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The report evaluates the consistency of carbon offset protocols across different programs, specifically focusing on landfill methane, manure digesters, and afforestation. By comparing U.S. EPA Climate Leaders’ protocols with those of the CDM, RGGI, CCAR, and CCX, the analysis finds that quantification is not yet standardized, meaning a ton of carbon offset is not consistently valued across different project protocols.

The author critiques South Africa's proposed industrial strategy, which relies on state subsidies, selective import barriers, and 'infant industry' protection. Drawing on examples from East Asia, the paper argues that such policies often fail and that sustainable growth in the 21st century requires integrating into global production chains, attracting foreign investment, and improving basic infrastructure and education rather than relying on government intervention to 'pick winners'.

The report challenges the narrative that genetically modified (GM) crops are a solution to global hunger and climate change, asserting that they primarily benefit biotechnology corporations. It argues that GM crops have not increased yields, have led to an increase in pesticide use due to the emergence of 'super-weeds,' and are often used for animal feed and biofuels rather than human consumption. The document highlights the concentration of market power in companies like Monsanto and describes the negative socio-environmental impacts in the Southern Cone of South America, including deforestation and the displacement of indigenous communities. It concludes that agroecology offers a more sustainable and effective alternative for climate adaptation and food sovereignty.

The policy brief examines how Australia transitioned from a highly protected economy to a productive one starting in 1983 by using transparency to build public support for trade reform. It highlights the role of the Productivity Commission in providing evidence-based reports and the importance of adjustment assistance for affected sectors. The author recommends that South Africa establish a similar independent body of experts and engage the media to foster a consensus for trade liberalisation.

The paper examines the conceptual conflicts in classifying ecosystem services for economic valuation, specifically comparing the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) framework with an output-based approach. Through an analysis of 25 valuation studies of tropical forest water services in Central and South America, the authors find that the MEA framework can lead to double counting and underestimation of values. They argue that valuation should focus on final outputs (benefits to humans) rather than ecological processes to ensure accuracy.

The report analyzes how developing regions responded to the 200608 food crisis, noting a prevalence of short-term, often protectionist measures such as export bans and consumer subsidies. It argues that these immediate responses frequently conflicted with long-term goals of increasing agricultural production and that regional cooperation mechanisms were largely ineffective during the crisis. The author advocates for a 'new agricultural deal' at the global level and the institutional strengthening of regional agreements to provide credible collective economic security.

The document presents the DICER (DICE-Regional) model, which improves upon the DICE2007 model by introducing regional specifications for damage and abatement cost functions and a modified climate module. Initial deterministic results indicate lower peak temperatures (2.6°C) and more rapid emission reductions compared to DICE2007. The authors also propose a risk-adjusted cost-benefit analysis using option pricing to account for uncertainty, finding that incorporating volatility in damages and costs lowers maximum mean temperatures by approximately 0.5°C.

The document analyzes the 40-year history of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), identifying its strengths in promoting public engagement and its failures in baseline data quality and mitigation enforcement. It argues that Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) can avoid these pitfalls by adopting specific procedural improvements, such as earlier implementation, broader definitions of affected parties, and external monitoring of mitigation measures.

The document investigates how the global economic slowdown affects greenhouse gas emissions, arguing that while recessions reduce emissions in the short term, the long-term impact depends on whether the downturn permanently lowers the GDP trajectory and how it influences energy prices and investment. It finds that many official projections may underestimate the long-term reduction in emissions by treating the recession as a transitory business cycle effect rather than a permanent shift in output. The authors estimate that the global emissions trajectory could be lowered by 1-5% in the long run, or 5-9% if a 'price rebound' effect from lower energy prices is excluded.

The report documents that commuters in cars, buses, trains, and ferries are routinely exposed to high levels of diesel exhaust, with ultrafine particles (UFPs) serving as the most sensitive marker of fresh diesel emissions. Findings indicate that diesel soot dominates roadway particulate matter and that in-vehicle exposures are significantly higher than ambient outdoor air, particularly in 'pull' trains and highway tunnels. The study concludes that diesel particulate filters (DPFs) are highly effective at eliminating the soot plume behind vehicles, significantly improving air quality for following commuters and pedestrians.

The report argues that the EU's voluntary lobby registration system is fundamentally flawed, allowing major corporations to under-report or entirely omit their lobbying activities. By comparing EU register data with the mandatory US system and European Parliament access records, the study finds that 40% of the top 50 EU companies are absent from the register, and many that are registered declare unfeasibly low budgets that do not align with their corporate size or their higher spending in the USA.

