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The policy brief examines the tension between national interests and human rights values in the foreign policies of emerging democracies like Brazil, India, Indonesia, and South Africa. While these states have collaborated with established democracies on specific crises in Myanmar, North Korea, and Libya, the author identifies significant cleavages driven by a preference for sovereignty, non-intervention, and economic interests. The document highlights how historical grievances against Northern hegemony and fear of reciprocal criticism of domestic records inhibit a consistent pro-human rights stance. However, it notes that transnational advocacy, the globalisation of media, and international mechanisms like the UN Human Rights Council provide pathways to pressure states toward greater accountability.

This document is a list of participants for the 38th Executive Council Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, held on August 14, 2014, in Mexico City, Mexico.

The document is a participant list for the 22nd Conference of the Parties, held in Mexico City on August 13 and 14, 2014. It details the names, affiliations, and contact information of representatives from various countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and the USA, as well as observers from organizations such as UNESCO, CEPAL, and the IAI Directorate.

The author contends that synthetic diamonds pose a greater threat to the mined diamond industry than 'blood diamonds', particularly for stones under 0.5 carats which make up 80-90% of the market. While the Kimberley Process (KP) has historically focused narrowly on conflict diamonds, the author suggests that expanding its scope to include human rights and the traceability of both rough and polished diamonds is essential. Without such a system to guarantee authenticity and ethics, the author warns that mined diamonds may lose their status as a store of value, mirroring the price collapse seen in the industrial diamond market.

The briefing examines the uncertainty surrounding the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by the US Congress. It outlines three scenarios: a full renewal for 40 eligible countries, a renewal that excludes South Africa, and a transition to a reciprocal trade agreement similar to EU Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). The author argues that a full renewal, extended for 10 to 15 years and coupled with infrastructure investment and export diversification, is the most beneficial path for both Africa and the United States.

The report argues that India's energy efficiency market is stalled due to a lack of reliable baselines, high perceived risks for financiers, and prohibitive tax treatments. It proposes ten 'big ideas', including the creation of India-adjusted monitoring, verification, and financing protocols, the use of corporate social responsibility funds, and the establishment of a national ESCO association. The document also highlights the potential for 'negawatt' trading to improve the financial health of electricity distribution companies (discoms).

The paper examines the legal obligations of conservation actors regarding the rights of indigenous peoples, tribal peoples, and local communities. It argues that while states are the primary duty-bearers, international organizations, corporations, and NGOs also have responsibilities to respect human rights based on international customary law and 'social licenses'. The text specifically links these obligations to the implementation of Aichi Target 11 for biodiversity.

The 2014 International Solar Decathlon at Versailles showcased sustainable housing designs from over 20 universities globally. The event emphasized the synergy between innovative products, such as polyisocyanurate insulation, and student ingenuity in addressing energy efficiency and urban retrofitting. Notable projects included Appalachian State University's modular town home, the Berlin Rooftop Project's use of abandoned roof space, and Delft University's 'second skin' for poorly insulated Dutch townhomes.

The document assesses the impact of implementing the SSP2 scenario in the GCAM model, finding that a business-as-usual approach leads to a temperature increase of nearly 5ºC by 2095. It further evaluates a stabilization policy (RCP2.6) using a global carbon tax, which achieves negative emissions by 2100 through massive deployment of nuclear power, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), and afforestation, though it highlights tensions between economic efficiency and regional equity.

The document analyzes how comprehensive 'WTO-plus' agreements like the TPP and TTIP influence South Africa's regional trade goals. It argues that while direct GDP impacts may be modest, these agreements create risks of preference erosion—particularly in clothing and textiles—and set new global benchmarks for regulatory coherence, intellectual property, and investment that South Africa and TFTA members must adapt to avoid isolation.

The U.S. plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market is characterized by rapid growth, with sales increasing 85 percent between 2012 and 2013. The market is dominated by four models: the Nissan LEAF, Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Prius Plug-in, and Tesla Model S. While PEVs produce no tailpipe emissions and generally lower greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline vehicles, challenges remain regarding charging infrastructure and the high cost of battery packs. Federal and state incentives, including tax credits up to $7,500, are used to improve commercial viability.

The document describes the U.S. plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) landscape in 2014, distinguishing between all-electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). It highlights that while PEVs represent less than 1% of new vehicle sales, they are the fastest-growing segment, with sales increasing 85% from 2012 to 2013. The text details specific models like the Nissan LEAF and Tesla Model S, discusses the necessity of expanding public charging infrastructure, and notes a downward trend in battery costs. Additionally, it outlines federal tax credits and various state-level incentives designed to encourage PEV adoption.

The report analyzes Myanmar's investment treaty landscape, noting a significant disparity between its older bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and more recent ASEAN-related agreements. It highlights risks associated with investor-state arbitration, most-favoured nation (MFN) clauses, and the potential for costly legal claims due to vaguely worded protections. The author suggests that Myanmar should clarify its treaty objectives and potentially use the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement as a template for future negotiations to ensure more balanced and precise obligations.

CIEL argues that TTIP would allow the chemical industry to weaken safety regulations and limit access to critical health and safety data. The statement highlights the divergence between the U.S. risk-based approach and the EU's hazard-based REACH system, asserting that regulatory harmonization would likely result in lower standards. CIEL also warns that Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms would enable corporations to bypass domestic courts and challenge public interest laws, creating a 'regulatory chilling effect'.

Following the 2014 removal of President Viktor Yanukovych, Russia intervened militarily in Ukraine, leading to the annexation of Crimea via a disputed referendum. The author argues that Russia's justification of protecting the 'Russian world' sets a dangerous precedent for further aggression against other former Soviet states.

The document addresses the limited utilization of ASEAN-led free trade agreements (FTAs) by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and seeks to provide recommendations to improve their access to these commercial pacts.

The analysis evaluates the effectiveness of national mitigation policies across major emitting economies relative to their 2020 pledges. It finds that while India, China, and Russia are projected to exceed their targets, others like Canada and the USA likely require additional policies to fully deliver their pledges. The report also notes a widespread adoption of renewable energy targets and car efficiency standards among these nations.

The document outlines the financial requirements for Kenya's transition to a low-carbon economy, estimating that Ksh 1,085 billion is needed for the 2013-2017 National Climate Change Action Plan. It identifies key barriers to private investment, such as arduous project development processes, and suggests improvements including the implementation of the draft Climate Change Bill 2014. While Kenya has a strong track record in renewable energy investment and voluntary carbon markets, the briefing warns that compliance carbon markets are currently limited by oversupply and lack of access to the EU-ETS. It lists several domestic and international funding mechanisms available to Kenyan businesses for clean technology and energy efficiency.

The research paper examines the establishment of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), arguing that a democratic governance model with equal contributions of USD$ 10 billion per member is preferable to a weighted system. It suggests the bank should focus on infrastructure and sustainable development, potentially extending investments beyond the BRICS nations to less developed states in Africa, Latin America, and East Asia. The author advises against the premature adoption of a BRICS-specific currency, recommending the use of recognized global standards for transactions.

This informational brochure examines the development of nanotechnology in the Asia-Pacific region, noting that while countries like China, Japan, and South Korea have invested heavily in the sector, there is a critical lack of funding for evaluating health and environmental risks. Consequently, nanoproducts are entering the market unregulated and unlabeled, despite the technology's promotion as a solution for regional challenges such as energy diversification and disease treatment.