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The Council on Strategic Risks identifies a gap between the existing technical capacity for real-time pathogen surveillance and the actual implementation in the United States. While tools like next-generation sequencing and metagenomics enable rapid detection, the U.S. response is hindered by outdated data sharing methods, such as fax machines, and a lack of a trusted, neutral entity to manage global health data. The report advocates for a 'wartime footing' to modernize public health infrastructure and create a coordinated, potentially independent, data-focused institute to manage pathogen information.

The document asserts that CAP National Strategic Plans fall under the scope of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive, meaning Member States must conduct scoping, public consultation, and reporting regardless of whether the specific CAP SP Regulation has been formally adopted. It provides a legal framework for environmental NGOs to demand meaningful participation, including early access to draft plans and environmental reports, and the requirement that stakeholder opinions be integrated or justified if rejected.

The briefing examines a draft contract for Germany's lignite phase-out, specifically focusing on a waiver clause designed to stop operators from using international investment arbitration. While the clause allows the government to stop compensation payments if violated, it cannot bind foreign shareholders, who may still initiate claims under the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) or bilateral investment treaties.

The document warns that national investment laws can act as a mechanism for foreign investors to initiate international arbitration against states, potentially challenging COVID-19 emergency measures. It highlights that many developing countries included ISDS consent in their laws following World Bank 'best practice' advice, creating a broad exposure to costly claims. The authors suggest that governments review and potentially suspend these provisions to maintain policy space during the pandemic.

The document outlines the progress toward establishing a regional monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) framework for the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP). It highlights the goal to finalize this framework by the end of 2021, supported by a 2019 needs assessment and a subsequent M&E Strategy. The strategy emphasizes the need for strengthened national M&E systems, integrated reporting, and stakeholder cooperation. Current efforts include the development of Pacific Resilience Standards (PRS) and the creation of national best practice case studies through the PACRES project to inform the final regional framework.

The document examines the complex legal landscape of tree and forest ownership in Côte d'Ivoire, primarily focusing on the 2019 Forestry Code, the rural land law, and the Civil Code. It distinguishes between natural and planted vegetation and details how ownership is attributed to individuals, legal entities, and rural communities, while noting that ownership does not grant an automatic right to exploit timber without state authorization.

The document examines Indonesia's energy landscape from 2015 to 2020, highlighting the volatility of fuel and LPG subsidies and the severe disruption caused by COVID-19. It details the financial strain on state-owned enterprises PT Pertamina and PT PLN, the government's continued reliance on coal despite climate commitments, and the regulatory hurdles facing renewable energy. Key policy shifts include new fuel pricing formulas and a restructuring plan for PT PLN to focus on distribution over generation.

The briefing examines how advancements in battery longevity, specifically reducing degradation and increasing cycle life, can unlock new economic opportunities and technical capabilities. It highlights that while energy density and price are common focuses, cycle life is the primary barrier to the widespread adoption of fast charging, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration, and the use of second-life batteries for long-duration grid storage. The author suggests that standardized chemistries and better monitoring are necessary to build a viable second-life battery ecosystem.

The document highlights that pesticides persist longer indoors due to a lack of sunlight and microbial action, yet Canadian regulatory assessments for indoor use do not require the same persistence or environmental fate studies as outdoor uses. It notes that pyrethrins and pyrethroids are the most common indoor pesticides and are linked to neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. The briefing emphasizes that low-income individuals face higher exposure due to poorly maintained housing and that current regulatory models fail to account for these socio-economic factors. It concludes that reliance on pesticide labels is insufficient due to poor communication of updates and high rates of non-compliance among professional pest control operators.

The document examines how the COVID-19 pandemic and associated government responses create a 'double-edged sword' for states, as both companies and governments may invoke force majeure to avoid contractual or treaty obligations. It advises governments to seek pragmatic, short-term negotiated solutions with companies and to avoid making broad legal arguments against force majeure that could later undermine their own defenses in international investment disputes.

The document describes a vulnerability assessment protocol developed for the National Park Service (NPS) to evaluate coastal infrastructure risks. The assessments focus on physical exposure and characteristics, helping managers decide whether to protect, move, or decommission assets. While sea level rise models projected to 2050 are used, the text notes that hurricanes at current sea levels contribute significantly to exposure scores. Practical applications include raising utilities in Florida and incorporating local perspectives at Cumberland Island National Seashore.

