To meet global climate targets, the world needs to phase out fossil fuels, particularly coal. For any meaningful dialogue on a global coal phaseout at Glasgow, COP26 hosts will need to clearly explain how appropriate technical and financial assistance will be provided to support the energy security needs of coal-dependent countries like India and South Africa—the two most coal-dependent economies out of the G20 countries with 71 percent and 86 percent of their electricity, respectively, coming from coal.

SOURCE: "Experts React: COP26 Preview" by CSIS's Energy Security and Climate Change Program.

The private sector plays a fundamental and underappreciated role in promoting healthy, sustainable democratic systems. A survey from Democracy Works found that 76 percent of respondents were more likely to want to work for a company that promoted democracy, and 81 percent were more likely to buy that company’s products or services.

SOURCE: "A Good Business Model: Commitments the Private Sector Can Make to Support Democracy" by CSIS's Marti Flacks and Barbara Smith.

Since Covid-19's initial outbreak in Wuhan, the Chinese government and its proxies have heavily leveraged social media, especially Twitter, in an attempt to repair China’s reputation and cast doubt on prevailing global narratives about the pandemic. From April to June 2020, 50 percent of the top tweets Chinese state-linked accounts focused on criticizing or highlighting the failings of other countries.

SOURCE: "Is China Succeeding at Shaping Global Narratives about Covid-19?" by the CSIS China Power Project.

Climate change brings decreasing crop productivity, water shortages, and rising sea levels, which worsen locals’ standards of living and push those who are able to move elsewhere. Between 2008 and 2020, an average of 21.8 million people a year were forced to move within their countries by weather-related disasters, such as floods or wildfires.

SOURCE: "Population, Climate, and Conflict: New Data Point to Greater Challenges Ahead" by CSIS Senior Associate (Non-resident) Jennifer Dabbs Sciubba.