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This case study, produced for the U.S. – India Catalytic Solar Finance Program (USICSF), analyzes barriers to scaling rooftop solar in India's Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector. It proposes a Credit Guarantee Mechanism (CGM) to mitigate risks of payment delay and default, thereby unlocking debt financing for Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOs) serving low-rated or unrated MSMEs.

This case study by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) evaluates the feasibility of beef cattle farming and fish cultivation as alternative livelihoods for oil palm smallholder farmers in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The research focuses on diversifying income to mitigate risks associated with climate change, market price volatility, and the long productivity lead times of oil palm plantations.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes the adoption of three agricultural intensification technologies in Brazil between 2006 and 2017: the Direct Planting System (DPS), tractors, and fertilizers. Using data from Brazil's 2017 Agricultural Census, the study identifies divergent spatial patterns of adoption, noting that while DPS is becoming more widespread, tractor use is becoming more concentrated in wealthier regions, and fertilizer use is increasing without a clear spatial pattern.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) describes the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP), a USDA initiative providing zero-interest loans to rural electric cooperatives and utilities to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy projects for their members.

This briefing by Friends of the Earth International argues that agroecology is a viable solution to combat global hunger and climate change, contrasting it with 'climate-smart agriculture,' which the author describes as a corporate-led 'false solution' that maintains industrial production models.

This report by Friends of the Earth International argues that agroecology is a superior alternative to industrial agriculture and 'climate-smart agriculture' for addressing global hunger and climate change. It advocates for supporting small-scale producers and food sovereignty to build resilient, low-carbon food systems.

This policy brief by Friends of the Earth International argues that agroecology, rather than 'climate smart agriculture' (CSA), is the viable solution to combat hunger and climate change. It critiques the industrial agrifood system for its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and corporate capture of policy, while promoting small-scale, diversified production as a means to increase climate resilience, reduce emissions, and strengthen food sovereignty.

This research paper, produced by Friends of the Earth Africa (FoEA), proposes the establishment of a sui generis international tribunal to hold transnational corporations accountable for human rights violations. The document argues that existing national and international mechanisms are ineffective, allowing multinationals to operate with impunity through complex corporate structures and influence over governments. It provides a detailed proposed statute for an 'International Tribunal on Multinationals, Other Enterprises and Human Rights' (TIMEDH), emphasizing accessibility for victims, a shift in the burden of proof to companies, and a permanent seat in a southern state.

This report, produced by Friends of the Earth Africa with support from Friends of the Earth Europe and International, proposes the creation of a legally binding international tribunal to hold transnational corporations accountable for human rights violations. The document argues that existing national and regional mechanisms are insufficient to protect victims, particularly in the Global South, and provides a detailed draft statute for a 'sui generis' court designed to ensure access to justice and reparations.

This case study by FSD Africa examines the remittance landscape in Uganda, identifying it as a net recipient of remittances with significant inflows from the UK, South Sudan, and Rwanda. While the market is advanced, it faces high costs, significant informality, and regulatory hurdles, particularly regarding mobile money and KYC requirements.

This policy brief examines the drivers and impacts of slums and informal settlements in Ghana, specifically within the Accra and Sekondi-Takoradi metropolitan areas. It argues that current urban governance and housing policies are deficient, failing to incorporate the perspectives of slum dwellers or effectively implement existing laws, which undermines the goal of creating resilient cities.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of credit enhancement in scaling up sustainable infrastructure, particularly in developing countries. It defines credit enhancement as the transfer of project risk to creditworthy third parties to improve financial feasibility. The document identifies supply-side barriers, such as the conservative risk management and incentive structures of multilateral development banks, and demand-side challenges, including low awareness among policy-makers. It concludes that while a Universal Guarantee Facility is being discussed, empowering existing de-risking agencies and increasing domestic investor participation may be more effective strategies.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines policies and strategies used by governments to promote direct local employment in the mining sector. It outlines a five-step process for developing local employment policies and categorizes interventions into regulatory 'stick'-based approaches and facilitative 'carrot'-based incentives. The document emphasizes the importance of matching labour supply with industry demand, promoting gender equity and Indigenous participation, and preparing for technological shifts such as automation.

This briefing note provides background for an IISD webinar on the development and negotiation of model bilateral investment treaties (BITs). It examines why countries are revising their investment governance frameworks, the shift toward more transparent consultation processes, and the substantive changes in new-generation models aimed at protecting the right to regulate and promoting sustainable development.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the use of 'security for costs' in investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), where tribunals require investors to deposit funds to cover a state's potential legal costs. The document analyzes the high financial burden on taxpayers, the challenges states face in obtaining such orders due to high judicial thresholds, and the impact of third-party funding. It concludes by recommending stronger, more explicit treaty language to ensure states can recover costs and prevent 'arbitral hit and run' scenarios.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the use of 'security for costs' (cautionnement pour frais) in Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). It analyzes why states seek these deposits to protect taxpayers from high defense costs and speculative claims, the legal obstacles they face due to vague arbitration rules, and the current restrictive jurisprudence of tribunals. The document concludes by recommending that states integrate specific, robust security for costs provisions into their investment treaties to ensure a more equitable balance between investors and states.

This report examines the challenges of reintegrating Boko Haram deserters in the Lake Chad Basin, advocating for a shift from purely military responses to a comprehensive 'desertion, de-incentivisation, rehabilitation and reintegration' (DDRR) framework. It emphasizes the need for regional coordination, community-sensitive approaches, and the demobilization of local vigilante groups to ensure sustainable interim stabilisation.

The report 'State of the Market 2018: Corporate Renewable Procurement in China' analyzes the transition of China's renewable energy market from a feed-in-tariff (FiT) system to a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). It examines the available mechanisms for corporations to procure green electricity, noting that while on-site solar and direct investments are currently viable, large-scale transaction mechanisms remain limited and dependent on evolving provincial and national policies.

This policy brief examines the opportunities and challenges of integrating women into the renewable energy (RE) value chain in Africa, with a specific focus on case studies from Rwanda and South Africa. It argues that while RE offers a unique chance to move away from the non-gender-aware patterns of traditional energy sectors, significant barriers remain in leadership, financing, and education.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute discusses the potential climate, environmental, and social impacts of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Southeast Asia. It highlights the risks of 'carbon lock-in' from coal and fossil fuel investments and the ecological threats posed by hydropower dams in the Mekong region. To mitigate these risks, the authors propose a participatory decision-making framework based on transparency, stakeholder inclusion, and adherence to international sustainable finance standards.