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The document defines water weaponization as the exploitation of the human need for water by deliberately rendering it scarce or insecure. It applies a six-category matrix—Strategic, Tactical, Coercive, Unintentional, Psychological Terror, and Extortion/Incentivization—to the Russia-Ukraine war. Key findings include Russia's draining of the Kakhovka Reservoir, which threatens the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power station, and the use of water denial in cities like Mariupol and Mykolaiv. Ukraine is also noted for strategic water denial in Crimea (2014) and tactical flooding in the Demydiv region. The authors argue for the expansion of U.S. climate finance for water adaptation, the use of the International Court of Justice to prosecute water infrastructure destruction as war crimes, and the integration of water management into the Global Fragility Act.

The report examines how high-frequency, real-time water quality monitoring can improve watershed management and decision-making, particularly in the Winnipeg River basin. It contrasts the advantages of automated sensors—such as rapid response to contamination and lower long-term cost per measurement—with limitations including sensor drift, maintenance costs, and data management burdens. Through case studies at the Powerview-Pine Falls drinking water facility and Lake 227, the document demonstrates the utility of real-time data for optimizing water treatment and tracking algal bloom dynamics.

The community biocultural protocol of Sahandrazana establishes a framework for the management of genetic resources and traditional knowledge in the Vatovavy region of Madagascar. It outlines the community's governance structure, the role of traditional leaders (Rois), and the specific steps external researchers or entrepreneurs must follow to obtain consent. The document emphasizes the integration of customary laws with national legislation, such as the Nagoya Protocol and Decree 2017-066, to ensure equitable benefit-sharing and the protection of biodiversity and cultural heritage.

The document outlines TEEPSA's plan to drill up to ten exploration wells in the Deep Water Orange Basin off the West Coast of South Africa. It details the regulatory process for obtaining Environmental Authorisation, warns of potential risks to marine biodiversity, local livelihoods, and the climate, and encourages affected parties to submit comments by June 12, 2023.

The document analyzes how governments in Norway, France, and the UK moved beyond legal enforcement to motivate citizens during COVID-19 lockdowns. It identifies three evolving strategies: using national narratives to legitimize responses, managing public expectations through data and trust to 'lock in' policies, and eventually differentiating duties based on political preferences. The authors argue that civic duties are co-determined by states and citizens, warning that a shift toward differentiated duties could allow privileged groups to avoid the costs of public obligations.

The document critiques current green industrialisation (GI) strategies in the SADC region for remaining tethered to linear economic growth models and 'greenwashing'. It proposes a 'regenerative' alternative based on principles of holism, biomimicry, and African indigenous philosophies like Ubuntu and Ukama. Through scenario analysis, the authors present three possible futures: a business-as-usual scenario (Scenario A), a dystopian 'Apocalyptic Africa' (Scenario B) marked by extreme climate disasters and resource wars, and a 'Regenerative Revival' (Scenario C). The brief concludes that SADC must move beyond surface-level policy changes to shift deeper mental models and paradigms, recommending the use of strategic foresight, the empowerment of youth, and a 'bottom-in' approach to reach marginalised populations.

The report details a project (2019-2023) to integrate GESEP considerations into Bosnia and Herzegovina's environmental strategy. It outlines a three-level approach targeting the project team, activities, and outputs, resulting in a 'socially aware' strategy. Key outcomes include increased stakeholder awareness and the incorporation of GESEP principles into national development planning laws, though the report notes challenges such as COVID-19 limitations and a lack of redistributive measures.

Analysis of 241 U.S. locations shows that 95% have experienced summer warming since 1970, with an average increase of 2.4°F. The West, Southwest, Northwest, and western Texas saw the most heating, with Reno, Nevada, recording the highest increase at 11.1°F. Additionally, 58% of analyzed locations now experience at least two more weeks of above-normal summer days than in 1970. The document highlights that excessive heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. and disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and people of color living in urban heat islands.

The report serves as a glossary for negotiators of the future 'plastics treaty' mandated by UNEA Resolution 5/14. It aggregates definitions across twelve categories, including generic pollution, plastic-specific terms, waste management, and the full life cycle of plastics, drawing from sources such as the Basel Convention, OECD, ISO, and EU directives.

The analysis finds that a majority of Americans (63%) rarely or never discuss global warming. Those most likely to engage in these conversations include Democrats, individuals with higher education, urban residents, Gen Z and Millennials, and Hispanic/Latino Americans. The study highlights a strong correlation between climate concern—specifically those in the 'Alarmed' category—and the frequency of discussion, as well as the influence of supportive social norms and media exposure in encouraging climate conversations.