The paper examines infrastructure funding in Mali, specifically comparing 'traditional' donors (World Bank, European Commission) with 'non-traditional' donors (China). Using the third Bamako bridge as a case study, it argues that recipient governments evaluate aid through an investment model that balances capital costs, transaction costs, and risk profiles. The author finds that while Chinese aid is often perceived as 'tied' and carries higher long-term uncertainty, it is attractive due to low short-term risk and a 'South-South partner' identity. The study concludes that in a stable, resource-poor country like Mali, Chinese aid complements rather than substitutes for OECD aid, meaning it is less likely to undermine established good governance conditions.

The document compares the aid approaches of China and the EU in Africa, contrasting China's focus on economic infrastructure and non-interference with the EU's emphasis on social infrastructure, good governance, and conditionality. It argues that while these models are often perceived as competing, they can be complementary if both parties shift toward a pragmatic, recipient-centered perspective. The author suggests starting co-operation through second-track research and official exchange programmes to bridge the perception gap.

The research investigates how asymmetric global climate policies can lead to carbon leakage, specifically the relocation of CO2-intensive industries like iron and steel. Using the Basque Country as a representative Old Industrial Region (OIR), the authors demonstrate that while relocation impacts may be negligible at a national level, they can significantly reduce regional GDP. The study finds that reducing emissions through industrial relocation is far more costly in terms of GDP loss than achieving the same reductions through cost-effective mitigation policies.

The report details a survey of 1,001 American adults conducted between December 2009 and January 2010. It tracks shifts in public perception of global warming, including a decline in the percentage of people who believe global warming is happening (from 71% in 2008 to 57% in 2010) and an increase in those who believe it is not happening (from 10% to 20%). The data also explores perceived causes, the perceived level of scientific consensus, personal and global risks, and trust in various information sources.

The report finds that Estonia's transport system is not developing sustainably, with car use and road freight growing in tandem with the economy, leading to high energy intensity and greenhouse gas emissions. While traffic fatalities have decreased significantly, urban air quality has suffered due to increased particulate matter from cars. The report compares Estonia's performance with EU averages and neighbors (Finland and Latvia), noting that Estonia has some of the least fuel-efficient new cars in Europe. Three scenarios for 2020 are analyzed: a 'BAAS' (baseline) scenario where trends continue, a 'TEHNO' scenario focusing on rapid vehicle efficiency gains, and an 'EFEKT' scenario focusing on mobility management and sustainable transport modes. The authors recommend a combination of both TEHNO and EFEKT measures, including CO2-based vehicle taxation, improved public transport and active mobility infrastructure, and integrated urban planning to decouple economic growth from transport demand.

The paper evaluates the feasibility of implementing a Personal Carbon Trading (PCT) scheme in Sweden, comparing it to existing UK-based models and current Swedish climate policies. It concludes that a standard PCT scheme would not be an efficient approach for reducing emissions in Sweden's housing and transport sectors due to high administrative costs and the effectiveness of existing policies. However, it suggests that PCT-like concepts could be explored to address emissions embedded in global supply chains.

The report examines the transition from traditional, inefficient bus services to modernized systems, primarily Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), across 13 cities in Latin America and Asia. It highlights that while these systems generally improve travel speed, reduce emissions, and lower capital costs compared to rail, they often suffer from rushed implementation, inadequate user education, and financial instability due to politically determined fares. The analysis emphasizes the importance of high-level political commitment, comprehensive planning, and the use of technical fare-setting to ensure long-term sustainability.

The document compares different policy instruments for increasing energy efficiency in appliances across several EU member states, finding that while subsidies often lead to greater CO2 reductions, energy taxes generally provide higher welfare gains and lower administrative costs. The effectiveness of these policies varies significantly by product type and country, with tax credits for boilers proving highly cost-effective in Italy and Denmark, and the ban of inefficient washing machines being preferable to manufacturer tax credits in Italy and Poland, despite high overall welfare costs.

The document examines the 'resource curse' in Africa, where oil wealth often correlates with poverty, corruption, and conflict. It evaluates the impact of governance initiatives like the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Publish What You Pay (PWYP), and Transparency International (TI) across eight oil-dependent states. The author argues that while these initiatives may be necessary for better governance, they are not sufficient on their own to overcome the systemic issues of rentier states, as evidenced by the continued prevalence of authoritarianism and corruption in several case studies.