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The report argues that fossil fuel production subsidies create "zombie energy"—reserves that are only viable due to government support—and contribute to carbon lock-in. Using the GSI-IF(p) model and G20 data as a proxy, the authors estimate that a global removal of these subsidies could reduce GHG emissions by 37 to 175 Gt of CO2 between 2017 and 2050, depending on market price assumptions. It further finds that 120–138 Gt of CO2 equivalent in reserves would become uneconomical to produce, representing 13–15% of existing and under-construction reserves as of 2015. The report emphasizes that capex subsidies provide the strongest long-term signals for investment and carbon lock-in.

The study assesses LDCF projects in five Asia-Pacific countries, finding that while they improve infrastructural, institutional, and community-based adaptive capacity, they are hindered by convoluted management and uncertainty. The author concludes that LDCF activities generally promote marginal rather than systematic transformations in climate adaptation.

The NATION project (2013-2017) examines national identity as a dynamic process rather than a static entity, focusing on how it is negotiated through top-down state actions, mediated public discourse, and bottom-up everyday experiences. Using data from Norway, France, and the UK, the research highlights the tension between static, often racialized conceptions of nationhood and the plural, heterogeneous reality of modern European societies. Key findings emphasize the role of 'first impressions' and race in shaping boundaries of belonging, the use of national symbols like the Norwegian King to foster inclusive identities, and the impact of religious buildings as sites of resistance and negotiation. The report argues for a plural conception of the nation to counter neo-nationalist populism and promote democratic preparedness.

This research paper assesses South Africa's role as an emerging development partner in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Using the NeST analytical framework, it examines the scope and quality of South African initiatives in peace, security, and state-building. The study finds that South Africa is a significant development partner, often exceeding traditional OECD donors when measured relative to Gross National Income. While the partnership is characterized by high levels of trust and demand-driven support, it suffers from fragmented coordination, weak monitoring and evaluation systems, and a lack of clear strategic objectives. The document highlights specific contributions in electoral support, public sector reform, and infrastructure financing, while noting challenges such as political instability in the DRC and bureaucratic inefficiencies in South Africa.

The study evaluates the South Africa–DRC development partnership, finding that South Africa is a significant partner in absolute financial terms and relative to its gross national income. While the partnership aligns with SSC values of national ownership and non-conditionality, it suffers from fragmented coordination, weak monitoring and evaluation systems, and a lack of clear strategic intent from the South African side.

The document examines the role of value chains in Southern Africa, noting that the region accounts for 40% of Africa's GVC participation. It highlights the importance of RVCs as entry points for smaller countries and emphasizes the need for harmonized non-tariff measures and firm-level data to enhance regional integration.

The report finds that Germany has sufficient capital to meet its renewable energy targets, with an annual investment potential of €25-€35 billion, which is 60-170% more than required. However, achieving these goals at the lowest cost requires a diverse mix of investors, including small-scale end users and institutional investors. The analysis highlights that current energy market designs could lead to over 1,000 hours of negative electricity prices per year by 2030, and that aggressive economic curtailment policies could increase onshore wind bid prices by 17% by 2020. To mitigate these risks, the report recommends 'take-or-pay' arrangements or proportional curtailment. Additionally, it warns that complex incentive auction designs may exclude smaller investors, who provided over 25% of equity investment in 2015, potentially increasing long-term energy costs by limiting competition and site diversity.

The report identifies significant barriers to the adoption of sustainability certifications for biofuels, particularly for producers using agricultural or forest feedstocks and those operating in developing countries. Key challenges include a lack of flexibility in indicators to meet local conditions, high certification costs without guaranteed market premiums, and auditor inexperience with new social requirements. Conversely, producers using non-agricultural or non-forest wastes find the process simpler. The study recommends regional adaptation of standards and the creation of secure, large-scale markets to incentivize certification.

The report identifies systemic failures in leadership, governance, and basic administration as the primary drivers of poor municipal audit outcomes in South Africa. Key findings highlight a lack of accountability among councilors, the ineffectiveness of Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPACs), and severe capacity constraints in smaller, remote municipalities. The authors argue that current interventions focus on 'quick fixes' rather than structural issues and recommend a fundamental redesign of business processes, the abolition of MPACs, and the creation of an independent national compliance structure for internal audits.

The study explores 'practiced citizenship' among Polish migrants in Oslo, Bergen, Bristol, and Sheffield, arguing that integration is a multi-layered process of 'balancing acts' between local, national, and transnational dimensions. While both countries show similar reliance on social networks for migration, the UK is perceived as more accommodating of socio-cultural diversity, whereas Polish migrants in Norway reported exclusionary experiences related to their names and a lack of trust in state institutions, specifically the child protection services. Socio-economic patterns differ by demographic, with the UK attracting more young, highly educated graduates and Norway seeing a higher proportion of skilled male construction workers. Political engagement is frequently mediated through online platforms, particularly in the UK, where some migrants view the political environment as more enabling than in Poland.

