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Taking stock of the implementation gap in climate policy

A gap persists between the emissions reductions pledged by countries under the Paris Agreement and those resulting from their domestic policies. We argue that this gap in fact contains two parts: one in the policies that countries adopt, and the other in the outcomes that those policies achieve.

IISD in the news July 27, 2023

Germany plans to keep funding new gas projects overseas despite pledge

Germany plans to support new gas projects overseas until 2025 in a potential breach of its commitment to end international fossil fuel financing. The government's export credit agency has released its draft policy for the provision of guarantees in the energy sector in what it described as an attempt to tie them to climate protection targets. The guidelines were expected to belatedly align the German agency's operations with a pledge made at Cop26 in Glasgow to end funding for coal, oil and gas projects overseas by the end of last year.

IISD in the news July 27, 2023

How to build career expertise in gender equality and social inclusion

As the world continues to grapple with the far-reaching impacts of COVID-19, the urgency of achieving gender equality—Sustainable Development Goal No. 5—has never been more evident. Women, who have been nearly twice as likely to lose their jobs compared to men in the wake of the pandemic, face an alarming lack of policy measures addressing their economic insecurity.

IISD in the news July 26, 2023

High-Level Political Forum 2023 Debrief

A brief snapshot of the proceedings at the 2023 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and the challenges in the coming year.

Webinar July 25, 2023

Promoting Responsible Investment in Agriculture to Spur Food System Transformation

This side event at the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment explored how responsible investment in agriculture can help make food systems more sustainable.

Conference July 25, 2023

At long last, Canada restricts oil and gas subsidies (except for all the loopholes)

Environment and Climate Minister Steven Guilbeault has unveiled detailed plans to phase out "inefficient" oil and gas subsidies, based on guidelines released yesterday morning that take effect immediately and are meant to fulfill a 14-year-old pledge by G20 countries.

IISD in the news July 25, 2023

Heatwaves to hit China once every 5 years as global extreme weather events multiply, study finds

Record-breaking heatwaves that have scorched North America, Europe and China are set to worsen in future unless the world stops burning fossil fuels, according to a study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) academic initiative.

IISD in the news July 25, 2023

Canada’s Fossil Fuel Subsidy Framework Is a Big Step Forward, but Gaps Must Be Closed to Align With Climate Commitments

Canada's federal government released a new policy to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, delivering on a 14-year commitment.

Statement July 24, 2023

Canada to Cut Oil & Gas Subsidies

The Canadian federal government has implemented a framework to revoke subsidies for fossil fuels that are deemed inefficient. However, the framework lacks details on the specific subsidies to be eliminated and does not provide a dollar amount for the cuts. Canada, as the fourth-largest oil producer in the world, is the first country to comply with a 2009 pledge made by the Group of Twenty (G20) nations. The government plans to exempt oil and gas projects that have plans to reduce emissions and utilize carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault stated that the objective is for federal support to be directed only towards projects that decarbonize the sector and result in significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

IISD in the news July 24, 2023

Canada Bans Some Fossil Fuel Subsidies, Meeting Decade-Old G-20 Pledge

Canada revealed new rules to ban some fossil fuel subsidies, targeting those that unfairly advantage oil and gas, solely support sector activities or endorse consumption of fuels that worsen climate change.