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The 2013 BRICS Youth Communiqué, presented by Youth@SAIIA learners at the 5th BRICS Summit in Durban, outlines recommendations for the establishment of a BRICS Development Bank (BDB). The document advocates for a bank that is independent of government political agendas, inclusive of all member nations regardless of financial status, and focused on sustainable development in the developing world.

The minutes of the Twentieth IAI Conference of the Parties (CoP), held from June 27-29, 2012, in Arlington, VA, USA, detail the approval of a new tripartite governance structure for the IAI Directorate, the selection of eight research projects for the Third Round of the Collaborative Research Network Program (CRN 3), and updates to the institute's standing rules and financial budget for FY 2012-2013.

The minutes of the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held from June 27-29, 2012, in Arlington, VA, USA, detail the transition to a tripartite governance structure and the approval of new scientific projects and operational budgets.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the drivers and challenges associated with Climate-Compatible Development (CCD). It defines CCD as a "development first" approach aimed at minimizing climate damage while maximizing human development opportunities in a low-carbon, resilient future. The document identifies five primary socio-political drivers—national awareness of adaptation, energy security, economic opportunities, access to climate finance, and government leadership—and seven key implementation challenges, including high costs, political opposition, and institutional limitations.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the drivers and obstacles associated with Climate Compatible Development (CCD). It defines CCD as a strategy that minimizes climate impact damage while maximizing human development opportunities in a low-emission future. The document identifies five key sociopolitical drivers—national resilience needs, energy security, economic opportunities, climate finance access, and strong government leadership—and seven primary implementation challenges, including high opportunity costs, political resistance, and institutional constraints.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the diplomatic and economic relationship between Russia and South Africa within the frameworks of BRICS and the G-20. It argues that while political collaboration is strong and serves Russia's goal of a multipolar world order, economic ties remain significantly underdeveloped and below their potential.

An evaluation of Brazil's Resolution 3.545 shows that conditioning rural credit on environmental compliance reduced credit concessions by BRL 2.9 billion (USD 1.4 billion) between 2008 and 2011, preventing over 2,700 km2 of deforestation (a 15% reduction). The impact was most pronounced among livestock producers, who are more dependent on subsidized credit for land expansion, whereas food crop producers were less affected.

This executive summary evaluates the impact of Resolution 3.545, a 2008 Brazilian Central Bank policy that conditioned rural credit in the Amazon Biome on environmental compliance. The study finds that the policy significantly reduced rural credit and subsequently decreased deforestation, particularly in cattle-ranching areas.

The IAI Directorate Report for July 2012 - April 2013 details the transition between Collaborative Research Network programs (CRN2 to CRN3), the implementation of capacity-building workshops across the Americas, and significant operational and legal challenges faced by the Institute in Brazil.

This report documents the 6th African Conference of Commandants (ACoC), held in November 2012 in Abuja, Nigeria. The conference focused on the role of staff colleges in preparing military officers to address emerging security challenges in Africa, emphasizing the need for a balance between academic education, professional military studies, and tactical training to develop flexible, intellectual leaders.

This report analyzes the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions embodied in international trade and explores whether shifting production to lower-intensity regions could reduce global emissions. Using MRIO models and IEA data, the authors find significant variations in GHG intensity for products like clothing (up to a factor of five) and steel. Specifically, Brazil and Turkey are highlighted as low-intensity steel producers due to their energy mixes and technologies. While shifting production to regions with better access to low-GHG energy (such as the Americas for steel) offers potential benefits, the report notes that implementing trade policies to steer these flows is complicated by WTO laws and administrative challenges.

The document describes how South Africa, Brazil, China, and India (the BRICS/BASIC group) have coordinated their efforts in the World Trade Organization and climate change negotiations to advocate for the interests of developing countries. It highlights their role as a counterpoint to advanced economies and their efforts to redefine South-South economic ties through new partnerships with other developing and least-developed nations.

This 2012 report by the Climate Policy Initiative examines how public policies and financial injections can mitigate risks to attract private investment in green infrastructure. Through case studies in the UK, Tunisia, and Morocco, it argues that well-articulated policies and innovative risk-mitigation instruments (like first-loss protection and policy risk insurance) are essential to overcome the inertia of 'plain vanilla finance.' The report highlights the critical role of National Development Banks in emerging economies, noting that China, Brazil, and India were the largest recipients of mitigation-directed climate finance in 2011.

The Landscape of Climate Finance 2012 executive summary estimates annual global climate finance flows for 2010/2011 at approximately USD 343-385 billion. The report details the roles of public and private sources, the importance of financial intermediaries, and the distribution of funds toward mitigation and adaptation, noting that current levels remain insufficient to limit global temperature rise to below two degrees Celsius.

This case study examines how China leveraged the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol to build expertise in carbon markets and prepare for a domestic emissions trading system. It highlights the role of powerful government ministries, coordinated capacity building, and specific regulatory controls used to ensure local sustainable development benefits and protect national economic interests.

This policy brief examines how China successfully leveraged the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to promote sustainable development. It highlights the role of powerful government ministries, coordinated capacity building, and the implementation of specific market restrictions to protect national interests and ensure local benefits.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates whether South Africa's 'African Agenda' and 'diplomacy of Ubuntu' align with its national interests and constitutional values. The author argues that South Africa is over-extended in its international engagements, often creating contradictions between its commitments to human rights and its strategic partnerships with authoritarian states.

This policy brief explores the potential for a 'Green Revolution' in Africa, using the International Futures (IFs) model to compare scenarios of agricultural intensification. The authors argue that while aggressive policy interventions could make Africa a net food exporter and significantly boost GDP, such production increases must be coupled with social policies to ensure food access for the poor and improvements in water and sanitation to realize human development gains.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that sustainable public procurement can serve as a catalyst for peacebuilding, nation-building, and sustainable economic growth in fragile states. It highlights the significant proportion of government expenditure dedicated to procurement in these contexts and suggests that using this purchasing power to favor environmentally and socially sustainable goods can mitigate risks, combat corruption, and build local industrial capacity.

The CRED v.1.4 Technical Report describes the methodology of the Climate and Regional Economics of Development (CRED) model, an integrated assessment model designed to estimate the optimal pace and distribution of global investment in emissions mitigation and climate policy costs.