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The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) critiques the South African National Treasury's approach to debt reduction through expenditure cuts, asserting that such austerity is economically flawed and violates constitutional and international human rights obligations. The report highlights the negative impacts of budget cuts on education and healthcare, noting that the 2021 Budget's non-interest spending is projected to contract at an annual real average rate of 5.2 per cent. To counter this, the IEJ suggests utilizing additional fiscal space from SARS revenue windfalls and IMF funding, implementing progressive taxes such as a wealth tax and social security tax, and launching a GDP-linked stimulus package. The document advocates for a Universal Basic Income Guarantee (UBIG) and the conduct of gendered human rights impact assessments to guide fiscal policy.

The document argues that Resorcinol should be identified as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) under REACH article 57(f) because it is an endocrine disruptor that inhibits thyroperoxidase (TPO), affecting thyroid hormone levels. The authors highlight severe developmental risks for unborn children, including hypothyroidism and neurological impacts, and note that the substance is a high-volume compound used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and rubber products. They contend that the substance meets the 'equivalent level of concern' (ELoC) criteria and that failure to identify it would undermine the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.

The ARIES for SEEA Explorer is an AI-powered, open-source tool that enables rapid, standardized, and customizable natural capital accounting globally. By utilizing machine reasoning and a semantic web of data, it allows National Statistical Offices (NSOs) and other users to generate ecosystem accounts for any terrestrial area, reducing technical barriers for data-scarce countries while allowing for local customization. The tool supports monitoring for the SDGs, the Paris Climate Agreement, and the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

The report by ClientEarth, WWF Italy, and ECCO think tank opposes Enel's plan to convert the Federico II plant in Brindisi from coal to gas. It argues that the project is not needed for security of supply, risks creating stranded assets and overcapacity in Southern Italy, and causes adverse climate impacts through CO2 and methane emissions. The authors contend that the project contradicts EU and national decarbonisation goals and should be rejected by the Ministry for Ecological Transition.

The Clean Air Task Force proposes a comprehensive methane reduction strategy for the EU centered on five pillars: mandatory Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs, a ban on routine venting and flaring, rigorous Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems, strict import standards for fossil fuels, and a dedicated program to seal abandoned oil and gas wells.

SEforALL reports on its leadership in organizing Ministerial Thematic Forums to secure Energy Compacts, its advocacy for eradicating energy poverty within the G20, and its technical support for national energy transitions in countries such as Nigeria and Rwanda. The organization also highlights the launch of practitioner tools for mini-grid emissions and sustainable cooling, alongside diplomatic engagements with the UAE and the US to accelerate the global energy transition toward SDG7.

The 47th G7 summit reaffirmed commitments to a "green revolution" and the goal of halving collective carbon emissions by 2030, while pledging to end new direct government support for international carbon-intensive fossil fuel energy. However, the document highlights a disconnect between these goals and African realities, where fossil fuels account for approximately 80% of energy supply and many states are planning coal-fired power expansions. While the G7 welcomed the commitment of up to $2 billion via Climate Investment Funds, the document notes this is insufficient compared to the $20-30 billion per year the African Development Bank estimates Africa requires for climate action until 2030. Furthermore, the $100 billion promised by developed countries since COP15 remains unrealised.

Seven NGOs have called on the EU Commission to include leather as a key forest-risk commodity in new deforestation laws, arguing that cattle ranching is the primary driver of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon and that the EU is a major market for this high-risk leather. The statement highlights that leather is a multibillion-dollar industry, with the Brazilian sector valued at over US$50 billion, and that non-meat products can account for up to 26% of large meatpackers' incomes. The NGOs point to the Italian tanning industry's heavy reliance on Brazilian leather and the exposure of major European car manufacturers to deforestation through suppliers like JBS Couros. They argue that including leather in the legislation would reduce the EU's role in driving deforestation and encourage the industry to adopt zero-deforestation sourcing and traceability.

The author asserts that the failure of developed nations to meet the 2010 commitment to mobilise $100bn per year by 2020 for climate action in developing countries erodes international trust and hinders the transition to a net-zero world. Fulfilling this commitment is presented as a catalyst to trigger large-scale private investment in low-carbon solutions and climate-resilient industries, particularly within supply chains where 65-90 per cent of company emissions originate. The text emphasizes that only 21 per cent of these funds currently support adaptation, and argues that increasing this share would protect global economic stability by building resilience in developing nations. The author calls for G20 leadership to combine this funding with mandatory climate risk disclosure and carbon pricing to support the goal of halving global emissions by 2030.

The report argues that the aquaculture industry faces significant systemic risks due to high fish mortality rates and a dependence on fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) derived from wild-caught fish. It finds that most investors fail to integrate these material risks into their policies, often relying on inadequate certification schemes. The document highlights the economic cost of fish deaths, the threat to food security in regions like West Africa due to FMFO extraction, and the potential for 'greenwashing' through green bonds. It recommends that investors require full supply chain transparency, the elimination of wild-caught fish in feed by 2025, and the adoption of robust fish-welfare standards.

