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The paper examines the evolving role of traditional authorities in South African land governance, arguing against a monolithic view of the chieftaincy. It explores the tension between autocratic 'decentralised despotism' and democratic local practices, the bureaucratic legacy of the apartheid-era Tribal Authorities, and the impact of capitalist extractivism—particularly mining—which often leads to elite capture and the dispossession of rural residents. The author emphasizes the need for situated empirical studies to understand the diverse local realities of land tenure and the failures of the post-apartheid state to resolve the land question.

The declaration from the III Assembly “Amazon free of fossil fuels and all forms of extractivism” asserts that the Amazon must not be a "sacrifice zone for external interests." The signatories demand respect for indigenous self-determination and the right to consent, rejecting the "false promise of development" associated with oil and gold extraction. They highlight the destructive impact of oil spills and the criminalization of environmental defenders, while arguing that fossil fuel exploitation deepens the global climate crisis. The group rejects carbon credits as "false solutions" and calls for a "just and popular energy transition" and the remediation of ecological damages, specifically citing victories in Yasuní, Ecuador, and among the Achuar and Zio'bain peoples.

The paper examines the evolution of EU-Africa relations from the 1975 Lome Convention to the 2020 Comprehensive Strategy with Africa, highlighting a persistent gap between the African Union's goals for industrialisation and the EU's focus on trade and aid. It argues that the EU's preference for market-led growth and its interest in securing raw materials have led to the marginalisation of industrial policy, technology transfer, and skills development in their partnerships. Despite new initiatives like the Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs, the author notes that foreign direct investment remains concentrated in extractive sectors rather than manufacturing.

The document advocates for a progressive tax agenda to address extreme poverty and wealth concentration, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. It proposes several instruments: Financial Transaction Taxes (FTTs) to curb speculation and raise billions annually; net wealth taxes to target the super-rich; property taxes to leverage immobile assets; and Resource Rent Taxes (RTT) for the extractives sector. Using South Africa as a case study, the brief demonstrates that a combination of these taxes could generate substantial revenue to fund social protection, healthcare, and a Universal Basic Income Guarantee, potentially increasing GDP growth.

In 2023, Global Witness documented 196 murders of land and environmental defenders, contributing to a total of 2,106 since 2012. Latin America remains the most dangerous region, accounting for 85% of 2023 cases, with Colombia recording the highest number of killings (79). The report highlights a systemic pattern of violence including forced disappearances in Mexico and judicial harassment in Asia. Mining is identified as the primary industrial driver of these killings. The document argues that indigenous peoples, who protect 80% of the world's remaining biodiversity, are disproportionately targeted. It calls for the implementation of the Escazú Agreement and greater inclusion of indigenous knowledge in global climate negotiations.

The document reports a global trend of governments criminalizing environmental protests to protect corporate interests and maintain public order. It details specific crackdowns in Latin America, Asia, Europe, and North America, noting that activists face charges ranging from trespassing to terrorism. The text highlights that this trend extends to international COP conferences and is criticized by the United Nations, which argues that activists perform a vital function in advocating for environmental reforms.

The report examines how fossil fuels correlate with inter-state wars, militarism, and internal violence, while advocating for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty to manage a just transition to renewable energy. It highlights the 'peacetime-wartime continuum' of violence, noting that fossil fuel revenues often fund conflicts and that extraction sites frequently experience human rights abuses and gender-based violence. The document calls for a treaty based on non-proliferation, a fair phase-out, and a global just transition to prevent the replication of colonial extractivist patterns in the renewable energy sector.

The author asserts that the 'Yes to Yasuní' victory in Ecuador demonstrates the power of civil society to pressure governments to end fossil fuel extraction. The document links this local success to the broader goals of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, emphasizing the need for an international legal framework that replaces the 'extractivist economic matrix' with global cooperation and financial compensation from the Global North to support a just energy transition.

The document condemns the violent repression of protests in Argentina on June 12, which resulted in over 600 injuries and 35 arbitrary detentions. It criticizes the 'anti-protest protocol' and the government of Javier Milei for increasing poverty rates, attacking labor rights, and attempting to liberalize extractive industries. The statement highlights the use of torture and false accusations of terrorism against detainees and calls for the immediate release of prisoners and an end to state violence.

Friends of the Earth International denounces the use of the "Protocolo Antiprotestas" by the Argentine government to repress manifestations on June 12, resulting in over 600 injuries and 35 arbitrary detentions. The statement links this violence to a broader pattern of regressive laws, increased poverty, and the criminalization of protest under the administration of Javier Milei.

