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The document outlines a three-tier governance structure for Future Earth consisting of National Committees, Regional Committees, and Regional Centres. It defines the roles, eligibility criteria, and operational functions of these entities to ensure that regional science priorities and stakeholder needs are reflected in the global agenda. The paper identifies five initial world regions and emphasizes the need for flexibility, inclusivity, and transdisciplinary collaboration to implement solution-oriented research for sustainability.

The document examines the role of northern Europe, particularly Sweden, in the global production of iron ore and copper. It analyzes how global demand, dominated by China, creates 'boom and bust' cycles that impact local economies and environments. Using Chile as a comparative case, it highlights how resource scarcity and social resistance can limit production, while China's market dominance creates geopolitical dependencies for exporting nations. For northern Europe, the brief suggests that stable regulatory frameworks and assured ancillary resources may attract investment, though stakeholders must remain wary of the social and political implications of foreign mining companies.

The text examines the 'sustainability of democracy' through two lenses: the long-term viability of democratic systems and the ability of representative systems to address ecological needs and the rights of future generations. It identifies worrisome trends in European elections, including low voter turnout and the rise of populist and authoritarian tendencies, which it suggests were accentuated by the economic and financial crisis. The author argues that Green political foundations are uniquely positioned to lead a 'democratic reboot' because their autonomy from political parties allows them to engage more effectively with diverse social and democratic movements. The document emphasizes that any reform of democratic institutions must account for the structural social and anthropological changes in post-industrial societies that have occurred between 1980 and 2014.

The document examines the state of corporate governance in Africa, noting that while it is generally underdeveloped and embryonic, a distinctively African approach is emerging. This approach, exemplified by South Africa's King Code, emphasizes socio-economic outcomes and the principle of ubuntu over purely financial or shareholder-centric metrics. The author highlights significant barriers to implementation, including a lack of professional skills (particularly accountants), poor institutional environments, and the prevalence of small, family-owned businesses. The briefing recommends that governments reform the business climate, nurture independent corporate governance infrastructure, and encourage cross-border cooperation to support business growth without imposing unrealistic regulatory burdens.

The text analyzes the results of European elections, attributing the rise of right-wing populism to social insecurity, economic decline, and the devastating impact of neoliberalism. It calls for the European Greens and other democratic majorities to move beyond pragmatism and 'real-politik' to create a European welfare state focused on sustainability and solidarity to counter nationalistic retreats.

The text analyzes the rise of populist right-wing parties in the wake of the European elections, attributing this trend to the devastating impacts of neo-liberalism and the Troika's priorities. It calls for the Greens and other democratic forces to move beyond pragmatism and reinvent the welfare state toward sustainability and a common European interest to counter nationalism.

The World Resources Institute calls on the re-elected President Obama to establish a strong national climate and energy strategy, including carbon pricing and stricter emissions standards for power plants, to move beyond a 'piecemeal approach' and secure a competitive position in the $2.3 trillion clean energy market.

The author contends that industrialised governments at Rio+20 have avoided reaffirming key 1992 Rio principles, specifically 'common but differentiated responsibility' and the 'precautionary principle'. The text further rejects the 'Green Economy' framework, arguing that it prioritizes economic mechanisms and monetary valuation over democratic participation and risks turning nature into a subject of financial speculation.

The statement emphasizes the importance of the People's Summit in Rio de Janeiro as a space for grassroots activism and solidarity among those impacted by climate, financial, and food crises. It argues that sustainability is found in solidarity and the implementation of diverse, non-patented solutions rather than in official state-led negotiations. The text highlights the need to protect local environments from corporate pollution, citing oil spill damage in Mage, and calls for the removal of corporate influence from political structures.

The World Resources Institute argues that sustainability must be viewed as a pro-growth path rather than a conflict with economic growth, urging governments and businesses to move from promises to concrete policy actions to protect the climate and ecosystems.

