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The report analyzes the failures of 'first wave' environmentalism surrounding the 1987 Bruntland Report and the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to provide lessons for 'second wave' environmentalism in 2012. It evaluates the High Level Panel on Global Sustainability's efforts to address these errors through a focus on relative urgency, a narrative on green growth, and engagement with mainstream economic planning.

This document is a preliminary report on a pilot study conducted in Senegal at the end of 2011 to test the Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA) methodology developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

This document is a preliminary report on a pilot study conducted in Mozambique at the end of 2011 to test the Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA) methodology developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

A statement by Friends of the Earth International condemning a violent police eviction of fishing families protesting the El Quimbo Hydroelectric Project in Huila, Colombia, and calling for the protection of local community rights.

Friends of the Earth International condemns the violent eviction of fishing families protesting the construction of the El Quimbo hydroelectric dam in Colombia, citing human rights abuses and the denial of legal participation mechanisms.

This briefing by RMI analyzes the impact of low natural gas prices, driven by hydraulic fracturing, on the growth of renewable energy in the United States. While low wholesale gas prices create near-term financing challenges for utility-scale projects, the document argues that distributed solar PV and long-term cost declines in wind and solar will ensure continued renewable energy expansion.

This research paper examines the integration of maritime piracy concerns into Kenya's foreign policy, noting a historical lack of a coherent domestic strategy despite the economic and security threats posed by piracy in the Indian Ocean and the proximity of Somalia.

This policy brief by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that the success of the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development depends on integrating a rights-based approach. It examines the historical evolution of human rights and environmental linkages from 1972 to 2002 and critiques the January 2012 Zero Draft of the Rio+20 outcome document for failing to recognize the fundamental right to a healthy environment.

This report details the resolutions and decisions made during the 19th Special Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on February 15, 2012, in Arlington, Virginia. The primary focus of the meeting was addressing operational challenges within the IAI Directorate and approving a tripartite proposal to distribute the Directorate's functions across Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay to enhance science-policy integration and operational stability.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the theoretical benefits and practical drawbacks of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), specifically focusing on their ability to integrate into sustainable development frameworks. It argues that while PPPs can attract capital and encourage life-cycle technology investments, they often suffer from high costs, reduced transparency, and a lack of explicit sustainability safeguards.

This research paper evaluates the air quality and health co-benefits of 14 emission control measures targeting black carbon, methane, and ozone precursors, finding that full implementation could significantly reduce global PM2.5 and ozone concentrations and prevent millions of premature deaths by 2030, with the majority of benefits occurring in Asia.

RMI collaborated with H-E-B to design a new grocery store in Austin, Texas, targeting a 50% reduction in energy use and up to 80% reduction in water consumption through integrative design moves such as airlocks, daylighting, and high-efficiency refrigeration.

This research paper describes the Clipore program, a large-scale research initiative funded by Mistra that operated from 2004 to 2011 to support international climate policy development.

This research paper proposes and applies a rapid screening methodology to evaluate the potential of National Agriculture and Food Security Investment Plans (NAFSIPs) in 14 African countries to generate climate change benefits across adaptation and mitigation.

This research paper analyzes the material and ideational drivers influencing India's climate policy across international, national, and sub-national levels, arguing that climate policy is integrated into broader foreign policy and development interests.

The 2012 State of the Nation Address by President Jacob G Zuma outlines a 'massive infrastructure development drive' designed to combat the 'triple challenge' of unemployment, poverty, and inequality in South Africa. The address details strategic investments in transport, mining, and social infrastructure, while reporting on progress in job creation, education, and land reform.

The Regulations for the Proper Administration of Nature Reserves, published on 8 February 2012 under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003, establish a legal framework for the management, conservation, and use of nature reserves in South Africa. The document outlines the powers of management authorities, rules for public access, restrictions on biological resource use, and penalties for non-compliance.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that the European Union's REACH regulation is currently ineffective at managing the health, safety, and environmental risks of nanomaterials. The author identifies four primary regulatory gaps—identification, phase-in status, tonnage thresholds, and risk assessment—that allow nanomaterials to enter the market with insufficient data, contradicting the "no data, no market" principle. The report proposes either modifying the REACH text or creating a stand-alone "nano patch" regulation to address these deficiencies.

This case study examines the factors influencing the Democratic Republic of Congo's participation in multiple Regional Economic Communities, highlighting how political interests and internal economic fragmentation have hindered a coherent regional integration strategy.

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