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The document details how the Trump administration sidelined independent scientific advice by disbanding committees, restricting the appointment of grant-receiving scientists, and reducing the frequency of committee meetings across multiple federal agencies. It specifically highlights losses at the EPA, DOI, DOE, HHS, Commerce, and Labor departments and provides a set of legislative recommendations for the 116th Congress to strengthen the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and restore scientific integrity.

The report documents a systemic effort by the Trump administration to marginalize scientific expertise in federal policymaking. Key tactics identified include the disbanding of science advisory committees, the suppression of research on climate change and public health, and the creation of a 'culture of fear' that encourages scientist self-censorship. The authors highlight specific failures in the EPA, DOI, and HHS, while providing a roadmap for the 116th Congress to restore scientific integrity through oversight and legislative reform.

The report examines how environmental issues in Cyprus can either exacerbate conflict or serve as a tool for peacebuilding. It analyzes the political, legal, and administrative asymmetries between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot administration, highlighting how these divisions hinder holistic ecosystem management. The document details various levels of cooperation, from intergovernmental bodies like the UN and EU to academic networks and grassroots movements. It specifically evaluates the roles of the Cyprus Environmental Forum (CESF) and the Bicommunal Technical Committee for the Environment (BTCE). The report concludes with proposals for sustainable bi-communal initiatives, including the establishment of a Peace Park in the buffer zone, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and a bi-communal ecological study center in Varisea.

The report examines environmental cooperation in Cyprus, highlighting how political division creates administrative and legal asymmetries that hinder nature conservation. It analyzes various levels of cooperation—from intergovernmental bodies like the UN and EU to civil society and technical committees—and proposes specific peace-building measures such as a Buffer Zone Peace Park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.

The study identifies key strengths in the Estonian EIA/SEA system, such as the licensing of lead experts and the role of assessments in highlighting environmental considerations. However, it reveals significant challenges, including conflicting views on the expert's role, lengthy procedures due to bureaucratic coordination, and the reluctance of decision-makers to make unpopular decisions based on assessment results. The report also notes a need for more flexible Natura 2000 assessments and better integration of socio-economic impacts in strategic assessments.

A group of European NGOs expresses deep concern over the diminishing opportunities for civil society to engage with policymakers on aviation climate change. They argue that existing forums, such as the ECAC Environmental Forum, are ineffective and lack constructive dialogue, citing specific instances where NGO participation was declined or ignored. The authors call for a dedicated forum for EU policy discussion involving only European industry and environmental stakeholders to address urgent challenges including decarbonisation strategies, CORSIA participation, and the potential return of supersonic aircraft.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) reported total assets of $141,669,442 as of September 30, 2018, an increase from $106,449,500 in 2017. The organization's primary operating revenues for 2018 totaled $111,151,598, with the majority of expenses directed toward "Policy research, technical support, and communications programs". An independent audit by Grant Thornton LLP issued an unmodified opinion, stating the financial statements present fairly the Institute's financial position. WRI maintains a permanent endowment of $25,100,000 and operates subsidiaries in India, China, and Europe to support its focus on climate, energy, food, forests, water, and cities.

A 2018 survey of US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) scientists reveals significant concerns regarding political interference in science-based decisionmaking, workforce reductions, and the censorship of politically contentious research. Respondents highlighted that political appointees and limited staff capacity are primary barriers to the agency's mission, with many reporting a decline in job satisfaction and office effectiveness.

A 2018 survey of National Park Service (NPS) scientists reveals significant concerns regarding the politicization of science, with 76% of respondents identifying political interests as a burden to science-based decisionmaking. The report highlights a 'chill on climate research,' noting that 26% of scientists avoided working on climate change or using the term even without explicit instructions. Additionally, 56% of respondents observed resources being diverted away from politically contentious programs, and 41% reported a deterioration in their ability to communicate scientific work to the public and media.

The report finds that the Trump administration has undermined science-based policymaking through workforce reductions, political interference, and censorship, particularly regarding climate change. While some agencies like the FDA and NOAA fared better, others, specifically the EPA, experienced significant declines in morale and effectiveness.

