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This fact sheet by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) provides a comprehensive overview of employment trends in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors within the United States and globally, primarily using data from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as of 2016 and 2017.

This research paper by Energy Innovation outlines a five-step framework for state regulators to design grid modernization programs that maximize benefits for customers. The authors emphasize the use of outcome-oriented metrics across three primary goals—affordability, resilience, and environmental performance—and suggest tying utility revenue to performance against these targets to align incentives.

This guide provides a structured list of questions for state policymakers and stakeholders to evaluate utility regulatory models, specifically comparing cost of service regulation and performance regulation in the context of evolving power system goals.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) clause in international investment treaties. It examines how arbitral tribunals have interpreted MFN to allow investors to import more favorable substantive and procedural rules from third-party treaties, a practice that has led to legal uncertainty and 'treaty-shopping.' The document provides a typology of MFN clauses, discusses the distinction between pre- and post-establishment phases, and offers recommendations for states to limit the scope of MFN in future treaties to protect national sovereignty and policy space.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) clause in investment treaties, focusing on how divergent interpretations by arbitral tribunals have created legal uncertainty. It examines the distinction between substantive and procedural rules, the risks of 'treaty shopping,' and provides recommendations for states to limit the scope of MFN clauses in new and existing treaties to protect national sovereignty and policy space.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines Liberia's transition to a peaceful democracy ahead of the October 2017 elections and the final drawdown of the UN peacekeeping mission (UNMIL) in March 2018. It argues that while Liberia has made progress, it requires a more coordinated approach to peacebuilding that leverages the comparative advantages of African regional and subregional organisations—such as the AU, ECOWAS, and the MRU—alongside traditional donors and the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC).

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies argues that the African Union (AU) is failing to implement its maritime strategies, specifically the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIMS), due to a lack of resources, expertise, and a clear definition of the 'blue economy'. It recommends the establishment of a dedicated maritime office within the AU Commission and the revitalization of the 2050 AIMS Strategic Task Force to move beyond current institutional inertia.

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies examines the African Union's (AU) efforts to engage youth in democratic governance. It argues that while normative frameworks like the African Youth Charter and the African Governance Architecture–Youth Engagement Strategy (AGA–YES) exist, there is a significant gap between these theoretical rights and the practical reality for young Africans, who often face unemployment and political marginalisation.

This RMI report outlines the investment potential and financing frameworks for community-scale solar (CSS) in the United States, estimating a market opportunity of up to $16.3 billion by 2020. It details the benefits of CSS—such as lower costs and flexible customer arrangements—while analyzing various finance structures, including tax equity, debt, and innovative tools like New Markets Tax Credits. The document provides a risk management framework to address customer acquisition, subscription volatility, and regulatory uncertainty, aiming to help developers and investors standardize models to accelerate market growth.

This fact sheet from the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) outlines the evolution of China-Africa relations, tracing them from historical ties to contemporary economic, diplomatic, and security partnerships. It highlights the role of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the shift in China's approach from 'non-interference' to active engagement in peace and security, while noting the impact of China's 'new normal' economic slowdown on bilateral trade and investment.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates whether the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) can effectively monitor the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the authors identify strong normative and thematic alignment between the three initiatives, they argue that the APRM currently lacks the administrative capacity, funding, and technical rigor to handle the extensive monitoring responsibilities required.

This policy briefing examines the impact of invasive plant species on food security in Africa and advocates for the use of Earth Observation (EO) data to map and manage these species. It highlights gaps in current policy frameworks and recommends that international and regional bodies integrate EO tools to protect agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the barriers women farmers in Kenya face when accessing post-harvest technologies for mango production. Using service design methods, including Customer Journey Mapping and ecosystem mapping, the study identifies how power imbalances with brokers and a market preference for quantity over quality discourage technology adoption. The report evaluates several technologies—ranging from fruit fly traps to pulping machines—and concludes that technology alone is insufficient without holistic support for business development and the creation of reliable quality-based markets.

This World Resources Institute working paper provides a four-step roadmap for landscape restoration projects to attract private investment between $500,000 and $10 million. It emphasizes the need for restoration leaders to adopt a commercial mindset, develop robust business plans, establish legal investable entities, and use pilot projects and performance metrics to reduce perceived risk for investors.

This World Resources Institute fact sheet provides data on employment growth within the United States clean energy economy, focusing on solar, wind, energy efficiency, and alternative fuel vehicle sectors as of early 2016 and 2017.

This case study describes the experience of Edward Ndolo, a retired police officer in Kitui, Kenya, who implemented road water harvesting on his 3-acre farm to combat low rainfall and climate change. By diverting road runoff through a channel—including one crossing a neighbor's land—Ndolo has increased his agricultural productivity and profitability compared to neighboring farmers who do not use the technique.

This advisory bulletin from the IISD Best Practices Series examines the exhaustion of local remedies (ELR) requirement in international investment law, analyzing its customary origins, its general waiver in investment treaties, and the recent trend of states reintroducing mandatory local recourse to empower domestic legal systems.

This briefing from RMI outlines eight priority areas for electricity innovation in 2017, based on a survey of the Electricity Innovation Lab (eLab) network. The document focuses on the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs), the evolution of utility business models, and the need for improved customer engagement to transform the U.S. electricity system.

This sourcebook introduction outlines the climate vulnerabilities of the Caribbean water sector, emphasizing the need for cross-sector cooperation and flexible, 'no-regret' strategies to address projected trends of rising sea levels, warmer temperatures, and increased storm intensity.

This working paper introduces the GIVRAPD project, a two-year study on climate change adaptation in St. Lucia, Jamaica, Mauritius, and Seychelles. It specifically details the Microinsurance Component's approach to analyzing demand and testing products to reduce vulnerability in these Small Island Developing States.