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The report analyzes the challenges of implementing agri-environmental measures under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) within the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). It finds that a lack of coordination between agricultural and environmental sectors, insufficient stakeholder involvement, and an 'uneven playing field' in funding and entitlements have hindered the achievement of environmental boundary conditions. The authors argue that the CAP's national focus often undermines transboundary cooperation and regional cohesion. To address this, they recommend consolidating CAP Pillars 1 and 2 to treat environmental services as a core value of farming and introducing 'soft measures' to support stakeholder dialogue and regional nutrient reduction targets.

The document examines the transition of Chinese finance in Africa from peripheral concessional lending to a more central, diverse role involving commercial banking and strategic investments. It details the internal reforms of the Chinese banking system that enabled international expansion and uses case studies of South Africa, Nigeria, and Mozambique to illustrate different engagement strategies. The analysis highlights a shift toward joint ventures and partnerships with local banks to mitigate risk and gain market knowledge, while also noting the growing influence of the renminbi in trade settlements.

The paper examines the emerging institutional architecture for adaptation finance and explores the feasibility of an 'adaptation market'. It concludes that commodifying adaptation benefits is unfeasible due to a lack of international demand and viable metrics, as adaptation primarily generates local and private benefits rather than global public goods. However, it identifies a nascent marketplace for 'adaptation finance credits'—where the commodity is the proof of expenditure—supported by a growing professional industry of project developers and consultants, though it lacks the allocative efficiency of carbon markets.

In Mozambique, development progress is threatened by weather extremes and high poverty levels, making the country heavily reliant on official development assistance. Analysis indicates that a significant portion of this assistance is directed toward climate-sensitive sectors in regions highly exposed to extreme weather. While there is a supportive legislative environment and high climate awareness among donors, limited institutional capacity hinders the mainstreaming of climate adaptation. The authors suggest that bilateral and multilateral donors are positioned to overcome these national-level barriers to foster better integration of climate policies.

This research paper analyzes the Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO) in South Africa as a case study of the failures associated with the adoption of New Public Management (NPM) principles. The author argues that CIPRO's vulnerability to corruption and mismanagement was not merely a result of poor leadership, but stemmed from fundamental design flaws caused by the South African government's ambivalence toward NPM—attempting to use its business-like tools while refusing to relinquish central political control.

The document examines how the historical structure of the apartheid-era public service, particularly the dysfunctional and patronage-based administrations of the former homelands, has hindered post-apartheid public sector reform. It highlights that the wholesale incorporation of homeland officials into new provincial governments without rigorous qualification testing led to continued corruption and service delivery failures. The authors argue that the adoption of New Public Management (NPM) failed because it ignored these specific historical contexts, and that the resulting deterioration of service quality has politicized issues of skill and training in the public service.

The paper argues that developing countries face a dual burden of climate mitigation and adaptation alongside existing development challenges, often lacking the institutional capacity to harness necessary technologies. It proposes Climate Innovation Centers (CICs) as facilitators and coordinators that bridge the gap between basic research and full commercialization. CICs are designed to operate as 'system operators' or 'glue' for the innovation ecosystem, partnering with governments, firms, and financial institutions to overcome 'valleys of death' in financing and technical development. The author suggests that CIC design must be tailored to a country's specific economic level and population size, and aligns this model with the UNFCCC's Climate Technology Center and Network established under the Cancun Decision.

The paper analyzes international climate finance, distinguishing between mitigation and adaptation transfers. It argues that while mitigation transfers are generally Pareto-improving due to global public good benefits and cost-effectiveness, adaptation transfers primarily provide local benefits and thus lack direct allocative efficiency for donors. However, the author posits that adaptation funding can serve as a strategic tool for 'confidence-building' by addressing historical unfairness (the polluter-pays principle), which may increase the willingness of developing countries to participate in global mitigation agreements. The document evaluates the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), and the Adaptation Fund (AF), concluding that the AF's governance structure is most effective for raising trust among developing nations.

The document analyzes the transition from project-based mechanisms like the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to sectoral-scale mechanisms. It evaluates three governance models for a Sectoral Crediting Mechanism (SCM): centralized (UN-led), hybrid (bilateral with UN minimum standards), and decentralized (independent of the UN). The authors argue that while decentralized models offer flexibility, they risk undermining environmental integrity and market credibility. The paper proposes a centralized SCM project cycle that improves upon the CDM by introducing more interactive baseline reviews, professionalizing the regulatory body, and utilizing biennial update reports for better verification.

The report examines the tension between national sovereignty and supranationalism in African decision-making, highlighting the role of the African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). It analyzes the complexities of forming 'African Common Positions', using the 2009 Copenhagen climate negotiations as a case study, and critiques the EU's approach to partnership, specifically regarding Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). The document also explores security architectures in the Horn of Africa and Southern Africa, noting the influence of external actors and the challenges of multi-membership in regional bodies.

