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The document assesses the capabilities of various trade models—primarily Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) models—in quantifying the effects of mega-regional trade agreements like the TPP and TTIP. It identifies significant gaps in modelling foreign direct investment, value chains, and 'behind the border' issues such as intellectual property and government procurement. The authors argue that while CGE models are the most comprehensive tool available, they must be supplemented by gravity models, partial equilibrium models, and meta-analysis to provide a realistic assessment of these complex agreements.

The document examines India's Accelerated Depreciation (AD) scheme, which served as a primary driver for wind capacity growth from 1994 until its withdrawal in 2012 and subsequent reinstatement in 2014. While the AD benefit successfully attracted private investment from corporations and high-net-worth individuals, it was criticized for incentivizing capacity additions over actual power generation and excluding large independent power producers and foreign investors. The report contrasts this with the Generation-Based Incentive (GBI) and the US experience with Production Tax Credits, concluding that future policies must link incentives to performance and improve grid infrastructure to ensure sustainable industry growth.

The report examines the intersection of financial systems and societal security, arguing that both fields have historically relied on probabilistic risk models but are shifting toward managing 'radical uncertainty'. It details various financial risk models—such as Modern Portfolio Theory, CAPM, and Value at Risk (VaR)—and contrasts them with security methodologies like scenario planning and pre-emption. The author concludes that the 'financialisation of security' and 'securitisation of finance' reflect a broader liberal security problematic of securing circulation in a complex, interdependent world, where societal security is increasingly defined by qualitative resilience and preparedness rather than quantified prediction.

The document argues that most global decarbonization scenarios require energy intensity improvements that far exceed historical rates, while noting that policy makers have limited influence over the mechanisms driving these trends.

The document outlines a study designed to inform Indonesia's domestic fuel pricing policy by comparing international experiences. It aims to establish a baseline of Indonesia's current system, summarize global pricing knowledge for policy-makers, and identify viable policy options to manage fuel price volatility and enforce the pricing mechanism introduced in 2015.

The report examines China's effort to transition its industrial sector—responsible for 70% of energy consumption and 72% of carbon emissions—through three primary pilot programs: the Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) Demonstration Program, the Circular Transformation of Industrial Parks (CTIP), and the Low-Carbon Industrial Park Program. While these programs overlap in their goals to reduce pollution and resource scarcity, they differ in governance and metrics. The EIP program uses a rigid set of threshold values, whereas the CTIP program allows zones to set their own targets and provides direct national financing, averaging RMB 182 million per zone. The Low-Carbon Industrial Park Program, launched in 2013, specifically targets greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The report concludes that while these voluntary schemes help build technical capacity and attract investment, they often lack comprehensive life-cycle assessments and clear guidance for participating firms.

The report analyzes Indonesia's transition to a fuel pricing system that passes through international oil price changes to reduce wasteful subsidies, which saved IDR 195 trillion (US$ 15.6 billion) in the 2015 State Budget Revision. It compares Indonesia's historically low fuel prices with those of Southeast Asian nations and BRICS economies, noting that Indonesia's prices were among the lowest globally until recent reforms. The document outlines 'good practice' dimensions for pricing systems—subsidies, pass-through, transparency, and enforcement—and examines specific mechanisms used in China, India, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, and Thailand. It suggests that Indonesia manage price volatility not through subsidies, but via variable taxes, targeted social assistance, improved supply efficiency, and reduced energy demand.

The report analyzes Indonesia's transition from ad hoc fuel subsidies to a new pricing system introduced in January 2015, which aims to reduce wasteful spending by passing through international price changes. It evaluates 'good practice' across four dimensions—subsidies, pass-through, transparency, and enforcement—and examines case studies from China, Mexico, India, the Philippines, South Africa, and Thailand. The document argues that while full deregulation is the international benchmark for fiscal sustainability, Indonesia's constitutional constraints necessitate a robust, government-led mechanism. It recommends adopting variable taxes, improving real-time monitoring, and investing in non-pricing measures such as energy efficiency and targeted social safety nets to protect vulnerable groups from price volatility.

The document examines the diverse range of 'Sahel strategies' produced by multilateral actors, noting a general consensus on objectives—security, development, governance, and education—but significant variations in geographical scope and implementation capacity. It highlights that while some organisations possess substantial internal funding, others rely on external contributions, creating a risk that more powerful actors may dominate the region. The brief emphasizes the need for detailed action plans and transparent monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to avoid redundancy and ensure that interventions meet the needs of populations in core countries like Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger.

