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The report finds that improvements in forest governance are too slow to measurably reduce deforestation, with significant gaps remaining in the legal recognition of indigenous land rights and the enforcement of forest laws. While some progress has been made in transparency and demand-side regulations in emerging economies, corruption remains rampant and violence against land defenders is increasing. The assessment highlights that secure tenure for local communities is more effective for forest protection than legally protected areas, yet a substantial portion of occupied lands remains unrecognized by governments.

The report finds that improvements in forest governance are too slow to quantifiably reduce deforestation, with significant gaps remaining in the legal recognition of indigenous land rights and the enforcement of laws against illegal logging. While some progress has been made in transparency and demand-side regulations in emerging Asian economies, corruption and violence against land defenders continue to undermine forest conservation efforts.

The report finds that while some progress has been made in forest transparency and the adoption of demand-side regulations, overall improvements in forest governance are too slow to effectively reduce deforestation. It highlights critical failures in granting land rights to indigenous peoples and local communities, rising violence against land defenders, and endemic corruption. The document emphasizes that strong governance is a necessary condition for forest protection, noting that illegal deforestation remains prevalent in major producers of palm oil, soy, and beef.

The report finds that improvements in forest governance are too slow to measurably reduce deforestation, with natural forest loss increasing by 42% between 2014 and 2017 compared to the previous decade. While some progress exists in transparency and international cooperation to combat illegal logging, significant challenges remain, including widespread corruption, inadequate implementation of existing laws, and increasing violence against land defenders. The report emphasizes that securing legal land rights for indigenous peoples and local communities is more effective for forest protection than legally protected areas, yet a substantial portion of their lands remain unrecognized by governments.

The guide highlights corporate human rights abuses in Asia—including land grabs in Malaysia and Sri Lanka, coal power threats to mangroves in Bangladesh, and nuclear risks in Russia and Palestine—to advocate for a UN Binding Treaty on Transnational Corporations. It calls for an enforceable legal mechanism, international grievance systems, and accountability for global supply chains and international finance.

The report argues that Liberia's progressive community forestry model is being hijacked by logging companies and a complicit Forestry Development Authority (FDA). Companies are using secret agreements, financial coercion, and legal loopholes to secure logging rights before communities officially obtain Authorised Forest Community status. This process often involves co-opting local elites and misleading poor, forest-dependent communities, mirroring previous scandals involving Private Use Permits (PUPs). The report highlights the role of Samling Global-linked companies and warns that these practices risk triggering land disputes and deforestation, undermining Liberia's climate commitments to Norway.

The document examines how host governments can stimulate direct local employment in mining to drive socioeconomic growth and maintain a social licence to operate. It outlines a five-step process for developing local employment policies: assessing the sector's role in national development, evaluating labour supply and demand, setting goals, formulating policies, and monitoring outcomes. The report categorizes interventions into regulatory 'stick' policies—such as employment quotas, mandated training, and visa restrictions—and facilitative 'carrot' policies, including bidding preferences, fiscal incentives, and support for training facilities. It emphasizes the need for context-specific strategies that address gender inequality and the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples, while warning that automation and technological trends may shift future workforce requirements.

The report analyzes local content policies (LCPs) used by mineral-rich nations to increase the use of domestic labor, goods, and services in the mining sector. It details various policy instruments—ranging from mandatory quotas and ownership requirements to government incentives and voluntary business initiatives—and examines their practical application in countries such as Norway, Chile, Ghana, and Brazil. The document argues that LCPs often fail when implemented as blanket provisions without clear objectives or sufficient industrial capacity. It identifies critical prerequisites for success, including institutional readiness, a favorable business climate, and a long-term vision that transcends political cycles. The report concludes that effective LCPs require a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures, robust monitoring through key performance indicators, and strong partnerships between governments, mining firms, and local suppliers to ensure sustainable economic diversification.

The document analyzes the impact of different coastal tourism models on economic inclusion in IORA states. It argues that the dominant 'mass tourism' model often creates enclaves that exclude local entrepreneurs, whereas budget, domestic, regional, and niche tourism (such as eco-tourism) provide more accessible entry points for SMEs and marginalized groups. The briefing highlights the role of the Blue Economy and provides recommendations for IORA member states, particularly during South Africa's 2017–2019 chairship, to foster inclusive growth through better finance, training, and value-chain integration.

The 'Life on the Frontline 2018' report presents findings from a global survey of 4,686 patrol rangers across 17 countries, highlighting critical gaps in health, safety, training, and equipment. The data reveals that rangers face excessive risks, including inadequate medical care, lack of communication devices, and exposure to infectious diseases like malaria, while often being underpaid and under-appreciated. The document argues for the professionalization of the ranger service through improved training curricula, guaranteed insurance, and better community relations to ensure the effective protection of global biodiversity.

