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The report analyzes the potential for scaling up cattail harvesting in Manitoba, identifying it as a viable biomass source for bioenergy and a tool for reducing nutrient loading in Lake Winnipeg. It finds a current lack of explicit legislation for cattail harvesting and proposes two management scenarios: one emphasizing private benefits (modeled on wild rice harvesting) and another emphasizing public benefits (funded through contracts and incentives). The analysis also explores carbon offset opportunities, suggesting that while national and provincial markets are fragmented, the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) and Alberta's protocols offer viable models for generating credits from methane avoidance and fossil fuel displacement.

The document assesses the adequacy of financial provisions for mine closure in South Africa, identifying systemic failures in estimation, securing funds, and financial reporting. It highlights that many Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) are inadequate, master rates for costs are not inflation-adjusted, and concurrent rehabilitation is underperformed. The report recommends updating the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) guidelines, enhancing the SAMREC code, and improving public access to financial provision data. It also analyzes the risks associated with different financial instruments—such as trust funds, bank guarantees, and insurance—and the legal uncertainties regarding the ring-fencing of these funds during company insolvency or business rescue.

The Daan Viljoen Nature Reserve project is a 30-year PPP between Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) and the Prosperity Group (via subsidiary San Karros Lifestyle Safari) to rehabilitate dilapidated tourism infrastructure. The project involved an initial $40 million investment, with further phases planned for a conference facility and a medical tourism park. Implementation faced significant hurdles, including the absence of a national PPP policy and unit, bureaucratic delays, and labor disputes resulting from the requirement to absorb state employees at non-market salary rates. Environmental challenges include poaching, illegal firewood harvesting, and encroachment from the Otshimushe informal settlement. Despite these barriers and initial over-capitalization, the project has reached a balance of income and expenditure and has contributed to the development of Namibia's national PPP policy.

The Salmon Aquaculture Dialogue (SAD) standards provide a comprehensive framework to minimize the negative environmental and social impacts of salmon farming. The standards cover seven key principles: legal compliance, conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem function, protection of wild populations, efficient resource use, responsible disease and parasite management, social responsibility in farm operations, and community engagement. Specific performance thresholds are set for benthic health, water quality, sea lice levels, feed sustainability (including Forage Fish Dependency Ratios), and labor rights. The standards are designed to be implemented by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) through third-party certification, requiring 100% compliance and high levels of data transparency.

The policy brief contends that corn ethanol's success in the United States is the result of federal subsidies and mandates, such as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), rather than inherent value. It highlights that corn ethanol fails to provide energy independence, does not significantly lower gas prices, and has negative environmental impacts, including higher lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline.

The study finds that Netley-Libau Marsh is currently degraded and not functioning as a healthy coastal wetland, with total phosphorus levels in the water significantly exceeding Manitoba Water Quality Guidelines. However, the marsh's cattail communities store substantial amounts of nutrients—estimated at 525 tonnes of phosphorus and 1,965 tonnes of nitrogen—and the report argues that restoring 25% of lost plant communities could further increase these storage capacities by 130 and 500 tonnes, respectively.

The Freshwater Trout Aquaculture Dialogue (FTAD) has developed a comprehensive set of global standards for freshwater trout aquaculture, focusing on environmental and social responsibility. The standards cover six core principles: legal compliance, habitat and biodiversity conservation, water resource protection, fish health management, resource efficiency (specifically feed and energy), and social responsibility. Key requirements include prohibitions on transgenic trout and lethal predator control, strict limits on phosphorus discharge, and mandates for fair wages and the absence of child or forced labor. The standards apply to all freshwater trout production systems globally and require 100 percent compliance for certification. Implementation and third-party certification will be managed by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC).

The report examines how Canadian watershed organizations interact with the determinants of human health. Through self-assessments of five organizations—the Fraser Basin Council, Cowichan Watershed Board, Save Our Seine River Environment Inc., Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, and Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority—the study finds that while watershed activities often have implicit health benefits, there is a significant lack of explicit integration and capacity to collaborate with the public health sector. The authors argue that watersheds can serve as integrative mechanisms for intersectoral action, potentially delivering a "double dividend" of improved environmental and human health.

The report assesses three primary livelihood strategies in the Mkindo watershed: official irrigation agriculture, rainfed agriculture with supplementary irrigation, and livestock keeping. It identifies that while irrigated farmers are financially better off, rainfed farmers are more secure than livestock keepers. Key challenges across the watershed include poor road infrastructure, limited access to financial services, poor water quality leading to frequent health issues like malaria and typhoid, and escalating conflicts between farmers and livestock keepers over land and water access.

