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The document argues that energy sufficiency—defined as using 'enough—not more, and not less'—is essential for achieving a just energy transition. It distinguishes sufficiency from efficiency, noting that efficiency alone can lead to increased consumption via the 'rebound effect'. The briefing highlights global inequalities, where energy consumption in the US and Canada is roughly 30 times higher than in the poorest African countries. Practical applications are illustrated through community-led solar projects in Palestine and Cameroon, and a consumption-capped mini-grid on the Isle of Eigg in Scotland.

The document examines the global disparity in energy consumption, contrasting energy poverty in the Global South and parts of the North with excessive consumption in industrialized nations. It proposes 'energy sufficiency' as a paradigm shift away from orthodox economic growth and purely technocentric efficiency, which can lead to the 'Jevons paradox' (increased overall consumption). Through case studies in Gaza, Cameroon, and the Isle of Eigg, the report demonstrates how community-led, small-scale renewable energy projects can meet basic human needs and empower local populations while maintaining ecological limits.

The report by Friends of the Earth International examines the global disparities in energy consumption, distinguishing between energy exclusion in the Global South and energy poverty in the Global North. It proposes 'energy sufficiency'—defined as using neither more nor less energy than is sufficient for a dignified life—as an alternative to energy efficiency, which can lead to the 'Jevons paradox' or 'rebound effect' where efficiency increases overall consumption. The document illustrates this through case studies: solar PV projects in Gaza to counter electricity shortages; community solar lighting in rural Cameroon to bypass centralized, polluting grids; and a community-owned mini-grid on the Isle of Eigg in Scotland that uses consumption caps to maintain sustainability.

The document analyzes the patterns of clandestine migration from North Africa to Europe, noting that while North Africans are a smaller group than sub-Saharan migrants, they are often innovators of new smuggling routes. It identifies three primary corridors: the central Mediterranean (increasingly popular via Libya), the eastern Mediterranean (via Turkey and the Balkans), and the western Mediterranean (declining due to security). The author argues that migration is primarily driven by economic desperation and youth unemployment rather than conflict, and that securitized border responses fail to address these root causes.

The text examines the role of immigration in the population growth of Nordic countries, contrasting the desire for skilled labor with the restrictive policies applied to humanitarian migrants. It highlights specific restrictive measures in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and advocates for a shift toward integration, reasonable family reunification, and long-term planning to ensure the successful inclusion of new residents.

The document argues that the ICAO's CORSIA scheme is insufficient to achieve carbon neutral growth by 2020 or align aviation with the Paris Agreement's 1.5 degree warming limit. It highlights the need for further regional and national efforts to address aviation's climate impact and provides recommendations for maintaining European ambition.

The study evaluates the Netherlands' progress toward the Paris Agreement's goals across the power, transport, buildings, industry, and agriculture sectors, concluding that while the country leads in electric vehicle sales, it lags in renewable energy supply and requires substantially strengthened climate policy to meet its obligations as a developed nation.

A coalition of 29 European organizations calls for more ambitious EU climate regulations, specifically targeting the 2030 Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) and the LULUCF regulation. The group advocates for a trajectory toward 95% emission cuts by 2050, the rejection of forestry offsets that undermine other sectors, and the mandatory accounting of wetlands to ensure the EU meets its Paris Agreement commitments to limit warming to 1.5°C.

The report identifies a critical link between irresponsible pharmaceutical manufacturing practices in China and India and the proliferation of 'superbugs'. Field sampling in India revealed high levels of antibiotic resistance in water sources near factories owned by Aurobindo Pharma, Orchid Chemicals, and Asiatic Drugs and Pharmaceuticals. The analysis shows that these polluting sites are integrated into global supply chains, providing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and finished drugs to major distributors and healthcare providers in the West, including McKesson in the US and various public hospitals in France. The document argues that antimicrobial resistance is driven by three factors—medical, agricultural, and industrial—and calls for the integration of environmental criteria into Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and greater supply chain transparency.

The report identifies pharmaceutical manufacturing waste in India and China as a significant driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Through water sampling in India and supply chain analysis, it links specific polluting factories to major global distributors and public health systems, including the UK's NHS. It argues that current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) frameworks are insufficient because they lack environmental criteria, allowing 'superbugs' to proliferate and spread globally via trade and travel.

A coalition of networks and organizations calls for an ambitious revision of the EU ETS to stop the use of Article 10c and the Modernisation Fund for fossil fuel capacity, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. They advocate for a higher carbon price to disincentivize coal and the redirection of funds toward energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The paper explores how learning within and across organizations can enhance disaster risk reduction (DRR) and community resilience. It identifies key facilitators of learning, such as high leadership commitment and skilled mediation, and barriers, including the exclusion of stakeholders and unclear project aims. The document details the EDUCEN project's application of social learning, social network analysis, and knowledge transfer to integrate cultural aspects into DRR. It emphasizes that resilience requires adaptive governance and the ability of communities to learn from past disasters to improve future risk reduction measures.

