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The document assesses the chronic instability in the Great Lakes region, specifically the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It argues that while governance failures in the DRC are often blamed, the repressive domestic policies and illicit economic interests of Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi are equally significant drivers of conflict. The author suggests that the presidency of Félix Tshisekedi provides an opportunity to shift regional dynamics, provided the international community demands better governance from all regional actors and supports a comprehensive political dialogue rather than purely military solutions.

The document outlines the legal framework provided by UNCLOS for landlocked states to access the sea through transit states. It emphasizes that while UNCLOS grants general rights of transit and access to living resources in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), the practical implementation depends on negotiated agreements. The brief provides recommendations for African policymakers to ensure these agreements are mutually beneficial, citing the Djibouti–Addis Ababa transport corridor and the Walvis Bay Corridor Group as successful examples of such cooperation.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) proposes a managed reopening of South Africa's economy that prioritizes worker safety, social protections, and state-led economic transformation. Key recommendations include democratizing workplace health and safety, expanding income support through a universal Basic Income Guarantee, improving public health and education infrastructure, and implementing a proportionate fiscal stimulus to reverse austerity measures.

The document argues that US cities require immediate federal aid to manage COVID-19 impacts, followed by strategic green stimulus investments. It proposes five specific areas for federal funding: streamlining cleantech permitting, building electric and affordable housing, supporting public transit and active transportation, enhancing infrastructure resilience, and greening urban spaces to create jobs and reduce pollution.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) urges the European Commission to align the TEN-E regulation with EU climate goals by prioritizing carbon dioxide (CO2) and clean hydrogen infrastructure. CATF recommends that the revised regulation maintain CO2 transport as a strategic priority, include diverse transport modalities (pipelines, ships, trucks, and trains), and ensure non-discriminatory third-party access to networks. For hydrogen, CATF emphasizes the need for new dedicated infrastructure and the repurposing of natural gas pipelines to support the EU's Hydrogen Strategy. Additionally, the document suggests using the TEN-E revision to reduce methane emissions by replacing aging transmission and distribution pipelines.

The oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors are facing a systemic crisis marked by declining profits and financial frailty. To maintain shareholder dividends and a facade of stability, companies like ExxonMobil and BP are increasing debt, while others like Shell have cut payouts. The industry is selling assets at discounted prices due to skepticism over the future value of fossil fuels. Furthermore, the petrochemical sector is not a viable growth alternative due to falling resin prices and increased regulation. The document concludes that these trends represent an 'endgame' for the industry, posing significant fiduciary risks for investors and arguing against the use of public funds for bailouts.

WWF International calls for urgent global action to mitigate zoonotic disease risks by closing high-risk wildlife markets and stopping illegal trade. The organization advocates for a holistic approach that combines law enforcement, demand reduction, and the protection of natural ecosystems to prevent future pandemics. The document specifically highlights the need for the United States to provide strategic resources and diplomatic leadership, and presents survey data showing strong public support for closing illegal wildlife markets in several Asian regions.

A letter from the We Mean Business Coalition to G20 leaders arguing that economic recovery from COVID-19 should be paired with climate action to ensure long-term stability and resilience. It advocates for the removal of fossil fuel subsidies, mandatory climate-related financial disclosures, and the requirement that companies receiving public financial assistance adopt science-based targets and TCFD-aligned disclosures.

The document argues that the ETS Innovation Fund should be scaled up by recycling auctioning revenues instead of providing free emission allowances. It recommends prioritising transformational projects in industrial clusters, mandating additionality for renewable electricity to avoid grid-emission accounting errors, and limiting CCS funding to non-abatable process emissions while excluding fossil-based hydrogen and gas.

The document argues that the EU failed to meet the 2020 legal deadline to end overfishing in the Northeast Atlantic, noting that 46 percent of Total Allowable Catches (TACs) in December 2019 exceeded scientific advice. It recommends that 2021 TACs be set strictly within the best available scientific advice from ICES, that landing obligation (LO) compliance be factored into catch limits, and that transparency be improved regarding the rationale for TAC proposals.

