In this Year of the Tiger, China, the world’s largest carbon emitter, is signaling more aggressive climate action on several fronts, including expanding its national carbon emission trading system (ETS).  Since the launch of the program on July 16, 2021, results have been encouraging; carbon intensity fell three and a half percent in the second half of 2021 and total carbon emissions only grew by four percent, compared to nine percent in the first half of the year. However, China’s implementation of ETS has triggered criticism for having low penalties, loose restrictions, and too low a carbon price. Like a tiger in tall grass, it is vital that Chinese policymakers pounce on the obstacles to expanding ETS coverage and transition from an intensity-based cap to an absolute cap. Signs show this can happen sooner as opposed to later.

Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting. Mark Twain may or may not have said it, but it gets repeated because it rings true. Water is central to human wellbeing, from drinking water and hygiene to growing food, producing electricity, and supporting identity-defining landscapes.  

As Russia’s unprovoked assault on Ukraine continues, the world’s focus is rightfully on ending this conflict as soon as possible. But the global impact of a senseless war launched by a petro-dictator also calls for deeper reflection.  

Since signing on to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, Pakistan has furthered its government’s partnership with China through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. While both initiatives concern development investments in infrastructure, the agreements have raised concern in Pakistan. In February’s top post, Sheraz Aziz assesses the environmental impacts, like deforestation and pollution from coal plants, and economic impacts, such as those on Gwadar’s fishing industry, that are sparking opposition from Pakistanis.  

The crisis in Ukraine is rightly at the center of U.S. foreign policy attention but, even in the midst of that justified focus, the latest IPCC report unflinchingly reminds us of another emergency: we are running out of time to avoid the most devastating effects of climate change, including the social, economic, environmental and security risks that can actually drive war.

China continues blazing a trail across the Wider Caribbean through large capital flows, loans, and investment. In the last two years alone, more than a dozen Caribbean nations have signed on to China’s Belt and Road Initiative—even as some still recognize Taiwan, perhaps the only remaining sticking point preventing further signatories. The deepening of relations did not happen overnight, but it is only recently that the Belt and Road Initiative has drawn attention to China’s strategic investments and growing political bonds with Caribbean island nations.

Globally, one third of women (736 million) have experienced physical and/or sexual violence, oftentimes when they were still children. Domestic violence and violence against women (VAW) have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.