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The research finds that proposed Phase II NAPs likely result in an oversupply of allowances, potentially leading to very low carbon prices and a 'dead market'. This surplus is exacerbated by the potential inflow of CDM/JI credits, which would shift the cost of Kyoto compliance from the private sector to government treasuries.

A group of medical professionals and scientists argue that Reed Elsevier's ownership of The Lancet is contradictory to its role as a promoter of arms fairs, specifically the Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEi) event. The authors contend that promoting arms sales, including cluster bombs and small arms, violates the medical principle of 'do no harm' and contradicts Reed Elsevier's commitment to the UN Global Compact.

The report examines the role of migrant remittances in development, noting that registered flows to developing countries were nearly 100 billion USD in 2004. It analyzes various transfer mechanisms, from formal bank transfers to informal value transfer systems (IVTS) like hawala, and discusses the complex impacts of these flows on poverty, inequality, and national economies. The document provides specific policy recommendations for Norway, suggesting the use of Pakistan as a test case for engagement and proposing measures to reduce transfer costs, promote financial literacy, and support transnational entrepreneurship.

The document describes the European Investment Bank (EIB) as a public bank that operates like a private one, providing long-term financing to support EU objectives. It details the EIB's governance structure, including the Board of Governors, the Board of Directors, and the Management Committee. The text argues that the EIB lacks sufficient oversight, transparency, and adherence to current EU environmental regulations, particularly in its projects outside the EU. It also highlights the EIB's reliance on private banking partnerships and its complex legal relationship with EU oversight bodies like OLAF and the European Court of Auditors.

The IAI CRN program has established a broad network of scientists and institutions across the Americas and globally, leveraging over US$ 20.7 million in additional funds. The initiative has supported 429 students and produced a significant volume of refereed publications between 1999 and 2003. Specific project summaries highlight research on climate variability in Mesoamerica, water quality in the Andean Amazon, ENSO risk management, biodiversity in grasslands and forests, and the impacts of cattle ranching on deforestation in Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador.

The IAI Directorate report details the progress of six major strategies aimed at consolidating Core Research Networks (CRNs), enhancing capacity building in scientifically weak member countries, and improving the dissemination of global change research. Key activities included the delivery of three Summer Institutes on land use, climate vulnerability, and global warming, as well as the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP). The report also addresses financial challenges, specifically outstanding member contributions, and provides status updates on specific CRN projects, including the recommended termination of CRN-038 and management adjustments for CRN-062 and CRN-031.

The document traces the South African defence industry's shift from a state-driven system designed for apartheid-era isolation to a competitive global actor. Following the end of the Cold War and the transition to democracy in 1994, the industry underwent significant downsizing and restructuring, moving away from total self-sufficiency toward strategic partnerships and export-led growth. Key entities like Armscor and Denel were reorganized to separate procurement from manufacturing, while the private sector consolidated. The paper highlights the role of the Strategic Defence Packages (SDPs) and Industrial Participation (IP) in revitalizing the sector, alongside the challenges of implementing black economic empowerment and aligning industrial policy with regional foreign policy goals.

The document examines the legal tension between the Calvo doctrine, which subjects foreign investment to host-state domestic law, and the international minimum standard of treatment (MST). It details the transition from the restrictive 'Neer standard'—which required an 'outrage' to prove a violation—to more flexible interpretations in NAFTA Chapter XI cases like Mondev and Loewen. The report highlights the role of the Free Trade Commission's (FTC) 2001 Note of Interpretation in attempting to bind tribunals to customary international law and warns that abandoning the 'bad faith' requirement for MST breaches threatens good governance by allowing arbitrary second-guessing of sovereign regulatory actions.

The document argues that the European Investment Bank (EIB) operates with significant 'invisibility' and a lack of public accountability, allowing it to bypass EU principles of sustainable development and public participation. It highlights critical gaps in environmental standards, insufficient staffing for environmental oversight, and a lack of transparency in 'Global Loans' provided through intermediaries. The text details civil society campaigns, such as 'EIB: no reform no money!', which demand institutional reforms to ensure the bank serves the public interest and aligns with international agreements like the Kyoto Protocol.

The document examines the tension between private party funding and democratic accountability, focusing on South Africa's lack of disclosure requirements for private donations. It analyzes funding scandals in the US, Germany, and Britain to illustrate how money can buy political influence. In South Africa, while the Public Funding of Represented Political Parties Act of 1997 provides state funds, the vast majority of campaign costs are met by unregulated private sources. The author argues that foreign funding can lead to neo-colonialism and internal party instability, and recommends a combination of public funding, expenditure limits, and strict transparency to mitigate corruption.

