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The 2016 Orinoco River Basin Report Card evaluates the health of various sub-basins in Colombia, assigning an overall grade of B- (63%). The assessment reveals a strong west-east gradient, with Andean headwaters in the west facing severe degradation from mining, oil and gas, and agro-industry, while eastern sub-basins like the Matavén (Grade A) remain more intact. Key concerns include poor human nutrition in the Inírida basin and significant data gaps in water quality monitoring and biodiversity surveys across several tributaries.

WWF and the University of Maryland’s Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) are implementing a standardized process to create freshwater basin report cards. These tools synthesize complex data into accessible grades to empower stakeholders and improve management. The process involves six steps: stakeholder engagement, indicator selection, threshold definition, scoring, communication, and score improvement. A 2016 case study of Colombia’s Orinoco River Basin, which received a B-minus grade, demonstrates the model's application in addressing threats like land-use change and extractive industries.

A coalition of 121 civil society organisations calls for a robust Paris Treaty featuring 5-year commitment periods, a 2050 decarbonisation goal, and the exclusion of international carbon offsets. The letter advocates for a human rights-based approach, the integration of Sustainable Development Goals, and the recognition of Loss & Damage to ensure a just transition and environmental integrity.

The SAIIA Youth Policy Committee (YPC) advocates for a legally binding agreement at COP21 that emphasizes high ambition, the integration of adaptation and mitigation, and predictable finance for developing countries. The YPC calls for the inclusion of an adaptation goal in the Paris agreement, the use of indigenous knowledge in local strategies, and the implementation of 'no regret' and flexible adaptation strategies. It further argues that developed countries must fund these efforts and that climate change should be integrated into school curricula to maintain youth commitment.

A group of 22 global business and civil society leaders is calling for a net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions goal by 2050 to be established at COP21. They argue that such a goal is necessary to mobilize private sector investment, innovate for global decarbonization, and protect the Sustainable Development Goals. To demonstrate feasibility, several signatory companies, including Unilever, Salesforce, and Virgin Group, have already committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 within their own operations.

The policy brief advocates for aligning the 2015 Paris climate negotiations with the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It proposes that the final treaty include a new article requiring parties to develop national zero-carbon climate-resilient strategies with decarbonization trajectories by 2050. The brief emphasizes that climate action must be integrated into broader national development portfolios—including energy, trade, and health—and that monitoring and accountability frameworks (MRV) should be aligned with the human rights and gender-sensitive principles of the 2030 Agenda.

The report evaluates the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) against the objectives of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF). It finds that while the SDGs include a highly ambitious, quantifiable target to halt deforestation by 2020, they lack quantifiable targets for forest restoration and reforestation. The document notes that the absence of specific indicators for measuring these goals may hinder the translation of the targets into action.

The report establishes a monitoring framework for the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), assessing ten goals related to halting deforestation, restoring landscapes, and improving governance. While it notes that 'overall progress remains slow', it identifies positive trends such as the inclusion of a deforestation target in the Sustainable Development Goals and an increase in clean cookstove distribution. The document highlights significant data gaps, particularly regarding non-agricultural drivers of deforestation and domestic public spending on forests, while noting that 'data are mostly trending in the right direction'.

The report evaluates the early progress of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4.5 to 8.8 billion tonnes by 2030. While it notes positive trends such as the inclusion of deforestation targets in the Sustainable Development Goals and increased funding for clean cookstoves, it highlights that overall progress remains slow. Key challenges include the lack of a coordinated effort to reduce non-agricultural deforestation, slow disbursement of REDD+ funds, and ongoing violence against forest-dependent communities.

The report assesses the early progress of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), noting that while new initiatives and commitments have emerged, overall progress remains slow. It highlights a lack of coordinated tracking for non-agricultural deforestation drivers and significant gaps in meeting restoration targets. Key achievements include the inclusion of a deforestation target in the Sustainable Development Goals and increased finance for clean cookstoves and REDD+ payments, though the latter's disbursements lag behind commitments.

This executive summary introduces a monitoring framework for the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) and provides an initial assessment of its ten goals one year after their signing. While noting the creation of new initiatives and commitments, the report concludes that global progress has been slow and urgent action is required. Key findings include a lack of deceleration in natural forest harvesting, significant gaps in sustainable certification for soy and beef, and a lag between REDD+ funding commitments and actual disbursements.

