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The document proposes a suite of financing mechanisms to fund a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG) in South Africa, focusing on progressive taxation and the reduction of government waste. Key proposals include a ring-fenced Social Security Tax, a Resource Rent Tax on extractive industries, and a wealth tax for the top 1% of the population. The brief argues that many UBIG scenarios, particularly those aligned with national poverty lines, are immediately affordable without borrowing if these revenue-generating measures and VAT recoupments are implemented.

The briefing advocates for the EU to include specific, mandatory environmental protection requirements in its sustainable corporate governance directive. It argues that human rights frameworks alone are insufficient because environmental damage can occur without direct human harm. The authors propose that due diligence should cover the entire value chain, align with international agreements like the Paris Agreement, and include a non-exhaustive list of impacts such as biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions. To ensure effectiveness, the document calls for a combination of administrative, criminal, and civil liability, including access to EU courts for victims of harms occurring outside the EU.

The report identifies thousands of mining concessions and dozens of coal-fired power plants located in areas prone to earthquakes, floods, and landslides across Indonesia. It argues that a 'science-policy gap' exists where the Indonesian government ignores disaster risks to facilitate investments for 'extractive oligarchs,' often through National Strategic Projects (PSN). The document details specific case studies, such as the Panau Coal Steam-Power Plant and the Bener Dam project, to illustrate how these investments increase community vulnerability and environmental degradation. It concludes that recent legislative changes, including the Job Creation Law (Omnibus Law), further exacerbate these risks by loosening environmental regulations and centralizing spatial planning authority.

Andrew Steer, President & CEO of the World Resources Institute, argues that the Biden-Harris administration must prioritize climate action by reentering the Paris Agreement, reversing previous environmental rollbacks, and investing in clean energy to stimulate the economy and restore U.S. global standing.

Earthjustice advocates for the accurate counting of all ballots in the 2020 US election, asserting that the integrity of the democratic process is essential for the organization's environmental and climate protection work. The statement attributes delays in results to high turnout, increased mail-in voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and partisan litigation over voting protocols in states such as Wisconsin and North Carolina.

The report examines Indigenous community broadcasting in 19 countries across Africa, Asia, North America, Central America, South America, and Oceania. It finds that while community radio is generally recognized, specific legal status for Indigenous-led stations is rare, with only four of fifteen countries that recognize community radio also recognizing Indigenous community radio. The study identifies 609 Indigenous community radio stations globally, with Canada and Australia accounting for 42% of the total. Key findings highlight the role of these stations in language revitalization, land defense, and the transfer of traditional knowledge, while also noting significant threats including government repression, criminalization of unlicensed broadcasters, and financial instability.

The Budget Justice Coalition (BJC) argues that South Africa's National Treasury has implemented a regressive austerity budget since 2012, prioritising debt reduction over essential social spending. This approach has led to systemic underinvestment in health, education, and social security, which the BJC claims was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report, 'Imali Yesizwe', advocates for a transition to a human rights-based budget that focuses on progressive tax reform, the introduction of a Universal Basic Income Grant (UBIG), and increased investment in the care economy and clean energy. It specifically criticises the use of Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB) as a tool for cuts and calls for greater fiscal transparency and public participation in the budgeting process to ensure the progressive realisation of constitutional rights.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) and its subsidiaries reported total assets of $261,740,321 as of September 30, 2020, an increase from $169,995,735 in 2019. The organization's total operating revenues for the 2020 fiscal year were $235,894,882, with total operating expenses of $143,915,998. Independent auditors Grant Thornton LLP issued an unmodified opinion on the financial statements and confirmed compliance with the major federal program identified as the USAID Hay Tao Program. WRI's work focuses on seven critical issues: Climate, Energy, Food, Forests, Water, Cities and Ocean, supported by disciplinary centers in Business, Economics, Finance, and Governance. The organization maintains a donor-restricted endowment of $25 million (cost basis) and operates regional offices in China and Africa, as well as subsidiaries in India and Europe.

The author contends that humanity's 'ruthless' treatment of nature and a 'mad rush to grow' have led to the Anthropocene, where human activity is the primary driver of planetary change. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst, the text argues that the virus reveals the failure of legal instruments and international climate agreements, such as the COPs, to maintain ecological balance. The author highlights observed environmental improvements during lockdowns—such as purer air in the Paris region and China, and increased visibility of the Himalayas from Punjab—as evidence of nature's resilience. The document concludes by calling for environmental protection programs to be executed with the same urgency and boldness as monetary and investment policies.