The WWF-Mondi Wetlands Programme (WWF-MWP), established in 1991, has spent 25 years catalysing wetland conservation in South Africa. The programme evolved from a local project in KwaZulu-Natal to a national initiative, and eventually part of a global partnership between WWF and Mondi. Key achievements include the development of a scientifically defensible wetland delineation method adopted by the forestry industry and government, the creation of the SUSFARMS® sustainable sugarcane management system, and the catalysing of the state-run Working for Wetlands programme. The programme has shifted its focus from specific wetland sites to a broader 'landscape approach' to water stewardship, engaging dairy, sugar, and forestry sectors to improve water security and ecosystem resilience.

The 'Sustainable Landscapes in Eastern Madagascar' project is a cross-cutting mitigation and adaptation initiative requesting US$53.5 million from the Green Climate Fund. It employs a three-pronged financial approach: a US$15.3 million grant for public sector capacity building and sustainable agriculture, a US$35 million equity investment in a US$50.5 million private sector Investment Fund managed by Althelia, and a US$3.2 million grant to establish a national Climate Change Trust Fund. The project targets the Ankeniheny-Zahamena (CAZ) and Ambositra-Vondrozo (COFAV) forest corridors, aiming to reduce 10 MtCO2eq of emissions, provide 33 MW of renewable energy capacity, and benefit 562,000 direct beneficiaries. Key innovations include the use of a first-of-its-kind EIB Green/Climate Bond to mobilize private capital for a least developed country.

The document identifies environmental pollution from antibiotic manufacturing in China and India as a key cause of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), contributing to a global health crisis where common medical procedures could become high-risk. It highlights a lack of transparency in the pharmaceutical supply chain and urges the NHS and other large buyers to blacklist companies that dump inadequately treated antibiotic waste.

The report argues that the traditional 'Countering Violent Extremism' (CVE) framework is flawed and 'toxic' because it relies on discredited theories of a linear path to radicalization. Instead, it advocates for a 'resilience' model led by civil society organizations (CSOs) and social services, with law enforcement acting only as a supporting partner focused on criminal behavior. Key findings emphasize that there is no causal link between religious ideology and violence, and that effective interventions require 'alternative narratives' that acknowledge the 'kernel of truth' in grievances. The document also highlights a significant 'trust gap' between governments and CSOs, suggesting that transparency and the protection of civil liberties are essential for effective collaboration.

The 2016 External Review concludes that the World Resources Institute (WRI) is making strong progress in implementing its 2014-2017 Strategic Plan, with 89 of 96 specific statements of intent rated as 'on track' or 'achieved'. The review highlights WRI's success as a global 'think and do' tank, particularly in its research excellence, the development of open-data platforms like Global Forest Watch and Aqueduct, and its influence on the Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals. While WRI has successfully expanded its global footprint with offices in Brazil, China, India, and Indonesia, the review identifies challenges in securing unrestricted funding, strengthening internal communications, and fully integrating poverty and gender perspectives into programmatic design. It also notes the effectiveness of WRI's matrix management structure, though it suggests further investment in management training to reduce transaction costs and improve coordination.

The 2016 Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard evaluates corporate adoption of RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO). While many companies have joined the RSPO and increased CSPO use, a significant gap remains between high-level commitments and the use of physically segregated supply chains. The report highlights that while 77 companies committed to 100% CSPO by 2015, only 56 achieved this. It emphasizes the need for companies to move beyond 'book and claim' certificates toward segregated sourcing to effectively eliminate deforestation and habitat loss in producer regions like Indonesia and Malaysia.

The report argues that climate change poses a significant threat to public health and the delivery of health services in Canada, necessitating a shift toward resilient infrastructure and sustainable practices. It highlights that Canadian hospitals are among the most energy-inefficient in OECD northern climates and face risks from extreme weather, particularly in northern and coastal areas. The document recommends investing in renewable energy, implementing Green Revolving Funds, and conducting climate resiliency assessments. It also suggests leveraging the trusted status of health professionals to drive public behavior change and utilizing institutional lands for ecosystem services to improve public well-being.

The document advocates for a regional phase-out of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) in the Arctic, noting that 96 percent of large ships in the region use this toxic fuel. It highlights the role of black carbon emissions in accelerating Arctic ice melt and the extreme difficulty of cleaning up HFO spills in remote, cold environments. The author calls on the Obama administration to use the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to address these risks, specifically by submitting a comment paper by September 2, 2016.