The author contends that direct action and civil disobedience by land defenders are critical for challenging the 'mindset of dominion' that drives environmental destruction. The text highlights the disparity in risks faced by protestors—ranging from simple citations in the US to assassination globally—and criticizes Western climate spaces for prioritizing policy and electrification over the radical systemic change and decolonization necessary for survival.

The document assesses the socio-environmental crises in the Amazon basin across Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador, highlighting how extractive industries, deforestation, and poor governance impact indigenous and marginalized communities. It argues that these communities are often excluded from environmental policy-making due to a lack of local media, linguistic barriers, and safety risks for journalists. The report identifies community radio as the most effective tool for amplifying local voices, preserving traditional ecological knowledge, and promoting climate justice, while noting significant challenges such as financial instability, political interference, and the need for native-language broadcasting.

The paper examines the conceptual links between Social License to Operate (SLO), originally from the extractive industry, and Social Acceptance (SA) within renewable energy literature. It argues that both frameworks address local opposition to infrastructure and offer similar recommendations for increasing acceptance by applying Energy Justice (EJ) principles.

The author examines the tension in German foreign policy between corporate profit interests and a values-based rhetoric, specifically regarding its engagement with Africa. Historically, Germany's approach has been 'economistic,' focusing on raw material imports and machinery exports. The paper argues that current geopolitical shifts and the need for critical minerals provide an opportunity for Germany to move away from post-colonial models. It suggests that instead of merely securing cheap resources, Germany should support a pan-African industrial policy, the mobilization of domestic resources, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to foster sustainable development and reduce Africa's dependence on raw material exports.

The document outlines discussions from a foresight workshop involving 42 academics and practitioners from 15 countries in Asia and the Pacific. It identifies key drivers of change—specifically artificial intelligence, cultural values, and economic power relations—and their potential impacts on the environment and society. The briefing recommends transforming economic systems away from GDP-centric models, enhancing governance through AI ethics and transboundary cooperation, and centering rights and justice to protect marginalized groups and the environment.

The paper critiques the current AI landscape, highlighting the dominance of 'Big Tech' and the 'bipolar geo-economic context' of the US and China. It argues that 'Responsible AI' frameworks often serve as a means for powerful actors to 'diffuse accountability'. The author proposes a 'supra-liberal framework' for governance, the creation of an 'AI commons' to democratize resources, and the integration of sustainability considerations to mitigate AI's 'massive carbon footprint'.

Trend Asia criticizes the 2024 vice-presidential candidates for offering technical 'gimmicks' rather than substantive solutions for grassroots issues. The organization argues that the candidates' visions for energy transition and sustainable development remain rooted in extractivism, ignore the legal and social vulnerabilities of local communities, and rely on 'false solutions' like CCUS and geothermal energy while failing to address the structural causes of the climate crisis and the harms of the coal industry.

The fact sheet asserts that fossil fuels exacerbate and sustain global conflicts, with an estimated 25-50% of interstate wars since 1973 linked to oil. It argues that the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty can serve as a 'climate tool for peace' by managing a fast, funded, and fair transition away from fossil fuels, complementing the Paris Agreement by focusing on the supply side rather than just emissions. The document outlines the systemic impacts of extractivism—including gendered violence, human rights violations, and the militarization of extraction sites—and calls for governments to join a growing bloc of champion countries, including Vanuatu and Tuvalu, to negotiate the treaty.

The 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment finds that the world is off track to meet 2030 goals to stop and reverse deforestation and degradation. In 2023, 6.37 million hectares of forest were permanently lost, with tropical humid primary forest loss 38% higher than required to be on track. Key drivers include unsustainable production of agricultural commodities and extractive industries, often fueled by demand from industrialized nations like China and the EU. While some progress is noted in forest governance and the expansion of protected areas, significant gaps remain in funding for Indigenous peoples and local communities. The report argues for a radical shift from exploitative consumption models toward circularity and rights-based governance to safeguard critical ecosystems.

The document critiques Draft 1 of Mozambique's proposed Land Law, stating it enables land privatisation, restricts access to 'unavailable land', and lacks legal guarantees for community decision-making and protection against forced displacement. It highlights that previous consultations were inadequate, reaching only approximately 75,000 people out of a population of 32 million, and urges citizens to exercise their constitutional right to participate in the reform process.