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The report examines the five-year campaign by the Save Mapungubwe Coalition to protect the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site from the Vele Colliery project operated by Coal of Africa (CoAL). It analyzes three primary engagement strategies: strategic litigation to challenge mining licenses, bilateral negotiations to establish best-practice environmental standards, and multilateral participation in the Vele Colliery Environmental Management Committee (EMC). The document concludes that while litigation and negotiations have limitations, they provide essential leverage, and that inclusive multi-stakeholder governance via EMCs can effectively monitor corporate compliance. It also highlights the correlation between CoAL's non-compliance with environmental laws and the decline of its JSE share price.

The document critiques the EBRD's draft Environment and Social Policy for removing commitments to international human rights law, limiting transparency, and failing to implement robust human rights due diligence. It specifically highlights concerns regarding forced evictions, the definition of indigenous peoples, and gaps in the Project Complaint Mechanism (PCM).

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) argues that current proposed fracking regulations in South Africa are inadequate because they rely on industry standards and are housed under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) rather than comprehensive environmental laws. The document advocates for a regulatory regime based on the Constitution and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), calling for a specialised inter-departmental unit to oversee authorisations and enforcement. Key recommendations include mandatory baseline environmental measurements, public disclosure of fracking fluid chemicals, a prohibition on using potable water, and the implementation of 'green completions' to eliminate gas venting and flaring. The CER emphasizes that fracking should only be permitted if it can be proven to contribute to sustainable development without causing irreparable harm to water resources or disadvantaged communities.

The paper analyzes the mandate of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) through a six-part analytic framework: who is reviewed, by whom, about what, through what process, by what standards, and with what effects. Drawing on case studies such as the OECD Environmental Performance Review and the WTO Trade Policy Review, the authors argue that effective review processes are typically country-owned and based on peer reciprocity. They highlight the challenge of measuring 'impact' versus 'effort' and the need for standardized reporting to ensure data comparability. The document concludes that the HLPF mechanism should be flexible, resource-matched, and open to innovative approaches to avoid becoming an undue burden on developing countries.

The text outlines how ASEAN's free trade agreements (FTAs) can help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand markets and promote sustainable development. It also addresses the UK's accession to the CPTPP, arguing that the deal poses a threat to public health and requires a health impact assessment.

The document serves as a manual for NGOs to navigate the process of filing amicus curiae submissions in ICSID proceedings. It explains the legal nature of international investment arbitration, the specific rules (such as Rule 37(2)) governing non-disputing party participation, and the challenges of integrating human rights law into investment disputes. It provides best practices for drafting petitions and submissions, emphasizing the need for legal arguments grounded in applicable law and the importance of demonstrating the petitioner's independence and expertise. The guide also includes several case studies and actual petitions and orders from cases such as Biwater Gauff v. Tanzania and Suez v. Argentina to illustrate the practical application of these rules.

This collection of articles from the Green European Journal examines the instability of the current financial system, the risks posed by fossil fuel asset bubbles, and the need for a 'green' economic transition. It critiques the role of private bank money creation, the impact of austerity in the EU periphery, and the influence of banking lobbies on regulation, while proposing alternatives such as sovereign money, debt jubilees, and mandatory climate risk accounting for financial institutions.

The report argues that current financial regulations often ignore environmental risks, creating barriers to green investment. It identifies failures in the banking sector, credit-rating agencies, and pension funds, where short-term profit and narrow risk assessments override sustainability. To address this, the author proposes that China adopt specific innovations: priority-sector lending (modeled on India), the integration of ecological risk into sovereign bond ratings (modeled on UNEP FI), and economically targeted investments for pension funds (modeled on US state plans). The report also highlights the importance of integrated sustainability reporting, citing examples from South Africa and Denmark, to improve corporate transparency and accountability.

The document argues that fossil fuel subsidies undermine climate mitigation and the trading system, yet remain under-reported at the WTO due to definitional ambiguities and Member reluctance. It concludes that while formal rules on such subsidies are unlikely in the near term, the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) provides a non-coercive forum for transparency. The authors propose a standardized notification template for NGOs to provide publicly available data on fossil fuel subsidies to the WTO Secretariat, thereby encouraging government accountability and potential reform without immediately triggering legal disputes.

The document examines how existing financial governance frameworks—specifically regarding banks, credit rating agencies, and institutional investors—fail to allocate capital toward environmental goals. It highlights the conflict between short-term performance metrics, such as those in Modern Portfolio Theory, and long-term sustainability. To counter this, the report presents global best practices, including India's priority sector lending, the UNEP FI's integration of ecological risk into sovereign credit models, and the integrated reporting standards used in South Africa and Denmark. It concludes by recommending that China adopt similar transparency and targeted lending mechanisms to transition toward a sustainable economy.

