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The document highlights that 322 land and environmental defenders have been killed in Colombia over the last ten years, alongside numerous non-lethal attacks such as threats and criminalization. It argues that the ratification of the Escazú Agreement—the first regional treaty for Latin America and the Caribbean on human rights and the environment—is essential to mandate the prevention and investigation of attacks against defenders. While noting that countries like Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina have already ratified the agreement, it points to the government of Gustavo Petro and initiatives like the 'Somos Defensores' program and its emergency plan as reasons for optimism in establishing a safe environment for environmental participation.

The document contends that retreating from clean energy investments in the US is a mistake, citing the vulnerability of fossil fuel dependence and the rapid growth of renewables. It highlights that solar, wind, and battery power are projected to constitute 93% of new energy additions to the US grid in 2025. The author emphasizes that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) supports job creation and workforce preparation for a sustainable economy. Additionally, the text stresses the necessity of high environmental and human rights standards for the mining and recycling of transition minerals to protect communities and mitigate supply chain risks.

The document highlights the critical situation of environmental defenders in Mexico, noting that the country led the world in environmental murders in 2021. Despite ratifying the Escazú Agreement, Mexico faces significant gaps in political will, judicial capacity, and transparency, particularly regarding megaproyects like the Tren Maya. The author calls for the effective implementation of the agreement to protect activists and ensure access to environmental information and justice.

The 'Guidelines for Social Responsibility in Chinese Outbound Mining Investment', developed by the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters (CCCMC), establish a framework for Chinese mining companies operating abroad. The guidelines are structured around eight core subjects: organizational governance, fair operating practices, value chain management, human rights, labor issues, occupational health and safety, environment, and community involvement. They emphasize compliance with host country laws, ethical business conduct, the protection of human rights and indigenous peoples' rights (including Free, Prior and Informed Consent), and the mitigation of environmental impacts. The document also outlines requirements for supply chain due diligence to avoid 'conflict minerals' and mandates the implementation of environmental and social impact assessments.

The LUCIA project developed a computational Agent-Based Model (MBA) to simulate malaria transmission by accounting for the interactions between mosquitoes, parasites, and humans. Validated in regions of Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru, the model demonstrates that land-use changes—such as deforestation, mining, and agricultural expansion—combined with climate factors like river flooding, increase human vulnerability to malaria. Findings indicate that risk is higher for isolated homes on the outskirts of populations compared to central areas. The research suggests that managing larval breeding sites within 200 meters of populations can eliminate disease transmission, and notes that Ecuador has already modified its mining policies as a result.

The analysis highlights a dual challenge for Latin America: direct trade disruptions from US tariffs and indirect vulnerability to China's economic health. While Mexico and Central American countries face the highest effective tariff rates due to exports of steel, aluminum, and auto parts, South American nations are more exposed to a potential decline in Chinese demand for raw materials. The authors argue that China's ability to implement counter-cyclical fiscal and monetary policies to mitigate US tariff impacts will be critical for regional stability.

The analysis examines how US universal and sectoral tariffs affect Latin American countries, noting that while Mexico and Central American nations face higher effective tariff rates, South American nations are more vulnerable to indirect shocks from China. It highlights that China's ability to implement counter-cyclical fiscal and monetary policies to mitigate US tariff impacts will determine the stability of commodity prices and growth in South America.

The document analyzes the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework's proposals to address tax challenges in a digitalized economy, specifically examining how 'Pillar One' and 'Pillar Two' affect the extractive industries. While Pillar One's 'Amount A' excludes extractive industries, 'Amount B' regarding fixed returns on marketing activities remains a concern. Pillar Two, the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rule, aims to establish a minimum effective tax rate to curb profit shifting to tax havens, but it may disadvantage developing countries due to its revenue distribution design and the mismatch between GloBE accounting and local mining depreciation rules.

The IISD Economic Law and Policy program provides technical support, data, and analysis to policy-makers and businesses to align public and private investment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program focuses on finance, trade, government procurement, and industrial policy, with specific emphasis on agricultural and mining investments in developing countries. Key initiatives include the Annual Forum of Developing Country Investment Negotiators and the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development, aimed at building the capacity of officials in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to negotiate sustainable treaties and contracts.

The document presents the 'Seven Questions to Sustainability' framework, developed by MMSD North America to evaluate the long-term sustainability of mining and minerals projects. The framework covers engagement, people, environment, economy, traditional activities, governance, and synthesis. It is intended for use across all project phases—from exploration to post-closure—to aid in appraisal, planning, financing, and reporting for stakeholders including industry, governments, and indigenous groups.