The document contrasts ExxonMobil's 2005 claims that the cause of global warming remained 'in dispute' with scientific reports from 2000 and 2001 that attributed warming to human activities. It further notes ExxonMobil's 2009 opposition to the EPA's endangerment finding, citing uncertainty and potential economic harm.

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) use electricity stored in battery packs to power motors, producing no tailpipe emissions and offering lower fueling costs than internal combustion engines. While their total pollution depends on the electricity source, they remain cleaner than gasoline cars even on coal-heavy grids. BEVs feature energy-saving technologies like regenerative braking and typically offer ranges between 70 and 265 miles.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen gas and oxygen to generate electricity for an electric motor, emitting only water and heat. They offer refueling times and driving ranges (200-300 miles) similar to conventional gasoline vehicles, making them suitable for long-distance travel or users without home charging. While hydrogen production can cause pollution, these vehicles can reduce emissions by over 30% compared to gasoline cars, even when using natural gas as a source.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) combine internal combustion engines with electric motors and rechargeable batteries, allowing for extended all-electric driving and reduced global warming pollution. They operate in all-electric and hybrid modes, utilizing features like regenerative braking and idle-off to increase fuel efficiency. Unlike battery electric vehicles, PHEVs retain a combustion engine for when the battery is depleted, and unlike conventional hybrids, they can be recharged via an external power outlet.

The report analyzes African financial centres—specifically Casablanca, Johannesburg, Port Louis, and Nairobi—against a global peer group using the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI). It defines the roles of onshore and offshore centres, identifies the 'dynamic' nature of certain African hubs, and highlights a significant 'reputational advantage' in Casablanca where marketing exceeds quantitative performance. The document argues that improving the business environment, rule of law, and infrastructure is critical for growth. It proposes a strategic framework for donors and governments to enhance capacity through regional integration, professional accreditation via a proposed Financial Training and Qualifications Institute (FTQI), and the development of standardized regulatory frameworks to attract long-term capital.

The document argues that the UK is falling behind global standards in environmental law enforcement and advocates for systemic legal reforms to increase citizen access to justice and the use of strategic litigation to protect the environment.

The report analyzes the resurgence of the far right in Europe, arguing that 'mainstream' and 'extremism' are not opposites but exist on a volatile continuum. It provides case studies on parties such as the Front National in France, Golden Dawn in Greece, and Jobbik in Hungary, examining how they leverage crises—economic, political, or social—to gain legitimacy. The text highlights a trend of 'mainstreaming,' where extreme right ideas are adopted by centrist parties, and explores the role of leadership and organizational strategy in the growth of these movements.

The report investigates food waste in Estonia's retail and food processing industries, finding that while overall waste levels are lower than in more developed European nations, significant 'food loss' occurs due to retail forecasting difficulties and consumer behavior. In retail, approximately 12,000 tonnes of food are written off annually, valued at 22 million euros, with fruits and vegetables making up the largest share by weight. In the food industry, waste is heavily concentrated in the meat sector, though much of the output is classified as by-products rather than waste. The report identifies transport costs, labor shortages, and legal ambiguities regarding taxes and hygiene as primary barriers to donating surplus food to the Food Bank (Toidupank).

Since the 1950s, Vietnam lost over 80% of its mangroves due to war-time defoliants and post-war aquaculture expansion. Restoration efforts since 2001 have added a net 18,000 hectares. In northern Vietnam, restoration focused on disaster risk reduction through top-down, monoculture plantations that protected sea dikes. In southern Vietnam, a bottom-up approach integrated poverty alleviation and livelihood diversification, utilizing species-rich plantations and land-use leases for households. While economically beneficial—with some mangrove areas generating more value than aquaculture—sustainability is threatened by declining incentives in the north, tenure conflicts, and overlapping regulatory mandates for payments for ecosystem services (PES).

The document examines the evolution of 'readiness finance' for REDD+, arguing that the transition from readiness to performance-based support is not a static endpoint but requires ongoing investment in governance and institutions. Comparing the Amazon Fund and the Congo Basin Forest Fund (CBFF), the authors find that while both have funded policy and governance efforts, the level of support has been modest and coordination between regional REDD+ initiatives remains a challenge, particularly in the Congo Basin.

The document examines the distinct advantages of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (HFCEVs), asserting that both are essential to meet climate goals. BEVs are highlighted for their efficiency and use of existing home electricity infrastructure, while HFCEVs are presented as superior for larger vehicles, longer ranges, and drivers without home charging access. The text emphasizes that these technologies are complementary rather than competitive, as they address different consumer needs while both eliminating tailpipe pollution.