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This document is a speech delivered by a representative of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) regarding the domestic governance and economic priorities necessary to restore South Africa's international influence and internal stability.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the distribution channels for rural credit in Brazil. It argues that the current design of financial services, characterized by a complex and geographically uneven network of banks and cooperatives, creates additional uncertainty for farmers. The brief highlights a mismatch between the supply of credit and the actual agricultural potential of different regions, suggesting that simplifying the structure of rural credit could improve policy effectiveness and resource allocation.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) and the Núcleo de Avaliação de Políticas Climáticas da PUC-Rio (NAPC), in partnership with the Banco Central do Brasil (Bacen), analyzes the distribution channels of rural credit in Brazil. The document argues that the current design of rural credit policy and its distribution through banks and cooperatives create artificial fluctuations and uncertainties for producers, as access to financing is often determined by the geographic presence of financial institutions rather than local agricultural potential.

This guide, published by Friends of the Earth International, outlines the concept and practice of declaring 'free territories' to protect lands from extractive industries, financialization of nature, and corporate imposition. It provides a framework for communities and indigenous peoples to exercise autonomy and human rights by formally rejecting projects such as mining, fracking, and GMOs.

This guide by Friends of the Earth International provides a compilation of ideas and experiences regarding the declaration of 'free territories'—areas where communities, indigenous peoples, or local governments formally reject specific harmful projects or policies. The document focuses on strategies to resist the 'financialization of nature' (FN), REDD projects, extractive industries, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to protect local autonomy and traditional ways of life.

This research paper explores the potential for establishing a Southern African Customs Union (SACU) development fund to deepen regional integration and mitigate trade constraints. By analyzing the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds), the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF), and the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD), the author provides recommendations on capitalization, governance, and project prioritization to move SACU beyond its current role of simple revenue sharing.

Dr. Andrew Steer, President & CEO of the World Resources Institute, critiques President Trump's first State of the Union address for failing to link extreme weather to climate change and for prioritizing fossil fuels over renewable energy markets.

The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, supported by Earthjustice, is pursuing legal action to prevent the development of the Back Forty Mine, an open-pit metallic sulfide mine proposed for a site on the Wisconsin-Michigan border near the Menominee River.

RMI issued a statement correcting a previous blog post regarding the impact of transportation network companies (TNCs) on cities, acknowledging that current data uncertainty prevents a definitive conclusion on the relative impact of TNCs compared to personally owned vehicles.

The Green Economy Barometer 2017 by the Green Economy Coalition analyzes the global transition toward sustainability, noting a contrast between booming green markets and persistent reliance on fossil fuels and systemic socio-economic gaps.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the role of infrastructure banks in closing the global infrastructure financing gap. It analyzes best practices from various international institutions and provides eight strategic recommendations for countries establishing their own infrastructure banks to mobilize private capital and promote sustainable development.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) tracks progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8)—focused on inclusive economic growth and decent work—within Canadian cities. Using five indicators derived from Statistics Canada data, the document analyzes trends in GDP per capita, GDP per employed person, median income, unemployment rates, and youth unemployment from the 1990s through 2016.

This report analyzes the restructuring of the Polish coal mining sector from 1989 to 2015, examining the economic trends, political drivers, and social mitigation instruments used to reduce workforce and production. It evaluates the Mining Social Package and special privileges for mining communes, concluding that while employment and production were significantly reduced, the process left substantial social costs and lacked a comprehensive regional strategy.

This technical note by the World Resources Institute proposes a three-step methodology to estimate water withdrawal and consumption for thermal power plants in data-scarce regions. The approach integrates the visual identification of cooling and fuel types via satellite imagery with empirical water-use factors. When tested against 200 U.S. power plants, the method demonstrated high precision in identifying technology and fuel types, though it faced more challenges in accurately estimating water demand for specific cooling systems.

This executive summary from the 2018 'Brown to Green' report analyzes the progress of G20 countries toward a low-carbon economy. It highlights a significant gap between current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the goals of the Paris Agreement, noting that G20 energy-related CO2 emissions began increasing again in 2017 and that 82% of the G20 energy supply remains dependent on fossil fuels.

The 2018 NYDF Progress Assessment finds that while corporate commitments to deforestation-free supply chains are increasing—particularly in palm oil and timber—they remain highly variable in ambition and scope. Traceability systems are improving, and new jurisdictional initiatives in Brazil and Indonesia show promise, but financial institutions lag in addressing portfolio risks. Direct data on deforestation reduction is currently lacking, though new tools like Trase and Global Forest Watch–Commodities are being developed to fill this gap.

This report assesses progress toward Goal 4 of the New York Declaration on Forests, which focuses on supporting alternatives to deforestation driven by basic needs, such as subsistence farming and fuelwood collection. The document highlights a significant lack of aggregate global data to measure progress, relying instead on proxy indicators like the distribution of clean cookstoves and related financial funding.

The 2018 Progress Assessment Goal 4 Update evaluates efforts to support alternatives to deforestation driven by basic human needs, such as subsistence farming and woodfuel use. While the distribution of clean cookstoves has increased significantly, financial support for woodfuel interventions has declined. The report highlights various regional case studies in the Amazon, West Africa, and Southeast Asia that employ sustainable landscape approaches and community-based management to alleviate poverty and protect forests.

The India Green Economy Barometer 2018 report assesses India's progress toward a sustainable and inclusive economy. It finds that while India has high potential and has made significant strides in renewable energy and corporate social responsibility, the overall transition is slow and insufficient. The report highlights critical barriers, including the perception that environmental protection hinders economic growth, and calls for systemic reforms in finance, national accounting, and high-impact sectors like agriculture and construction to ensure a fair and green transition.

The Peru Green Economy Barometer 2018, produced by Foro Nacional & Internacional and Libelula, assesses Peru's transition toward a fair and green economy. The report argues that while the traditional 'brown' economic model is struggling, a fragmented but promising alternative is emerging through private sector innovation, government policy shifts in transport and energy, and community-led conservation efforts.