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The report examines India's energy transition, comparing three models (MARKAL, EPS, and E3ME-FTT) to project electricity demand and the optimal generation mix for deep decarbonisation by 2050. It argues that decarbonisation is compatible with economic growth, potentially creating millions of net jobs and providing environmental co-benefits like reduced air pollution and water savings. However, it highlights significant risks, including land scarcity for solar projects, the need for massive green finance, and the challenge of a just transition for coal-dependent regions.

The document analyzes the distribution rules for the EU's €7.5 billion recovery budget for agriculture, specifically the new Article 58a of Regulation (EU) 1305/2013. It argues that the 'non-regression principle' and other spending thresholds are insufficient to ensure environmental progress, as they include non-ecological payments and allow Member States to prioritize socio-economic investments over green ones. The author concludes that the framework encourages 'business as usual' and fails to align with the European Green Deal.

The document analyzes the security relationship between the Philippines and China under the Duterte administration (2016–2020). It finds that while President Duterte pursued a cooperative foreign policy to secure economic gains and infrastructure funding via the Belt and Road Initiative, security cooperation remained limited and cautious. China provided military aid during the 2017 Marawi siege and proposed surveillance projects like 'Safe Philippines,' but these efforts faced pushback from the Philippine strategic community due to interoperability issues with US systems and fears of espionage. Ultimately, China is characterized as both an emerging security partner and a primary source of insecurity due to its maritime claims in the South China Sea.

The report finds that despite the Mnangagwa administration's rhetoric of being 'open for business,' substantial foreign direct investment has not materialised due to a combination of bureaucratic red tape, policy inconsistency, and a lack of respect for property rights. While net FDI rose from US$247 million in 2017 to US$744 million in 2018, this remains far below the US$27 billion in deals signed by the president. The document highlights critical barriers including a 'dead asset' land tenure regime in agriculture, a lack of an independent central bank, and the pervasive influence of the military in the private sector. It concludes that the government's 'command and control' philosophy and the high-risk profile created by US sanctions and a history of bad debt continue to deter international investors.

The document evaluates a variety of decision support methods for climate change adaptation, categorising them into traditional tools (CBA, CEA, MCA) and those specifically designed for decision-making under uncertainty (ROA, RDM, PA, Adaptive Management, AHP). It highlights that while traditional tools are well-known, they often struggle with the deep uncertainties of climate projections. The brief details the strengths and weaknesses of each method, provides a diagnostic framework for matching tools to specific adaptation challenges, and lists case study applications across various sectors and geographies, including the UK, Finland, Spain, and Italy.