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The document reports that carbon pricing now covers over 23% of global greenhouse gas emissions through 43 carbon taxes and 38 emissions trading systems. It highlights the vulnerability of specific industrial sectors in Southeast Asia to the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which entered its definitive phase in January 2026, noting that over 20% of Viet Nam’s iron and steel exports and nearly 20% of Indonesia’s aluminum exports are destined for the EU. The briefing also details the expansion of Article 6.2 bilateral agreements, with over 100 announced or formalized, led by purchasing countries such as Japan and Singapore. Regionally, Indonesia is identified as the only Southeast Asian nation with an operational ETS, having aligned its framework with Article 6 via Regulation 110/2025, although its carbon tax under Law 7/2021 remains postponed. Other updates include the Philippines moving toward formal carbon pricing legislation and Viet Nam postponing carbon market trading until the end of 2026.

South African municipalities receive less than 10% of tracked climate finance despite their critical role in the just energy transition. The report identifies barriers such as weak creditworthiness and limited technical capacity, recommending reforms in capacity building, finance tracking, financial systems, and public-private partnerships.

The IISD recommends that the EU uphold its commitment to keep oil, coal, and gas in the ground within the Arctic to align with net-zero pathways, reduce geopolitical security risks associated with the Barents Sea, and protect fragile ecosystems from oil spills and noise pollution. The document further suggests a clear phase-out timeline for fossil fuel imports originating from north of the Arctic Circle, including the northern Norwegian and Barents seas, to maintain the EU's credibility as a climate leader alongside partners like Canada and Greenland.

The paper examines the rising trend of tax-related ISDS cases and their threat to fiscal sovereignty, proposing that the UN Convention on Tax implement carve-out clauses and coordinated treaty reforms to ensure tax disputes are handled by tax specialists and state-to-state mechanisms rather than private investment tribunals.

The analysis finds that a sustainable tourism pathway for Geopark Teskei, based on nature-based infrastructure and ecosystem protection, generates USD 250 million in net benefits over 25 years, significantly outperforming the USD 17.6 million generated by conventional mass tourism. This shift increases net benefits per tourist from USD 7.90 to USD 113 and provides a return of USD 8.88 for every USD 1 invested. Key economic drivers include a transition to higher-value visitors and the avoidance of USD 31.9 million in environmental and infrastructure costs through improved waste and wastewater management.

The Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) assessment of the SUNCASA project in Johannesburg's Jukskei River catchment finds that nature-based solutions—including riparian restoration, invasive species removal, and urban tree planting—provide significant net benefits. Over 25 years, these interventions are projected to generate USD 8.6 million in net benefits, with a return of USD 3.06 for every USD 1 invested and a cost recovery period of 7 years. The most significant economic return stems from improved water quality, which is expected to save USD 3.7 million in avoided health costs over 25 years.

The ICJ Advisory Opinion establishes that states must implement multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) in a coherent, integrated manner, meaning that climate-related duties must inform the implementation of treaties like the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. Consequently, evidence of systemic and mutually reinforcing actions across different MEAs will now be used to assess a state's due diligence and compliance with international law, increasing the legal and reputational risks of poorly coordinated policy implementation.

This policy brief examines the implications of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion on climate change for multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), emphasizing that states must now implement climate provisions in an integrated and systemic manner to ensure compliance with international law.

The document argues that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has transformed the phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies from a political commitment into a mandatory legal obligation. It recommends that states inventory harmful financial supports, phase them out gradually to minimize socio-economic disruption, and redirect funds toward green solutions and population support. While the ICJ explicitly mentioned fossil fuel subsidies, the briefing suggests this reasoning extends to other harmful supports, such as agricultural subsidies.

The ICJ has established that climate action is a binding legal obligation, meaning investment protections cannot override a state's climate duties. This ruling challenges the basis of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) claims against climate measures and suggests that investment treaties must be interpreted in light of these obligations. The document recommends that states implement climate change carveouts from ISDS, restrict forward-looking damages, and terminate outdated investment treaties to prevent the locking in of fossil fuel activities.

