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The document examines the precautionary principle, a legal guide suggesting that a lack of full scientific certainty should not justify postponing measures to prevent serious environmental damage. It traces the principle's origins from Sweden's 1969 Environmental Protection Act to its inclusion in the 1992 Rio Declaration and the UNFCCC. The brief discusses the principle's controversial nature, specifically the reversal of the burden of proof, and provides examples of its application in GMO moratoriums and nuclear power closures, while noting the tension between environmental caution and economic development.

The sustainable debt market in H1 2020 was characterized by a shift in composition due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a surge in pandemic and social bonds offsetting a significant decline in green bond volumes. While green bonds historically dominated, H1 2020 saw a more even split between themes, with pandemic-related investments likely financing around half of the total sustainable debt market. The report highlights the emergence of pandemic bonds, primarily in China, and the role of supranationals in sustainability issuance. Policy-wise, it examines the 'build back better' agenda, the development of taxonomies in the EU and China, and the increasing involvement of central banks and stock exchanges in integrating climate risk into financial systems.

The report argues that the GCF's current SEAH policy is too broad in scope, creating impractical obligations for counterparties and exposing the Fund to undue legal and reputational risks. It recommends splitting the framework: maintaining a standalone internal policy for 'covered individuals' while integrating the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) into the existing Environmental and Social (ES) safeguarding framework for project-level activities. The assessment emphasizes the need for in-house subject-matter expertise, a survivor-centered approach, and the adoption of an intersectional lens and the 'ecological model' to better understand and mitigate risks to vulnerable groups.

The document analyzes the drivers of instability in the Great Lakes region, emphasizing that while the DRC's governance failures are often blamed, the political repression and economic interests of Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi are equally significant. It highlights the role of illegal mineral extraction and the export of internal political conflicts into the eastern DRC. The author suggests that the presidency of Félix Tshisekedi provides an opportunity for a positive shift in regional dynamics, provided there is a fundamental reframing of the conflict narrative and a shift in international diplomatic approaches. The paper evaluates existing frameworks like the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework (PSCF) and recommends a high-level mediation process led by the African Union.

The paper argues that while existing climate services primarily support short-term farming decisions, they must be expanded to include decadal and long-term projections to guide transformative adaptation—significant systemic changes to agricultural production. A review of 253 national documents found that only 2.7% describe transformative applications of CS. The authors recommend integrating long-term climate data with crop models and socioeconomic factors to identify viability thresholds and map adaptation pathways, while emphasizing the need to modernize National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) and ensure equitable access for marginalized farmers.

The document outlines the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which aims to conserve biodiversity, ensure sustainable use of its components, and facilitate fair benefit-sharing of genetic resources. It details the roles of the Nagoya and Cartagena Protocols in managing access to genetic resources and the biosafety of living modified organisms. The brief highlights the failure to meet the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and discusses the impact of emerging technologies, such as synthetic biology and digital sequence information, on global biodiversity governance. It concludes by emphasizing the need for a post-2020 global biodiversity framework to reverse the extinction risk facing up to one million species.

The 1972 Stockholm Conference marked the beginning of global environmental cooperation, introducing the concept of sustainable development and leading to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Despite Cold War tensions and conflicts between industrialized and developing nations, the conference produced the Stockholm Declaration and Action Plan, which provided the first global principles for environmental law. Its legacy includes the democratization of environmental policy through NGO participation and the establishment of foundational treaties on marine pollution and biodiversity.

The report analyzes gender inequalities in Indonesia across education, health, politics, and labor, specifically examining how these dynamics affect forest management and REDD+ initiatives. It finds that while legal frameworks for gender equality exist, women remain underrepresented in forest-related decision-making and face barriers to land and financial resources. The document recommends implementing a Gender Action Plan, hiring gender consultants, and ensuring the collection of sex-disaggregated data to improve the inclusivity of REDD+ implementation.

The document analyzes the 2019 securitization laws of Colorado, Montana, and New Mexico, which allow utilities to issue ratepayer-backed bonds to refinance investments in early-retired electric plants. It identifies Colorado's legislation as a 'best practices model' due to its extensive consumer protections and public interest requirements, while noting that New Mexico's law is more narrowly focused on a specific utility and plant. Montana's approach is described as falling between the two. The brief highlights key legislative elements such as the ability of commissions to hire independent experts, requirements for quantifying consumer savings, and the use of bond proceeds to mitigate impacts on workers and communities.

The 1972 Stockholm Conference marked the first UN event focused on the environment, establishing the Stockholm Declaration and the Stockholm Action Plan. It bridged the gap between developed and developing nations' priorities, paving the way for the concept of sustainable development and the creation of UNEP in Nairobi, Kenya. The conference also pioneered civil society participation in UN processes and catalyzed the creation of several global environmental treaties.

