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This briefing note by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines how the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) can collaborate to reform global governance, specifically the UN Security Council (UNSC), amidst a period of systemic rupture and geopolitical fragmentation.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International and partners arguing that the current multilateral system, led by the United Nations, has failed to address global crises due to the dominance of corporate interests and geopolitical power struggles, calling for a democratic restructuring of global governance.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International, Transnational Institute, and IT for Change criticizing the current UN-led multilateral system as a failure that prioritizes corporate interests and neoliberalism over the needs of the Global South and the planet.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International, Transnational Institute, and IT for Change arguing that the current UN-led multilateral system has failed due to corporate capture and geopolitical conflict, and calling for a democratic global government to address climate and social crises.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) provides the scientific foundation and methodology for the "Time to Lead – science to accelerate the Global Goals" campaign. It synthesizes recommendations from five key scientific reports published between 2022 and 2023 to guide decision-makers in accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ahead of the September 2023 SDG Summit.

This brochure describes the Sustainable Investment Advisory Services provided by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to developing countries. The services, which are provided free of charge, include training workshops, seminars, and technical advice designed to help governments ensure that foreign investments contribute to equitable and sustainable development.

This policy brief examines transboundary climate risks, using the 2007-8 global food price crisis to illustrate how interdependent national responses to climate impacts and the far-reaching effects of such impacts can exacerbate global damage and disruption.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International outlining demands for the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework to ensure the protection of nature and avoid the failures of the previous Aichi targets.

This research paper examines the existence and strength of global governance regarding climate change adaptation, arguing that while such governance is emerging, its further strengthening is contested due to measurement difficulties and a lack of clear problem-framing.

This briefing proposes a new global Convention on Plastic Pollution to address the fragmented nature of existing international and regional frameworks. It outlines a multi-layered governance approach based on four pillars: coordination with existing agreements, pollution prevention through harmonization and control measures, capacity building and financial support for developing countries, and technical support for science-based decision-making. The document suggests an institutional architecture led by a Conference of the Parties and supported by a secretariat hosted by UN Environment, alongside specialized subsidiary bodies for funding, compliance, and knowledge exchange.

This policy brief by SEI, IDDRI, and ODI argues that climate adaptation must shift from a local-to-national focus to a transboundary perspective. It contends that because climate risks are 'borderless'—affecting global supply chains, migration, and ecosystems—international cooperation through the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement is essential to prevent 'climate change contagion' in the global economy.

This G20 Insights policy brief, contributed to by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and environmental NGOs, argues that current global governance for displaced populations is inadequate for the scale of climate-induced migration and calls for G20 leadership in reforming humanitarian responses.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) explores options for establishing a voluntary peer-review process within the G-20 to advance the phase-out and rationalization of inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies. It analyzes the benefits of peer review as a 'soft law' tool, compares existing mechanisms in other international forums, and proposes specific structural options and reporting frameworks to balance mutual learning with accountability.

This research paper by John Drexhage of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that global climate governance must evolve beyond a state-centric, environment-department-led model to better integrate environmental and development policies. The author critiques the top-down target-setting of the Kyoto Protocol and proposes a more flexible, sector-based approach to mitigation that engages industry and major economies more realistically. The paper emphasizes that a successful post-2012 regime requires a strong commitment to a development agenda for the Global South, leveraging official development assistance (ODA), foreign direct investment (FDI), and synergies between adaptation and mitigation to alleviate poverty.

This statement from the Center for International Environmental Law argues that plastic pollution is a global crisis driven by increasing production and inadequate waste management. It calls for a new global governance agreement that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics, moving beyond a focus on marine litter to include legally binding targets for production reduction, toxic chemical elimination, and the rejection of 'false solutions' like incineration.

This research paper explores the conceptual evolution of 'international environmental law' toward a framework of 'global environmental law,' arguing that the traditional state-centric approach is insufficient for addressing planetary ecological crises. The author advocates for a shift toward 'global citizenship' and the recognition of the 'global citizen' as a subject of law to ensure the protection of the global commons and the sustainability of the biosphere.

This briefing by the Global Research and Action Network for a New Eco-Social Contract (GRAN-ESC) proposes the adoption of 'eco-social contracts' to implement the UN's Pact for the Future. It argues that achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires renegotiating social contracts to integrate human rights with a 'contract for nature,' moving away from top-down approaches toward inclusive, bottom-up democratic processes.

This document is an introductory announcement and table of contents for the Great Transition Initiative (GTI) paper series, a collective project by scholars and activists aimed at imagining a global future characterized by human solidarity, enriched lives, and a healthy planet.

This research paper examines the governance of global environmental commons through the lens of public goods theory and historical outcomes. It argues that while global governance has seen uneven results, ramping up effectiveness requires strengthening national coalitions, leveraging technological innovation, and reinforcing the narrative of sustainable development.