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The joint submission by CIEL, IISD, and ClientEarth asserts that ISDS mechanisms create a 'regulatory chill' that hinders states from implementing climate and environmental policies. It highlights that while investment treaties have negligible effects on promoting foreign direct investment, they impose significant costs on states, particularly in the Global South, by allowing investors to challenge environmental regulations. The authors recommend the termination of old-generation treaties, the carving out of climate measures from ISDS scope, and a shift toward resolving disputes in domestic courts.

The report finds that while the EU Code of Practice on Disinformation (CoPD) led to some progress in political advertising transparency, its overall effectiveness was undermined by its self-regulatory nature and lack of enforcement mechanisms. Analysis of Facebook, Google, and Twitter reveals significant gaps in data integrity, the persistence of inauthentic account networks, and limited data access for independent researchers. The author argues that voluntary self-regulation is insufficient and recommends a systemic regulatory approach focused on computational transparency across content moderation, advertising, complaints, and algorithms.

The document examines the breach of arms control systems during the Libyan conflict, specifically focusing on France and Qatar's admission of supplying arms to rebels. It highlights the failure of end-user monitoring and the potential violation of contractual obligations, noting that Qatar may have re-exported arms sourced from the US and other nations, including Swiss ammunition. The author notes the inconsistent international response and the silence of South Africa regarding these transfers despite its own claims of being a responsible arms exporter.

The document warns that increasing residential solar PV adoption in the Western Cape will likely lead to significant municipal revenue losses, as high-income consumers reduce their reliance on the grid. Using the International Futures (IFs) model, the authors project that under a 'Current Path' scenario, the province could lose nearly 11% of municipal revenue cumulatively by 2040. To counter this, the brief proposes a sequential policy approach: short-term investment in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to gather data, medium-term implementation of feed-in tariffs (FIT) and Time of Use (ToU) tariffs to reclaim revenue, and long-term strategic investment in a 'smart grid' and the local PV manufacturing industry. The 'Embrace and Enhance' scenario, which combines high levels of smart infrastructure investment with local manufacturing and ICT spillovers, is forecast to result in the lowest cumulative revenue losses, although it still does not fully offset the impact of decentralized energy production.

The report examines the interaction between ICCAs and international and national laws, finding that while international instruments and some national policies show progress, systemic gaps and discriminatory implementation continue to threaten these areas. It highlights the critical need for the recognition of customary land rights, self-determination, and integrated socio-ecological legislation to support community-led conservation.

The research argues that the 'unitary actor assumption' in civil war studies overlooks the critical role of internal fragmentation. By analyzing self-determination movements from 1960 to 2005, the author finds that movements with more internal factions are significantly more likely to experience the onset of civil war and to remain in active conflict. This is attributed to the fact that multiple factions create uncertainty for states regarding the movement's preferences and capabilities, and make it difficult for any single faction to provide a credible commitment to a settlement.

The Handbook on Governance Statistics, developed by the Praia Group, establishes a framework for measuring governance through eight dimensions: non-discrimination and equality, participation, openness, access to and quality of justice, responsiveness, absence of corruption, trust, and safety and security. It emphasizes a Human Rights-Based Approach to Data (HRBAD) and advocates for the use of triangulated data sources, including administrative records, household surveys, and expert assessments. The document provides specific recommended indicators, many aligned with SDG 16, and offers technical guidance on mitigating biases in subjective measurements of trust, responsiveness, and corruption.

The authors use geo-coded data from 31 federal states to argue that both relatively rich and relatively poor regions are more prone to secessionist conflict than those with average wealth. The study also finds that the presence of politically excluded ethnic groups and the existence of regional autonomy further elevate the risk of violent secessionist conflict.

The report estimates that a reunification of Cyprus would provide Turkey with an annual peace dividend of EUR 17.4 billion (3.5% of 2009 GDP), comprising EUR 5.1 billion in savings and EUR 12.3 billion in additional export revenue. Key gains for Turkey include the potential for EUR 7 billion from financial and business services, EUR 1.7 billion from transport, and EUR 1.6 billion from tourism. Additionally, Turkey could see foreign direct investment (FDI) rise to EUR 33 billion per year. Greece is projected to benefit from EUR 2.3 billion in annual military savings, EUR 19.8 billion in FDI, and various gains in tourism and energy transit. The document highlights energy as the greatest opportunity, noting that a settlement would unblock Turkey's EU accession energy chapter and facilitate projects like Blue Stream-2.

