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It’s a busy week in New York as both the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) High-level Week and Climate Week NYC kicked off.
“UNGA conversations are vital for recalibrating the system and identifying the actors who can push global priorities forward,” says Lynn Wagner, IISD’s Senior Director of International Environmental Governance, highlighting the key issues to watch. In a Q&A with Lynn, we discuss the UN at 80, the Secretary-General's UN80 Initiative, and challenges for multilateralism.
If you’re at Climate Week NYC, don't miss today’s session on what the disruption and uncertainty caused by new trade barriers could mean for climate action and green trade. Our trade and green transition expert, Ieva Baršauskaitė, will join the discussion at Climate Group’s panel, “What’s Next for Green Trade in an Evolving Global Landscape?”
If you’re following the conversation online, check out yesterday’s UNGA80 virtual side event, co-hosted with UN University Centre for Policy and Research, on Beyond GDP—the push to reorient how societies measure success by placing well-being, sustainability, and resilience at the core of decision making.
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The Growing Gap Between Fossil Fuel Production and Net-Zero Climate Ambition
Governments from 20 major fossil fuel-producing nations plan to produce 120% the volume of fossil fuels in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and 77% more than a 2°C warming limit, new analysis shows. , co-authored by experts from IISD, Stockholm Environment Institute, and Climate Analytics.
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Reforming Tax Incentives to Drive Green Investments
How can countries’ tax incentives be reformed to attract investment in renewables and green technologies? Our new report analyzes the use of green tax incentives in 35 countries across three continents and sets out concrete policies for governments to promote people- and planet-friendly investment.
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Public Money, Public Value: The European Union’s Public Procurement Directive review explained
The European Union spends EUR 2 trillion yearly on public procurement goods like buses and school meals, amounting to about 14% of the EU economy. These purchases shape entire markets, yet fewer than 15% of large contracts are green. Our new article explains how mandatory sustainability criteria in the EU’s procurement directive could cut emissions and deliver better value for taxpayers in Europe.
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Green Industrial Policy in the Spotlight
Green industrial policy is now at the heart of discussions on development, trade, and climate. To better understand the obstacles and identify possible solutions, we’re bringing together a diverse range of global experts for a series of roundtables. Our new article outlines some of the highlights from these meetings so far.
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NAPs in Action: Four stories of adaptation plans driving change
From water reservoirs in Costa Rica to piloting new monitoring systems in Rwanda, the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network highlights stories of adaptation plans translating into real-world results. Read the full article to see how NAPs are building resilience, unlocking funding, and making adaptation more inclusive.
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Oil Majors Sue Dutch Government: How could it have been avoided?
Residents in Groningen were supposed to be compensated for damages related to a now-closed oil field, but instead, Exxon/Shell filed an investor–state suit against the Netherlands. This challenge is yet another example of how the investor–state dispute settlement system can be used to obstruct climate action, our expert, Lukas Schaugg, told The World. Reform is urgently needed—sign up to our webinar series with ClientEarth where we’ll unpack how.
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South Korea’s Crucial Climate Decision
As unprecedented climate disasters become a daily occurrence, South Korea is facing a crucial decision in responding to the climate crisis. After a climate lawsuit last August, the National Assembly must soon legislate its national greenhouse gas long-term reduction pathway—a critical chance to match science with legal duty.
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Session Submissions for the Trade + Sustainability Hub 2026 Open Soon
Starting October 1, 2025, you can submit a session proposal for the fourth edition of the Trade + Sustainability Hub alongside the World Trade Organization’s 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Submit a session under the theme “Delivering for Development: What is possible and how do we get there?” before October 31, 2025, on one of the following streams: agricultural trade, inclusive low-carbon global economy, or digitized industrialization where small business thrives. Learn more.
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Building Bridges: Debt-for-nature swaps
As investors seek returns with measurable impact, debt-for-nature swaps present a complex but promising way to mobilize private capital. We are hosting a panel at Building Bridges in Geneva on October 2, 2025, to explore how these swaps can link debt sustainability with climate and conservation.
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Register for the 21st IGF Annual General Meeting
How can we ensure that mineral value addition brings broad economic, social, and environmental benefits to resource-rich countries? Join mining policy-makers and actors from industry, civil society, and global non-governmental and international organizations at the IGF Annual General Meeting from November 3 to 5, 2025.
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