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This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the barriers sub-Saharan African countries face in accessing climate change finance. It argues that while capacity deficiencies in recipient countries are often highlighted, donor-centric processes, complex requirements, and a lack of standardized definitions significantly contribute to these challenges. The document recommends that donors undertake internal reviews to streamline processes and collaborate with recipients to establish a universal definition of climate finance.

This technical note by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes a new report by Senator Irajá Abreu regarding Provisional Measure (MP) 910/2019, which modifies Law 11.952/2009 on the land regularization of federal public lands. The authors argue that the report maintains harmful rules, reverses previous improvements, and includes unconstitutional legislative additions.

This fact sheet by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes Provisional Measure (MP) 910 of 2019, which proposes changes to the land regularization of federal public lands in Brazil, specifically affecting the Amazon region. The authors argue that the measure risks rewarding illegal land grabbing and deforestation by easing the requirements for obtaining land titles.

This fact sheet analyzes Provisional Measure 910 (MP 910), a proposed amendment to Brazilian legislation regarding the regularization of informal settlements on federal lands. The authors argue that the measure rewards illegal land occupation and deforestation, particularly in the Amazon, by loosening the requirements for obtaining property titles.

This briefing features archaeologist Marcy Rockman discussing the critical but often overlooked role of archaeology and cultural heritage in climate change response. Rockman argues that the U.S. approach to heritage is fragmented and underfunded compared to natural resource management, leading to a lack of social science integration in major climate assessments. She proposes the creation of a federal Climate Heritage Coordination Office and increased NGO engagement to better utilize historical data on sustainability and human adaptation to inform modern climate strategies.

This briefing by Global Energy Monitor argues that Japan's policy of financing 'best available technology' for overseas coal power is outdated and counterproductive. It contends that ultra-supercritical plants still emit too much carbon to meet Paris Agreement goals, that Japan's absence would not prevent the use of inferior technologies, and that these investments pose significant financial and environmental risks.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) analyzes national agricultural support trends and proposes reforms to World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on internal support to promote equitable and sustainable food systems.

This research paper examines the immediate and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Africa, arguing that the crisis accelerates the decline of the liberal international order and increases the vulnerability of smaller nations. The author outlines five key long-term risks—the unravelling of multilateralism, increased trade protectionism, the decline of development cooperation, a potential retreat from climate goals, and restricted human mobility—and proposes a coordinated African response focused on regional integration and proactive global governance reform.

This knowledge brief from Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), produced in support of the Kigali Cooling Efficiency Program (K-CEP), examines the challenges and opportunities associated with financing sustainable cooling solutions across diverse user needs.

The World Resources Institute criticizes Japan's updated nationally determined contribution (NDC), stating it fails to increase ambition from the 2015 target and ignores significant economic opportunities and climate risks.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) issued a statement supporting the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act, an emergency stimulus bill introduced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on March 23, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute evaluates the progress of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) in aligning their financial flows with the Paris Agreement. While a framework has been outlined, the authors argue that MDBs lack specific implementation dates, clear assessment criteria for mitigation and adaptation, and standardized reporting metrics.

This briefing by RMI argues for the immediate implementation of Puerto Rico's energy transformation, emphasizing the urgent need for solar energy, battery storage, and energy efficiency to address grid instability following hurricanes and earthquakes.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the increasing trend of states terminating old-generation bilateral investment treaties (BITs) to reform investment regimes. It details the legal mechanisms for termination under international law, analyzes common termination and survival clauses, and provides recommendations for states on how to manage the extinction of these treaties and draft new ones.

The March 2020 Peace & Security Council Report details the African Union's (AU) response to the COVID-19 pandemic, political instability in Guinea-Bissau and South Sudan, geopolitical competition in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and the AU's marginal role in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam dispute. It also outlines South Africa's priorities as the 2020 AU chair, focusing on 'Silencing the Guns', the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and gender equality.

This research paper examines the impact of trade facilitation reforms, specifically One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) and Simplified Trade Regimes (STRs), on women informal cross-border traders (WICBTs) in East Africa, with a detailed case study of the Busia OSBP between Kenya and Uganda.

This policy brief examines the role of resilient ecosystems in climate change adaptation (CCA) and disaster risk reduction (DRR), specifically for coastal cities in Africa. It advocates for nature-based solutions, such as Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR), to reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events. The document highlights a significant gap in African regional policies that explicitly link biodiversity conservation with DRR and provides recommendations for mainstreaming these approaches into national and regional development strategies.

This document is a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) program for the 'Transport and Mobility Development Plan 2021-2030' in Estonia. It outlines the methodology, scope, and timeline for assessing the environmental impacts of the upcoming national transport strategy, which is managed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.

This policy brief argues that New York can meet its energy needs in New York City and Long Island through customer-focused solutions—energy efficiency, electrification, and demand response—rather than constructing the proposed $1 billion Northeast Supply Enhancement Project (NESE) gas pipeline. The author contends that the pipeline is incompatible with the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and that non-infrastructure alternatives are more cost-effective and beneficial for public health.

This research paper presents a policy-oriented simulation model designed to help Small Island Developing States (SIDS), specifically Barbados, plan for climate impacts and uncertain external drivers using a robust decision making (RDM) philosophy.