Search Climate Insights Directory

This policy brief by the Institute for Economic Justice examines the role of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in climate finance, focusing specifically on the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in South Africa. It argues that the IDC's current operations are misaligned with climate goals due to a portfolio skewed toward carbon-intensive sectors and conservative lending practices, and proposes specific financial and governance reforms to support a just transition.

This policy brief argues that South Africa's Just Energy Transition must move beyond infrastructure to prioritize workers and economic diversification. It suggests that reallocating 10% of bank lending (R52.41 billion) and reforming retirement industry offshore limits (R600 billion) could provide necessary funding. Key recommendations include expanding the Green Finance Taxonomy to include worker transition plans and implementing green capital requirements to incentivize job-creating investments.

This research paper evaluates the international alignment and interoperability of the South African Green Finance Taxonomy (SA GFT). While the SA GFT shows high alignment regarding the 'Make Substantial Contribution' (MSC) principle, it faces challenges in usability and adoption concerning 'Do No Significant Harm' (DNSH) and 'Minimum Social Safeguards' (MSS) pillars, as well as gaps in governance and disclosure frameworks.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International regarding the COP16.2 negotiations in Rome, arguing that current biodiversity financing mechanisms are unjust and that a fundamental systemic change in the global financial system is required to effectively combat biodiversity loss.

A joint statement by 22 civil society organisations condemning the Department of Basic Education's facilitation of corporate-branded furniture donations, specifically McDonald's 'Mi Desk' desks, in South African schools, arguing that such actions expose children to harmful junk food and gambling marketing.

This research paper argues that ongoing unrest in Mozambique following the October 2024 general elections is driven by deep-seated socioeconomic grievances and distrust of the ruling Frelimo party, rather than electoral fraud alone. The author highlights systemic issues including high youth unemployment, government corruption—specifically the 'hidden debt scandal'—and a history of electoral misconduct. The paper notes a shift in public action, with protests now targeting private sector companies over land rights and infrastructure failures, and warns that the new government under Daniel Chapo faces significant instability unless a genuine dialogue including opposition figure Venâncio Mondlane is established.

A statement from the Stockholm Environment Institute evaluating the Church of Sweden's forest inquiry, arguing that while the inquiry moves toward sustainable management and respect for indigenous rights, the Church could further strengthen its approach to avoid conflicts between forestry and reindeer husbandry.

This EESI briefing highlights the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on U.S. clean manufacturing, noting over $123 billion in investments across 100+ facilities and the projected creation of 67,000 rural jobs. It outlines a panel discussion on domestic supply chains, community economic benefits, and industrial electrification.

Friends of the Earth International issues a statement calling for a fundamental systemic change in biodiversity financing ahead of the COP16.2 meeting in Rome. The organization argues that current financial mechanisms are unjust, driven by destructive industries, and fail to support the most effective conservation actors, such as Indigenous peoples and local communities.

This briefing by Friends of the Earth International argues that the biodiversity crisis is driven by systemic financial failures and calls for a fundamental reform of the financial system ahead of the COP16.2 negotiations in Rome. It criticizes the current reliance on private finance, biodiversity offsets, and the failure of developed nations to meet funding pledges, while advocating for direct financial support for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs).

An analysis of seven large-scale transmission projects across the United States, ranging from California to Oklahoma, found that all projects delivered benefits exceeding their costs. Projects designed for economic benefits significantly surpassed the FERC 1.25 benefit-to-cost ratio standard and exceeded original planning expectations. Reliability-driven projects also provided unintended economic benefits, often approaching or exceeding the FERC threshold.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes UN voting patterns on Ukraine as of February 2025. It highlights a divergence between European demands for Russian accountability and the Trump administration's shift toward de-escalation, alongside a more strategic, pragmatic approach by Global South nations seeking diplomatic mediation over binary confrontation.

This research proposes a 'mixed adaptation' category to replace the traditional dichotomy between autonomous and planned climate adaptation, based on an analysis of 1,682 peer-reviewed articles.

A statement by World Resources Institute's Stientje van Veldhoven evaluating the European Commission's Clean Industrial Deal, noting its correct priorities in decarbonization and financing while criticizing gaps in resource efficiency, CBAM stability, and concrete resource targets.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the systemic failures of carbon offsetting, arguing that these mechanisms often increase global emissions rather than reduce them. The document details how both compliance and voluntary carbon markets suffer from low environmental integrity, lack of additionality, and fraudulent practices, particularly in forestry projects. It concludes that carbon offsets are not a valid climate solution and that priority must be given to direct emission mitigation over offsetting or unproven large-scale carbon removal technologies.

This research paper examines voluntary biodiversity credits (VBCs) as a mechanism to bridge the global biodiversity funding gap. It argues that because the standalone business case for VBCs is currently weak, they should be integrated into hybrid financing models—such as carbon markets and debt-for-nature swaps—to attract private investment and ensure scalable conservation outcomes.

This briefing by RMI argues that Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing rules should be updated to include low-embodied-carbon building materials and material-efficient construction practices to unlock billions of dollars in investment.

This case study by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the drivers of infectious diseases in Bharatpur, Nepal, and evaluates how nature-based solutions (NBS) can mitigate these hazards alongside basic urban infrastructure.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) describes a four-step monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) process developed for the TerraFund partnership to measure the impact of land restoration projects. This system utilizes the TerraMatch platform to collect geospatial data, field reports, and satellite imagery to track indicators such as tree survival, carbon sequestration, and job creation over six-year periods.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the investment gap for Indonesia's 2030 ENDC targets and examines the regulatory landscape and barriers hindering the scaling of climate-aligned finance in the country's financial sector.