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The document introduces a collective volume analyzing the shifting security and geopolitical landscape of the Eastern Mediterranean. It identifies four primary drivers of change: hydrocarbon discoveries, geopolitical antagonisms (particularly involving Turkey), new human security imperatives resulting from Middle Eastern instability, and increased interest from external powers like the US, Russia, and China. The text focuses on the formation of trilateral partnerships (Cyprus-Greece-Israel and Cyprus-Egypt-Greece) as a balancing act against Turkey's regional power projection and explores how these alliances intersect with energy security and the broader refugee crisis affecting Southern Europe.

The document examines the discovery of natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean and the subsequent formation of political alliances between Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt. It evaluates three primary monetisation strategies: the East Med pipeline to Europe, a pipeline to Turkey, and a triangular strategy using Egypt as a gas hub. The author argues that while these projects are politically desirable for regional security and EU diversification, they face severe technical, financial, and geopolitical obstacles—including high construction costs, seismic risks, and volatile global gas prices—that may render them commercially unviable.

The document argues that a combination of systemic shifts—including a regional power vacuum, the discovery of hydrocarbons, and a more hostile Turkish foreign policy—and the pro-Western orientation of the Nikos Anastasiades government enabled Cyprus to move from a reactive to a proactive foreign policy. This shift is manifested in 'trilateral partnerships' with Greece, Israel, and Egypt, which serve as a balancing strategy against Turkey. While these efforts have enhanced Cyprus's regional role and security, the author suggests they may have led the government to overlook the domestic and intercommunal complexities of the Cyprus Problem.

The report examines the 'crisis of trust' between migrant families—particularly Polish migrants in Norway—and child welfare services (CWS). It analyzes how institutional structures, communication barriers, and cultural differences influence trust. The authors find that while Norway's CWS is generally child-centric and Poland's is more child-protective, both face challenges in building rapport with minority populations. Key findings highlight that trust is often based on personal experience rather than institutional reputation, and that a lack of cultural competence among social workers can lead to 'culturalization,' where poverty or education gaps are misattributed to cultural flaws. The document concludes that improving trust requires better communication strategies, enhanced cross-cultural training for professionals, and more robust, representative research on migrant experiences.

The document highlights a 'production gap' where current fossil fuel extraction trajectories far exceed carbon budgets for 1.5°C and 2°C scenarios. It advocates for a combination of supply-side measures—such as exploration moratoriums and subsidy removals—and demand-side policies to achieve cost-effective emission reductions and a just transition for affected workers.

The author contends that existing trade agreements, such as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), prioritize corporate interests over public regulation and environmental standards, contributing to the rise of right-wing populism. To address this, the document proposes a green trade strategy where agreements are only concluded with nations committed to the Paris Climate Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This strategy advocates for the removal of investor-state-dispute-settlement (ISDS) mechanisms, the integration of enforceable social and ecological standards, and the application of the 'precautionary principle' to protect consumers. Additionally, the author argues that trade policy must be supported by regional industrial policies to manage structural economic changes and stricter competition laws to limit the market power of multinational corporations.

The report applies the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology to Lake Dal in Srinagar, India, to assess conservation options against anthropogenic pressures such as untreated sewage and fertilizer runoff. The analysis concludes that 'business as usual' and certain infrastructure projects, like a proposed road, are insufficient or counterproductive to preventing ecological collapse. The most cost-effective approach identified is a hybrid infrastructure solution combining sewage treatment upgrades, solar photovoltaic power, on-site treatment for lake dwellers, and the construction of an artificial wetland.

The report examines the economic feasibility of ecotechnologies, specifically those focused on phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) recovery in wastewater and agriculture. It identifies a prevalence of private-cost analyses over social-cost assessments and notes that most recovery technologies are not currently market-competitive without subsidies or the inclusion of social externalities. The document outlines the application of Techno-Economic Assessments (TEA), Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA), and Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA), concluding that the social perspective significantly improves the perceived economic efficiency of these technologies.

ClientEarth warns that the Governance Regulation (GR) may allow EU Member States to bypass meaningful public participation during the initial drafting of National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). The briefing argues that waiting until after the first draft is submitted to the European Commission risks ignoring the interests of citizens and renewable energy developers in favor of fossil fuel operators. It highlights potential legal breaches of the Aarhus Convention and the SEA Directive, noting that some countries, such as Romania, have provided insufficient consultation windows (seven days). ClientEarth calls for a minimum eight-week consultation period before the first draft submission to ensure all policy options remain open.