The document explores how the rapid evolution of the Internet and ICTs over the last 20 years necessitates a re-evaluation of the concept of sustainability. It specifically addresses the transformations in economy, society, politics, and culture resulting from these technologies and their intersection with global sustainability challenges. Additionally, the text mentions an evaluation of solar-powered electric cookers in rural Kenya and a broader exploration of transitioning to renewable energy systems while protecting ecosystems and local livelihoods.

The paper examines the instrumental link between income inequality and social trust, which is considered essential for the collective action required for sustainability. Using a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) on World Values Survey data from 20 country-year combinations, the author finds that both absolute income and income inequality significantly influence social trust. Specifically, trust rises with income but falls as income inequality (measured by the Gini coefficient) increases. The analysis suggests that neither economic growth nor redistribution alone is sufficient to significantly raise trust levels in low-trust societies; instead, a combination of stable growth and narrowing income distributions over approximately two decades is required to produce meaningful changes in social cohesion.

The paper analyzes the shift in energy efficiency promotion from national governments and utilities toward a diverse array of new intermediaries, such as ESCOs, energy agencies, NGOs, and public-private partnerships, within the European Union. It specifically evaluates the advantages and challenges of 'nesting' energy efficiency within broader sustainability or climate change frameworks, drawing on findings from the EC FP7 'Changing Behaviour' study.

The report uses scenario planning to analyze the uncertainties surrounding the WTO Doha Round and Southern Africa's trade relations. It identifies key driving forces and uncertainties, developing multiple scenarios for the multilateral trade talks, intra-regional integration (SADC, SACU, Comesa, EAC), and external relations with the US and EU. The document outlines 'preferred futures' and provides roadmaps with milestones to achieve them, emphasizing the need for proactive policy adjustments and strategic alliances.

The IAI Science Agenda establishes a framework for collaborative research in the Americas, focusing on climate variability, ecosystem comparative studies, chemical composition of the environment, and the human dimensions of global change. It aims to advance understanding of the integrated impact of global change on regional and continental environments to inform public policy and sustainability.

The report presents a taxonomy of future global scenarios divided into three classes: Conventional Worlds, Barbarization, and Great Transitions. It argues that while current trends in population growth, economic expansion, and technological change drive the system, human agency and policy choices can steer the world away from collapse and toward a sustainable paradigm. The authors contrast 'business-as-usual' trajectories with visionary transitions that prioritize equity and ecological health over material growth.

The document outlines how individuals can become activist shareholders by purchasing a single share in a company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) to gain the right to attend Annual General Meetings (AGMs). It explains that South Africa's Constitution and the Companies Act (2008) provide the legal basis for challenging corporate pollution and demanding transparency. The guide provides practical instructions on using broker platforms like Easy Equities, conducting research on fossil fuel investments, and formulating direct questions for corporate boards to push for a just transition.

The author argues that a paradigm shift is occurring in international trade, moving away from the 'establishment' view of globalization as a tool for economic efficiency toward a 'multi-purpose trade policy.' This new approach integrates objectives like sustainability, resilience, and security directly into trade goals. However, this shift creates significant national challenges—including the difficulty of balancing incommensurable goals and overcoming institutional silos—and international tensions, as states increasingly prioritize unilateral action over World Trade Organization (WTO) norms. While developed nations like the US and EU lead this trend, developing nations remain skeptical of certain goals, such as labor standards, while viewing others, like food security, as long-standing priorities.

The report details a research project in East and Southern Africa aimed at shifting the role of youth from passive recipients of policy to active architects of 'systemic justice'. Through a hybrid approach of participatory futures and action research, the project engaged youth innovators and changemakers to develop 'anticipatory praxis'—a method of combining strategic foresight with intentional action. The findings emphasize that systemic justice requires reimagining deep-rooted economic, ecological, and social structures, moving beyond simple job creation toward regenerative economies and inclusive governance. The report identifies key 'leverage points' for change, such as shifting cultural narratives and embracing iterative learning, and provides recommendations for funders, policymakers, and civil society to institutionalize youth co-governance and support futures literacy.

The Royal Academy of Engineering maintains extensive financial ties with the arms and fossil fuel sectors, particularly in its school education programmes and high-prestige events, while lacking a specific internal environmental or ethical investment policy.