International Institute for Sustainable Development

💡 Can Brazil’s low-carbon agriculture initiatives drive a more resilient future? Leila Harfuch, Rodrigo C A Lima, and Gustavo Dantas Lobo from Agroicone share their insights. In recent years, Brazil’s agricultural productivity has seen impressive growth, making low-carbon agriculture a central focus to create a more resilient sector 🌱 In this new article, Leila Harfuch, Rodrigo C A Lima, and Gustavo Dantas Lobo from Agroicone explore recent policy advancements, including the Low Carbon Agriculture (ABC) program and the more ambitious 2021 ABC+ plan, aimed at promoting climate-resilient farming. While these initiatives are a step in the right direction, the authors highlight areas for improvement, including:  ✅ Better aligning agricultural policies and financial incentives with climate objectives  ✅ Focusing on sustainable technologies, from pasture recovery to biological nitrogen fixation, to promote a more robust sector   ✅ Expanding assistance to farmers who adopt low-carbon technologies.  Supporting low-carbon agriculture is key to boosting productivity, reducing emissions, and fostering climate adaptation. By encouraging innovation, Brazil can further advance sustainable agricultural practices, contributing to a more resilient and environmentally responsible future.   📖️ Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gbAwHjZs  ➡️ This article is part of the latest #Trade & #Sustainability Review on how agricultural support and subsidies can foster sustainability in least developed countries (#LDCs). Read the 🆕 edition here: https://lnkd.in/dr_YeevH  Also available in:  🔗 Français: https://lnkd.in/dWN6Q9ca  🔗 Español: https://lnkd.in/dMxfghrE  Stay in the loop ✨ Be the first to read our next edition by subscribing to the Trade & Sustainability Review newsletter. Sign up here! ✍️ https://lnkd.in/ge4vXvJ8

From the closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power plant to the launch of a much-needed Canadian federal agency protecting fresh water, 2024 has provided its fair share of good news for the climate. In Kenya, women are transforming food security by tackling food loss and waste. Meanwhile, in Zambia, a dedicated community in a small village outside of Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park in Kazungula District has slowly been bringing the vibrant Nsongwe River back to life. As we head towards 2025, take a moment to pause and appreciate the positive milestones of the year. Join us in celebrating the small and big wins for global sustainability. Read ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g_Jmpznw

From UN Climate Change to the World Trade Organization, border carbon adjustments #BCAs are a 🔥 topic in trade and climate talks.  This novel tool, designed to tax carbon emissions embedded in imported goods, is already in effect in the EU, with the UK preparing to follow suit and Australia actively considering it. Around the 🌎, countries are keeping a close eye on these developments – some curious about the promise to tackle carbon leakage, others wary of how they may affect their exports. Yet the impact and effect of BCAs depends on navigating 🔑 policy decisions, such as:  🔹 Scope: Which goods and sectors will be covered?   🔹 Exemptions: Will certain countries be exempted?   🔹 Emissions accounting: Which emissions will be included and how will they be calculated?   🔹 Crediting for foreign action: Which climate policies from the exporting country will be considered?   🔹 Revenue: How will the funds be used?  Aaron Cosbey breaks down these choices and highlights the need for global cooperation to ensure that BCAs are fair and equitable ✅ Alice Tipping | Antoine Bonnet | Ieva Baršauskaitė 

Missed our latest webinar on Debt Relief Strategies? Catch up with the discussion now! In this session, we explored key strategies for debt relief in light of the South African G20 Presidency and the 4th Financing for Development Conference (FfD4). Experts delved into innovative debt relief initiatives, how global forums can drive impactful change, and ways to unlock the fiscal space needed for sustainable development in developing countries. Watch now 👉 https://lnkd.in/gC9pr6uc  Marina Zucker-Marques | Rodolfo Reta | Anahí Wiedenbrüg | Martin Kessler | daniel bradlow