The paper explores how African agency manifests in interactions with China, arguing that it is not merely a binary of power but a complex dynamic involving state, institutional, and non-state actors. Through case studies of the AU and the BRI, the authors analyze how structural reforms, debt sustainability, and local realities shape the bargaining power of African nations. While China holds significant structural power, the document suggests that African agency is exercised through proactive affirmation of partnerships, strategic non-compliance, and the influence of on-the-ground realities like security risks and wildlife trafficking.

The document outlines three primary actions for regional governments to mitigate the climate impact of waste: diverting organic waste from landfills, banning the open burning of municipal and agricultural waste, and implementing gas collection and energy recovery systems at landfills.

The document examines the negative impact of 'financialisation' in South Africa, where the growth of the financial sector has outpaced GDP and diverted funds from real investment. It proposes a series of interventions to shift bank lending, lower the cost of finance, stabilise volatile capital flows through controls and taxes, and reduce the corporate focus on shareholder value maximisation to stimulate GDP growth and employment.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) contends that South Africa's reliance on microeconomic interventions and 'orthodox' macroeconomic policies—characterized by fiscal austerity and high interest rates—has failed to curb unemployment. The brief proposes a R500 billion fiscal stimulus and a fundamental shift in the South African Reserve Bank's (SARB) mandate to prioritize employment and growth over strict inflation targeting. It suggests various funding mechanisms for the stimulus, including increased taxation, moderate borrowing, and the use of over-capitalized pension funds. Additionally, it advocates for 'Quantitative Monetary Easing' (QME) to provide direct credit to productive sectors and the implementation of capital controls to stabilize the exchange rate and curb speculative capital flows.

The document examines how digitalization is restructuring global value chains and the risks it poses to developing nations, such as increased technological divides and value capture by advanced economies. It contrasts the digital industrial policies of the EU (market-friendly) and China (interventionist) to propose a dual-track policy framework for developing countries: 'enabling markets' (focusing on infrastructure, ecosystems, and mitigating disbenefits) and 'digital catch-up' (focusing on technology linkage, learning, and economic leverage). The authors highlight specific instruments like payment interoperability, data localization, and fiscal incentives, while warning of implementation hurdles such as ministerial silos and international trade agreement constraints.

The report analyzes the palm oil sector in Berau, East Kalimantan, finding that the region can meet its production targets and mill capacities without further land expansion by focusing on productivity increases. While corporate plantations operate efficiently, smallholders face significant barriers, including lack of land certification, limited access to finance, and inefficient transport routes. The report recommends strengthening smallholder cooperatives, improving financial access, and exploring the feasibility of local CPO refineries to increase regional value-add.

The report finds that Berau can meet its palm oil production needs and fulfill mill capacities by 2021-2023 by improving agricultural practices and reaching 90% optimum productivity, eliminating the need for further land expansion. While company plantations operate efficiently, independent smallholders face significant barriers, including lack of land certificates, limited access to finance, and inefficient transport routes to mills. The region lacks CPO refineries, resulting in most crude palm oil being exported to other provinces or Malaysia. The authors recommend strengthening smallholder cooperatives, improving bankability, and analyzing the business case for local refineries to increase regional value addition.

The report concludes that RCEP negotiations have failed transparency and public participation tests, operating largely in secret while granting privileged access to business lobby groups. It examines the specific failures of participating nations—including Australia, India, Japan, South Korea, China, Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia—highlighting the exclusion of parliaments and civil society. The document warns that this secrecy facilitates corporate influence over intellectual property, investment rules, and public services, and recommends a shift toward a democratic, participatory policy-making process.

The document examines the 'jurisdictional approach' (JA)—a comprehensive, government-led strategy for forest and land-use governance across defined political territories. It argues that subnational jurisdictions (states, provinces, districts) are critical for scaling emissions reductions because they are closer to land users and possess the authority to shape land-use decisions. Through case studies in Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, and Mexico, the paper highlights that while JA fosters multi-stakeholder collaboration and policy innovation, it is frequently hampered by political turnover, limited public sector capacity, and a lack of tangible financial incentives. The authors conclude that JA is not a 'silver bullet' but a necessary recognition of the role of multi-level government in protecting forests and enhancing livelihoods.

The report assesses voluntary sustainability certifications in fisheries, palm oil, and textiles, concluding that many schemes act as 'greenwash' and fail to prevent deforestation, overfishing, or pollution. It argues that the proliferation of labels creates consumer confusion and a 'race to the bottom' in standards. The authors call for the abolition of ineffective schemes and a transition toward science-based, transparent, and holistic regulations that cover the entire product life-cycle.