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This 2014 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Tallinn Centre evaluates the coherence and effectiveness of Estonia's implementation of four multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) related to biodiversity: the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Ramsar Convention, CITES, and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). Using a 15-category benchmarking methodology, the review finds that Estonia's overall implementation effectiveness is relatively high, with 'Cross-border cooperation' scoring as the strongest area and all other categories performing at a moderate level.

This discussion brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the complexities of governing sustainability in tropical agricultural-forest frontiers, using the Brazilian Amazon as a primary case study. It argues that the high diversity of actors—ranging from subsistence smallholders to large-scale commercial farms—requires tailored, actor-specific policy approaches rather than 'one-size-fits-all' models to effectively reduce deforestation and alleviate poverty.

This discussion brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the relationship between disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation, arguing for a more integrated approach that addresses the underlying drivers of vulnerability and the wider context of social and economic development.

This briefing, based on a 2014 workshop in Nairobi, examines the potential for low-carbon energy options to expand energy access in Africa. It discusses the financial requirements for universal access, the barriers to adopting renewables, and the potential for low-carbon solutions to align with broader development goals such as health, employment, and national energy sovereignty.

This report summarizes an expert workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya, on April 10-11, 2014, organized by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). The workshop, part of the New Climate Economy project, examined the synergies and trade-offs between expanding modern energy access and mitigating climate change, focusing primarily on the African context.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute analyzes the effectiveness of deforestation policies in the Brazilian Amazon between 2004 and 2011. It argues that while command-and-control measures successfully reduced deforestation among large landowners, they are less effective for smallholders and in remote areas, necessitating a shift toward incentive-based and tailored strategies.

This research synthesis brief from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) outlines the organization's work on climate finance and carbon markets, focusing on the governance of adaptation finance, the limitations of private sector investment in vulnerable regions, and the environmental integrity of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

This 2014 policy report by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the water-energy nexus, specifically focusing on the sustainability of hydropower and bioenergy. It analyzes the environmental and social trade-offs of these energy sources, provides a detailed case study of Sweden's hydropower experience, and offers strategic recommendations for development assistance organizations supporting private sector bioenergy projects in developing countries.

This briefing paper by the Center for International Environmental Law analyzes human rights issues addressed during the COP19 negotiations in Warsaw, Poland, focusing on ambition, the Clean Development Mechanism, gender, the Green Climate Fund, public participation, and REDD+.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing various community and environmental groups, submitted formal objections to Eskom's application to vary the Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) for the Kriel Power Station. The CER argues that the requested increase in particulate matter (PM) emissions would exacerbate poor air quality in the Highveld Priority Area, cause significant health impacts, and result from Eskom's own poor planning rather than a genuine emergency.

This briefing consists of final submissions by Howard Mann, Senior International Law Advisor at the International Institute for Sustainable Development, to the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade. It provides a legal critique of the Investment Chapter of the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), arguing that the draft text significantly expands corporate rights and restricts the ability of Canadian federal and provincial governments to regulate in areas such as health and the environment.

This World Resources Institute working paper outlines the design and implementation of mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting programs, identifying key decision drivers and building blocks for jurisdictions to manage emissions and strengthen climate change capacity.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) provides a set of minimum legal and regulatory requirements for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in South Africa. The report argues that the proposed fracking regulations published by the Minister of Mineral Resources on 15 October 2013 are inadequate, as they rely primarily on industry standards from the American Petroleum Institute (API) and fail to provide for meaningful public participation or sufficient penalties for non-compliance. The CER advocates for a comprehensive regulatory regime grounded in the South African Constitution and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), emphasizing the precautionary principle and the need for a specialized, inter-departmental regulatory unit.

This executive summary from the Climate Policy Initiative outlines a 'Production and Protection' (P&P) strategy for Brazil to integrate economic growth in the agricultural sector with the preservation of natural resources. It identifies key barriers to productivity—such as deficient infrastructure, limited credit access for family farmers, and underdeveloped land leasing markets—while emphasizing the need to combat deforestation in private lands and non-Amazonian biomes like the Cerrado.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that national economic decision-making is overly reliant on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and fails to adequately measure 'natural capital' and 'inclusive wealth'. The author contends that shifting focus toward a portfolio of produced, financial, natural, human, and social assets would promote long-term sustainability and better integrate economic, environmental, and social development goals.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development explores how public procurement can transition from buying discrete products to procuring functions and services through performance-based specifications. It argues that this shift can drive resource efficiency, stimulate private sector innovation, and reduce costs, provided the business models are aligned with the environmental impacts of the specific product categories.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes the institutional failures and labour tensions in South Africa's mining sector following the 2012 Marikana massacre. The author argues that a 'prisoners' dilemma' exists where rival unions and mining firms are incentivized toward conflict rather than cooperation due to a majoritarian bargaining system. The document proposes structural reforms to labour legislation, the introduction of profit-sharing models, and the empowerment of the Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to penalize violent strikes to stabilize the industry.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute argues against reforming or repealing the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), asserting that the policy has successfully reduced petroleum dependence and stimulated the rural economy. While acknowledging challenges such as land use change and the 'blend wall,' the author contends that these issues should be addressed through the Farm Bill and EPA flexibility rather than statutory changes, which could jeopardize billions in private investment in next-generation biofuels.

Scott Vaughan's 2013 remarks to the Canadian-American Business Council discuss the convergence of climate regulatory approaches between Canada and the U.S., the economic implications of various oil and gas emission targets in Canada, and the challenges Canada faces in meeting its 2020 emissions reduction target.

This research paper examines China's approach to the green economy and its interaction with the G-20, specifically following the 2012 Los Cabos Summit in Mexico. The author argues that while China is domestically committed to greening its economic development due to severe environmental degradation, it remains reluctant to accept mandatory international obligations that might hinder its economic growth. The paper highlights a disconnect between China's internal policy terminology and the 'inclusive green growth' framework promoted at the G-20, suggesting that China's organizational structure for G-20 participation further marginalizes environmental policy.