of BRICS through its 2010 and 2023 expansions and the 2024 Kazan summit, highlighting the role of 'compound soft power' and the challenges of maintaining internal cohesion amidst rapid growth.

A statement from the World Resources Institute (WRI) criticizing proposed amendments to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), arguing that they create loopholes, rely on outdated data, and introduce regulatory uncertainty.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the financial and technical viability of phasing out coal-powered electricity in Asia. It argues that prioritizing the cessation of new coal projects is critical, as most existing plants will have recouped their investment costs by 2040. The document critiques co-firing as an expensive and inefficient alternative to retirement and highlights innovative financing models—such as renewables bundling and PPA replacements—that can make early retirement financially attractive. It emphasizes the need for concessional financing from developed nations to ensure a just transition for coal-dependent communities.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines how a potential US slowdown in clean technology investment and deployment under a Donald Trump presidency could create market opportunities for emerging economies, specifically China, Brazil, and India.

This report by Ember analyzes the 2023 power sector landscape in ASEAN, highlighting that electricity demand growth was entirely met by fossil fuels. It examines the costs and reliability of various renewable energy sources, the potential for regional grid interconnection, and the role of carbon financing and policy reforms in accelerating the transition to clean energy.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics explores the 'bioeconomy'—the use of natural resources to support economic growth and environmental health. It details three primary conceptual approaches (biotechnology, bio-resources, and bio-ecology) and examines how different nations, particularly Brazil, are implementing strategies to balance economic development with biodiversity conservation and social equity.

A World Resources Institute (WRI) analysis reveals that 25% of global crops are grown in areas with highly stressed or unreliable water supplies. The report highlights the vulnerability of staple crops and the rapid depletion of water resources in the few countries that dominate irrigated crop production, while also noting the increasing instability of rainfed agriculture due to climate change.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the impact of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) on smallholder farmers in Southeast Asia. While the EUDR aims to eliminate deforestation from the EU market for six key commodities, the report highlights significant barriers for smallholders—including high compliance costs, lack of technical capacity, and land tenure insecurity—that risk excluding them from global value chains. The authors propose establishing knowledge hubs, financial support mechanisms, and enhanced stakeholder coordination to ensure an inclusive transition.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the Global Initiative for Economic, Social & Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR) analyzes the 2023 activities of UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies (HRTBs) regarding states' human rights obligations in the context of climate change. It tracks the increasing frequency of climate-related references in state reporting procedures and examines specific themes such as fossil fuel extraction, the right to a healthy environment, loss and damage, and intergenerational equity.

This policy brief examines China's role in transferring green technology to the Global South, highlighting its leadership in renewable energy and the mechanisms used to disseminate this technology. It analyzes the achievements of initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative and the South–South Climate Cooperation Fund, while identifying critical challenges including gaps between environmental commitments and actual impacts, limited local operational capacity, and geopolitical tensions.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines trade frictions arising from national plastic pollution measures implemented by World Trade Organization (WTO) members. It aims to provide recommendations for policy-makers to design regulations that reduce plastic pollution while avoiding trade disputes, particularly as UN member states work toward a legally binding international agreement on the full life cycle of plastics.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the impact of the Pillar Two global anti-base erosion (GloBE) rules on Special Economic Zones (SEZs), particularly in developing countries. It argues that the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) reduces the effectiveness of traditional corporate tax incentives, prompting a need for countries to shift toward non-fiscal incentives and sustainable investment models.

This policy brief examines the impact of the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules and the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) on Special Economic Zones (SEZs), particularly in developing countries. It argues that traditional income-based tax incentives used in SEZs are becoming less effective and may lead to revenue loss to other jurisdictions. The document recommends transitioning toward non-fiscal incentives, cost-based incentives, and better coordination between investment and tax authorities to maintain competitiveness while complying with international standards.

This policy brief examines China's role in transferring green technology to the Global South, highlighting its leadership in renewable energy and the mechanisms used to support sustainable development. While China has established numerous bilateral agreements and funds, the document identifies significant challenges including a gap between environmental commitments and actual impacts, limited local operational capacity, and geopolitical tensions.

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity generation trends in 2023 across solar, wind, coal, gas, hydro, nuclear, and bioenergy. It highlights record growth in solar and wind, a slight increase in coal generation driven by droughts in China, and the gap between current growth rates and the IEA Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenario requirements.

In 2023, the share of renewables in the global electricity mix exceeded 30% for the first time, driven by record growth in wind and solar. However, a record fall in hydropower generation and rising electricity demand led to a marginal increase in fossil fuel generation, resulting in global power sector emissions reaching a new record high of 14,153 million tonnes of CO2.

This report by Ember analyzes Singapore's path to a net-zero power sector by 2045, emphasizing that the city-state's limited land and renewable potential necessitate a heavy reliance on regional grid interconnections and renewable energy imports from neighboring countries to replace natural gas.

The Boom and Bust Coal 2024 report by Global Energy Monitor analyzes global coal power capacity trends, highlighting a net increase in operating capacity in 2023 driven primarily by China, despite a general global decline in new construction starts outside of China.