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The October 2021 Goal 7 Progress Report on the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) assesses government actions to enhance climate change mitigation through forests. While it concludes that Goal 7—confirming the role of forests in the international climate agenda via the Paris Agreement—has been achieved, it warns that overall progress toward ending forest loss and GHG emissions by 2030 is insufficient. The report outlines six strategic areas for government action: strengthening governance, securing Indigenous and local community rights, aligning economic incentives, promoting multistakeholder collaboration, improving monitoring, and expanding demand-side measures for forest-risk commodities.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), acting for groundWork, Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action, and the African Climate Alliance, issued a letter of demand to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). The letter demands the abandonment of the procurement of 1,500 MW of new coal-generation capacity as specified in the Integrated Resource Plan for Electricity 2019 (IRP 2019) and a September 2020 ministerial determination, citing economic, environmental, and climate risks.

Groundwork South Africa submitted an affidavit to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) objecting to Karpowership SA Richards Bay's application for an electricity generation licence. The objection argues that the project fails to meet the requirements of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) and the National Energy Regulator Act (NERA), citing severe environmental risks, lack of necessary permits, and the existence of cheaper, cleaner energy alternatives.

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute evaluates the effectiveness of monetary and non-monetary interventions in reducing residential energy consumption, drawing on data from 122 studies across 25 countries.

This research paper introduces an agricultural systems model designed to integrate the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions with food consumption-related health risks and agricultural air pollutant emissions.

The Centre for Environmental Rights, acting for groundWork, submitted a formal objection on 18 June 2021 to the Water Use Licence (WUL) application for the Nseleni Independent Floating Power Plant (NIFPP) at the Port of Richards Bay. The objection argues that the 12-page application is 'woefully deficient and incomplete,' failing to provide necessary data on water resource impacts, climate change, and the full scope of associated infrastructure to allow for an informed decision.

This report discusses the necessity of integrating conservation finance into broader economic recovery and climate goals to address the rapid degradation of Africa's natural resources.

The FAST-Infra Sustainable Infrastructure Label (SI Label) is a voluntary, globally applicable framework designed to identify infrastructure projects with significant positive sustainability performance. It aims to transform sustainable infrastructure into a mainstream, liquid asset class by providing a standardized set of requirements for developers and operators to demonstrate positive impacts and attract investors.

The IAI Scientific Agenda, adopted in June 2021, establishes a framework for scientific research on global environmental change (GEC) in the Americas. It defines the primary objective of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) as advancing comparative studies that exceed national program scopes to improve the region's ability to sustain itself and cope with GEC. The agenda is structured around four interrelated research themes—human dimensions, climate variability, ecosystems/biodiversity, and atmospheric/oceanic modulations—and is designed to be revised every 3-6 years in alignment with the IAI's Strategic Plan.

A statement by the Alliance for Renewable Electrification (ARE) outlining the role of decentralised renewable energy (DRE) in achieving universal electrification by 2030 and proposing three 'building blocks'—increased finance, stable regulatory frameworks, and an enabling market environment—to scale the sector.

A letter from the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) requesting nominations from Parties to fill two vacancies in the SAC.

This case study by GreenCape examines resilience-led economic interventions implemented in 2020 to support the green business community in Cape Town and the broader South African economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy follows a 'survive, adapt and thrive' framework, focusing on supporting small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) through international collaborations, innovative funding, and policy alignment to ensure a green recovery.

This research paper examines the relationship between renewable energy projects and social equity, arguing that the transition to low-carbon energy systems does not inherently result in fairer or more inclusive outcomes.

This chapter outlines four strategic pathways to transition Sub-Saharan Africa from a high dependence on traditional biomass fuels, such as fuelwood and charcoal, toward modern and sustainable bioenergy to mitigate negative sustainability outcomes and support climate-compatible development.

This policy brief examines how environmental changes and policy interventions, such as hydropower projects and forest conservation, impact natural resource access and livelihoods for ethnic minorities in north-eastern Vietnam, specifically within the Dong Phuc commune.

This briefing document, prepared by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC), presents proposed revisions to the Scientific Agenda of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) for adoption by the Conference of the Parties at its 28th meeting.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute describes the development and utility of Aid Atlas, an interactive platform designed to simplify the analysis of global development finance data from the OECD's Creditor Reporting System (CRS). Using the tool, the authors identify several trends and data gaps in development aid between 2013 and 2017, including the low proportion of funding for general environment protection, the impact of the European refugee crisis on donor budgets, and significant disbursement challenges specifically associated with climate finance.

This written testimony from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations requests at least level funding for fiscal year 2021 for several U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) programs focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

This report presents the results of an expert consultation with 51 financial service providers (FSPs) to identify the sustainability and business criteria agricultural producers in developing countries must meet to be 'investment-ready'. The findings highlight a strong preference among investors for economic and governance factors over social and environmental ones when assessing financial risk.

This case study by Natural Justice details the legal battle between the Urgenda Foundation and the State of the Netherlands, resulting in a Supreme Court ruling that the Dutch government is legally obligated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to protect human rights.