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The briefing recommends that Target 8 focus on reducing biodiversity threats from climate change and ensuring mitigation efforts do not harm ecosystems. It specifically argues for the removal of a 10 Gt CO2-e annual mitigation target, asserting that carbon is an inappropriate metric for biodiversity and could incentivize the destruction of species-rich ecosystems in favor of monoculture plantations or BECCS projects.

The briefing note proposes that Target 8 should focus on reducing biodiversity threats from climate change and ensuring that mitigation efforts do not harm ecosystems. It specifically argues for the removal of a target to contribute '10 Gt CO2-e per year', asserting that carbon is an inappropriate metric for biodiversity and could incentivize the destruction of species-rich ecosystems in favor of monoculture plantations or BECCS projects.

Seven NGOs have called on the EU Commission to include leather as a key forest-risk commodity in new deforestation laws, arguing that cattle ranching is the primary driver of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon and that the EU is a major market for this high-risk leather. The statement highlights that leather is a multibillion-dollar industry, with the Brazilian sector valued at over US$50 billion, and that non-meat products can account for up to 26% of large meatpackers' incomes. The NGOs point to the Italian tanning industry's heavy reliance on Brazilian leather and the exposure of major European car manufacturers to deforestation through suppliers like JBS Couros. They argue that including leather in the legislation would reduce the EU's role in driving deforestation and encourage the industry to adopt zero-deforestation sourcing and traceability.

The system analysis identifies specific SDGs that drive positive effects for the overall implementation of Agenda 2030 in Sweden, while also highlighting direct goal conflicts that hinder progress for six specific goals.

The report argues that the aquaculture industry faces significant systemic risks due to high fish mortality rates and a dependence on fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) derived from wild-caught fish. It finds that most investors fail to integrate these material risks into their policies, often relying on inadequate certification schemes. The document highlights the economic cost of fish deaths, the threat to food security in regions like West Africa due to FMFO extraction, and the potential for 'greenwashing' through green bonds. It recommends that investors require full supply chain transparency, the elimination of wild-caught fish in feed by 2025, and the adoption of robust fish-welfare standards.

The briefing warns that PL No. 1709/2019 would halve the required width of Permanent Preservation Areas (APPs) for all natural watercourses in Brazil. This legislative change would remove protection from over 2 million hectares of native forest in the Amazon, an area equivalent to the total deforestation recorded in the Legal Amazon during 2019 and 2020. The authors argue that such a reduction would exacerbate deforestation and threaten the water cycle and biodiversity, particularly in the Amazon basin where many rivers exceed 600 meters in width.

The first progress report for Tonga's JNAP2 evaluates the integration of 92 climate and disaster risk activities into ministry corporate plans and their implementation status. While most activities are integrated—particularly those related to resilience-building actions (79%) and financing (76%)—the report identifies significant capacity gaps in procedures and skills. Key recommendations include prioritising sector vulnerability assessments, developing GESI-factored resilience plans, and investing in meteorological infrastructure like Doppler radar.

The document traces the evolution of climate change within U.S. National Security Strategies from 1991 to 2017, noting a shift from viewing it as a distant foreign threat to an urgent domestic and global security risk. It argues that while the Department of Defense has led in addressing these risks, congressional funding for military installation resilience remains insufficient. The authors recommend that the next NSS expand its scope beyond the energy sector to include 'ecological security'—addressing biodiversity loss and ocean health—and incorporate non-linear planetary thresholds and sophisticated environmental monitoring to better forecast systemic risks.

The document details the activities of the Wisahkotewinowak collective in the Waterloo-Wellington region of Ontario, illustrating how Indigenous leadership in urban and peri-urban spaces can mitigate climate change impacts and advance reconciliation. Through three primary examples—the White Owl Sugar Bush, partnerships with educational institutions, and the transformation of Uniroyal Goodrich Park—the authors demonstrate the integration of Indigenous Knowledge with environmental action. The report argues that restoring Indigenous relationships to the Land is essential for biodiversity conservation and food security, particularly in 'crisis ecoregions' like the Lake Erie Lowland. It concludes with a 'seed story' framework providing recommendations for local and policy-level engagement to support Indigenous governance and Land access.

The document details the activities of the Wisahkotewinowak collective in the Waterloo-Wellington region of Ontario, illustrating how Indigenous-led urban gardening and land restoration contribute to climate adaptation and reconciliation. It highlights three specific projects: the White Owl Sugar Bush, partnerships with post-secondary institutions for land-based learning, and the transformation of Uniroyal Goodrich Park. The authors argue that restoring Indigenous relationships with the land is essential for protecting urban biodiversity and improving community well-being in the face of climate change.

Earthjustice, on behalf of the Conservation Council for Hawai'i and Moana Ohana, advocates for the adoption of 'Alternative 3' in a regulatory amendment to mandate monofilament leaders and the removal of trailing gear for oceanic whitetip sharks. The document argues that monofilament leaders alone are insufficient and should be combined with the elimination of shallow hooks, the use of corrodible circle hooks, and mandatory crew training to maximize survival rates. It further recommends that the U.S. leverage these domestic measures to advocate for similar international requirements through Regional Fishery Management Organizations, including increased observer coverage and a ban on shark lines.

