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This precautionary guide by Friends of the Earth International warns forest communities against signing REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) and other forest conservation contracts. It argues that these market-based schemes often lead to deterritorialization, loss of sovereignty, and the erosion of traditional cultures by imposing restrictive conditions on land use and granting disproportionate power to external companies.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) activity plan for July 2014 to June 2015 outlines a transition to a tripartite institutional structure, the monitoring of CRN3 projects, the conclusion of a MacArthur Foundation project on Andean biodiversity, and the IAI's leadership role in the Latin American network of Future Earth.

This 2014 briefing paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) serves as a background document for consultations regarding Manitoba's new climate change and green economy action plan. It specifically focuses on the agriculture and water sectors, detailing their contributions to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, their vulnerability to climate change, and potential strategies for mitigation and adaptation.

The July 2014 Peace & Security Council (PSC) Report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the African Union's (AU) handling of unconstitutional changes of government in Egypt, the deteriorating security situation in Libya, the challenges of post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD) in Africa, and the strategic partnership between the AU PSC and the UN Security Council.

This research paper by Ivan Crouzel for the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the relationship between electoral processes and political instability in Africa. It argues that elections often crystallise tensions because they are viewed as the primary means of accessing state-owned resources, leading to acute competition in fragile regimes. The author contends that technical electoral support is insufficient and must be replaced by a broader democratic governance approach that prioritises inclusive political agreements, credible election management bodies (EMBs), and multi-stakeholder conflict prevention mechanisms.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the legislative process for reauthorising the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which was scheduled to expire on 30 September 2015. The author argues that African stakeholders should focus their advocacy on the US Congress rather than the Executive Branch, as the legislative process is complex and subject to partisan stalemates and lobbying from US interest groups.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates South Africa's third African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) National Programme of Action (NPoA) implementation report (SAIR3), launched in January 2014. While the author notes significant improvements in the quality, honesty, and consultative nature of the reporting compared to previous efforts, the briefing concludes that the APRM remains largely a foreign policy tool with minimal domestic impact due to a lack of integration into national planning and persistent governance challenges.

A study of 1,300 social and environmental enterprises in developing countries highlights how grassroots micro enterprises use new business models to serve their communities, while facing significant barriers to scaling up.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the development of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) regarding food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture. It compares the SDGs' universal and integrated approach to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), analyzes proposed targets from various UN-related entities, and identifies gaps in implementation strategies and systemic integration.

This research paper examines the organizational challenges and requirements of science-stakeholder interactions within the Swedish forestry sector, specifically regarding climate change impacts on ecosystem services.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative examines the underperformance of land rental markets in Brazil and argues that deregulation could improve agricultural productivity and environmental protection by enabling more efficient land use.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted a letter to the Department of Environmental Affairs on 24 June 2014, arguing that Eskom failed to conduct necessary health impact assessments for its applications to postpone Minimum Emission Standards (MES). The CER highlights expert estimates of significant premature deaths and economic costs resulting from Eskom's emissions and notes that Eskom previously withheld its own internal health risk reports from the public.

This report examines the intersection of agro-value chain finance and climate adaptation, highlighting how limited access to financial resources hinders productivity and increases vulnerability to climate hazards. It argues that while some microfinance models are emerging, the banking sector must proactively integrate climate risk into its strategies and develop inclusive, climate-proof financial instruments to support sustainable development.

A joint statement from the Attorneys General of New York, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish formal emission standards and guidelines for methane in the oil and gas sector following the publication of five technical white papers.

This case study examines the 100 MW Eskom CSP power tower plant in Upington, South Africa, focusing on its financial structure, risk management, and the role of public funding in deploying emerging concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies.

A statement by Premier Zille detailing the progress of the Western Cape's green economy initiatives, including investment figures, the establishment of the Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP), and the attraction of foreign direct investment in renewable energy manufacturing.

This briefing by the Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) discusses the challenges of integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation policies in India, specifically within the arid zones of Barmer and Leh. It highlights the disconnect between national policy and local operational reality, advocating for the use of local knowledge and multi-stakeholder platforms to harmonize these efforts.

A World Resources Institute (WRI) analysis indicates that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) could increase the cost-effectiveness of its water quality improvement spending by seven to 12 times through the use of geographic and benefit-cost targeting.

As of June 2014, the U.S. plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market was characterized by rapid growth, with sales increasing 85% between 2012 and 2013. The market was dominated by the Nissan LEAF, Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Prius Plug-in, and Tesla Model S. While PEVs offer zero tailpipe emissions and lower total cost of ownership due to cheaper fuel, challenges remain regarding the availability of public charging infrastructure (8,000 stations vs 150,000 gas stations) and high battery costs. Federal tax credits up to $7,500 and various state-level incentives in places like California, Colorado, and Georgia are used to drive adoption.

This research paper assesses the perceptions of climate change and the microscale adaptive strategies employed by 43 smallholder farmers in the Mhakwe Communal Area of Zimbabwe.