🌍 Preparing for a Global Plastics Treaty As the international community works toward ambitious plastics policies, it's crucial to address how these measures may impact global trade and cooperation 🌐🤝 ➡️ Discover six key principles we’ve identified to help craft effective plastic pollution policies that allow trading partners to prepare, adapt, and thrive in a new global policy environment. Together, we can create #TradeSolutionsForPlasticPollution. 🔗 Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gvc8VqkS  Alice Tipping | Ieva Baršauskaitė  #INC #PlasticsTreaty #Sustainability #GlobalTrade

📢 The new edition of IISD Insights is out now 📰 In this newsletter you'll find: 💵 Latest data on public financial support for fossil fuels 🛢️ Which country led oil and gas exploration in 2024 🍊 What COP29 Azerbaijan means for food systems and land use 💼 Job opportunities at IISD Want to receive this right to your inbox? Subscribe here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKETWbB #climatenews #environment #hiring

📅 On 15 November, Costa Rica, Iceland, New Zealand, and Switzerland signed the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (#ACCTS) - a landmark treaty to advance environmental goals through legally binding trade commitments.  While ACCTS shows how trade rules can drive sustainable development the final text contains a number of exceptions; we’re looking to the review mechanism to support ongoing improvement. The agreement covers three main areas:   🔹 Fossil fuel subsidies  🔹 Trade of environmental goods and services  🔹 Ecolabelling standards ➡️ The agreement sets up innovative, thoughtful ways governments can commit to action on each of these points. Its many carve-outs underscore the need for ongoing improvement. It serves as a call to action to ensure trade supports a sustainable, low-carbon future 🌎 Overall, ACCTS is a strong initial step toward harmonizing environmental protection with economic growth 🌱📈 🔗 Read our full analysis of ACCTS here: https://lnkd.in/gcy-qeqJ  Alice Tipping | Ivetta Gerasimchuk | Cristina Larrea, MA | Tara Laan | Jonas Kuehl | María Florencia Sarmiento | TD Satish 

NEW REPORT | Are India’s current measures sufficient to reach its 2030 clean energy goals? India’s current government support measures are on track to reach goals for solar PV and battery energy storage systems (BESSs), driven by government subsidies and policy support. However, emerging technologies like offshore wind and green hydrogen require urgent additional and sustained investment to reach cost competitiveness, according to a new report from the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy fand the International Institute for Sustainable Development.     The report, “Budgeting for Net Zero: Government Support Needed to Meet India’s 2030 Clean Energy Goals,” calculated the cost gap to achieve India’s 2030 clean energy goals for five technologies. The cost gap shows how much clean technology prices must drop to match conventional technologies & meet India’s clean energy goals. It amounts to: ➡️ USD 61 billion for offshore wind  ➡️ USD 2.29 billion for electric two-wheelers   ➡️ USD 34 billion for green hydrogen      Both central and state governments in India must act now as small but early investments in clean energy technologies will attract much larger private investments—driving economic growth, job creation, and increased public revenue while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 📗Read report: https://lnkd.in/ejpydBu7 Swasti Raizada Tara Laan Sunil Mani Saumya Jain Andrea M. Bassi Deepak Sharma, PhD Anasuya Gangopadhyay Upasna Ranjan Sarah Khan Bidisha Banerjee Georg Pallaske

The Government of Canada has released new national clean electricity regulations that require a net-zero grid by 2050 and ensure all Canadians benefit from clean power, new jobs, and lower costs.     But this also means Canada has stepped back from its COP 26 commitment to a net-zero grid by 2035.    A clean, reliable grid is feasible with more than 80% of Canada’s electricity already powered by clean energy. Experts stress Canadian governments, federal and provincial, should not lose sight of the 2035 pledge.    Clean electricity is vital to limit global temperature rise but a net-zero grid is also the right choice for households: ✅ Savings of up to CAD 15 billion/year by 2050  ✅ Stable pricing less reliant on volatile fossil fuels  ✅ Reliable power offered by renewables and storage     2050 is a final deadline, not a target. For Canadians to benefit from clean electricity ASAP, provinces will need to act. Some first steps: ▶️ Prioritize renewable energy ▶️ Disincentivize fossil fuels ▶️ Support interprovincial grid connections.    Learn more about how strive towards net-zero electricity:  https://lnkd.in/g4iNiwY3