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The document argues that biodiversity offsets are based on reductionist theories that fail to account for the uniqueness of ecosystems. It identifies multiple types of losses—ecological, normative, and moral—that occur when restoration is used to justify habitat destruction. The authors conclude that 'no net loss' is a false goal and advocate for a 'no more loss' approach combined with multi-criteria evaluation and increased social participation.

The 2015 IGF Annual General Meeting in Geneva brought together over 230 participants to discuss the integration of environmental, social, and economic planning into the mine life cycle. Key discussions centered on the necessity of early mine closure planning, the alignment of mining activities with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the challenges of financing reclamation. The meeting also presented pilot assessments of the Mining Policy Framework (MPF) in the Dominican Republic, Uganda, and Madagascar, highlighting gaps in socioeconomic benefit optimization and post-mining transition laws.

The report assesses 50 environmental impact assessment frameworks, finding that few focus exclusively on livestock. It identifies nine key impact dimensions—including GHG emissions, water use, and biodiversity—and notes a significant lack of ex-ante analysis and explicit rationale for indicator selection. The review highlights that while many frameworks target policymakers, they often rely on short-term data and lack clear methodologies for up-scaling results across different spatial and temporal scales.

The document analyzes the roles of Zimbabwe as SADC chair and South Africa as chair of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation (OPDSC) for 20142015. It argues that while these roles provide opportunities for leadership, the impact is constrained by SADC's consensus-based decision-making and institutional weaknesses. Key challenges include high dependency on donor funding, political instability in Lesotho, and the influence of domestic political struggles in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The document assesses South Africa's role as an emerging global actor in peace and security, specifically its interactions with the UN peacebuilding architecture (PBC, PBSO, and PBF). It highlights South Africa's experience in mediation and peacekeeping in countries like the DRC and Burundi, while noting a lack of systematic staffing of South Africans in the UN system. The paper emphasizes the potential of South-South cooperation, exemplified by the IBSA Fund, and recommends that South Africa leverage the 2015 UN peacebuilding review to promote African perspectives and national ownership of peace processes.

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.

The research finds that most African countries are unlikely to meet the World Bank's target of reducing extreme poverty to below 3% by 2030. Using the International Futures (IFs) model, the authors argue for a more achievable continental goal of reducing extreme poverty to below 20% by 2030 and below 3% by 2063. The paper emphasizes that poverty reduction requires a combination of pro-poor economic growth, social assistance, human development, and progressive social change, noting that policies must be tailored to individual country contexts due to varying initial conditions and poverty gaps.

The document examines the critical role of dryland forests in Southern Africa, highlighting their vulnerability to deforestation and climate change. It proposes a 'nexus approach' to overcome the marginalisation of the forestry sector by demonstrating its interdependencies with water, energy, and food security. The author argues that integrated landscape management and multi-sectoral policy coordination can identify win-win solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation, such as agroforestry and payment for watershed services.

The report identifies diverse strategies used by developing countries to protect tropical forests, ranging from national-scale policies in Brazil and India to community-led projects in Madagascar and Kenya. It highlights the effectiveness of REDD+ programs, payments for ecosystem services (PES), and governance reforms, while noting that success is often linked to broader socioeconomic development and the use of remote sensing technology for enforcement.

The report analyzes diverse strategies used by developing nations to protect tropical forests and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It categorizes successes into those driven by planned policies (e.g., Brazil, India), those that yielded positive results despite deviating from economic theory (e.g., Mexico, Costa Rica), and those resulting from socioeconomic shifts (e.g., Central Africa, El Salvador). Key mechanisms identified include REDD+, payments for ecosystem services (PES), governance reforms, and industry moratoria.

The report examines diverse strategies for reducing tropical deforestation and increasing forest cover across several developing nations. It categorizes successes into those driven by integrated policy frameworks (e.g., Brazil, India), those where outcomes were positive despite deviating from economic theories (e.g., Mexico, Costa Rica), and those influenced heavily by socioeconomic shifts (e.g., Central Africa, El Salvador). Key mechanisms discussed include REDD+, payments for ecosystem services (PES), community-based management, and industry moratoria.

The report examines diverse strategies used by developing tropical nations to combat deforestation and restore forests, categorizing successes into policy-driven reductions, payment for environmental services, and socio-economic shifts. It highlights the 'forest transition' curve and emphasizes that combining environmental action with social and economic development is key to sustainable success.

The document evaluates the African Union's (AU) efforts to promote democracy through electoral perspectives, arguing that while AU declarations have positively influenced the electoral landscape, elections often remain 'democratic liabilities' rather than assets. It identifies key setbacks including the resurgence of military coups, tenure elongation (the 'third term agenda'), and the refusal of incumbents to concede power. The author critiques AU election monitoring for being undermined by poor field coverage, a short-term focus on election-day events, and a tendency to be less critical of incumbents seeking re-election. The paper concludes that AU reports lack legal force and often conflict with domestic observer findings, necessitating a shift toward long-term monitoring and stronger collaboration with local civil society.

The document discusses the environmental and governance challenges of seabed mining, specifically analyzing how opposition from the fishing industry and environmental groups led to a moratorium on phosphate mining in Namibia. It outlines the international legal framework provided by UNCLOS and the International Seabed Authority, while recommending that African states strengthen their national ocean governance and environmental impact assessment capacities.

The paper examines the tension between 'positive' and 'negative' governance values in Africa. While the African Union has established comprehensive frameworks like the APRM and ACDEG to promote transparency, accountability, and human rights, the author argues that a lack of political will and moral leadership hinders their implementation. The document highlights persistent issues such as systemic corruption, political clientelism, the marginalisation of women, and electoral manipulation, while noting that a small group of countries has made significant progress toward democratic governance.

The IISD has developed a six-step methodology to evaluate national mining policy frameworks against the IGF Mining Policy Framework (MPF). The process involves desk-based research, the use of a detailed scoring template, stakeholder consultations, and a validation meeting to identify strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in implementation. The methodology is designed to be adaptable to other frameworks, such as the Africa Mining Vision, and aims to inform capacity-building efforts for governments.

The briefing outlines priorities for the new SADC Executive Secretary, emphasizing the implementation of existing commitments over new legal instruments, the institutionalization of public-private dialogue to support trade, and the improvement of transparency and information access to foster regional integration.

The document assesses the 2013 presidential elections in Madagascar, noting that while initial polls were deemed free and fair by SADC, the AU, and the EU, the risk of political instability remains. It highlights the likelihood of a second round of voting on 20 December 2013 and warns that the use of proxy candidates may not guarantee long-term stability for the fragile economy. The author urges SADC, specifically the Troika and the SADC Mediator, to proactively manage the transition by reinforcing dialogue with Roadmap signatories and ensuring adherence to the Malagasy Electoral Code to prevent a return to political paralysis.

The report highlights that kerosene lamps emit significantly more black carbon than previously estimated, contributing to global warming and severe health risks. It argues that replacing these lamps with solar LED and other off-grid alternatives is a cost-effective climate mitigation strategy with substantial co-benefits. While many initiatives already exist, the report suggests the CCAC could add value by raising high-level awareness, promoting quality standards, and supporting finance for SMEs and consumers, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The document analyzes state fragility in Africa as a self-reinforcing syndrome driven by poor governance, conflict, inequality, and poverty. Using the International Futures system, it forecasts that while 16 of the 26 identified fragile countries may transition toward resilience by 2050, ten are at risk of remaining in a 'fragility trap'. The authors emphasize that while Africa's overall economy is projected to grow significantly, the gap in extreme poverty between fragile and resilient states is expected to widen unless inclusive growth and improved governance are achieved.