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The author argues that referendums are a vital tool for evolving Ireland's constitution, which was originally shaped by the struggle for independence and the influence of the Catholic Church. The text notes an acceleration in the frequency of referendums since 2000, particularly those with significant social impact, such as marriage equality (2015) and abortion (2018), which saw high voter turnout. The author advocates for the introduction of postal voting to increase accessibility and suggests making the Independent Referendum Commission a permanent body to ensure best practices in formulating and explaining amendments. Finally, the author rejects the idea of grouping multiple referendums on a single day, arguing that careful, individual consideration of amendments preserves the integrity of the constitutional process.

The article analyzes the use of referendums in Romania, specifically the 2018 constitutional referendum on the definition of family and a 2019 consultative referendum on anti-corruption. It argues that these tools of direct democracy have been used by political actors to increase popularity and legitimacy. The 2018 referendum, which failed to reach a 30% quorum with only 21% participation, is highlighted as a mechanism that gave visibility to far-right organizations. This rhetoric contributed to the 2019 formation of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), which subsequently won 9% of the vote in the 2020 elections and entered Parliament as the fourth largest group.

Reclaim Finance asserts that TotalEnergies' corporate strategy is incompatible with climate science, specifically citing plans to increase gas production by over 30% by 2030 and expand operations in the Arctic and East Africa. The document highlights that between 2016 and 2020, over 30 commercial banks provided $40.6 billion to the company, with major contributors including Barclays, JPMorgan Chase, and several French banks. It calls for financial institutions to end support for fossil fuel developers and adopt a 'no new oil and gas' principle, citing La Banque Postale as a precedent for ending support for companies developing new oil and gas projects.

The paper examines the transition of Euro-African trade from the non-reciprocal preferences of the Lomé Convention to the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) under the Cotonou Agreement. It argues that EPAs have been unrealistic for African least developed countries (LDCs) due to demands for 80% market opening, which threatens regional integration and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). While Europe remains Africa's lead trading partner (32% share in 2018), the author calls for a move away from paternalism and short-term free-trade expectations toward co-production and sustainable partnerships.

The Climate Action Tracker identifies a 'credibility gap' where current policies lead to 2.7°C of warming, while even the fulfillment of all 2030 targets would result in 2.4°C. Despite 90% of global emissions being covered by net zero targets, only 6% are rated as 'acceptable', and no analyzed country has sufficient short-term policies to reach its net zero goal. The report highlights the continued expansion of coal and natural gas as primary drivers of this failure.

The document examines the challenges ride-hailing drivers face when switching to electric vehicles in the US, Europe, and Canada, noting that EV adoption in this sector often lags behind the general vehicle stock. It proposes targeted interventions, including reducing up-front costs, expanding affordable charging infrastructure for renters and low-income communities, and improving driver education. The research utilizes data from Uber and a WRI methodology to evaluate 10 cities via scorecards.

The document examines how Sub-Saharan Africa can utilize the energy transition to foster industrialization. It proposes strategies including the creation of green industrial policies, the development of domestic manufacturing capabilities for clean technologies through research and skills transfer, and the strategic use of natural gas and critical minerals to bridge energy access gaps and move up the global value chain.

The report examines the sustainability of Norway's reliance on the oil and gas sector in the context of global emissions targets and a net-zero future beyond 2050. It analyzes the political debate surrounding the 2021 general election, the positions of industry associations and trade unions, and the economic risks of maintaining the fossil fuel sector as a pillar of the Norwegian economy.

The document traces the path from the 1972 Stockholm Conference to the 2017 entry into force of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. It highlights the role of activism and scientific evidence in driving global action and details the treaty's mechanisms for phasing out mercury-added products and regulating artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). The brief also explains that the discrete nature of mercury's industrial sources and a stronger scientific consensus on its global threat allowed it to move toward a binding treaty, whereas lead and cadmium remain managed through voluntary partnerships and regional agreements.

The report evaluates 33 major European retailers on their aquaculture procurement practices. It finds a systemic failure to address ecological and social challenges, with 76% of retailers falling into a 'red zone' of insufficient action. Key failures include a lack of targets to eliminate wild-catch fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) from feed, inadequate fish welfare monitoring, and poor transparency regarding the origin of products. While some UK and French retailers show slight progress, retailers in Spain, Austria, and Switzerland performed particularly poorly.