The report details a workshop in Pajala, Sweden, where local stakeholders and researchers co-created four future narratives for the region based on global Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). Participants identified climate change, national-local power relations, and international security as primary drivers of change. The resulting narratives explore a range of futures, from a sustainable 'Green Road' focused on circular economies and bio-production to a 'Rocky Road' characterized by resurgent nationalism and state withdrawal from municipal welfare. The study emphasizes the interconnection between local Arctic conditions—such as mining and reindeer herding—and global trends in migration, resource demand, and climate change.

The document examines how communities in sub-Saharan Africa adapt to biomass scarcity, noting that current strategies often lead to vicious cycles of over-exploitation and degradation. Using the Lake Tana sub-basin in Ethiopia as a case study, the authors analyze the impact of changing biomass supply and demand, emphasizing the role of soil productivity and natural resource governance. The authors conclude that effective strategies must balance the avoidance of vicious cycles with the encouragement of virtuous ones, requiring sustainable soil management, inclusive governance, and cross-sector collaboration within national development strategies.

The report examines the potential for China to use revenues from a national emissions trading scheme (ETS), expected by 2016, to fund renewable energy. While experts agree that earmarking is feasible, they suggest that funds should target less mature technologies like tidal and geothermal power rather than established wind and solar PV, which are already well-financed. Short-term revenues from auctioning allowances are expected to be small, but long-term potential exists if political will remains constant. Governance challenges include the need for transparency, the harmonization of monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) rules across regions, and the decision between centralizing or localizing fund management.

The report analyzes how the IAI transitioned its funding programs from a natural-science focus to a more interdisciplinary approach. It finds that simply changing funding requirements is insufficient; instead, a 'bundled' approach—including experiential learning, networking, mentorship, and connecting research to tangible problems—is necessary to overcome academic incentives that favor disciplinary work. The study highlights a significant increase in social science integration and South-South collaboration across its Collaborative Research Networks (CRN) and Small Grants Program on the Human Dimensions (SGP-HD).

The authors argue that current development modes often ignore the socio-political contexts that constrain climate adaptation. To remedy this, they introduce a tool based on human rights principles—focusing on equality, transparency, accountability, and empowerment—to identify the institutional barriers and processes of marginalization that create disparities in adaptive capacity.

The document examines how Islamic charity, specifically zakat, intersects with migrant remittances and organized diaspora development efforts among Pakistani-origin Muslims in Oslo. It argues that these religious motivations create lasting transnational ties across generations but remain largely invisible or misunderstood by mainstream Norwegian society and the Global North's development sector. The authors suggest a need for greater recognition of religious frameworks in development and a critical re-evaluation of who defines 'development' activities.

The report examines flood resilience in the River Derwent catchment, Cumbria, using a Sustainable Livelihoods Approach. It analyzes how different communities—from hill farms to post-industrial towns—mobilize human, social, financial, physical, and place-based resources. Key findings highlight the role of 'Communities of Resilience Practice' (CoRP), the importance of 'broker' individuals in linking communities to power, and the tension between structural defenses and long-term risk management. The study proposes a set of qualitative indicators to measure community resilience over time.

The study assesses Indonesia's implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005–2015, finding that while regulatory frameworks and non-government participation have driven progress, resilience is hindered by local government capacity gaps and a lack of mainstreaming into development agendas. Future challenges include urban risk governance and the integration of disaster risk reduction with climate change adaptation.

The study assesses 62 mining applications in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal to determine if EAPs are following the six core principles of the Mining and Biodiversity Guidelines (MBG). It finds significant gaps in adherence, particularly regarding the use of biodiversity information and best practice environmental impact assessments. The report highlights a performance gap between larger and smaller EAP consultancies and argues for the urgent formal registration and regulation of EAPs under a professional body like EAPASA to ensure sustainable development and protect water and food security in South Africa's grasslands.

The document identifies typhoons as the most dangerous climate hazard in Da Nang, noting that housing vulnerability is driven by both climate extremes and poor construction techniques. It evaluates three risk-reduction options—rebuilding homes, repairing homes, and building public shelters—finding that rebuilding is the most preferred approach among local households and governments, while public shelters are the least preferred. Barriers to safe construction include financial constraints, limited awareness, social pressures for more living space, and a lack of technical assistance.