Of Interest
you are currently viewing::Stablecoins, Tokens, and Global DominanceSeptember 9, 2025-Technology is reshaping capital flows and currency dominance; data integrity is essential for financial stability The effects on capital flows are hard to assess, but they could have a surprisingly large impact on fiscal accounts, geoeconomic fragmentation, exchange rate volatility, and the internationalization of major currencies. Stablecoins are one of the most relevant innovations, increasingly embraced amid US introduction of a legal framework designed to boost adoption and solidify the dollar's role as the main international currency. Tokenization plays a role as well. It is the process of recording claims on assets that exist on a traditional ledger-or native assets (that is, only issued digitally)-on a programmable platform, where they can be transferred (Agur and others 2025). Source: imf.org |
Global Gas Flaring Hits Highest Level Since 2007, Undermining Energy Security, Access, and Emissions Goals
July 18, 2025-New report estimates wasted gas amounts to Africa’s annual gas consumption
Global gas flaring surged for a second year in a row, wasting about $63 billion in lost energy and setting back efforts to manage emissions and boost energy security and access.
Flaring, the practice of burning natural gas during oil extraction, reached 151 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2024, up 3 bcm from the previous year and the highest level in almost two decades.
OECD-Environment at a Glance Indicators
June 30, 2025--Human activities, particularly the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), are disrupting the earth-atmosphere system by enhancing the natural greenhouse effect. This leads to rising temperatures and broader climate disruption. Changes in land use and forestry practices also influence the balance of GHGs, as they affect the capacity of carbon sinks to capture or release emissions.
Extreme Heat Could Cost Cities in Europe and Central Asia 2.5% of GDP Annually by 2050
June 24, 2025-Cities across Europe and Central Asia (ECA) have experienced a sharp and consistent rise in temperatures in recent decades, which is projected to triple the already tens of thousands of heat-related deaths and decrease annual GDP by an estimated 2.5 percent by 2050, according to a new report by the World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery released today.
Global Energy Transition Gains Ground, but Security and Capital Challenges Persist
June 18, 2025--The World Economic Forum 2025 Energy Transition Index shows the fastest progress since pre-COVID-19, with 65% of countries improving and 28% advancing across all core dimensions-security, sustainability and equity.
Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Switzerland top the Index, driven by strong policy commitment, infrastructure and clean energy diversification.
Emerging Europe posted the biggest gains while Emerging Asia outpaced the global average.
Pacific Economic Update: Slowing Growth Highlights Need for More Inclusive Workforce
June 17, 2025-Increasing women's workforce participation could boost GDP per capita by over 20 percent across Pacific countries, shows World Bank report
Economic growth is slowing across the Pacific as countries face weak global growth, natural hazards and climate related shocks.
Global Carbon Pricing Mobilizes Over $100 Billion for Public Budgets
June 10, 2025--Over one quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions are covered by carbon pricing
Carbon pricing revenues exceeded $100 billion in 2024, according to a new World Bank report released today. Over half of this revenue generated for public budgets was earmarked for environment, infrastructure, and development projects, representing a slight increase from previous years.
