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This briefing from the World Resources Institute explains the legal structure and terminology surrounding the expected outcome of the COP 21 climate negotiations in Paris, clarifying that the legal force of the agreement is determined by its content rather than its name.

This research paper outlines methods and options for assessing the ambition of mitigation commitments, specifically focusing on Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) and their integration into the UNFCCC process.

This report synthesizes research on design options for mitigation commitments in the new global climate agreement being negotiated for 2020, focusing on participation, commitment types, ambition guidance, and transparency.

This research paper analyzes three major Chinese foreign policy initiatives—the Maritime Silk Road, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and expanded UN peacekeeping contributions—and evaluates their implications for Africa and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The author argues that while China is increasing its infrastructure and security investments in Africa, particularly on the east coast, the continent remains secondary to China's strategic interests in Asia and Europe.

This briefing discusses the opportunities for the Paris climate talks to establish a global long-term goal for adaptation and an iterative 'adaptation cycle' to accelerate national and international action on climate resilience.

This policy brief examines the potential negative impacts of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) on climate change and provides recommendations to align EU-U.S. trade policy with global climate goals.

This guide by the World Resources Institute provides a glossary of terms used in COP21 climate negotiations to define long-term emissions-reduction goals. It distinguishes between various technical terms such as decarbonization, carbon neutrality, and climate neutrality, while outlining the requirements for these goals to effectively operationalize the target of limiting warming to below 2°C or 1.5°C.

This research paper evaluates the climate-related vulnerabilities, costs, and benefits associated with the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road, a mine access road located in the northeastern Northwest Territories that is primarily constructed over frozen lakes.

A briefing by the NewClimate Institute, conducted in cooperation with GIZ and the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), examines how the preparation of intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) has accelerated national climate change mitigation policy and capacity.

This policy brief, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs, provides recommendations to restore multilateral trade cooperation and the central role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) amidst a systemic crisis characterized by the failure of the Doha Round and the rise of Mega-Preferential Trade Arrangements (MPTAs).

This briefing by the World Resources Institute outlines six critical areas of climate finance to monitor during the COP 21 negotiations in Paris. It emphasizes the need for developed countries to meet the $100 billion annual funding goal by 2020, the importance of increasing adaptation funding, and the necessity of transparent reporting and a predictable finance cycle to support developing nations.

This report describes a 'policy-first' or 'decision-first' approach to mainstreaming climate adaptation into sector development plans, using a case study of the tea and coffee sectors in Rwanda. It contrasts this with 'science-first' methods, emphasizing the integration of climate risk information into existing policy cycles to ensure interventions are economically justifiable and aligned with development objectives.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of financing mechanisms available to local governments to implement low-carbon and climate-resilient urban development. It categorizes funding into internal revenue sources, external revenue sources, alternative models, and international climate finance, emphasizing the need for a blend of instruments to overcome budget constraints and fiduciary barriers.

This document is a manual produced by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) in December 2015 to comply with Section 51 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA). It outlines the CER's role as a non-profit law clinic, identifies the Executive Director as the head for PAIA purposes, and details the procedures, fees, and categories of records available to the public for accessing information held by the organisation.

This report by Energy Innovation describes California's climate and clean energy policy framework, highlighting the state's success in decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions. It details the combination of performance standards and a cap-and-trade program, the resulting growth in green jobs and clean technology, and the state's influence on federal and other state-level policies.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) analyzes the use of fiscal instruments within Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) submitted to the UNFCCC by November 20, 2015. The review identifies trends in how countries employ fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR), clean energy subsidies, and carbon pricing to support low-carbon development and GHG mitigation.

This report from the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the activities and challenges of the African Union's (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) leading into 2016. It focuses on the AU's shifting emphasis toward human rights, the upcoming 2016 elections for the PSC and AU Commission, and the council's mixed success in managing conflicts in Burundi, South Sudan, Somalia, and Burkina Faso. The document also explores the persistent linguistic divide between anglophone and francophone member states and the evolving partnership between the AU and the United Nations.

This report examines Botswana's foreign policy within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), analyzing the transition from the consultative 'quiet diplomacy' of past administrations to the more outspoken and pragmatic approach of President Ian Khama. It details the institutional frameworks governing Botswana's external engagements and the historical influences of the Front Line States and the country's landlocked geography.

The Community Energy Resource Guide, published by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in December 2015, provides a comprehensive roadmap for U.S. communities to develop energy action plans. It outlines a collaborative planning process, methods for analyzing energy landscapes, and specific tactics across the buildings, electricity, transportation, and industry sectors to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

This policy briefing examines the constraints affecting the Environmental Impact Assessment (EA) process in Botswana, focusing on legislative gaps, institutional capacity limitations, and the financial sustainability of the professional regulatory body.