The research paper examines a divergence in Catholic thought during the 1930s regarding the validity of just war doctrine in the face of evolving international law. One approach, represented by the Fribourg Conventus, argued that traditional just war doctrine was superseded by international law and the 'natural sociability of states,' advocating for a narrow definition of 'legitimate defense' as the only permissible use of force. Conversely, Robert Regout argued for the permanent applicability of just war theory to provide a normative foundation for international law, allowing for the redress of objective injustice. The author concludes that the Fribourg Conventus's perspective—specifically the move away from 'just war' terminology toward 'legitimate defense' and the rejection of offensive war—is reflected in the teachings of Popes Pius XII, Paul VI, and John Paul II.

The analysis explores the experiences of 'peripheral' doctoral students in a UK-based professional doctorate programme, focusing on the tensions between their professional expertise and their novice status in academia. It identifies four primary categories of challenges: the struggle for belonging and social isolation, complexities in supervisory relationships, identity and language dissonance, and the psychological impact of 'impostor syndrome'. The authors argue that while distance programmes provide necessary flexibility, they often create a disconnect with the broader university infrastructure. The study highlights the value of the 'cohort model' in building social capital and suggests that institutional support, such as cross-cultural training and flexible enrolment options, is essential for the success of non-traditional students.

The research examines why some international armaments collaborations succeed while others fail, challenging the 'process' approach of institutional reform. By comparing the failed Viking submarine project (Norway, Denmark, Sweden) and the successful Storm Shadow missile project (UK, France, Italy), the authors argue that formal alliance bonds—specifically NATO membership—provide the necessary incentives for governments to overcome domestic opposition and industrial rivalries. The paper concludes that security ties and high politics outweigh the influence of similar political economies, cultural affinities, or complementary industrial capabilities.

Reclaim Finance analyzes the EU's decision to include gas and nuclear energy in its green taxonomy. The report argues that the criteria for gas—such as the 270 gCO2e/kWh emission threshold and the 2030 construction deadline—are incompatible with the 1.5°C goal and risk creating stranded assets. Regarding nuclear energy, the report contends that long construction times and the lack of operational geological waste storage by 2050 undermine its status as a 'transitional' activity, while noting that only France and Finland currently have advanced storage projects.

The policy brief identifies a gap between the climate commitments of institutional investors and their actual impact on corporate behavior, citing limited transparency and high barriers to shareholder action. It proposes four primary reforms to the Shareholder Rights Directive (SRD) II: introducing a mandatory 'Say on Climate' vote every three years, ensuring legal security for submitting environmental resolutions, increasing transparency requirements for asset owners, managers, and proxy advisors, and lowering the shareholding threshold for submitting resolutions to a maximum of 2% (and 0.2% for large companies).

The document outlines the environmental and economic dangers of expanding liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure. It highlights that the LNG process is energy-intensive and prone to methane leaks, with US-sourced LNG potentially having a carbon footprint 28% higher than coal. Financially, the report warns of severe overcapacity in Europe, where import capacity may reach 400 billion m3 by 2030 despite a projected demand of only 150-190 billion m3, leading to a high risk of stranded assets in countries such as France, Germany, and Italy. It concludes that conversion to hydrogen or biomethane is largely technically and economically unfeasible, urging financial actors to cease all support for gas expansion.

The document outlines Italy's strategic focus on the Horn of Africa, driven by colonial history and security concerns, and its role in regional peace processes. It details Italy's development aid trends, noting a decline in real terms despite government commitments, and examines Italy's trade and investment ties across Africa, particularly with Tunisia, Libya, and South Africa.

The report argues that technical and rational arguments for energy efficiency are insufficient on their own and should be paired with emotion-based narratives to drive systemic change. It highlights the 'Lifestyle for Environment' (LiFE) movement launched by India and provides a series of case studies from G20 nations—including India, the USA, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, and Japan—across the sectors of buildings, industry, and transport. These examples illustrate how leveraging feelings of pride, empowerment, and community responsibility can accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and behaviours.

This report by the SELCO Foundation examines the technical requirements and solar power system designs for mechanical ventilators in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific focus on addressing ventilator shortages and power instability in India.

Under the leadership of Damilola Ogunbiyi, SEforALL has shifted from awareness-raising to a data-driven engagement model prioritizing high-impact countries. Key initiatives include the Universal Energy Facility, a results-based financing vehicle aiming for 1 million connections by 2023, and the development of investment-grade policy frameworks and universal integrated energy plans. The report also details high-level diplomatic engagements across the G20, UN, and various governments to mobilize resources and align global efforts toward universal energy access and clean cooking.

The report evaluates the extent to which gender considerations are embedded in national energy policies and the corporate practices of energy companies. It utilizes a scoring system to analyze female participation, economic empowerment, education, and labor rights across different income levels and energy sectors, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electrification.