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The document argues that climate change adaptation projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries can either increase or reduce conflict risks depending on their design. It notes that while major donors recognize the link between conflict and project implementation, conflict risks are not yet systematically considered in project design and evaluation. Based on an analysis of four projects in Sudan, the brief recommends a three-step approach to facilitate the consideration of conflict risks throughout the project lifecycle, including monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) stages.

The Southern African Yearly Meeting of the Quakers calls for the South African government to implement an unconditional universal basic income (UBI) for all citizens and legal residents. The authors argue that South Africa's high unemployment and poverty have created a 'tinderbox' of social instability, and that a UBI—set at least at the upper-bound poverty line—would provide dignity, stimulate local economies, and reduce crime. They contrast UBI with means-tested social grants, noting that universality removes bureaucratic inefficiency and stigma. The document cites a 2008 pilot in Namibia as evidence of UBI's ability to improve health, education, and entrepreneurship. Proposed funding sources include taxes on carbon emissions, wealth, and resource rents, alongside reducing wasteful public expenditure.

The policy brief advocates for the use of digital platforms and real-time data to support climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in India and G20 countries. It suggests that digitalizing crop management enhances decision-making for farmers and policymakers, contributing to global food and economic security. The authors recommend that the G20 convene a committee to develop a systemic agenda for CSA digitalization research and practices.

The document outlines the severe health threats posed by climate change, including increased mortality from heatwaves, air pollution, and infectious diseases, while highlighting the 'triple win' of improving public health, creating a sustainable economy, and protecting the environment through aggressive mitigation and adaptation.

The report assesses the escalating risk of catastrophic biological threats driven by the democratization of biotechnology and climate change. It highlights that future pandemics could be orders of magnitude more lethal than COVID-19, whether through natural emergence, laboratory accidents, or deliberate use. The authors argue that current U.S. biodefense spending is insufficient, representing less than 1% of the defense budget. They propose a "10+10 over 10" investment plan—$20 billion annually for ten years—focusing on pathogen-agnostic defensive tools, strengthened international norms, and improved deterrence through preparedness. The report concludes that such investments are highly cost-effective compared to the trillions of dollars in potential economic losses and millions of lives at risk.

The policy brief examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) can bridge data gaps and provide evidence for governments reporting on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). Through an analysis of 13 VSS, the authors demonstrate high alignment with SDGs 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and provide guidelines for governments to integrate VSS data and case studies into their national reporting processes.

The document examines how voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and can be leveraged by governments to overcome data gaps in their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). Through an analysis of 13 international and regional standards, the authors demonstrate high coverage of goals related to decent work (SDG 8) and clean water (SDG 6). The brief provides practical guidelines for governments to integrate VSS data and case studies from countries like Uganda, India, and Tanzania into their national reporting to improve policy coherence and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds that 48% of the rise in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901 and 37% of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986 are attributable to emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers. In Arizona, over 10,000 wildfires burned nearly 2.5 million acres between 2017 and 2021, with the 2020 Bighorn Fire alone costing over $36 million. The document argues for holding these companies accountable and urges state governments to implement policies for forest health, community safety, and equitable resilience investments.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis attributes 48 percent of the rise in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901 and 37 percent of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986 to emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel and cement companies. In Colorado, over 5,000 wildfires burned more than 1 million acres between 2017 and 2021, including the record-breaking 2020 Cameron Peak Fire. The document argues that these companies should be held accountable for the costs of climate change and recommends that state governments implement policies to reduce human-ignited fires, increase forest health resources, and protect vulnerable communities.