The document introduces the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology, a simulation-based tool designed to calculate environmental, social, governance, and climate risks, as well as externalities in infrastructure projects. It details the three-pronged modelling approach—system dynamics, project finance, and spatially explicit models—to provide a more comprehensive cost-benefit analysis than traditional financial valuations. The report provides sector-specific examples (energy, buildings, roads, wastewater, irrigation, and natural infrastructure) and outlines how these modules can be integrated into Indonesia's Vision 2045 (IV2045) system dynamics model to bridge top-down national strategy with bottom-up project implementation.

The document argues that Indonesia must shift from carbon-intensive 'grey' infrastructure to sustainable solutions to meet its low-carbon development goals and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. It identifies key barriers to this transition, including a lack of bankable project pipelines, inadequate valuation methods that ignore ESG risks, and a mismatch between infrastructure and budget planning. The author recommends adopting integrated planning, utilizing the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology to quantify externalities, and establishing project preparation facilities to attract private investment. The brief also highlights international examples from Malaysia, the Netherlands, Saint Lucia, and South Africa to illustrate successful sustainable infrastructure strategies.

Between January 2020 and March 3, 2021, G7 nations invested more in fossil fuels (US$189 billion) than in clean energy (US$147 billion), despite pledges to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century. The report finds that over 80% of fossil fuel funding lacked 'green strings' or climate targets, while only 10% of COVID-19 response funds supported the cleanest energy measures. To align with the Paris Climate Agreement, the report recommends that the G7 end support for fossil fuel production, increase green recovery spending to at least 40% of total COVID-19 recovery funds, and double climate finance pledges to assist low- and middle-income countries.

Reclaim Finance criticizes UniCredit for participating in a billion euro loan to EPH, a company that continues to acquire coal assets and generate significant revenue from coal. This action is presented as a contradiction of UniCredit's September 2020 coal policy, which committed to a coal phase-out by 2028 and the exclusion of coal expansionists. The document highlights EPH's acquisition of the Schkopau lignite coal plant as a critical test of the bank's policy adherence and warns against the use of 'green financing' loopholes for coal companies.

The report finds a significant lack of a level playing field in the EU, with 13 Member States still relying on entirely paper-based processes for verifying catch certificates (CCs). While some states have developed national IT tools, these cannot detect the 'overuse' of CCs across different EU entry points. The European Commission's CATCH system is designed to provide a centralised EU-wide database to prevent fraud and harmonise risk analysis, but as of June 2021, no Member State was actively operating the first version due to a lack of legal requirements and data input from third countries. The report recommends that the Commission make CATCH mandatory, improve its interoperability with national systems, and develop tools to monitor trade flow variations to identify potential IUU fishing loopholes.

The document analyzes how free emission allowances under the EU ETS led to up to 50 billion euros in windfall profits for energy-intensive industries between 2008 and 2019. It challenges the 'carbon leakage' justification for these allowances, noting a lack of evidence for industrial relocation. The author recommends transitioning to full auctioning of permits and utilizing the resulting revenues for climate innovation and a just transition.

The report warns that 11 major Eurozone banks hold over 530 billion euros in fossil fuel assets, representing 95% of their total equity. It argues that these assets are prone to becoming 'stranded assets' as the world transitions to meet the Paris Agreement, potentially triggering a financial crisis similar to the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis. The authors critique 'green finance' as largely greenwashing and call for the European Central Bank (ECB) to align its monetary policy with climate goals, increase capital requirements for fossil fuel exposure, and establish a public 'bad bank' to manage the phased extinction of these assets.

The report warns that the 11 largest banks in the eurozone hold over 530 billion euros in fossil fuel assets, which represent 95% of their total equity on average. This overexposure creates a significant risk of 'stranded assets' as the world transitions to meet Paris Agreement goals. The authors argue that current 'green finance' is largely a greenwashing tool and that voluntary bank commitments are insufficient. They propose a two-step solution: first, implementing strict regulations and reforming European Central Bank (ECB) monetary policy to stop new fossil fuel funding; second, establishing a public 'fossil bank' under the ECB to buy back and gradually phase out these risky assets to protect financial stability and enable the ecological transition.

The article examines the tension between direct and representative democracy in Italy, arguing that while referendums can occasionally facilitate progressive social change, they often fail to address systemic issues like corruption or the perceived marginalization of citizens. It concludes that genuine democratic sovereignty is achieved through social justice and inclusion rather than the mechanism of referendums alone.

The report examines the rise of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) regulations to combat greenwashing, highlighting the EU's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) as a key driver. It argues that ESG-aligned funds are outperforming non-aligned ones, making ESG compliance essential for accessing global capital. This shift poses a significant risk to fossil fuel-dependent firms, especially in Africa, while benefiting those providing minerals for renewable energy, provided they adhere to genuine sustainability principles.