The report evaluates the first year of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), noting that while new initiatives and commitments have emerged, overall progress toward eliminating natural forest loss by 2030 remains slow. Key achievements include the inclusion of a deforestation goal in the Sustainable Development Goals and increased funding for clean cookstoves, which reached USD 260 million in 2014. However, the report finds no evidence that the annual rate of natural forest deforestation is decreasing. Progress in agricultural commodity supply chains is mixed, with certified sustainable palm oil growing by 18% globally, while certified sustainable soy represents only 2% of the market. Restoration efforts are underway, with 62.59 million hectares committed via the Bonn Challenge, though this is only 42% of the 2020 target. Financial flows for forest emission reductions have increased, with bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) rising from an annual average of USD 365 million (2002-07) to USD 744 million (2008-13), but actual REDD+ disbursements lag behind the USD 3 billion in commitments made between 2008 and 2014.

The policy brief examines the intersection of the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the COP 21 climate negotiations, and the Financing for Development agenda. It advocates for a 'bottom-up' approach to climate mitigation through INDCs that are integrated with domestic socio-economic priorities to create co-benefits in sectors like agriculture and energy. The author emphasizes that African nations should leverage clean energy and the energy-food-water nexus to leapfrog fossil-fuel-based development, while highlighting South Africa's green economy strategies as a model for job creation and GDP growth.

The 11th Annual General Meeting of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) emphasized the necessity of integrating social and economic considerations into mine closure planning from the start of a mine's design. The meeting, attended by representatives from 67 countries, highlighted the role of the mining sector in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reviewed assessments of the IGF Strategic Framework in the Dominican Republic, Uganda, and Madagascar.

The UN Sustainable Development Summit served to formally adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and affirm global commitment to its implementation. The analysis highlights the success of the Open Working Group's (OWG) inclusive negotiation process, specifically the 'troika' method, in building universal ownership of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While governments announced significant financial and environmental commitments—such as China's US$2 billion South-South cooperation fund and Panama's reforestation pledge—the document identifies critical gaps in the framework, specifically the need for finalized indicators, disaggregated data, and a detailed follow-up and review mechanism. Furthermore, the analysis emphasizes that the success of the SDGs is intrinsically linked to the outcomes of the Paris Climate Change Conference, noting that failure to meet climate objectives would jeopardize all SDGs.

The Corporate Leaders Group (CLG) advocates for the phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies by 2025, arguing that these subsidies create perverse incentives that undermine carbon pricing and hinder the transition to a low-carbon economy. The document highlights that eliminating these subsidies could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 13% and free up significant government resources, particularly in developing countries where subsidies often exceed healthcare spending. CLG supports the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform Communiqué, which calls for transparency, ambition in timeframe, and targeted support for the poorest populations during the transition.

The We Mean Business Coalition, representing over 6 million companies, argues that climate action is beneficial for business and essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. They urge governments to establish an ambitious agreement at COP21 in Paris that focuses on global decarbonization, transparency, carbon pricing, and climate resilience.

The document explores the historical foundations of the first Bretton Woods system, arguing that the ideas and actors involved were more diverse and inclusive than conventional wisdom suggests. It uses this historical perspective to address the contemporary challenge of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which Mary Robinson has described as the "Bretton Woods moment for our generation."

The document outlines the transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which ended in September 2015, to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the Post-2015 Global Development Agenda ending in 2030. It details the role of the 30-member Open Working Group (OWG) in creating 17 goals and 169 targets through a consultative process involving civil society. The text defines sustainable development based on the 1987 Brundtland report and discusses the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), which acknowledges that developed countries bear greater responsibility for environmental degradation. It also highlights South Africa's role in negotiating the SDGs via the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and its leadership of the G77+ China group.

The report examines the applicability of the 169 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets to Sweden's domestic context. Through a rapid screening and detailed interpretation of selected targets, the authors find that the majority of SDGs are relevant to Sweden, challenging the notion that they apply only to developing nations. The paper highlights significant gaps in areas such as youth unemployment, income inequality, and sustainable consumption. It argues that national implementation requires a political, government-led process to translate vague global targets into specific, measurable national goals, emphasizing the need for policy coherence and cross-sectoral coordination.