The document argues that the ICJ Advisory Opinion transforms the removal of fossil fuel and other climate-harmful subsidies from a political commitment into a legal imperative. It recommends that states track financial support, phase out subsidies gradually, reallocate funds to green solutions, and coordinate internationally to reduce legal and political risks.

The document argues that climate adaptation is a binding legal obligation under international law and treaties, rather than a discretionary domestic policy choice. It outlines how states must demonstrate due diligence by using the best available scientific data, prioritizing vulnerable populations, and implementing national adaptation plans by 2030. Additionally, it recommends that developed nations provide financing, technology transfers, and capacity building to developing countries to meet these obligations.

The document argues that states must update their laws and regulations to ensure that environmental impact assessments (EIAs) include downstream and Scope 3 emissions from fossil fuel projects. It provides specific recommendations to prevent industry loopholes, such as presuming all produced fuels will be burned and ignoring arguments that production would simply shift to other projects. This guidance follows an International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion and aligns with rulings from the UK Supreme Court and the EFTA Court.

The ICJ has ruled that end-use emissions from burning extracted fossil fuels must be factored into environmental impact assessments (EIAs). To mitigate legal risks, states are advised to update regulations to account for all downstream and Scope 3 emissions, regardless of whether production would have occurred elsewhere. The brief recommends that these emissions be assessed cumulatively and in alignment with global climate objectives.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the implications of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change, specifically regarding climate adaptation. It argues that adaptation is a binding legal obligation under customary international law and climate treaties, rather than a voluntary domestic policy choice, requiring states to exercise due diligence to prevent foreseeable climate harm.

The document argues that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has established climate action as a binding legal obligation, meaning investment protections cannot override a state's climate duties. It suggests that this ruling challenges the legal basis of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) claims against climate regulations, such as coal phase-outs or drilling bans. The brief recommends that states implement specific climate exclusion clauses in treaties, restrict prospective damages based on speculative future revenues, terminate obsolete investment treaties, and pursue a fundamental reform of the international investment regime.

The report assesses how the African Organization for Standardisation (ARSO) can align its regional agriculture and forestry standards with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to protect market access for African producers. While ARSO possesses a strong governance framework and chain-of-custody requirements, it lacks mandatory forest conversion cut-off dates, plot-level geolocation mapping, and public transparency regarding audit methods. The document argues that updating these standards to match EUDR's strict no-exemption rules and data requirements is essential for African exporters to meet compliance deadlines by late 2026 for large companies and mid-2027 for smaller enterprises.

As part of the SUNCASA project, AVEGA Agahozo implemented a childcare program at tree nurseries in Kigali, Rwanda, for children aged 9 to 35 months. The initiative addresses barriers to women's participation in nature-based solutions (NbS) by providing safe, on-site care through a rotation of parents and caregivers. The program includes early childhood development training for parents and the creation of toys from recycled materials, aiming to increase the productivity of mothers and ensure the safety and development of their children.

The report argues that rural Canadian communities face disproportionate challenges in climate adaptation due to limited financial and human resources, a lack of technical expertise in nature-based solutions, and gaps in vulnerability data. It highlights that while adaptation planning has increased, implementation often stalls after consultancy phases. To address this, the authors advocate for tailored financing, the integration of climate resilience into all new infrastructure investments, and a 'multi-solving' approach that addresses climate, biodiversity, and housing crises simultaneously.

The document outlines a framework for transitioning away from fossil fuels (TAFF), emphasizing that roadmaps must be anchored in scientific alignment, the CBDR-RC principle, and national ownership. It argues that national plans should integrate energy access, subsidy reform, and economic diversification, while international efforts require structured producer-consumer coordination and reform of global finance systems. The guide aims to support 2026 initiatives, including the Brazilian COP 30 Presidency's global roadmap, to address the misalignment between current fossil fuel production plans and climate science.