The report finds that the majority of European retailers are failing to implement substantive policies for sustainable aquaculture. Three-quarters of the 33 retailers assessed were placed in the 'red zone', with none achieving 'frontrunner' status. Key failures include a lack of targets to eliminate wild-caught fish from feed, inadequate fish welfare protections, and poor transparency in labelling and sourcing. While UK retailers showed more progressive approaches in feed and welfare, and some French and German retailers joined industry initiatives, Spanish retailers performed the worst, with all 11 assessed companies landing in the red zone.

The report evaluates 33 major European supermarket chains across six countries on three priority areas: the elimination of wild fish in aquaculture feed, the monitoring of fish mortality, and supply chain transparency. The findings indicate a widespread failure to implement responsible practices, with 76% of retailers falling into the 'red zone' due to a lack of relevant policies. While some UK and French retailers show more progress, no company achieved the 'at the forefront' status. The report highlights the negative externalities of the industry, such as the extraction of over half a million tonnes of fish from West African waters annually for feed, which undermines local food security.

The report finds that European retailers are failing to perform adequate due diligence on their farmed fish supply chains, with 76% landing in a 'red zone' of poor performance. No surveyed retailer has a clear target to eliminate wild-caught fish in feed, and none have policies to blacklist farms with high mortality rates. While some UK retailers show progress in transparency through the Ocean Disclosure Project, overall industry standards for fish welfare and labelling remain inadequate, often relying on insufficient third-party certifications.

The policy brief argues that the Build Back Better Act's EV incentives would accelerate market transformation, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution-related deaths while boosting U.S. manufacturing. It details specific tax credits for passenger and heavy-duty vehicles, emphasizes the importance of income caps to reach moderate earners, and explains how BBB charging infrastructure complements the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by focusing on community-level access.

The author contends that referendums are not 'direct democracy' but mediated mechanisms shaped by institutional rules. The text distinguishes between frequent referendums and occasional 'plebiscites' used by leaders to resolve social divisions or gain legitimacy. Using examples from Switzerland, Ireland, and Iceland, the author illustrates how different models operate. The central argument is that frequent use of referendums is preferable as it empowers citizens and demystifies the concept of a final 'general will'.

Reclaim Finance calls on AXA to cease providing insurance for the Brunsbüttel LNG terminal and other new fossil fuel projects. The organization argues that such infrastructure facilitates the import of shale gas, contradicts AXA's leadership in the Net Zero Insurance Alliance, and ignores calls from the French Ministry of Economy to exit non-conventional oil and gas sectors.

A coalition of NGOs, including Reclaim Finance and Urgewald, wrote to the CEOs of ten insurance companies (including Allianz, AXA, and Munich Re) demanding they stop insuring the Brunsbüttel LNG terminal in northern Germany. The authors argue that the project, promoted by Gasunie, will lock in greenhouse gas emissions for 30–50 years, contradicting the 1.5°C goal and risking the creation of a stranded asset. They highlight that the project costs €450 million, with up to €100 million from German taxpayers, and faces significant opposition from environmental groups and market analysts.

The Clean Air Task Force argues that Germany requires a dedicated CO2 strategy and regulatory framework to enable the implementation of CCU and CCS technologies, which are deemed essential for mitigating industrial process emissions that cannot be otherwise reduced. The document calls for the development of national and cross-border CO2 transport infrastructure, the introduction of Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfD) to support industrial clusters, and the initiation of a societal dialogue on climate protection technologies.

The document examines the resurgence of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Europe as a critical tool for decarbonizing heavy industries and achieving Paris Agreement targets. It analyzes EU-level policies like the TEN-E Regulation and the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), alongside financing tools such as the Innovation Fund and Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The paper highlights a strategic shift toward 'carbon management hubs' to achieve economies of scale and reviews national progress in Norway, the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany, concluding that existing policy levers may be insufficient for the required scale-up.

The report highlights a critical failure by major livestock-producing nations and corporations to address methane emissions, despite the gas's high potency and short atmospheric lifespan. It finds that most assessed countries lack absolute methane reduction targets and that the largest meat and dairy companies fail to report methane emissions separately or implement concrete abatement plans. The document advocates for a systemic transition toward plant-rich diets and the implementation of both technical and behavioral mitigation measures to meet Paris Agreement goals.