This brochure describes the development of a framework consisting of seven questions designed to assess the sustainability of mining and quarrying activities. Developed under the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) program, the framework aims to evaluate whether a project's overall contribution to sustainability is positive or negative over the long term.

The briefing argues that traditional, siloed approaches to water, energy, and food security are unsustainable and can lead to unintended consequences. It advocates for the 'Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus' approach, which recognizes the critical interconnections between these three essentials. The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) applies this framework through watershed-based management in Canada—specifically using cattail harvesting in the Lake Winnipeg watershed to provide bioenergy and reduce phosphorus—and by engaging stakeholders in Suriname to assess the impacts of mining on WEF systems using both outcome-based and process-based indicators.

In a referendum on April 21, Ecuadorian citizens voted to maintain Article 422 of the 2008 Constitution, which prohibits the use of international arbitration for disputes between Ecuador and foreign investors. This decision follows negative experiences with the ISDS system, including a 2012 ruling requiring payment of over $1.5 billion to Occidental Petroleum, which represented nearly 9% of the country's 2012 annual budget. The document asserts that ISDS mechanisms have historically hindered climate policies and social justice, particularly in the mining, oil, and gas sectors. The referendum result signals that any future investment treaties must provide adequate protection for the environment, local communities, and climate action.

The paper examines how Zambia manages competing public needs through macroeconomic reforms and growth stimulation. It details the transition from state-led economic management to a liberalised system, focusing on GDP growth, inflation control, and interest rate reductions to expand the state's resource envelope.

The document examines how corruption in the oil, gas, and mining sectors in Africa leads to significant wealth loss through illicit financial flows, tax avoidance, and transfer pricing. It identifies a lack of state capacity, bureaucratic discretion, and political will as primary drivers of these failures. While various international and regional initiatives exist, the author argues they are often ineffective due to low administrative capacity and a focus on 'grand' corruption over systemic issues. The paper highlights Botswana as a successful model of natural resource governance and provides twelve recommendations for technical and institutional capacity building to combat corruption.

Natural Justice challenges the Basic Assessment Reports (BARs) for four prospecting projects in South Africa's West Coast region, citing 'fatal flaws' in biodiversity and water supply assessments. The organization argues that the reports ignore climate change commitments, fail to meaningfully consult vulnerable groups like the Guriqua communities, and overlook the potential destruction of sacred cultural sites and the impact on the region's primary agricultural and fishing sectors.

Between 2022 and 2024, the African Environmental Defenders Initiative documented 232 non-lethal attacks against environmental defenders, with 67% occurring in East Africa. Uganda was the most affected country, accounting for 42% of cases, largely driven by opposition to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The report identifies government (34%) and multinational/investment companies (20%) as the primary perpetrators. Women defenders face specific gendered threats, including the withholding of sanitary products during detention and social stigmatization. The document also details country-specific conflicts, such as conservation-linked violence in Kenya, industrial mining in the DRC, and illegal logging in Madagascar, while highlighting the role of the African Environmental Defenders Fund in providing emergency legal and psychosocial support.

The document highlights the disproportionate risks faced by women environmental and human rights defenders (WEHRDs) in Africa, including gender-based violence, criminalization, and digital attacks. It notes a significant gap in data and reporting, with women often excluded from official statistics and protection mechanisms. The brief identifies the Democratic Republic of Congo as the deadliest country for environmental defenders and calls for gender-responsive funding, legal protections, and the formal recognition of WEHRDs' leadership within UNFCCC processes and national policies.

The document highlights the disproportionate risks faced by women environmental and human rights defenders (WEHRDs) in Africa, including gender-based violence, criminalization, and digital attacks. It notes a significant gap in data collection, where official statistics underrepresent the scale of violence against women compared to men. The report identifies the extractive industry, poaching, and state security forces as primary sources of threats, particularly in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Kenya. It argues that WEHRDs face unique intersectional vulnerabilities based on race, class, and disability, and calls for flexible, long-term funding and gender-sensitive legal and psychosocial support to protect these activists.

The report examines the Lephalale Local Municipality's struggle to provide basic services and guide urban development amidst a population boom triggered by the Medupi power station. It highlights how the municipality's lack of land ownership and technical skills forces a dependency on private entities and higher levels of government, hindering its vision of becoming a vibrant city and energy hub.