The author examines the tension between centralism and decentralization in Mexico, highlighting how the historical role of municipalities as mere operators of federal policy hinders local development. Using Oaxaca as a primary example, the text discusses the importance of 'comunalidad' (community-based organization) and the legal recognition of 'usos y costumbres' (customary law) for indigenous governance. It argues that sustainable development requires a shift away from top-down presidentialism toward a model of informed social participation, transparency, and equitable wealth distribution to mitigate the environmental and cultural impacts of globalization.

The document examines how the transfer of power to municipal governments in lowland Bolivia has affected forest management and the livelihoods of local users. While decentralization has increased the bargaining power of marginalized groups like indigenous people and small-scale timber producers, it has also created bureaucratic hurdles and reinforced the influence of local elites. The author argues that the success of these reforms is constrained by macroeconomic policies, high transaction costs for land titling, and the influence of national political parties on local governance.

The document analyzes the alignment between eleven key issues raised by youth organizations and the Action Points of the G-8 DOT Force report adopted at the 2001 Genoa Summit. While it finds convergence on topics like ICT access for children, local content creation, and rural connectivity, it notes a lack of explicit reference to youth consultations in the final G-8 report and a deficiency in addressing youth-specific financial sustainability and the role of young volunteers.

The document presents a series of case studies from Friends of the Earth (FoE) affiliates worldwide, highlighting grassroots efforts to combat deforestation, protect endangered species, promote organic food, and transition to renewable energy. It emphasizes the role of local communities—particularly indigenous peoples and women—in creating sustainable alternatives to corporate-led development. The report also outlines the organization's broader political agenda to challenge international financial institutions and multinational corporations, advocating for 'ecological debt' payments from the Global North to the Global South.

The report details a project in Sachs Harbour, Banks Island, where Inuvialuit observations confirm significant climate warming, including later autumn freeze-ups, earlier spring thaws, and melting permafrost. The project combined participatory workshops and scientific interviews to produce a broadcast-quality video and seven journal articles, aiming to raise public awareness and influence decision-makers. Findings highlight the value of traditional knowledge in providing detailed historical narratives and identifying environmental linkages that complement Western science.

The document analyzes the gap between the South African National Defence Force's (SANDF) 'Growth-core force design' and its actual budget, which is insufficient to sustain the approved force. It details a shortlist of foreign suppliers for corvettes, submarines, main battle tanks, and aircraft, while explaining the role of Industrial Participation (IP) in these deals. The author argues that the total estimated cost of these acquisitions (R25-38 billion) is unaffordable, suggesting that South Africa can likely only afford R8-9 billion in procurement, prioritizing corvettes and submarine refurbishment.

The document details a scenario where Treeton Chemical, a U.S. firm, acquires Tossico Chemical in Italy during a period of intense 'greening' of European politics and the push for a unified internal market. Following the acquisition, it is revealed via a whistleblower that Tossico had improperly dumped 650 tons of toxic waste in Koko, Nigeria, using unscrupulous waste brokers. This leads to a major international scandal, with the Italian Environment Minister seeking $75 million in compensation and environmental groups placing Treeton on a 'Corporate Toxic Enemies List'.

The report warns that Poland's economic restructuring and privatization are attracting 'dirty' foreign investment, where transnational corporations (TNCs) and international financial institutions apply lower environmental standards than in their home countries. It highlights risks such as the transfer of hazardous technologies, illegal waste imports, and the promotion of 'end-of-pipe' solutions over clean production. To mitigate these risks, the document proposes a framework of seven contractual principles—including the right to know, strict liability, and mandatory environmental audits—to be inserted into privatization contracts until robust national legislation is enacted.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) calls for a decisive U.S. energy policy to address global warming, urban air pollution, and economic competitiveness. The primary recommendation is to prioritize energy efficiency through tax strategies, such as a carbon dioxide tax and phased-in gasoline taxes, and the removal of fossil fuel subsidies. The report also advocates for stimulating renewable energy sources, halting deforestation, and leading international efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions, including a total phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

The pilot study, conducted by the University of Siena, surveyed experts in Belgium and France across two waves between December 2023 and December 2024. Findings indicate high expert support for renewable energy, green hydrogen, and energy storage, while support for blue hydrogen, gas, coal, and oil remains low. There is a strong consensus that the economic benefits of clean technology investment outweigh short-term costs. While a majority of experts believe governments should do more to address climate change, the perceived importance of climate change as a top issue for voters decreased over time, particularly in Belgium, as concerns over defense and security increased.