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The document argues that GDP is an insufficient measure of success and a 'blind spot' that limits financing for the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It proposes that G20 countries adopt 'inclusive wealth' indicators—which measure natural, human, social, produced, and financial capital—by 2025 to shift decision-making from short-term gain toward long-term sustainability and effective climate action.

The report advocates for the G20 to replace GDP as the primary measure of national progress with a framework that accounts for economic, environmental, social, and human assets. It notes that GDP growth often masks the deterioration of natural and social capital, which are essential for long-term wellbeing.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the 2022 Switzerland-Indonesia Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (API). While noting innovations in limiting 'treaty shopping' and excluding speculative profits from expropriation compensation, the IISD argues the agreement remains problematic. Key concerns include a climate-neutral definition of investment, unpredictable 'fair and equitable treatment' standards, insufficient protections for the state's right to regulate in the public interest, and a dispute settlement mechanism that allows direct access to international arbitration without exhausting national remedies. The IISD recommends that Switzerland adopt more stringent sustainability criteria and stronger investor responsibility mechanisms in its future treaties.

The report examines the global coffee market, highlighting the vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change and price volatility. It analyzes the impact of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs), noting that while VSS-compliant production grew significantly between 2008 and 2019, it has recently faced a decline due to oversupply and a shift toward corporate sustainability programs. The document argues that sustaining the sector requires internalizing environmental costs, increasing demand for sustainable coffee in producing countries, and implementing living income reference prices to ensure fair compensation for farmers.

The document analyzes the global landscape of fossil fuel subsidies, noting a significant rise to almost USD 700 billion in 2021. It distinguishes between production and consumption subsidies—the latter making up 86% of 2019 estimates—and highlights how these supports distort international trade through 'pass-through' effects. The briefing argues that reforming these subsidies could reduce CO2 emissions by an average of 6% by 2030 across 32 economies, especially if savings are reinvested in clean energy. It also details the role of the WTO and other international forums (G7, G20, APEC) in establishing disciplines to phase out inefficient subsidies.

The document analyzes global oil demand scenarios from the IEA and CER, concluding that structural shifts in road transport and increasing climate policies will lead to a permanent decline in oil demand starting before 2030. It highlights that while road transport is the primary driver, other sectors like plastics, aviation, and shipping will also contribute to demand destruction in the medium term, creating a shrinking market for Canadian oil producers.

The report analyzes how the informality of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger facilitates illicit financial flows (IFFs) and fuels regional conflict. It examines the legal frameworks, the scale of gold smuggling—particularly to the UAE—and the ways non-state armed groups exploit mining sites for funding and recruitment. The document highlights a 'vicious circle' where state absence and corruption drive miners toward informal or militant-controlled sites, while recommending simplified formalization, tax harmonization, and multi-level governance to stabilize the sector.

The report analyzes the financial exposure of Coal India Limited (CIL), Indian Railways (IR), and NTPC to the energy transition using a Green Economy Model (GEM). It compares a Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario with an Aspirational scenario aligned with net-zero goals to calculate 'cash flow at risk' (CFaR). The findings indicate significant long-term financial risks for all three entities, particularly in the 2030–2040 period. To mitigate these, the report proposes diversification into solar photovoltaics, battery storage, and operational reforms, while emphasizing the need for a just transition for coal-dependent communities.

Malawi is not on track to meet its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals due to climate change, economic shocks, and high poverty. The report argues that an additional annual public investment of USD 543 million is required to end hunger, double smallholder incomes, and transition 14 million people to healthier diets while meeting climate commitments. Key priorities include on-farm investments in irrigation and livestock, nutrition education, and building climate resilience for vulnerable groups, particularly women.

Nigeria is not on track to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, with poverty and hunger projected to rise without significant intervention. The report identifies a massive financing gap, estimating that an additional USD 4.9 billion in annual public investment is required from 2023 to 2030 to achieve a sustainable food system transformation. This includes USD 2.3 billion from external donors and USD 2.6 billion from domestic resources. Key priorities include increasing agricultural productivity, integrating climate resilience, and transitioning to healthier diets through nutrition education and social protection. The report highlights a critical underfunding of long-term agricultural investments compared to short-term emergency food assistance.