The report evaluates Italy's transposition of EU IUU and Control Regulations, finding that while enforcement activities are active, the legal framework contains gaps in the definition of 'serious infringements' and the application of immediate enforcement measures. It highlights a trend toward decriminalization of certain fishing offenses, though it notes the successful use of environmental criminal law to prosecute severe ecosystem damage. The document also identifies a lack of public transparency regarding inspection and sanction data and raises concerns about Italian trawlers operating illegally off West Africa.

The report finds that G20 countries are not on track to meet Paris Agreement goals, with energy-related CO2 emissions increasing again in 2017 and 82% of energy supply still coming from fossil fuels. It highlights significant gaps in sectoral actions—particularly in power, transport, and industry—and notes that fossil fuel subsidies in the G20 nearly doubled between 2007 and 2016. While some countries are implementing 'just transition' initiatives for workers, others lack dialogue or action.

The survey reveals a strong consumer demand for transparency regarding environmental commitments and supply chain locations, though a significant majority find it difficult to identify ethical brands and distrust company-provided sustainability information.

The document analyzes the remittance landscape in Ethiopia, noting a significant discrepancy between World Bank and National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) inflow estimates. It identifies a high reliance on informal channels, estimated at 65% to 80% of remittance value, driven primarily by an overvalued currency and restrictive foreign exchange controls. The formal sector is bank-led and dominated by a few large players, with limited digital penetration due to the absence of e-money licenses and a lack of a national ID database. Infrastructure challenges, including low electricity and internet access and a basic national payment system lacking a retail electronic funds transfer (EFT) system, further hinder the efficiency of formal transfers. The report recommends implementing a risk-based approach to AML/CFT, legalizing foreign currency exchange at market rates, and developing a comprehensive e-money regulatory framework to reduce informality and costs.

The Defenders in Development Campaign urges states and development finance institutions (DFIs) to integrate human rights protections into development projects, noting that defenders of land and environmental rights face extreme risks of violence and criminalization.

The report finds that while Canada's GDP has grown, its comprehensive wealth—comprising produced, natural, human, financial, and social capital—has grown much more slowly and shows signs of fragility. Key concerns include a lack of growth in human capital, the depletion of market natural assets, and an increasing concentration of produced capital in housing and oil and gas infrastructure. The document advocates for the regular measurement of comprehensive wealth by Statistics Canada to better guide long-term policy decisions and address threats like climate change.

The report argues that Canada's long-term prosperity is fragile, as its comprehensive wealth has grown significantly slower than its GDP. While Canada possesses high levels of natural capital, it faces risks from household debt, climate change, and an over-concentration of produced capital in housing and oil and gas infrastructure. The authors advocate for the official adoption of comprehensive wealth measurement to shift policy focus from short-term gains to long-term sustainability.

The report examines Ethiopia's shift toward the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), which aims to move from camp-based assistance to socio-economic integration. Key initiatives include providing work permits, expanding the Out of Camp Policy, and creating jobs in industrial parks. However, the report identifies significant hurdles, including low national wages, ethnic tensions in regions like Gambella, and insufficient consultation with host communities.

The report evaluates the impact of climate commitments from over 6,000 cities, states, and regions and more than 2,000 companies. While these non-state actors can significantly lower emissions, their actions alone are insufficient to limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C or well-below 2°C. Full implementation of individual commitments could reduce global emissions by 1.5 to 2.2 GtCO2e/year by 2030 compared to current national policies, while international cooperative initiatives could further reduce 2030 emissions by approximately one-third (15-23 GtCO2e/year).

The document argues that the PMRA's proposed phase-out of imidacloprid is too slow and narrow in scope, failing to account for the risks to wild pollinators beyond honey bees and bumblebees. It criticizes the reliance on label statements for risk mitigation, citing inadequate enforcement capacity in Canada. The authors highlight risks from environmental contamination, such as residues in non-target wildflowers and dust from treated seeds, and argue that the economic value of neonicotinoid seed treatments is overrated. They recommend a full ban on all outdoor uses, aligned with European Union regulations, and a shift toward Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

The document identifies buildings as contributing almost one-third of global emissions and proposes three primary actions for regional governments: implementing net-zero building codes for new constructions, requiring energy efficiency upgrades for existing buildings, and establishing energy efficiency resource standards (EERS) for utilities.