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This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the rule of exhaustion of local remedies (ELR) in international investment law. It analyzes how the customary international law requirement—that individuals seek redress in domestic courts before initiating international proceedings—has been largely dispensed with in investment treaties, while recently being reintroduced by several states to protect domestic sovereignty. The document reviews treaty practices, case law from ICSID and other tribunals, and provides policy recommendations for states negotiating investment agreements.

This policy brief examines the extreme rainfall event in Chennai on 1 December 2015, which saw a record 494 mm of rain in 24 hours. While climate attribution studies concluded the event was not caused by anthropogenic global warming, the document highlights how unplanned urbanisation and poor infrastructure exacerbated the disaster's impact, costing the Indian economy an estimated US$3 billion.

This report by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) synthesises seven years of experience in promoting 'climate compatible development'—an approach that integrates climate mitigation and adaptation with poverty eradication and human development. The document provides a framework for mainstreaming climate concerns into national macroeconomic planning, sectoral policies, and local governance, while emphasizing the necessity of political leadership, cross-government coordination, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. It details the financial challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, the role of 'knowledge brokers' in translating science for policy-makers, and the importance of gender-sensitive implementation to ensure equitable outcomes.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law examines the disproportionate negative impacts of large-scale development projects—such as dams and mines—on women's human rights to water, food, and a healthy environment. It highlights the gap between international legal instruments and their practical implementation, particularly in countries with weak governance, and provides recommendations for governments, companies, and civil society to protect women's land rights and ensure their participation in decision-making.

This policy brief evaluates the state of Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in the Western Indian Ocean, arguing that the region remains overly dependent on international naval forces. It suggests a strategic shift toward low-tech solutions, human intelligence, and better integration between maritime security and the blue economy to build sustainable, regionally-owned capabilities.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute argues that meeting the Paris Agreement's temperature goals requires an explicit phase-down of fossil fuel production, not just consumption. It outlines six mechanisms within the UNFCCC framework—including NDCs, long-term strategies, and the global stocktake—that Parties can use to integrate supply-side restrictions and transition support into their climate commitments.

This discussion brief from the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the interactions between Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality). Based on a literature review of 27 peer-reviewed articles, the brief identifies how gender inequality contributes to food insecurity and argues that gender equality is a primary determinant of food security. It highlights the need for integrated policy-making and gender-differentiated data to ensure that efforts to end hunger do not leave women and girls behind.

This synthesis brief details the Stockholm Environment Institute's (SEI) efforts to support the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Key areas of focus include the need to phase down fossil fuel production, the creation of a transparent reporting framework, and the importance of equitable mitigation shares, noting that wealthy nations like the US and EU are currently falling short. The brief highlights specific case studies in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa, and introduces tools such as LEAP and the NDC Explorer to help countries plan and track their climate goals.

RMI's briefing outlines a market-driven pathway to limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C by the end of the century. The analysis suggests that a nearly 100 percent renewable energy system is feasible by the mid-2050s if the adoption of clean energy follows the disruptive S-curve patterns seen in previous industrial revolutions, such as the rise of the automobile.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the financing requirements for India to reach its target of 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022. It identifies a significant gap between expected and required investment, particularly in equity, and evaluates how domestic and foreign institutional investors can bridge this gap through specific financial instruments and policy reforms.

This briefing by Friends of the Earth International examines the financial and regulatory impacts of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms on countries negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). It argues that ISDS allows foreign corporations to sue governments over public interest regulations, creating significant financial burdens and a 'regulatory chill' that undermines democracy and the right to regulate.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the impacts of large-scale private agricultural investments on local livelihoods, water resources, land tenure, and gender equality. It argues that while such investments can create employment and market opportunities, ill-designed contracts often lead to environmental degradation, water scarcity, and the marginalization of rural communities, particularly women. The document advocates for an integrated approach to planning, utilizing a 'social tenure model' and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure sustainability and inclusivity.

This report by Natural Justice examines the use of community protocols as tools for indigenous peoples and local communities to manage their rights and engage with extractive industries. Based on action research in Argentina, India, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, the document analyzes how these protocols help communities articulate their values, secure free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), and address power imbalances with governments and corporations.

This briefing summarizes a standardized review of adaptation actions across 15 African and Asian countries conducted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) for the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA).

This report provides a 2016 progress update on the first ten goals of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF). It evaluates global trends in natural forest loss, private sector commitments to deforestation-free supply chains, restoration pledges under the Bonn Challenge and UNFCCC, and the evolution of international climate finance and forest governance.

This report presents the findings of a household survey of 1,000 consumers in Rajasthan, India, examining public attitudes toward electricity tariff reform. It highlights a significant lack of awareness regarding electricity subsidies, strong public opposition to price increases due to the high share of electricity in household budgets, and a limited but existing willingness to pay more for improved power reliability. The report suggests that reform should be gradual, demographically targeted (particularly in urban areas like Jaipur), and accompanied by mitigation measures and improved service quality.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines trends in climate change adaptation planning based on a standardized review of 15 African and Asian countries conducted for the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA). The review examines vulnerability profiles, national priorities, policy responses, and the nature of adaptation programming, highlighting a strong focus on agriculture but significant gaps in subnational planning and monitoring systems.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) welcomes the adoption of the New Urban Agenda by 167 countries on October 20, 2016. The agenda focuses on creating sustainable, livable cities with an emphasis on affordable housing and sustainable mobility. WRI emphasizes that cities are critical for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and calls for the development of a clear, measurable implementation plan to achieve the agenda's goals.

This fact sheet, produced by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in October 2016, provides guidance on framing climate compatible development to ensure it is adopted into local political agendas. Based on experiences from South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, it outlines five key strategies for sustainability: securing cross-party political consensus, linking climate action to development goals, aligning climate measures with sectoral objectives, utilizing local and national 'champions', and designing initiatives to benefit marginalized social groups.

This fact sheet, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in October 2016, outlines five strategic lessons for local governments to establish successful partnerships for climate compatible development. Based on experiences from South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the document emphasizes the importance of strategic partner selection, the inclusion of marginalized and opposing groups, the use of local knowledge brokers, and the necessity of ensuring mutual benefit for all participants.