The report analyzes the alignment between three voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs)—the East African Organic Products Standard (EAOPS), the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) Standard, and GLOBALG.A.P.—and the agricultural policies of the East African Community (EAC). It focuses on staple crops (beans, maize, rice, and wheat) which are critical for food security and regional trade. The findings indicate strong alignment with climate resilience goals and medium alignment with productivity and trade objectives. Key barriers to scaling VSSs include high certification costs for smallholders, low domestic demand for certified products, and a lack of official political recognition from national standards bureaus. The report recommends that VSS bodies use pilot projects to prove their value and that EAC policy-makers provide targeted financial support and official recognition to integrate these standards into regional trade and development frameworks.

The document outlines a strategy for transforming Nigeria's food systems amidst rising hunger and poverty. It utilizes a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model to estimate the costs of ending hunger, doubling small-scale producer incomes, and transitioning to healthier diets while integrating climate mitigation and adaptation. The report highlights that population growth, from 206 million in 2020 to a projected 263 million by 2030, will increase food demand and environmental pressure, necessitating significant external aid and global solidarity to achieve sustainable goals.

The document reviews 24 financing strategies for adaptation in developing countries, categorizing them as either discrete adaptation strategies or general climate action strategies. It finds a wide variation in approach, ranging from high-level awareness documents to detailed costing frameworks. The analysis suggests that countries do not necessarily need to calculate precise finance gaps and should instead focus on the strategic use of public finance to leverage private investment and improve the tracking of international finance flows. It emphasizes the importance of involving ministries of finance and international funders to increase the likelihood of securing resources.

The document asserts that Canada lacks the necessary infrastructure to provide immediate LNG supplies to the EU following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It highlights that while the EU seeks short-term alternatives, it is simultaneously accelerating its 'Fit for 55' and 'REPower' plans to reduce gas demand and achieve climate neutrality. With new Canadian projects taking at least three years to complete, the author concludes that such investments risk becoming stranded assets as European demand declines.

Mongolia utilized technical assistance from the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining (IGF), the OECD, and Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) to address tax base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) in its mining sector. By establishing a transfer pricing division in 2019 and implementing new regulations on license valuation and ring-fencing, the Mongolian Tax Authority successfully recovered USD 228 million from a single multinational audit and USD 8.7 million from license transfers.

The report examines the Indian EV ecosystem, noting success in incentivizing two- and three-wheel vehicle demand while highlighting the need to scale four-wheel vehicles and buses. It identifies significant growth potential in domestic battery manufacturing to reduce reliance on China, though it warns that insufficient charging infrastructure, consumer financing gaps, supply chain vulnerabilities, and labor skill gaps remain critical obstacles to scaling growth.

The report reviews 24 financing strategies from developing countries, categorizing them into discrete adaptation strategies and general climate action strategies. It finds that while these documents help communicate priorities and attract international grants, there is a significant gap in strategic analysis regarding how to leverage public finance to attract private investment. The report emphasizes the need for stronger engagement from ministries of finance and planning, as well as improved country-level tracking of climate finance to measure the actual impact of these strategies.

The report analyzes the status of women in the Canadian large-scale mining sector, finding that they are persistently underrepresented at approximately 16% of the workforce. While women in mining are often highly educated and concentrated in professional or exploration roles, they face systemic barriers including gender pay gaps, limited access to support networks, and higher rates of unresolved discrimination and harassment. The document recommends that governments mandate disaggregated data reporting and integrate psychological safety into occupational health and safety legislation to improve workplace culture and equity.

The report examines the status of women in Mongolia's large-scale mining sector, analyzing legal frameworks, employment statistics, and skill development. It finds that while legal protections for gender equality exist, deep-seated stereotypes and inflexible working conditions persist. Women are underrepresented in technical roles and decision-making positions, and are more susceptible to layoffs during economic downturns. The report recommends improving gender-disaggregated data collection, implementing flexible work arrangements, and promoting STEM education for women to bridge the gender gap in the evolving mining industry.

The report examines the systemic underrepresentation of women in Peru's large-scale mining sector, where female labor participation remained around 6% between 2010 and 2019. It identifies key barriers including a lack of women in STEM degrees, traditional gender biases, and challenges in retaining mothers. The document analyzes employment data, regulatory frameworks, and private sector practices, concluding with policy recommendations to improve inclusion, such as implementing gender quotas in recruitment and enhancing labor flexibility for parents.