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The document highlights a gap in Swedish municipalities' ability to track and reduce the environmental impact of their consumption. While many work systematically on internal operations, few address consumption among households and businesses. Key barriers include a lack of political support, financial and competency resources, and a lack of systematic monitoring of purchases and investments. The brief recommends that municipalities implement systematic tracking of all procurement, that local politicians prioritize sustainable consumption, and that the Swedish government task county administrative boards (länsstyrelsen) with coordinating municipal efforts to improve knowledge exchange.

The document examines how communications strategies can build resilience against violent extremism in West and Central Africa, specifically focusing on the Lake Chad Basin and Côte d’Ivoire. It identifies poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy as primary drivers of extremism and highlights the struggle of local civil society organisations (CSOs) to reach rural, low-tech populations. The brief advocates for the use of positive narratives over counter-narratives due to the lack of religious expertise among CSOs and the risk of retaliation from extremist groups. It emphasizes the effectiveness of radio and face-to-face meetings, while noting significant barriers such as language gaps, cultural norms restricting women's participation, and a lack of government-led strategic guidelines.

Analysis of survey data from 2011-2015 shows that 8% of Americans changed their opinions on global warming, with 84% of those becoming more concerned. The primary drivers for increased concern were direct or reported experiences of climate impacts and increased information, while those becoming less concerned often cited beliefs that global warming is a natural process or a hoax.

The report examines how 38 African countries are measuring and reporting on SDG 16. It finds high political commitment but significant gaps in financial resources and data quality. It highlights innovations in 'data sovereignty' through national statistical offices (NSOs) and the use of multi-stakeholder partnerships to overcome data gaps.

The NDC Update Report November 2018 examines the 'Ambition' of governments in implementing the Paris Agreement. Based on a survey of 92 policymakers and experts, the report finds that while confidence in initial NDC implementation is high, there is a critical lack of long-term strategic planning. It argues that focusing solely on first-round NDCs is insufficient, as the Paris Agreement requires a transition to net zero emissions. The report advocates for a 'whole of government' approach and the development of long-term visions to guide sector transformation, financial shifts from 'brown to green' investments, and more ambitious second-round pledges in 2020.

The report analyzes a 2014 survey of 1,576 American adults to determine how conceptualizations of nature's balance—whether viewed as stable, delicate, or random—influence perceptions of global warming. It finds that those who view nature as delicate are most likely to believe in global warming, while those who view it as very stable are least likely. Specifically, the 'Disengaged' segment and individuals with annual household incomes under $25,000 are the most likely to perceive nature as random and unpredictable.

The research identifies key psychological and social drivers of climate activism in the U.S., finding that activists are more likely to view global warming as a serious but solvable threat and believe in the efficacy of collective action. The authors recommend that climate messaging combine threat warnings with actionable steps and support for social opinion leaders to overcome widespread public skepticism regarding the effectiveness of political activism.

The report analyzes the social, environmental, and business performance of 1,337 SMMEs in developing countries, with a focus on the 2011 applicant cohort. It identifies a strong trend toward the adoption of new technologies and a shift in organizational identity from strictly non-profit to hybrid or for-profit models. Key barriers include a lack of financial resources, limited access to technical research partners, and a deficiency in local-level environmental monitoring and enforcement. The study also highlights gender disparities, noting that women-led enterprises often face greater challenges in accessing business management skills and markets.

The document reports that while FDA scientists in 2011 expressed increased respect for agency leadership and higher morale compared to 2006, significant concerns remain regarding corporate and political pressure influencing agency decisions. It highlights a broader pattern of scientific interference across multiple US federal agencies and provides specific recommendations for the FDA and Congress to improve transparency, accountability, and the independence of advisory committees.

The document examines a project by the International Budget Partnership (IBP) and the Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) that questioned 80 governments on their fossil-fuel subsidy spending over three fiscal years. The findings highlight a significant lack of transparency and opacity in how governments report and manage public money spent on oil, gas, and coal subsidies.

The report challenges the 'conventional wisdom' that young Americans are more engaged with climate change than older adults. While young adults (18-34) are more likely to believe in human-caused global warming and trust scientists and President Obama, they are significantly less likely to have thought about the issue previously and more likely to discount immediate harms. The data reveals a strong ideological divide between liberals and conservatives that persists across age groups, though young political moderates and those with uncertain views show the most openness to changing their minds.

The report analyzes innovation within Costa Rica's agro-industry sector using a survey of 42 firms. It identifies that while most firms innovate in products and processes to improve quality and market share, they face barriers such as a lack of trained workers and difficulty accessing funding. Regarding environmental protection, most firms invest in water treatment and remediation, but few adopt pollution prevention or eco-friendly product development, primarily due to the non-existence of suitable technologies in international and local markets.

The Global Resilience Partnership conducted a survey of 88 stakeholders to identify barriers to virtual engagement for grassroots and community-based organisations (CBOs). The findings highlight four primary challenges: lack of access to stable internet and hardware, platform unfamiliarity, language and time zone barriers, and inequitable power dynamics in agenda-setting. To address these, the report recommends financing data and equipment, using consistent platforms like Zoom, offering staggered meeting times, and co-creating agendas with local partners. It also identifies key best practices for successful engagement, including timely preparatory materials, inclusive agendas, and interactive formats.

The research paper analyzes individual-level support for the 2001 Framework Agreement in Macedonia using a geo-referenced survey from 2005. The authors test whether local ethnic settlement patterns or proximity to conflict zones influence reconciliation preferences. The primary finding is that ethnic identity is the dominant factor, with ethnic Albanians strongly supporting the agreement and ethnic Macedonians predominantly opposing it, while contextual factors like local ethnic parity or distance to violence have only feeble or insignificant effects.

The document examines the role of Swedish municipalities in promoting sustainable consumption, finding that while over 60% work systematically on the issue, they are hindered by limited financial resources, staff capacity, and a lack of clear national guidance. It highlights the potential of sustainable procurement and data-driven monitoring, while recommending stronger national coordination and long-term local action plans.

The paper examines data management systems for national GHG inventories based on surveys from six developed (Annex I) and four developing (non-Annex I) Parties. It identifies critical capacity challenges for non-Annex I Parties and outlines design principles for effective systems, emphasizing the importance of clear reporting objectives, institutional arrangements, and sustainable funding.