The policy brief analyzes the gap between international guidelines, sectoral manuals, and the actual implementation of environmental studies for land infrastructure in the Legal Amazon. It finds that studies prioritize socio-economic and physical factors over the biotic environment, often fail to comply with their own terms of reference, and lack coordination between the EVTEA and EIA phases. The authors recommend making EVTEAs mandatory before EIAs, incorporating international standards into binding terms of reference, and establishing transparent approval criteria to reduce environmental risks and transaction costs.

A coalition of NGOs and organisations is calling on the European Commission to expedite the adoption of two key legislative proposals: one to reduce the risk of deforestation and forest degradation linked to EU market products, and another on sustainable corporate governance. The authors express concern over reported delays extending beyond the summer recess of 2021 and a lack of official explanation from the Commission. They argue these measures are essential for the European Green Deal, human rights, and global biodiversity, noting strong support from the European Parliament, the Council, and over 1.1 million citizens in public consultations.

ClientEarth and a coalition of organisations are urging the European Commission to proceed without further delay in adopting two key legislative proposals: one to minimise deforestation and forest degradation linked to products on the EU market, and another on sustainable corporate governance. The authors express concern that these proposals, originally scheduled for the second quarter of 2021, have been delayed past the summer recess without official explanation. They argue these initiatives are essential for the European Green Deal, human rights, and biodiversity, noting strong support from the European Parliament, the Council, and public consultations, where over 1.1 million citizens supported the deforestation law and over 80% of respondents supported a due diligence framework.

The report identifies key 'catalyst' goals that drive progress across the entire 2030 Agenda in Sweden, while highlighting specific trade-offs where progress in one goal hinders another. It emphasizes that while most interactions are positive, targeted interventions are needed for goals that receive little systemic support and for resolving critical conflicts, particularly those involving energy, biodiversity, and economic growth.

The briefing argues that the EU-Mercosur trade deal was concluded without a complete sustainability impact assessment (SIA), which the European Ombudsman identified as maladministration. It highlights concerns that the agreement could increase deforestation in Mercosur countries, particularly Brazil, and criticizes the European Commission's attempt to seek pre-ratification commitments rather than renegotiating the text. Furthermore, the document opposes any effort by the Commission to 'split' the trade and political components of the agreement to bypass the requirement for unanimity in the Council and ratification by the 27 EU Member State parliaments, asserting that such a move would violate the original 1999 mandate and principles of sincere cooperation.

The EU–China Environment Project (2018–2021) facilitated policy alignment and knowledge exchange between the EU and China across several key environmental domains. Major achievements include supporting the development of China's National Pollutant Discharge Permitting Regulation, contributing to the drafting of the Yangtze River Protection Law, and co-hosting workshops to inform the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework ahead of COP15 in Kunming. The project also provided research and workshops that influenced China's 14th Five-Year Plan and the 'Guiding Opinions on Integrating and Strengthening Efforts in Climate Action and Ecological and Environmental Protection'. Additionally, the initiative addressed plastic pollution, global deforestation in supply chains, and carbon leakage, while promoting a green economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The FAST-Infra Sustainable Infrastructure Label (SI Label) is a voluntary, globally applicable framework designed to certify infrastructure assets that demonstrate positive sustainability outcomes. To qualify, assets must meet baseline 'do no significant harm' requirements—primarily based on IFC Performance Standards—and demonstrate a positive contribution to at least one of 14 sustainability criteria across environmental, social, governance, and adaptation and resilience dimensions. The framework mandates minimum safeguards, including Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessments, alongside rigorous disclosure and annual reporting. While self-declaration is permitted, the framework strongly encourages independent external reviews to ensure market trust. Governance is managed by a Secretariat, an Executive Committee, and a Steering Committee, with a broad membership of private investors, governments, and NGOs.

The analysis reveals that environmental studies for federal land infrastructure in the Legal Amazon prioritize socio-economic and physical factors over the biotic environment. It finds a lack of coordination between EVTEAs and EIAs, with only 30% of EIA components appearing in EVTEAs, and notes that studies frequently fail to comply with their own terms of reference (TRs) or sectoral manuals. The brief recommends incorporating international guidelines into TRs and making EVTEAs mandatory before EIAs to improve project viability and environmental protection.

The policy brief evaluates the quality and consistency of socio-environmental analyses in federal railway and highway concessions in the Legal Amazon. It finds that these studies often prioritize socio-economic and physical factors over biotic ones, fail to align with international guidelines or sectoral manuals, and frequently do not fully comply with their own terms of reference (TRs). The authors recommend incorporating international guidelines into TRs, making sectoral manuals binding, and establishing transparent approval processes to ensure full compliance.