The report examines the technical and legal implications of the proposed Multilateral Framework on Investment Facilitation (MFIF) within the WTO. It identifies significant overlaps between the MFIF and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), as well as potential conflicts with the existing regime of International Investment Agreements (IIAs). The analysis warns that despite explicit exclusions of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) from the MFIF, the framework's disciplines could still be invoked in ISDS tribunals through 'umbrella clauses,' Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET) standards, and Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) clauses found in IIAs.

The document argues that South Africa's local government fiscal framework is unsustainable because municipalities cannot raise sufficient own revenue to cover operating expenditures. This funding gap has led to financial distress for many municipalities and the erosion of the social wage, as affordable basic services for poor households are not maintained. The authors conclude that the original assumptions of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government are incorrect and call for a redesign of the local government structure based on empirical data regarding service costs and affordability.

The report argues that South African municipalities are in a state of financial distress because the fiscal framework designed in the 1998 White Paper overestimated the ability of local governments to fund their operating expenditures through property rates and service charges. While the framework assumed 73% of operating costs could be covered by own revenue, the authors estimate the actual figure is likely less than 50%. This gap forces tariff increases that erode the 'social wage'—the state's strategy of providing affordable basic services to reduce poverty. The paper notes that good governance alone cannot solve this structural deficit, as even municipalities with clean audits often end the year in deficit. It further highlights that Eskom's direct supply of electricity to many households removes a key credit control tool for municipalities, hindering the collection of rates and taxes. The authors conclude that the system is fundamentally unsound and requires a complete redesign based on empirical data regarding service costs and household affordability.

The document maps local procurement regulations in the SADC region, distinguishing between demand-side policies (encouraging companies to buy locally) and supply-side interventions (supporting local supplier capacity). It finds that while most SADC countries have some form of local procurement requirement, the level of detail varies significantly, with the DRC, Namibia, South Africa, and Tanzania employing specific targets and plans, while others rely on vague 'best effort obligations'.

The report examines how COVID-19 disrupted the sub-Saharan African insurance value chain, forcing rapid digitalisation and straining balance sheets due to reduced premium income and investment returns. While household life and health policies generally covered the pandemic, business interruption insurance largely did not due to global reinsurance exclusions. The document highlights opportunities for insurers to adopt remote onboarding and for regulators to remove barriers to digital sales and manage potential market consolidation.

The paper examines nature-based solutions (NbS) in coastal cities across India, South Africa, Seychelles, and Tanzania, highlighting how integrating traditional knowledge and community empowerment can enhance urban resilience. It argues that for NbS to be effective in the Global South, they must be aligned with broader development agendas to address socio-economic inequalities and generate green jobs.

The document argues that rising sea levels and extreme coastal flooding threaten approximately 2,000 Superfund sites along the US East and Gulf Coasts, potentially releasing hazardous chemicals into nearby communities. It highlights that these risks disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income households, who are more likely to live near these sites. The authors criticize the Trump administration for sidelining climate science and rescinding resilience-focused executive orders, and they recommend a new executive order and interagency coordination to integrate climate science into Superfund site risk assessments.

The document outlines the role of blended finance in mobilizing commercial capital for sustainable development goals, emphasizing the need for DFOs to anchor these activities in local contexts. It recommends that DFOs develop explicit local context policies, align investments with national development strategies, and deepen partnerships with local financial institutions. Additionally, it highlights the critical need to increase local currency financing and develop cost-effective foreign exchange solutions to mitigate risks for international investors.

As of June 23, 2020, Ghana recorded 14,568 Covid-19 cases and 95 deaths, leading to severe pressure on health infrastructure and the economy. The government responded by implementing partial lockdowns in Accra, Kumasi, and Kasoa, and later announced an ambitious plan to build 88 hospitals in districts currently lacking them. Financial measures included a $100m initial commitment, GHS 600m for SMEs, and utility bill relief. The pandemic disrupted the informal sector, affected road development priorities, and complicated the 2020 general election preparations, specifically the compilation of a new voters' register.

In 2019, China led the world in labeled green bond issuance, with 386.2 billion RMB (55.8 billion USD) issued, a 33% increase from 2018. The market saw a significant rise in non-financial corporate issuers and the introduction of the first labeled green municipal special bond. While the market is growing, a gap remains between domestic Chinese green definitions and international standards, particularly regarding the use of proceeds for general corporate purposes and the inclusion of 'clean coal' projects. The report highlights the potential for refinancing as 88% of the domestic green bond balance is set to mature within five years.