The briefing compares the systemic challenges of COVID-19 and climate change, highlighting how data lags and inconsistent reporting hinder effective decision-making. It advocates for a shift toward standardized, open-source data ecosystems, potentially led by non-state actors, to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Washington Sea Grant developed a localized sea level rise assessment for Washington State to bridge the 'action gap' between the perceived importance of climate impacts and the availability of planning tools. The project introduced a probabilistic framework for communicating uncertainty and integrated vertical land movement data to create site-specific relative sea-level projections. These data were delivered via an interactive map and a Tableau-based tool. Implementation efforts included pilot projects in Tacoma and Island County, where the data informed the redesign of Owen Beach, the visioning of a linear park, and the creation of a community-based coastal resilience planning guide for shoreline homeowners.

The briefing describes a multi-year project to assess the vulnerability of National Park Service (NPS) coastal assets to hazards such as sea level rise and storm surges. The methodology separates vulnerability into 'exposure' (the likelihood of a hazard hitting an asset) and 'sensitivity' (the potential damage once the hazard occurs). By integrating this data into existing asset management databases, the project provides park managers with a science-based menu of adaptation options—such as elevating, relocating, or decommissioning structures—to optimize the allocation of limited maintenance funds based on an asset's mission priority.

The briefing outlines the role of boundary organizations, such as the Climate Impacts Group and the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, in bridging the gap between climate science and policy. It highlights two primary case studies: the development of a Sea Level Rise Planning Toolkit for Washington State and the co-production of climate vulnerability assessment resources for Northwest and Great Basin tribes. Dr. Snover emphasizes a three-pronged approach—educating, enabling, and embedding—to ensure scientific data is actionable for resource managers and planners. The document concludes by arguing for increased federal support to meet the growing demand for decision-relevant climate science and the importance of regional centers in tailoring science to local needs.

The briefing describes the development and application of a customized vulnerability assessment and inundation mapping tool for New York's Great Lakes region. It emphasizes the importance of using 'weather trends' rather than 'climate change' terminology to engage local officials and highlights a case study in the village of Sodus Point where participatory workshops led to specific resiliency actions, such as new communication strategies and the investigation of the Coastal Erosion Hazard Act.

The briefing warns that emergency government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic—such as lockdowns, medical supply requisitions, and export bans—create an unprecedented risk of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) claims under over 3,000 investment treaties. It highlights the unpredictability of arbitration tribunals and the high cost of defense, citing historical examples from Argentina and Egypt where states faced multi-billion dollar awards. The authors call for a coordinated global response, potentially through the UN or WTO, to suspend ISDS for pandemic measures or issue joint interpretations of the 'state of necessity' defense. As an interim measure, it suggests states may withdraw their consent to arbitration.

The briefing warns that emergency COVID-19 measures—such as lockdowns, nationalization of health services, and export bans—risk triggering a wave of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) claims under over 3,000 investment treaties. It highlights the unpredictability of arbitration tribunals and the high cost of defense, which can average 8 million USD per case. Using historical examples like Argentina's 2001 crisis, the document illustrates how such claims can result in billions of dollars in awards, potentially undermining national health budgets and IMF rescue packages. The authors call for a coordinated global response via the UN, UNCTAD, or UNCITRAL to suspend arbitration for COVID-19 measures or issue joint interpretations of the 'state of necessity' defense. As an interim measure, it suggests that states may unilaterally withdraw their consent to arbitration.

The document analyzes the divergence between the EU and WTO regarding the precautionary principle (PP), highlighting that the EU treats it as a constitutional legal principle while the WTO incorporates elements of precaution implicitly and restrictively. It argues that the EU's framework provides superior environmental protection by allowing for permanent measures, a broader interpretation of scientific uncertainty, and the inclusion of societal risk tolerance. The briefing concludes that the UK must retain its EU-inherited approach to precaution to resist deregulatory pressure from trading partners.

The document examines the global issue of CITES document abuse, where permits and certificates are falsified or obtained corruptly to legalize the trade of endangered species. It identifies key methods of abuse, such as counterfeiting and mis-declaration, and highlights the role of corrupt officials as gatekeepers. To mitigate these risks, the brief recommends a combination of prosecuting corrupt officials, implementing e-permitting systems (eCITES), enhancing technical capacity for inspectors, and improving the security of paper documents.