The document argues that EU deep-sea fish populations are depleted or under-assessed and that current management fails to meet the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) objective of ending overfishing. It recommends that fishing limits be based on the best available scientific advice, specifically urging the reintroduction of Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for stocks where they were removed, and setting zero TACs for orange roughy, red seabream in area 6-8, and deep-sea sharks.

The document urges the EU, UK, and other Northeast Atlantic coastal states to establish a joint fisheries management framework based on scientific advice and the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY) to end overfishing. It recommends multilateral collaboration, the adoption of a precautionary approach as defined by the UNFSA, and the use of peer-reviewed data from independent institutions like ICES. Specific priorities include recovering North Sea cod stocks and resolving allocation issues for large pelagic stocks such as mackerel, herring, and blue whiting, while ensuring transparency in accordance with the Aarhus Convention.

The report highlights a critical gap in Brazil's environmental monitoring: while primary forest loss is tracked via PRODES and DETER, secondary vegetation (regrowth in deforested areas) remains 'invisible' to official systems. This lack of data hinders the ability to verify reforestation goals and enforce the Forest Code. The authors argue that monitoring is technologically feasible and cost-effective, estimating a price tag of around US $500 thousand for implementation within a year. They recommend establishing clear classification criteria, developing complementary short-term (alert-based) and long-term (trend-based) systems, utilizing existing LANDSAT/OLI and CBERS/WFI satellite imagery, and implementing a dedicated communication strategy for policymakers.

The report highlights that while Brazil has successfully monitored primary forest loss, secondary vegetation (regeneration) remains 'invisible' to official systems like PRODES and DETER. It argues that monitoring this vegetation is technologically feasible and essential for meeting international reforestation goals and enforcing the Forest Code. The authors propose a dual-system approach—one for long-term measurement and one for short-term alerts—utilizing existing satellite imagery and an estimated annual budget of US$500,000.

The report examines the potential of solar PV, batteries, and ICT to transform agriculture in low- and middle-income countries. It highlights applications such as solar-powered irrigation, precision agriculture, and indoor farming, noting that while these technologies can reduce environmental harm and increase yields, they face barriers like high upfront costs and data privacy risks. The authors recommend government interventions in regulation, financing, and capacity-building to ensure inclusive and sustainable adoption.

The document argues that renewable energy (RE), particularly in hybrid systems combining solar or wind with diesel or grid power, is increasingly viable for the mining sector. While RE requires higher initial capital expenditure (capex) compared to diesel, it offers lower operating expenditure (opex) and protects mines from fuel price volatility over a 20-year period. Key challenges include the intermittent nature of RE, which necessitates energy storage or hybrid configurations to meet the constant 24-hour baseload demand of mines, and a shortage of skilled technicians for installation at remote sites. The brief highlights a trend toward self-generation in South Africa and the potential for portable RE systems to support exploration. It recommends promoting RE for extraction efficiency, developing mobile solar systems, expanding specialized technical education, and utilizing post-mining land for community or utility RE projects.

The document highlights the intersection of public health disparities and electoral access in Arizona, arguing that the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for voting reforms. It identifies systemic health inequities affecting Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities and links these to a lack of adequate political representation. To improve the 2020 election, the Union of Concerned Scientists recommends implementing automatic and same-day registration, expanding voting centers in rural and tribal lands, and improving the verification and tracking of mail-in ballots.

The document outlines a framework for countries to develop comprehensive net-zero targets, emphasizing the need for deep decarbonization, the use of carbon removals, and the importance of just transitions. It argues that targets should cover all greenhouse gases and sectors, be legally binding where possible, and be supported by transparent communication and stakeholder engagement to drive near- and midterm climate action.

Mighty Earth calls on the European Commission to ensure that EU recovery funds for the transport and rubber industries are conditional on commitments to net zero carbon neutrality, zero deforestation, and the protection of human rights and Indigenous land tenure.

The briefing advocates for using the European Green Deal as a blueprint for the EU's post-pandemic recovery, emphasizing that green investments can stimulate short-term economic activity while building long-term resilience. It calls for increased 2030 emission reduction targets, scaled-up green investments, and an integrated approach to clean energy, mobility, and industrial innovation. The document highlights the necessity of aligning financial flows with climate neutrality and accelerating the transition to a circular economy to ensure a sustainable and competitive industrial future for Europe.