The statement posits that global crises like COVID-19 and locust invasions serve as warnings that nature can bring the world to a standstill if environmental protection is not prioritized. It highlights that marginalized communities, including small-scale traders and farmers, are disproportionately affected by these catastrophes and existing climate and biodiversity pressures. The author advocates for mainstreaming sustainable development into governance through policy changes, long-term impact assessments, and participatory decision-making involving indigenous people, women, and youth.

The report analyzes the current legislation of UEMOA member states regarding artisanal gold mining to determine if these laws facilitate 'virtuous practices,' such as the use of gravimetric processing instead of mercury or cyanide. It identifies gaps in strategic, institutional, and normative frameworks and proposes specific reforms, including the legal authorization of mechanization during crushing and processing, an increased role for local authorities, and the creation of 'new generation' reserved gold panning zones.

CIEL announced the temporary closure of its Washington, DC, and Geneva offices and the suspension of in-person meetings and travel due to COVID-19. Despite these operational changes, the organization committed to holding corporations and governments accountable for environmental destruction, protecting human rights in pandemic responses, ensuring future solutions avoid past problems, and maintaining the inclusion of marginalized communities in virtual spaces.

The report assesses the legal frameworks for artisanal gold mining in UEMOA member states, identifying significant gaps in strategic planning, institutional coordination, and regulatory alignment. It highlights that most national laws are reactive and out of touch with field realities, particularly regarding mechanization and environmental protection. The document recommends the creation of 'reserved gold mining zones' as an integrated approach to formalize the sector, introduce cleaner gravimetric processing technologies, and improve fiscal collection and social protections for vulnerable miners.

A survey of 1,097 registered U.S. voters found that 67% oppose oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Opposition is widespread across political affiliations, with majorities of Democrats (81%) and Independents (64%) and half of Republicans (50%) opposing the practice. The document notes that the Trump administration planned to open the 1.6 million-acre coastal plain to exploration, despite the area being home to species already threatened by global warming.

A coalition of organizations urges the Governor of New York to sign Senate bill S5343, which would ban the neurotoxic pesticide chlorpyrifos. The document argues that the chemical poses severe risks to pregnant women and children, including cognitive development issues and reduced IQ, and notes that the federal EPA has failed to enact a ban despite its own scientific findings. It highlights that other states like Hawaii and California have taken action and that safer alternatives for crops are available.

The Red Sea is a complex geopolitical environment characterized by state-to-state rivalries, external military presence, and a perceived gap in maritime management. While shipping has remained largely undisrupted, threats persist from the war in Yemen, piracy, and violent extremist organizations. The report argues that existing regional organizations like IGAD and the AU have limited mandates or internal challenges, suggesting that new cooperative mechanisms should start with narrow mandates, prioritize information sharing, and include all relevant littoral and non-littoral stakeholders to avoid duplication and respect national sovereignty.

The report examines the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system, describing it as a "parallel justice system" that privileges wealthy investors and multinational corporations over public interests. Through ten case studies across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the document illustrates how ISDS is used to challenge environmental protections, public health measures, and land rights. It specifically criticizes the European Union's efforts to institutionalize the system through the Investment Court System (ICS) and a proposed Multilateral Investment Court, arguing these reforms do not address the fundamental imbalance of power. The report concludes that ISDS creates a "regulatory chill," where governments avoid passing progressive laws to avoid multi-billion dollar lawsuits, and calls for the complete dismantling of these "VIP courts."

The report examines the systemic injustices of the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) regime, using ten case studies to demonstrate how corporations use international arbitration to bypass domestic courts and challenge public interest laws. It highlights the 'regulatory chill' effect, where the threat of multi-billion dollar lawsuits deters governments from implementing climate, health, and environmental protections. The document specifically criticises the European Union's proposed reforms, arguing that the Investment Court System (ICS) and the Multilateral Investment Court maintain the same substantive investor privileges that allow corporations to claim compensation for lost future profits and ignore human rights obligations.

The SADC–IISD Investment Facilitation Workshop, held in August 2018, aimed to transition the concept of investment facilitation toward a focus on sustainable development. Participants from 13 SADC member states analyzed the distinctions between trade and investment facilitation and reviewed the UNCTAD Global Action Menu. The workshop concluded that facilitation measures should primarily remain at the national level to preserve regulatory space, while the regional (SADC) and international levels should focus on information sharing, capacity building, and technical assistance rather than new legal obligations.

The Union of Concerned Scientists reports that the Trump administration halted, suppressed, or altered scientific studies to undermine evidence-based decision-making. Examples include the Department of Energy stopping the $100 million Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiment-Tropics and the Department of the Interior halting studies on offshore oil and gas inspections and mountaintop removal coal mining. The document recommends that Congress pass legislation to protect scientists' rights to review public materials, prohibit retaliation for raising integrity concerns, and request a Government Accountability Office report on agency scientific integrity policies.