A coalition of agricultural and environmental organizations argues that farm bill conservation programs should not face further cuts, noting they have already contributed over $2 billion in reductions since 2008 and face demand that far exceeds available funding.

The document details a community workshop with the Bloodvein First Nation to explore the links between the boreal environment and human well-being. Participants identified critical ecosystem services provided by muskeg (peatlands), reported significant declines in the availability of traditional foods and water quality, and suggested adaptation measures focused on intergenerational knowledge transfer and government communication.

The document details a community workshop with the Poplar River First Nation to assess how the natural environment supports local well-being and to document observed ecological shifts. Participants highlighted the critical role of clean air, water, and traditional foods, while noting significant changes in weather patterns, ice thickness, and animal populations. The briefing concludes with community-proposed adaptation measures, including the transition to an all-weather road and the adoption of renewable energy sources.

The document examines best practices in ecological goods and services (EGS) to inform policy in Manitoba, highlighting a shift toward integrated program bundling, increased accountability for environmental outcomes, and the scaling of programs to meet regional or continental goals.

The report analyzes EGS programs in the UK, Australia, France, Switzerland, the US, and Canada, emphasizing the shift from regulatory approaches to economic incentives. It highlights the importance of multifunctionality, geographic targeting, and public accountability. For Manitoba, it recommends a consolidated, watershed-based approach incorporating performance measurement and adaptive management.

The Freshwater Trout Aquaculture Dialogue (FTAD) has developed a comprehensive set of draft standards to minimize the environmental and social impacts of freshwater trout farming globally. The standards are organized around six core principles: legal compliance, habitat and biodiversity conservation, water resource protection, fish health and welfare, resource efficiency, and social responsibility. Key environmental requirements include prohibitions on transgenic trout, strict limits on phosphorus discharge (6.5 kg/mt of fish), and the mandatory use of riparian buffer zones of at least 10 meters for new farms. Social standards align with ILO guidelines, prohibiting child and forced labor while requiring a basic needs wage for all employees. The document also specifies rigorous feed sourcing requirements, aiming for 100% certified marine ingredients within five years and a Fishmeal Forage Fish Dependency Ratio (FFDRm) of ≤ 1.5. Certification is site-specific and requires 100% compliance across all standards.

The Salmon Aquaculture Dialogue (SAD) has released a second draft of global standards for salmon farming, covering grow-out sites and smolt suppliers. The standards are organized into seven principles: legal compliance, biodiversity conservation, protection of wild populations, resource efficiency, disease and parasite management, social responsibility, and community engagement. Key requirements include strict limits on escapes, the use of area-based management for sea lice, restrictions on transgenic species, and the phase-out of open net-pen smolt production. The standards will be implemented by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) through third-party certification.

A budget vote speech delivered by Minister Edna Molewa on 14 April 2011, outlining the Department of Water Affairs' strategy to increase water availability for economic growth and job creation in South Africa. The speech details major infrastructure projects, water security measures, regulatory frameworks for water quality, and plans for legislative review to prevent water hoarding.

The report examines IWRM initiatives in the Okanagan Basin (BC), Lower Souris River Watershed (SK), Yamaska Watershed (QC), and Souris River Watershed (PEI). It finds that while federal financial support for beneficial management practices (BMPs) is critical, there is a systemic disconnect between high-level watershed planning and on-farm implementation. Key drivers for farmer participation include financial incentives, a local 'sense of place,' and the availability of on-farm extension support. Barriers include complex bureaucracy, fear of regulation, and declining federal technical services. The report recommends a 'nested' approach to watershed management and a shift toward providing core operational funding for local watershed organizations to professionalize IWRM capacity.

The Lake Winnipeg Basin Summit, held in November and December 2010, brought together approximately 150 stakeholders to address water quality and nutrient loading in the Lake Winnipeg Basin. Using a 'back-casting' approach, participants developed a vision for a sustainable development strategy that integrates environmental, economic, and social objectives. The report concludes that Manitoba, as the downstream jurisdiction and principal beneficiary, should lead the implementation of this comprehensive and adaptive management project.

The report outlines the foundational research for a decision support system (DSS) to facilitate ecological infrastructure investments in the Red River Basin. It identifies critical data gaps, particularly in high-resolution elevation data for Canada, and evaluates existing hydrological and ecosystem models. The project emphasizes the need for harmonized transboundary data and a common vision for basin management to address chronic flooding and the eutrophication of Lake Winnipeg.