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CIEL condemns the use of force against peaceful protesters in Panama who are opposing metallic mining and a copper mine concession. The organization calls for the protection of human rights and the full implementation of the Escazú Agreement's guarantees for environmental information, participation, and justice. Additionally, CIEL recommends postponing public forums for the Fourth Electric Transmission Line project due to ongoing public disorder.

The Stockholm Environment Institute warns that the EU Critical Raw Materials Act may exacerbate human rights breaches and 'green colonialism' in the Sámi homeland. While welcoming the inclusion of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and FPIC in the draft, the authors argue these are insufficient due to gaps in national legislation in Sweden and Finland, the potential for weak certification schemes, and the lack of resources for Sámi communities to engage with fast-tracked licensing. They propose an EU-level oversight mechanism, stricter certification standards requiring FPIC, and a funding mechanism to support affected rights-holders.

The document examines the shift from paper-based to digital identification in East Africa, specifically focusing on Ethiopia's 'Fayda' and Uganda's 'Ndaga Muntu' systems. While digital IDs aim to improve access to government services and reduce fraud, the briefing highlights significant risks including the exclusion of marginalized groups, potential for ethnic profiling, and the absence or weakness of data protection laws. It recommends transparent roll-outs, the maintenance of analogue alternatives, and the establishment of strong legal frameworks for cybersecurity and privacy.

ClientEarth argues that France's current position in CSDDD trilogue negotiations risks reducing the directive's scope and effectiveness, contradicting France's own international commitments and its 2017 domestic duty of vigilance law. The organization demands that France support three core requirements: mandatory due diligence on climate and other environmental impacts, the implementation of clear climate transition plans including scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions targets, and the full inclusion of the financial sector.

Recourse opposes the World Bank Group's role as interim host for the UNFCCC Loss and Damage Fund, arguing that the bank's continued fossil fuel investments, lack of democratic accountability, and private-sector focus make it unfit for the task. The organization further criticizes the proposal for making contributions from developed nations 'voluntary' and calls for a strictly limited hosting period with a clear exit strategy after four years.

The Center for International Environmental Law advocates for a human rights-based approach to the Loss and Damage Fund being finalized at COP28. The author argues that hosting the fund under the World Bank would undermine its autonomy, restrict direct access for affected communities, and impose inadequate safeguards. The statement calls for a Governing Instrument that explicitly recognizes human rights obligations, ensures the representation of Indigenous Peoples and marginalized groups on the Board, and establishes an independent grievance redress mechanism.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) analyzes the Zero Draft of the plastics treaty, arguing for legally binding obligations ('shall' instead of 'should') and a full life cycle approach. CIEL identifies critical gaps in the draft, including the absence of human rights protections, a lack of clear tasks for the governing body, and the need for a production capacity freeze to prevent the lock-in of plastic production. The analysis advocates for global reduction targets for primary plastic polymers, the elimination of chemicals of concern, and the establishment of a global plastic pollution fee to fund implementation, particularly for developing countries, SIDS, and least developed countries.

Global Witness reports that the rush for lithium in Africa is characterized by corruption and ESG failures. In Zimbabwe, the Sandawana mine is linked to sanctioned elites and ZANU-PF allies, with reports of child labour and illegal exports. In Namibia, Xinfeng Investments is accused of bribery and using small-scale mining permits to avoid environmental assessments. In the DRC, the Manono project is stalled by ownership disputes and allegations that shell companies and politically connected individuals profited from the deposit while the state treasury received negligible funds.

The document argues that Land and Environmental Defenders (LEDs) are critical to climate mitigation but face escalating violence, criminalization, and exclusion from global climate processes. It calls for the UNFCCC and COP28 parties to guarantee civic space, prioritize land tenure security—particularly for women—and integrate human rights-based protections into the Global Stocktake and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The document examines the transition from paper-based to digital identification in East Africa, specifically focusing on Ethiopia's Fayda and Uganda's Ndaga Muntu systems. While digital IDs aim to improve access to services and reduce fraud, the author highlights significant risks including mass exclusion of marginalized groups, potential for ethnic profiling, and the absence of robust data protection laws. The briefing argues that without strong legal frameworks and transparent implementation, these systems can become barriers to human rights rather than tools for inclusion.