The document examines the crisis of marine plastic pollution, noting that while Asia is currently the most polluted continent, Africa is on track to take this title due to rapid population growth, industrialisation, and a lack of waste management capacity. It details the environmental impacts of plastic, including entanglement and ingestion by 344 and 331 marine species respectively, and the economic losses associated with tourism and material waste. The brief surveys a wide array of international treaties—such as UNCLOS, MARPOL, and the Basel Convention—and regional frameworks like the RSCAPs, arguing that policies must shift from focusing on ocean-based waste to targeting land-based sources. It highlights South Africa's legislative framework as an example of established policy that still lacks ground-level implementation, and promotes the African Marine Waste Network (AMWN) as a holistic model for research, economic incentives, and capacity building.

The text calls for the US Senate to reject Andrew Wheeler's nomination for Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, describing him as a "long-time fossil fuel lobbyist with a record of climate denial" who would maintain the "Trump-Pruitt agenda of fossil fuel worship and corporate favoritism."

The document identifies systemic failures in the REACH authorisation process, specifically noting that authorisations are often granted even when suitable alternatives exist. It argues that applicants lack incentives to provide comprehensive information and that the Committee for Socio-economic Analysis (SEAC) incorrectly shifts the burden of proof away from applicants. To remedy this, the authors propose proactive consultation methods—inspired by EU merger law—and a more rigorous technical assessment based on 'end-use function' rather than just chemical performance. Key recommendations include requiring applicants to provide contact lists of competitors and customers, implementing a decision tree for feasibility assessments, and withdrawing authorisations if undisclosed alternatives are discovered.

The analysis finds a systematic and unprecedented decline in the use of federal science advisory committees under the Trump administration, characterized by fewer meetings, reduced membership, and the disbanding of key panels. This pattern of neglect is evident across multiple agencies, including the EPA, DOE, and Department of Commerce, potentially compromising public health and safety.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), in partnership with Iowa State University's Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology, conducted a 2018 survey of federal scientists to evaluate the state of scientific integrity and the work environment in science-based government agencies. The survey targeted 16 specific agencies, including the EPA, NOAA, and the Department of Energy, using a methodology designed to ensure participant anonymity through randomized access codes and the redaction of identifying information. The results, intended for public release in summer 2018, aim to inform policy improvements and ensure independent science informs government decision-making.

A coalition of NGOs, including ClientEarth and WWF, is calling on the European Commission to reverse its decision to replace a standard open public consultation with 'targeted consultations' for the revision of the fisheries Control Regulation. The organisations argue that the rushed process contradicts the Commission's Better Regulation Guidelines and prevents a thorough impact assessment on critical issues such as Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The guide outlines five essential building blocks for green bond markets: the enabling environment, investors, issuers and project pipeline, governance, and definitions and standards. It emphasizes that while public sector support is often needed initially, a successful market must eventually become self-sustaining, diverse in its environmental objectives, and transparent in its reporting. The document provides practical frameworks for policymakers to assess their market's readiness and offers case studies from China, India, and Nigeria to illustrate effective policy incentives and issuance strategies.

The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that the Trump administration has waged a "war on science" by sidelining independent advice, appointing conflicted leaders, and rolling back science-based environmental and health protections. The report documents a pattern of political interference, including the removal of climate change data from federal websites and the creation of a hostile work environment for federal scientists, which the authors claim endangers vulnerable populations and erodes public trust in government.

The brief explores the application of the Planetary Boundaries framework to EU policy, using an equal-per-capita allocation approach to determine a 'fair share' of the global safe operating space. It finds that the EU significantly exceeds its per capita limits for climate change and biogeochemical flows, and that EU consumption exerts higher pressure on several boundaries than the global average. While existing EU policy instruments offer entry points for integrating these boundaries, they currently fail to address the EU's international environmental footprint or the interactions between different planetary processes.

The report highlights Germany's position as a leading producer of packaging waste in Europe, with 218 kg per person annually. It argues that supermarkets and drugstores hold significant power to reduce this waste by replacing resource-inefficient products—such as single-use plastic bottles and non-concentrated detergents—with sustainable alternatives. The document claims that a 20% reduction in resource consumption is currently possible through product innovation and the adoption of reusable systems. It criticizes the 2017 German Packaging Act for focusing on recycling rather than avoidance and calls for a resource tax, binding reusable quotas, and clearer consumer labeling to drive a transition toward a circular economy.