Climate Central's analysis of 242 U.S. locations from 1979 to 2022 shows that 71% of these sites experienced an increase in annual mosquito days, averaging a rise of 16 days. The Southeast and South currently have the highest number of mosquito days, while the Ohio Valley and Northeast saw the largest region-wide increases. The report links these trends to warming spring and fall temperatures and discusses the expanding risk of mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile virus and dengue, as suitable habitats shift northward and the season length for transmission increases.

The SAC and SPAC conducted joint monthly meetings to coordinate on several regional initiatives, including the development of a Gender and EDI Policy, the establishment of the Science Diplomacy Center, and the creation of IPCC policy briefs for the Latin American and Caribbean region. Key activities included a training program on transdisciplinary research for climate, environment, and health responders, and participation in the Americas Conference on Solar Radiation Modification. The committees recommend that the IAI Directorate establish a formal research and training program on the climate-environment-health nexus and participate in the Hydro-Climate Research Program of the Andes (ANDEX).

The authors call on Council of Europe nations to address a gap in the European human rights framework by formally recognizing the right to a healthy environment. They argue that while the UN General Assembly affirmed this right in July 2022, the Council of Europe remains the only regional human rights system whose political institutions have not yet done so. The authors suggest that a protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights would catalyze climate action, provide legal certainty for corporate actors, and protect environmental activists.

The IAI Directorate reported progress in integrating gender and equity into scientific projects, enhancing the science-policy interface through the Science Diplomacy Center (SDC) and STeP fellowships, and implementing regional climate and health initiatives. Key achievements include the launch of a climate and health responder course for Latin America, the publication of a compendium on climate impacts in the LAC region, and the development of a drought information system for Southern South America. The Directorate also expanded its collaborative research actions with the Belmont Forum and established partnerships with organizations like the WMO and PAHO to improve climate risk assessments and early warning systems.

The IAI Executive Direction reports progress across science, capacity building, and strategic implementation between 2022 and 2023. Key achievements include the establishment of a Gender, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) committee, the launch of the Science Diplomacy Center (SDC), and the expansion of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program to 64 fellows from 13 countries. The IAI also advanced regional initiatives on the climate-health nexus, drought information systems in South America, and collaborative research through the Belmont Forum. Strategic partnerships were strengthened with organizations such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to enhance climate risk assessment and science-policy interfaces in the Americas.

The DR Congo possesses 80 million hectares of arable land, yet only 10% is cultivated, leaving the country as a net food importer with an annual food trade deficit of US$1.5 billion. On its current path, food import dependence is projected to reach approximately 60% of domestic demand by 2050. Agricultural productivity, which fell to 60% of its 1960 levels by 2006, is further threatened by climate change, specifically through heavy rain and flood events causing soil erosion. Recovery efforts include a US$75 million World Bank project, FAO seed distribution, and USAID's Food for Peace programme.

The briefing examines the shift toward a feminist foreign policy in Germany, specifically through the BMZ's 2023 Africa strategy. While acknowledging progress in aligning with African priorities like Agenda 2063 and addressing structural inequalities, the author argues that the feminist approach is currently limited primarily to development cooperation. The document calls for a more comprehensive application of feminist principles to peace and security, economic policy (specifically care work), climate action (integrating indigenous knowledge), and migration to dismantle global hierarchies and post-colonial continuities.

Tunisia faces stagnant economic growth, high youth unemployment, and a large informal sector despite strong human capital. The report identifies a 'Current Path' of slow growth and vulnerability to food price shocks and climate change, while proposing three alternative scenarios. These scenarios emphasize that improving governance, reducing inefficient subsidies, and enhancing education quality are foundational to any successful transition. The 'Sustainability & Equality' pathway is highlighted as the most effective for reducing extreme poverty and carbon emissions, while 'Going for Growth' offers the highest GDP increase through FDI and industrial promotion.

The report evaluates three development scenarios for Tunisia—'Going for Growth', 'Leapfrogging', and 'Sustainability & Equality'—against a baseline 'Current Path' for 2040. All three scenarios are projected to increase GDP and reduce extreme poverty, with 'Going for Growth' offering the highest GDP boost (30%) and 'Sustainability & Equality' providing the most significant reductions in extreme poverty, inequality, and carbon emissions. However, the report highlights critical trade-offs: 'Going for Growth' and 'Leapfrogging' are expected to increase carbon emissions and leave the country vulnerable to international food price shocks, while all scenarios must contend with increasing industrial, municipal, and agricultural water demand in a water-stressed environment.

The report examines Tunisia's agricultural sector, highlighting low crop yields, high food dependence, and significant crop waste. It argues that state intervention has prioritised food security over agricultural development, hindering productivity. Furthermore, it details the severe threats posed by climate change, including rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and reduced agricultural output, which threaten the country's economy, infrastructure, and public health.