The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that 37% of the cumulative burned forest area in western North America since 1986 is attributable to emissions from 88 of the world's largest carbon producers. The report links these emissions to a rise in vapor pressure deficit (VPD), which increases atmospheric 'thirst' and dries out vegetation, thereby amplifying wildfire risk. It argues that these corporations should be held legally and financially accountable for climate damages, including the costs of wildfire suppression and recovery.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds that emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers are responsible for 48 percent of the rise in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901 and 37 percent of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986. In New Mexico, over 4,000 wildfires burned more than 800,000 acres between 2017 and 2021, with the 2022 Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak Fire becoming the state's largest on record. The document argues that these companies should be held accountable for the costs of climate change and recommends that state governments implement policies to reduce human-ignited fires, increase forest health resources, protect community health, and prioritize equitable investments for low-income communities.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds that 48% of the rise in fire-danger conditions in western North America since 1901 and 37% of the cumulative burned forest area since 1986 are attributable to emissions from the 88 largest fossil fuel companies and cement manufacturers. In Washington state, nearly 8,000 wildfires burned over 2.5 million acres between 2017 and 2022. The document argues for holding these companies accountable and urges state governments to implement resilience-building policies, including reducing human-ignited fires, improving forest health, and protecting vulnerable communities.

Reclaim Finance calls on AXA to align its insurance and reinsurance policies with the IEA's Net Zero by 2050 scenario. The organization demands that AXA exclude new oil and gas fields, remove exceptions for companies claiming to be "in transition," and cease coverage for new LNG terminals and coal infrastructure in reinsurance treaties.

The document urges investors to use the 2023 annual general meeting season to pressure high-emitting companies to improve their climate strategies and transparency. It outlines three types of resolutions for investors to focus on: 'Say on Climate' proposals from management, shareholder-led climate resolutions, and standard governance resolutions (such as director mandates and remuneration) which should now incorporate climate change as a strategic theme. Additionally, the briefing offers sample written questions for companies in the energy, power generation, and finance sectors.

Reclaim Finance advises investors to integrate climate criteria into their 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) votes. The briefing argues that 'Say on Climate' resolutions are often used for greenwashing and should be opposed if strategies are incomplete or misaligned with a 1.5°C scenario. It specifically calls for opposition to TotalEnergies' Say on Climate and support for shareholder resolutions at ENGIE and energy majors (TotalEnergies, BP, Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil) regarding Paris Agreement alignment. Additionally, it recommends using routine votes on director reappointment, executive remuneration, and financial statements to sanction a lack of climate ambition or risk disclosure.

The document asserts that nuclear energy is essential for a decarbonized global energy system to provide 'clean firm' power, reducing reliance on over-built variable renewables and expensive long-duration storage. It identifies a 'profoundly dysfunctional' current delivery model characterized by high costs and delays, exemplified by the Vogtle 3 and 4 projects in Georgia. To achieve a target build rate of hundreds of Gigawatts per year, the author proposes transitioning from bespoke construction projects to standardized, commoditized 'products' with capital costs below $4,000/kw and delivery times of 3-5 years. Key recommendations for U.S. policy include reforming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to adopt performance-based licensing, establishing a 'sandbox' for testing new designs, creating an International Bank for Nuclear Infrastructure, and ensuring the domestic availability of high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU).

The briefing outlines four key areas where G7 nations can lead on fossil fuel phase-out: setting a 2030 deadline for coal phase-out, implementing the end of fossil fuel subsidies, fulfilling commitments to stop international public finance for fossil fuels, and ending new oil and gas development.

The authors advocate for the use of systems thinking to identify which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) act as accelerators for others, rather than focusing on 'easy fixes' or short-term interests. Using the 'SDG Synergies' tool in Sweden as an example, the text demonstrates how certain goals, such as SDG 11, can positively impact the entire system while others may face trade-offs. The document recommends that countries report their priority-setting strategies in Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to foster global peer-learning.

The We Mean Business Coalition calls on G7 Ministers to accelerate the transition to clean energy to mitigate climate risks and economic loss. The coalition argues that while business is ready to deploy clean energy solutions, it requires supportive policies and the repurposing of $1 trillion in fossil fuel subsidies. Key recommendations include decarbonizing power systems by 2035, phasing out domestic coal by 2030, and ensuring 100% sales of zero emissions vehicles for new light-duty vehicles by 2035.

Carbon Market Watch argues that Article 6.4 methodologies must shift from incremental benefits to transformational activities to avoid eroding climate ambition. The organization advocates for the use of dynamic baseline contraction factors (BCFs) that trend toward zero by 2050, the implementation of 'negative lists' to exclude non-additional or fossil-fuel-linked projects, and the rejection of short-term sequestration activities as offsets due to non-permanence risks.