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This research paper analyzes South Africa's voting patterns and foreign policy achievements during its first (2007-2008) and second (2011-2012) terms as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council (UNSC). The author finds that South Africa has become more confident, increasing its co-sponsorship of resolutions and successfully promoting its 'African Agenda,' particularly regarding cooperation between the UNSC and the African Union (AU).

This report provides a guide for policy-makers, particularly in developing countries, on how to use public spending to catalyze private investment for climate-friendly infrastructure and clean energy.

This case study describes the impact of the World Resources Institute's (WRI) New Ventures project, highlighting the Brazilian company Ouro Verde as an example of a sustainable enterprise that provides economic value to the Amazon rainforest through the sale of Brazil nut products.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law and Oxfam examines the role of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and the systemic risks associated with their lending through Financial Intermediaries (FIs) rather than direct project investment.

This policy brief analyzes the impact of biofuel consumption mandates in the United States and the European Union on global food commodity prices, examining the 'food versus fuel' debate and proposing mechanisms to mitigate price volatility.

The Bottom-Up Energy Analysis System (BUENAS) is a stock accounting model developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) to project energy demand and evaluate the impact of energy efficiency policies, specifically Energy Efficiency Standards and Labeling (EES&L) programs, across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.

This research paper analyzes the challenges and opportunities for establishing a common trade and investment agenda among the BRICS nations. It highlights the tension between complementary economic relationships—where China imports resources from Brazil, Russia, and South Africa—and conflicting national strategies to promote domestic manufacturing. The author suggests that BRICS cooperation should focus on resuscitating the WTO Doha round, engaging with China's shift toward a consumption-led economic model, and coordinating currency reform positions within the G20.

This report documents a study group session held on 12 March 2012, organized by the South African Institute of International Affairs and the International Development Law Unit at the University of Pretoria. The session focused on South Africa's strategic approach to its membership in the BRICS group, analyzing the value-add of the alliance to South Africa's economic priorities and discussing challenges related to global economic governance, trade imbalances, and internal inequality within the BRICS nations.

A report describing the potential for sugar cane bioenergy to enhance rural livelihoods, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve energy security and economic competitiveness in Southern and Eastern Africa.

This briefing by Simon Maxwell of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) proposes a 'green growth guarantee' as a concrete deliverable for the G20 summit in Los Cabos and the Rio+20 Summit in 2012. The author argues that while technical discussions on green growth are advancing, political leaders need a high-profile commitment to support developing countries in planning and implementing sustainable growth through indicators, financial engagement, and peer review.

This report details the resolutions and decisions made during the 19th Special Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on February 15, 2012, in Arlington, Virginia. The primary focus of the meeting was addressing operational challenges within the IAI Directorate and approving a tripartite proposal to distribute the Directorate's functions across Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay to enhance science-policy integration and operational stability.

The Nineteenth Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) agreed to expand the IAI Directorate's capacity to provide scientific knowledge for public policy and increase public awareness through a distributed structure hosted by Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.

The 19th Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on February 15, 2012, agreed to expand the IAI's executive capacity and distribute its operations across Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay to better support scientific knowledge for public policy and global change capacity in the Americas.

This research paper analyzes the impasse of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) following a ministerial meeting and evaluates the strategic negotiating position South Africa should adopt. It highlights the tension between domestic policy imperatives—specifically industrial policy and agricultural support—and the need for multilateral trade agreements.

This executive summary analyzes whether the substantial decline in deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon between 2004 and 2009 was driven by agricultural price fluctuations or government conservation policies. Using regression techniques and counterfactual simulations, the authors conclude that conservation policies implemented at two key turning points (2004 and 2008) were responsible for approximately half of the avoided deforestation during this period.

This 2012 report summarizes a task force meeting in Durban, South Africa, aimed at identifying lessons learned for REDD+ policy capacity in developing countries. The discussions prioritized three 'pillars'—Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV), safeguards, and financing—as the primary areas for research and policy development. The report emphasizes the need for country-driven processes, effective communication with local communities, and the integration of national experiences (such as those from Brazil, Kenya, and Indonesia) to inform international negotiations and national implementation.

This report details the second Climate and Development Knowledge Brokers workshop held in Bonn, Germany, from 18-20 May 2012. Jointly organised by GIZ and CDKN, the event brought together 36 participants from 26 initiatives to strengthen collaboration among online knowledge brokers in the climate and development sectors. The workshop focused on evolving communication landscapes, user needs analysis, and the development of a shared knowledge infrastructure to improve information access for practitioners, particularly in developing countries.

This report synthesizes key findings from the IPCC's Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters (SREX), specifically focusing on the implications for Latin America and the Caribbean. It examines the interaction between climate change, human factors, and the natural environment to assess disaster risk and provides guidance on integrating disaster risk management (DRM) with climate change adaptation and sustainable development.

This report synthesizes findings from the IPCC Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Promote Adaptation to Climate Change (SREX), specifically focusing on the implications for Latin America and the Caribbean. It examines the interaction between climate extremes, human factors, and the environment, emphasizing that disaster risk is increasing due to rising vulnerability and exposure, even independent of climate change.

This briefing, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network in 2012, synthesises key findings from the IPCC Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX) specifically for ecosystem management. It examines the interplay between climate extremes, human vulnerability, and ecosystem resilience, advocating for ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) as a cost-effective strategy to reduce disaster risk and support sustainable development.