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This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines agricultural cooperatives as a model for inclusive investment. It details the types of cooperatives, their benefits for smallholders, the role of foreign investment in reducing risk and improving skills, and the necessary government support and legal frameworks to ensure their success without undue state interference.

This research paper examines the transition of Russia toward a 'green economy,' analyzing the gap between official policy documents and practical implementation. It highlights Russia's immense natural capital and the critical need to reduce its economic dependence on hydrocarbon exports and improve energy efficiency to ensure long-term sustainable development.

This research paper examines the shifting landscape of Africa's extractive sector, noting the rise of emerging market companies and increasing pressure on all firms to demonstrate developmental and environmental contributions. It argues that Western and OECD companies can gain a competitive edge by adapting their business models to support local processing, reskilling workers, and enhancing transparency.

A statement from a coalition of US, EU, and international organizations expressing deep concerns regarding proposed 'regulatory cooperation' under the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The signatories argue that these mechanisms could prioritize trade interests over public health and environmental protections, potentially creating a 'chilling effect' on the development of new laws.

This briefing by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the challenges of integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation policies in India, specifically focusing on the arid regions of Barmer and Leh. Based on action research by SEEDS India, the document highlights how a lack of coordination between government ministries leads to ineffective implementation and potential maladaptation, while advocating for the use of local multi-stakeholder platforms and post-disaster 'windows of opportunity' to drive policy convergence.

This research paper examines the relationship between South Africa's normative foreign policy goals—centered on democracy, human rights, and good governance—and its economic diplomacy within the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The author argues that there is an inconsistent linkage between these two areas, as South Africa often prioritizes economic interests and historical political alliances over the enforcement of its normative values.

This technical brief from the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the critical role of firewood as a primary energy source in Kenya, highlighting the challenges of supply-demand imbalances, gender inequality, and knowledge gaps. It advocates for a multi-sectoral integrated approach to ensure sustainable firewood access and utilization.

This briefing note analyzes the role of fossil-fuel subsidies in Indonesia's social welfare strategy, arguing that while these subsidies were traditionally used to alleviate poverty and control inflation, they have become expensive, inefficient, and regressive.

This briefing note analyzes the short-term effects of fossil-fuel subsidy reform on Indonesia's energy supply chain, specifically referencing price hikes in June 2013 and the potential for shifting from subsidized LPG to electric induction cooking.

This executive summary analyzes the impact of capacity factor (FC) estimation manipulation within Brazil's Programa de Incentivo a Fontes Alternativas (PROINFA), a feed-in tariff (FiT) scheme. The authors find that project developers systematically inflated FC estimates to secure higher payments and larger contracted energy volumes, leading to financial overpayments and lower-than-planned energy generation. The report suggests that a simple 1% interest penalty on excess payments would have eliminated these incentives for manipulation.

This briefing by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) examines design options for the Private Sector Facility (PSF) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to better mobilize private capital for climate mitigation and adaptation. It argues that addressing both policy and financing risks through innovative instruments is essential to closing the green financing gap.

This conference report from the Green Economy Coalition details discussions held at Wilton Park in February 2014 regarding 'Real Green Economies'. The document critiques the macro-economic, top-down models of 'green growth' promoted by international institutions, arguing that they often ignore social justice and the needs of the poor. It advocates for a transition based on diverse, community-led pathways and the integration of social equity into green policy from the outset.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the relationship between mineral resource dependence and development in Africa, using South Africa as a primary case study. It argues that the 'resource curse' is not deterministic and that the quality of development depends on the strength and nature of a country's institutions, which mediate political incentives and determine whether mineral wealth leads to inclusive growth or adverse governance outcomes.

This policy briefing examines the partnership between China and Angola in constructing satellite towns to address Angola's housing crisis, focusing on the Kilamba Kiaxi project as a case study. It analyzes the 'resources for infrastructure' financing model and identifies challenges regarding local adaptation, affordability, and the provision of public services.

This policy note from the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the challenges and progress in African fisheries governance, focusing on the tension between economic development, environmental sustainability, and social justice. It analyzes the roles of small-scale and industrial fisheries, the impact of illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing, and the transition toward co-management systems to address the limitations of centralized governance.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative evaluates federal policies to support India's goal of doubling renewable energy capacity to 55,000 MW by 2017. It compares existing subsidies—such as generation based incentives and viability gap funding—against proposed debt-related policies, concluding that low-cost, long-term debt is the most cost-effective long-term strategy, though it faces shortS short-term budgetary constraints due to high initial capital outlay.

This research paper analyzes the proposed New Development Bank (NDB) led by the BRICS nations, examining its potential funding models, spending priorities, and currency choices. The author argues that a democratic governance structure with equal contributions is the most viable path to ensure the bank's legitimacy and facilitate the entry of other emerging economies.

This 2014 submission from a coalition of civil society organizations provides critical feedback to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) on its proposed accreditation system, fiduciary standards, and environmental, social, and gender safeguards. The authors argue that the current framework relies too heavily on the IFC Performance Standards, which they claim do not represent international best practice, and that safeguards lack the detail and mandatory rigor applied to fiduciary standards. The submission advocates for a "do no harm" approach, the adoption of an exclusion list for high-risk activities, and a differentiated accreditation process based on the risk level of proposed projects.

This case study analyzes the 100 MW Rajasthan Sun Technique concentrated solar power (CSP) plant in India, examining how a combination of national policy, foreign public debt, and private risk management enabled the project despite broader failures in India's National Solar Mission (NSM) phase one. While the project demonstrates the viability of linear Fresnel technology and the importance of long-term public financing, it also highlights the 'winner's curse' associated with reverse auctioning schemes that led to underestimated costs and project delays across the sector.

This briefing by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network examines the necessity and methods of integrating climate change into the post-2015 development agenda. It argues that climate change poses a grave threat to poverty eradication and sustainable development, while suggesting that 'climate-smart' goals and targets can simultaneously address development and environmental objectives.