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20,303 documents added on 17 August 2026
A low-carbon sunrise for the mining industry
This research paper by WWF South Africa argues that the global transition to a low-carbon economy, driven by the Paris Agreement, creates significant opportunities for South Africa's mining sector. The document details the high material intensity of clean energy technologies—such as solar, wind, and geothermal—and positions South Africa's vast mineral reserves as a strategic advantage for revitalising its extractive industries and re-industrialising its economy through the manufacturing of low-carbon technologies.
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Document type: Research paper
Parking: Reflections for growing and developing cities
This briefing by WWF South Africa examines the urban and environmental impacts of parking infrastructure, specifically focusing on the transition from minimum to maximum parking requirements. It argues that oversupplying parking incentivizes private car use and increases greenhouse gas emissions, while providing case studies from the USA and UK to suggest policy reforms for developing countries like South Africa.
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Document type: Briefing
Potential for solar thermal heating in South African hospitals
This report evaluates the potential for solar thermal heating in South African hospitals to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and electricity. While the current adoption is very low (less than 0.5% of thermal demand), the study finds that 20-40% of the 370 GWh annual thermal energy requirement could be met by solar thermal systems. A case study at Paarl Provincial Hospital demonstrates that such systems can be financially viable, achieving a 10% internal rate of return and a levelised cost of heat (LCOH) of R0,62/kWh, even when competing with energy-efficient heat pumps. However, widespread adoption is hindered by high upfront costs, outdated infrastructure, asbestos roofing, and a preference for solar PV systems.
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Document type: Report
Solar thermal technologies: clean fit for food and beverage industries
This report by WWF South Africa examines the business case for adopting solar thermal technologies in the South African food and beverage industries to replace non-renewable heat sources. It highlights the potential for significant greenhouse gas reductions, job creation in manufacturing and installation, and financial viability for most fuel replacements other than coal.
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Document type: Report
Surplus food from farms and firms onto forks
This report by WWF South Africa outlines the business and climate case for redirecting surplus food—edible food that is not 'true waste'—from farms and firms to people in need. It identifies significant opportunities for greenhouse gas mitigation and socio-economic benefit, while highlighting systemic barriers such as liability concerns and date labelling.
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Document type: Report
Inside Story: Action on climate vulnerability - Lessons from Quito
This case study describes the collaboration between the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and the Metropolitan District of Quito (DMQ) to develop a climate vulnerability study and a five-year Action Plan to address an average temperature increase of 1.3°C over the last century.
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Document type: Case study
Unifying explanation for variation in ozone sensitivity among woody plants
This research paper investigates the relationship between leaf morphology and ozone sensitivity in woody plants, finding that leaf dry mass per unit leaf area (LMA) explains much of the variation in ozone tolerance and biomass reduction.
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Document type: Research paper
Submission from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) on the Draft Guidance Notes for the Environmental and Social Standards of the World Bank ESF
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) submitted comments on December 20, 2017, regarding the World Bank's Draft Guidance Notes for the Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) of the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). CIEL argues that the Guidance Notes are "severely lacking in substance" and often merely reiterate the standards or use vague language rather than providing the detailed implementation guidance necessary to prevent harm to people and the environment.
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Document type: Statement
The National Security Impacts of Climate Change
This issue brief examines how climate change impacts United States national security, detailing the Department of Defense's (DOD) conceptualization of climate change as a 'threat multiplier' and the resulting operational, infrastructural, and geopolitical challenges. It outlines the adaptation and mitigation strategies adopted by the DOD and other security agencies, while analyzing the role of Congressional legislation and funding in shaping these efforts.
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Document type: Briefing
Pronunciamiento a la opinión pública internacional ante la declaración de la Misión de Observación Electoral de la Unión Europea en Honduras
A statement by Friends of the Earth Europe and Friends of the Earth Latin America and the Caribbean expressing concern over the European Union Election Observation Mission's (EU EOM) declaration regarding the 2017 general elections in Honduras, which legitimized the victory of Juan Orlando Hernández.
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Document type: Statement
Déclaration à l’opinion publique internationale au sujet de la déclaration de la Mission d’observation électorale de l’Union européenne au Honduras
Friends of the Earth Europe and Friends of the Earth Latin America and the Caribbean criticize the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) for legitimizing the 2017 Honduran general election results, which saw Juan Orlando Hernández declared president despite allegations of fraud and constitutional violations.
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Document type: Statement
EU legitimizes results of fraudulent election in Honduras
A statement by Friends of the Earth Europe and Friends of the Earth Latin America and the Caribbean criticizing the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) for legitimizing the 2017 general election results in Honduras, which the organizations claim were fraudulent.
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Document type: Statement
South Africa’s prospects under Cyril Ramaphosa
This report analyzes the political and economic implications of Cyril Ramaphosa's narrow victory at the African National Congress (ANC) 54th national conference in December 2017. The author argues that while the result averted a major party split, South Africa remains in a "muddling along" scenario characterized by deep factional divisions and economic fragility. The document examines the prospects for the 2019 elections, the potential recall of Jacob Zuma, and the need for structural reforms to avoid credit rating downgrades and stimulate growth.
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Document type: Report
A Resilient and Cost-Effective Energy Future for Puerto Rico
This RMI briefing argues that renewable energy and distributed energy resources (DERs) are cost-effective, resilient, and rapidly deployable solutions for rebuilding Puerto Rico's electrical grid following the damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
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Document type: Briefing
Mainstreaming Climate Adaptation
This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the effectiveness of mainstreaming climate adaptation objectives into existing policies by reviewing peer-reviewed empirical analyses.
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Document type: Research paper
Parallel Report on SPAIN concerning air pollution and climate change
This parallel report, submitted by the Instituto Internacional de Derecho y Medio Ambiente (IIDMA) and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, argues that Spain's continued reliance on coal-fired power plants violates children's rights to health and a sustainable environment. The authors highlight the severe respiratory impacts of air pollution on children and the contribution of these plants to global climate change, urging the Spanish government to phase out coal power.
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Document type: Report
Informe Paralelo sobre ESPAÑA relativo a la contaminación del aire y cambio climático
This parallel report, submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child by the International Institute for Law and the Environment (IIDMA) and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), argues that Spain's continued reliance on coal-fired power plants violates children's rights to health and a sustainable environment. The document details the health impacts of air pollution on children, the role of coal in greenhouse gas emissions, and the legal exceptions Spain has used to bypass European Union emission limits.
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Document type: Report
Leveraging the Power of the Public Purse: Using public procurement of low-carbon innovation for sustainable infrastructure recommendations to the European Commission and EU member states
A briefing by i24c and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) providing recommendations to the European Commission and EU member states on using public procurement to increase demand for low-carbon innovation within sustainable infrastructure, specifically targeting the construction and infrastructure sectors.
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Document type: Briefing
Brazilian Law Sets Standards for Compact, Connected, Coordinated Social Housing
A case study by the World Resources Institute (WRI) detailing the development and enactment of a 2017 Brazilian law that establishes 'compact, connected and coordinated' (3C) standards for the Minha Casa, Minha Vida (MCMV) social housing program to combat urban sprawl and improve service access.
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Document type: Case study
Bhopal Introduces India’s First Fully Automated Bicycle Sharing System with Dedicated Lanes
A case study by the World Resources Institute (WRI) detailing the launch of India's first fully automated public bicycle sharing (PBS) system in Bhopal, which integrates dedicated bike lanes to improve safety and solve last-mile connectivity to public transport.
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Document type: Case study