The document analyzes the distinct paths toward statehood for Somaliland and the SADR, contrasting Somaliland's case of secession from Somalia with the SADR's struggle for self-determination against Moroccan occupation. It examines how the African Union's adherence to inviolable colonial borders, despite precedents like Eritrea and South Sudan, complicates these efforts. The authors argue that both territories seek to reclaim colonial-era boundaries rather than alter them, yet they face significant economic and political hurdles due to a lack of formal recognition.

The report examines the social and environmental risks associated with the surge in demand for transition minerals like nickel, lithium, and cobalt. It criticizes current IFI approaches, such as the World Bank's 'climate-smart mining,' for treating environmental and social governance (ESG) as commercial risks rather than human rights imperatives. Through case studies in Indonesia, Guinea, Argentina, and the DRC, the document illustrates harms including forced evictions, water scarcity, and corruption. It proposes solutions centered on reducing mineral demand through circular economy models, implementing binding due diligence, and supporting mineral sovereignty for resource-rich countries in the Global South.

The Montana District Court ruled in favor of sixteen youth claimants, finding that the 'Climate Change Exception' in the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) is unconstitutional because it violates the claimants' fundamental right to a clean and healthful environment. The court determined that Montana's greenhouse gas emissions, linked to the MEPA limitation, are a substantial factor in causing climate impacts in the state. While the court granted declaratory relief, it dismissed claims for injunctive relief, such as a remedial climate plan, citing the political question doctrine.

The Fokonolona community of Sakatia island in Madagascar is opposing a project by GREEN MADA LAND to build a hotel complex on a 17-hectare plot of land. The community argues that the project, described as a 'presidential project', violates their human rights, threatens biodiversity—specifically turtle nesting areas—and endangers their rice fields and livelihoods. They demand the cancellation of the long-term lease, transparency from authorities, and the recognition of their land ownership and right to free prior informed consent.

The Fokonolona community of Sakatia Island in Madagascar is opposing a project by GREEN MADA LAND to build a hotel complex on 17 hectares of land. The community argues that the project, described as a 'presidential project', threatens their livelihoods, human rights, and local biodiversity, including turtle nesting sites and rice fields. They demand the cancellation of the lease, transparency from authorities, and the recognition of their community land rights.

Reclaim Finance critiques the IEA's "clean energy" scope, asserting that several included technologies—such as CCUS, nuclear power, and solid biomass—are unsustainable due to high costs, environmental damage, or continued reliance on fossil fuels. The organization advocates for a narrower definition of sustainable power focused on solar, wind, ocean, and geothermal energy, as well as modernized grid infrastructure, and calls for banks to disclose detailed inventories of their energy transition financing.

Carbon Market Watch argues for stricter transparency, monitoring, and liability frameworks for carbon removal activities under the Article 6.4 mechanism. The organization proposes that all removal-based credits be publicly tagged, monitoring periods be extended to a minimum of 100 years, and a clear distinction be made between 'avoidable' and 'unavoidable' reversals to ensure project proponents bear appropriate financial liability. It further suggests the implementation of a minimum default risk rating for buffer pool contributions and the ability to permanently ban proponents who violate human rights or cause repeated avoidable reversals.

Ten youth claimants filed a complaint against the State of Hessen in September 2021, arguing that the lack of a contemporary climate legislature and specific greenhouse gas reduction paths violated their fundamental rights and future freedoms. They contended that the state failed to implement measures to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 and did not specify permissible emission quantities. On 18 January 2022, the Federal Constitutional Court dismissed the case, ruling that there was no violation of the claimants' rights under the Basic Law, noting that federal law's sectoral control approach made vertical coordination between the federal government and states less critical.

The document argues that IFI loans, such as those from the World Bank and IMF, pose risks to South Africa's economic stability and human rights. It calls for parliamentary oversight, public disclosure of agreements, and gender-responsive budgeting to prevent austerity and protect vulnerable populations.

Friends of the Earth International condemns the killing of innocents and hostage-taking in the conflict between Israel and Gaza, describing the current military response in Gaza as a "crime de guerre". The organization advocates for the self-determination of the Palestinian people, the end of the military occupation of territories seized in 1967, and the implementation of a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders. It specifically highlights the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where populations are cut off from electricity, water, and fuel, and calls for the international community to pressure Israel to comply with UN Security Council resolutions.