The document outlines the IPCC WGII AR5 findings, emphasizing that climate risk is a product of hazards, exposure, and vulnerability. It advocates for a 'solution space' for adaptation that includes structural, institutional, and social measures, while noting that adaptation has limits and must be paired with strong mitigation to avoid irreversible tipping points.

The document examines the IPCC's 2014 report on climate change mitigation, noting that global greenhouse gas emissions have accelerated despite existing climate plans. It argues that to limit temperature rise to 2°C, emissions must be reduced by 40-70% by 2050 and reach almost zero by 2100, requiring radical technological and institutional shifts. While the report finds these goals technically and economically feasible, it stresses the urgency of investments between 2010 and 2030 to avoid costly and risky negative emission technologies like large-scale biomass combined with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).

The workshop brought together 60 participants from India and Nepal to evaluate the shortcomings of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and explore the potential of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs). Participants emphasized the need to integrate human rights and robust safeguards into the 2015 Paris climate agreement and the Indian national policy framework. Key outcomes included the agreement to form a civil society working group to coordinate demands for the Indian government and the decision to write an open letter to Prime Minister Modi ahead of COP 20.

The document examines the 'sustainability of democracy,' exploring how representative systems can be reformed to address ecological challenges and the rights of future generations. It analyzes the role of Green political foundations as bridges between civil society and state institutions, critiques the 'short-termism' of current political cycles, and presents various democratic experiments—such as the Finnish Citizens' Initiative and the Green Primary—as pathways toward a more participatory and post-national European democracy.

The guide outlines a three-phase framework for managing artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) to improve miners' quality of life and enhance the sector's contribution to sustainable development. Phase 1 focuses on preparation through the creation of a government working group, stakeholder consultation forums, and a comprehensive context analysis. Phase 2 involves developing a national ASM vision and creating specific management strategies tailored to different types of mining operations, categorized by product, scale, or mechanization. Phase 3 details the implementation process, including the creation of execution plans, the provision of technical and financial support to miners, and the establishment of monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure the strategy's success.

The document outlines a three-phase framework for managing artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in developing countries. Phase 1 focuses on preparation through the creation of a multi-sectoral working group, stakeholder forums, and contextual analysis. Phase 2 involves developing a vision and a management strategy that categorizes ASM operations by type to address specific economic potentials and environmental or social impacts. Phase 3 details the implementation process, including the creation of implementation plans, the provision of technical and financial support to miners, and the establishment of monitoring and evaluation systems.

The IISD has developed a six-step methodology to evaluate national mining policy frameworks against the IGF Mining Policy Framework (MPF). The process involves desk-based research, the use of a detailed scoring template, stakeholder consultations, and a validation meeting to identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in implementation. The methodology is designed to be adaptable to other frameworks, such as the Africa Mining Vision, and aims to inform capacity-building efforts for governments.

The IISD Mining and Sustainable Development Initiative seeks to shift the focus of mining investments from narrow fiscal benefits for governments to a broader 'win-win-win' model involving companies, governments, and communities. The initiative focuses on maximizing both fiscal and non-fiscal economic benefits—such as employment and local procurement—while treating the environment as a non-compromisable asset. To achieve this, IISD is developing an integrated toolkit and methodology for assessing project value, providing legal training on contract negotiations, and offering capacity-building services to developing countries.

The document outlines a three-phase framework for governments to manage artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Phase 1 focuses on preparation, including forming a multi-ministry task force, establishing stakeholder forums, and conducting context analysis. Phase 2 involves creating a vision and a tailored management strategy that categorizes ASM operations by type and prioritizes them based on impact. Phase 3 details the implementation process, including the creation of implementation plans, the deployment of specific support and regulatory measures, and the establishment of monitoring and evaluation systems.

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) is seeking donations for its 'Sponsor a Delegate' campaign, the sole legacy project for its 80th anniversary in 2014. The funds support YOUTH@SAIIA, an outreach initiative that provides high school and university students with skills in diplomacy, research, and public speaking through programmes such as Model United Nations, the Environmental Sustainability Project, and inter-school quizzes. In 2013, these programmes reached over 5,000 learners and educators. SAIIA requests sponsorships ranging from R 200 to R 10,000 to cover costs such as transport, learning materials, and equipment, noting that the average cost per delegate is R 500.