The report investigates the feasibility of using the WTO, UNFCCC, and G-20 as homes for international fossil-fuel subsidy reform. It argues that while the WTO has the legal tools and the UNFCCC has the climate mandate, neither is currently politically viable for a binding agreement. Instead, it proposes a multi-forum approach led by the G-20's political momentum, moving from short-term coordination of research and monitoring toward a long-term negotiated agreement.

The paper examines the potential for a 'resource curse' in Ghana, noting that while strong civil society and a history of fair elections provide a democratic foundation, risks such as 'Dutch Disease', budget volatility, and a lack of transparency in oil contracts persist. It argues that the impact of oil on Ghana's democracy is ambiguous and depends on the government's ability to manage revenues through stabilisation funds and industrial policies that support economic diversification, particularly in agriculture.

The paper analyzes the shift in energy efficiency promotion from national governments and utilities toward a diverse array of new intermediaries, such as ESCOs, energy agencies, NGOs, and public-private partnerships, within the European Union. It specifically evaluates the advantages and challenges of 'nesting' energy efficiency within broader sustainability or climate change frameworks, drawing on findings from the EC FP7 'Changing Behaviour' study.

The document analyzes the African Standby Force (ASF) as a critical component of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). It argues that while the ASF is designed to provide a rapid, multidimensional response to African crises—including the right to intervene in cases of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity—its effectiveness is severely hindered by gaps in funding, logistics, administrative capacity, and political will. The author concludes that the ASF is unlikely to meet its projected 2010 operational capabilities and will likely have a modest impact on complex conflicts in the short to medium term.

The report finds that Hamas maintained the general structure of Palestinian Authority (PA) institutions to ensure constitutional continuity, though it replaced many management-level officials with loyalists. To survive the Israeli-Egyptian embargo, Hamas established a 'tunnel economy' based on smuggled goods and created its own taxation systems. Public services in health and education were maintained through a pragmatic 'division of labour' with the Fatah-led government in Ramallah, which continued to pay salaries for most staff. However, the judiciary was completely restructured into a parallel apparatus. While some conservative cultural shifts were observed, the report concludes that Hamas's actions reflect power politics and crisis management rather than a grand 'Islamic revolution' or a total redesign of government based on religious principles.

The author contends that national adaptation plans, such as National Adaptation Programs of Action (NAPAs), are overly state-driven and top-down, failing to engage the local communities that actually experience climate impacts. Because adaptation is inherently local, the paper argues that CSOs and NGOs are best positioned to build adaptive capacity, represent vulnerable populations, and ensure that technological interventions are socially embedded and sustainable. The author details several roles for CSOs, including resource mobilisation, vulnerability mapping, and advocating for regulatory changes to protect nature-based livelihoods. The document concludes by recommending a multi-tier institutional framework, citing India's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as a model for coordinating efforts between government, CSOs, and local stakeholders.

The 2009 Research Highlights from Climate Strategies provides a comprehensive overview of projects addressing the operational challenges of the EU ETS, the feasibility of linking emissions trading schemes, and the design of financial mechanisms for the UNFCCC. It specifically investigates carbon leakage in energy-intensive sectors like cement and steel, the potential for 'Green Investment Schemes' in Central and Eastern Europe, and the implementation of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) in countries including Ghana, South Africa, Brazil, and India. The document also assesses the impact of carbon pricing on the chemical sector and the evolving climate policy landscape in Russia.

The document analyzes Egypt's wind energy potential, focusing on the Gulf of Suez, and compares the levelized costs of wind generation against natural gas CCGT. It identifies the primary barrier to expansion as a subsidized natural gas pricing system that makes wind uncompetitive. The report outlines five necessary conditions for large-scale implementation, including a clear long-term strategy, a revised tariff system, and grid reinforcement plans, while discussing the role of the proposed New Electricity Law in attracting private investment.

The document examines the governance of Angola's artisanal fisheries, where approximately two-thirds of the country's fishers operate. It argues that co-operatives can bridge the gap between the state and local users, facilitating a transition from an informal to a formal sector. The author highlights the challenges posed by a legacy of top-down, socialist co-operative models and recommends a shift toward voluntary, 'bottom-up' enterprises. The paper also discusses the importance of fish for food security in Angola and the role of the Institute for the Development of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IPA) in implementing development plans.

The document examines the transition from fragmented regional carbon markets to a global architecture, analyzing the risks of market manipulation, environmental integrity failures, and the technical challenges of linking different systems. It proposes a framework of institutional functions—ranging from decentralized cooperation to centralized oversight—to manage price volatility, ensure robust monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV), and regulate financial derivatives to prevent excessive speculation.