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This paper discusses the financing requirements for the low-carbon transition in developing countries, focusing on 'technologies of today' that are technologically viable but commercially challenging. It notes that achieving global net-zero by mid-century requires an estimated USD 100 trillion in investments, highlighting that developing countries will drive 88% of electricity demand growth between 2019 and 2040 but lack the internal capacity to fund the necessary transition.

The document argues that the current structure of global and national financial systems hinders the transition to sustainability, highlighting a significant funding gap for the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the dominance of perceived profitability over sustainability standards in financial flows.

This research paper proposes a multifunctional perspective to bridge the dichotomy between nature and society, arguing that viewing nature as separate from culture limits how landscapes are managed and how environmental and human well-being are monitored. The authors suggest that this systemic view is essential for adapting to biodiversity loss and climate change and for reconciling social equity with environmental goals.

The document emphasizes the need for a just and equitable energy transition that replaces fossil fuels with clean energy. It highlights that the current transition is unique compared to previous global summits due to the acceleration of digitalization, electrification, and the fact that solar and wind energy are now the cheapest options for electricity generation globally.

This research paper examines the intersection of global supply chain governance, digitalization, and environmental sustainability, emphasizing the need for international cooperation and the integration of decent work into green transitions.

This research paper by Nazareth and Ghosh examines the intersection of structural inequality and climate change, arguing that current economic systems based on extractive resource use reinforce power imbalances and hinder climate action. The authors advocate for a restructuring of global environmental governance to be more inclusive and highlight the disproportionate impact of the wealthiest individuals on the global carbon budget.

This research paper argues for a redefined approach to multilateralism to address chronic and catastrophic global risks, specifically the climate crisis and pandemics, which are overwhelming the responsive capacities of nations and communities.

This research paper by Olsson and Dawkins introduces the provisioning systems framework to analyze how human needs can be met without exceeding the boundaries of sustainable natural resource use, specifically focusing on climate change mitigation.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute outlines a framework for achieving climate-neutral cities, focusing on the identification of emission sources across three scopes and the deployment of efficiency and carbon capture technologies. It emphasizes a systems-thinking approach to urban mitigation, specifically targeting the transportation and built environment sectors while excluding large-scale electricity generation and general industry solutions.

This SEI discussion brief examines the relationship between tropical deforestation and water use in agricultural commodity supply chains, specifically focusing on imports into the European Union. It argues that while current policy focuses on deforestation, overlooking water use may shift environmental burdens to water-scarce regions. The brief identifies critical data gaps for beef and wood products and suggests that a comprehensive definition of sustainable supply chains must integrate both land and water stewardship.

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the bidirectional relationship between structural inequality and climate change, arguing that current economic systems and global environmental governance frameworks fail to address the inequitable distribution of resources and ecological space.

This SEI discussion brief argues that nature-based solutions (NbS) are often framed as apolitical, leading to the neglect of social equity and justice in their design and implementation. The document proposes five core principles to ensure NbS do not reproduce existing inequalities and provides a case study from Kaptembwa, Kenya, to illustrate the integration of these principles in an urban informal settlement.

This policy brief, based on a study of Ethiopia, Ghana, and Kenya, examines the alignment between Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and national development plans. It finds that DFIs generally do not use national development plans to shape investment decisions, leading to funding gaps in strategic sectors. The brief proposes a four-step framework—Identify, Compare, Engage, and Invest—to help DFIs better align their portfolios with country-level priorities to enhance development impact.

This executive summary, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute in May 2022, evaluates the progress made 50 years after the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment. It argues that while knowledge and goals have increased, an 'action gap' persists, with only about one-tenth of global environmental targets achieved. The document proposes three systemic shifts—redefining the human-nature relationship, ensuring lasting prosperity for all, and investing in a sustainable future—alongside improvements in global governance to unlock transformative change.

This report, authored by early-career researchers at the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), presents a youth-led vision for a healthy planet by 2030. Based on a survey of 1,050 young people across 89 countries, the document advocates for systemic change, the replacement of economic growth with community-focused metrics of prosperity, and the formal integration of youth into political and economic decision-making processes.

A study of 60 low-income homes across 12 cities in Asia, Latin America, and Africa found that fuel type, kitchen volume, cooking methods, and ventilation are the primary drivers of in-kitchen particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) exposure.

This research paper examines the challenges of institutionalizing industrial energy efficiency in Uganda, arguing that while targeted interventions have provided gains, a robust regulatory framework and broader consensus on trade-offs and benefits are needed to achieve systemic institutionalization.

This research paper analyzes Technology Action Plan documents from twenty-five countries to identify which technological innovation system functions are prioritized for the diffusion of clean energy technologies in developing nations.

This research paper examines the relationship between business, human rights, and climate change within the ASEAN region, specifically analyzing the Philippines’ National Inquiry on Climate Change and its implications for regional governance and corporate responsibility.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute reviews 15 multisectoral National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) to assess the integration of human rights principles. The analysis finds that human rights are not systematically referenced or used to guide the planning and implementation processes in the majority of the reviewed documents, despite the obligations outlined in the Paris Agreement.