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The report identifies storage/cold storage, decentralized renewable energy, feeder roads, and irrigation as critical rural infrastructure for ending hunger. It argues that while these assets are essential for increasing agricultural productivity and farmer income, they face significant financing barriers due to high perceived risks and low population densities in rural areas. The authors propose a mix of donor aid, public spending, and private capital, utilizing innovative instruments such as availability payments, shadow tolls, blended finance, and viability gap funding to make these projects commercially viable and sustainable.

The document outlines why leading environmental groups oppose the NAFTA 2.0 deal, citing its failure to prevent pollution offshoring, its continued support for fossil fuel dependency, and the preservation of corporate rights to challenge environmental regulations.

The Allianz Climate and Energy Monitor 2018 evaluates G20 nations on their investment attractiveness for renewable energy and their long-term decarbonization strategies. France is ranked as the most attractive destination, while Russia ranks last. The report finds that most G20 countries lack binding long-term strategies and sufficient renewable energy targets to meet the Paris Agreement goals, although some previous stragglers like Saudi Arabia and Turkey are improving their policy environments.

The report finds that G20 countries are not on track to meet Paris Agreement goals, with energy-related CO2 emissions increasing again in 2017 and 82% of energy supply still coming from fossil fuels. It highlights significant gaps in sectoral actions—particularly in power, transport, and industry—and notes that fossil fuel subsidies in the G20 nearly doubled between 2007 and 2016. While some countries are implementing 'just transition' initiatives for workers, others lack dialogue or action.

The briefing examines the first EU-South Africa summit since 2013, highlighting the importance of attracting foreign direct investment and leveraging the EU's External Investment Plan. It notes that while the EU is South Africa's largest investment partner and a primary destination for manufactured exports, the partnership has struggled due to internal crises in both regions. The agenda includes economic cooperation, sustainable energy, multilateralism, and climate change.

The report finds that many major maize flour brands in Mexico use non-recommended iron sources, such as electrolytic iron, which have low bioavailability in nixtamalized flour. While most refined wheat flours follow recommendations, wholegrain varieties often do not meet WHO standards. The authors call for updated legislation and stricter government monitoring of production and imports to combat widespread iron deficiency.

The report finds that many major flour brands in Mexico, particularly for nixtamalized corn flour, use iron compounds with low bioavailability, such as electrolytic iron, despite recommendations from the WHO and Mexican law. This failure in fortification is highlighted against a backdrop of rising anemia rates in Mexico, where corn represents 72% of cereal consumption. The study calls for updated legislation, stricter government monitoring, and better industry labeling to ensure effective micronutrient delivery to the population.

The document explores how green bonds can support Brazil's agricultural sector, noting that while the forestry sector has successfully used these instruments, sustainable agriculture remains underfunded. It highlights the underutilization of government programs like the ABC Program and suggests that securitizing small loans via Certificados de Recebíveis do Agronegócio (CRA) and leveraging bank-issued green bonds could bridge the financing gap for sustainable practices.

The document examines the gap between Brazil's agricultural importance and its limited use of green bonds for the sector, which has been primarily restricted to forestry and paper. It highlights that while government programs like the Low Carbon Agriculture Program (ABC) exist, they are underutilised due to complex application processes and a lack of understanding among financial institutions. The authors argue that green bonds and securitisation tools like Certificates of Agribusiness Receivables (CRA) could scale sustainable financing by aggregating small loans and attracting international capital.

The document finds that while some countries have improved their legal frameworks to combat deforestation, implementation remains weak due to corruption, lack of resources, and a failure to recognize the land rights of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs). It highlights a strong correlation between high corruption and forest loss, and notes that illegal conversion for commercial agriculture—specifically palm oil, soy, paper/timber, and cattle—drives much tropical deforestation. While demand-side measures for timber are increasing in the EU, US, and Asia, similar measures for other commodities remain largely voluntary. The report also emphasizes the critical role of IPLCs in carbon storage, noting they manage 17% of total carbon in 64 assessed countries, yet face increasing violence and land grabbing due to insecure tenure.

The report finds that while some countries have strengthened forest laws, overall governance remains weak, particularly in poor nations. Illegal deforestation is endemic, driven by commercial agriculture for palm oil, soy, and beef. Progress in recognizing the land rights of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) is slow, and the lack of secure tenure contributes to increased violence and land grabbing. The report emphasizes that strong governance and the empowerment of IPLCs are essential for effective forest protection.

The report finds that while some countries have strengthened forest laws, implementation remains slow and often undermined by corruption and a lack of political will. Illegal deforestation is driven largely by commercial agriculture, particularly in Brazil and Indonesia. Progress in recognizing the land rights of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) is slow, and these groups face increasing violence and criminalization. While some emerging economies in Asia are adopting regulations to curb illegal timber imports, overall forest governance remains fragile, particularly in poorer nations.

The report warns that room air conditioner (RAC) stock could grow from 1.2 billion to 4.5 billion units by 2050, potentially increasing global temperatures by 0.5°C by 2100. It argues that conventional efficiency improvements and the Kigali Amendment are insufficient to offset this growth. The authors propose a '5X solution'—technology with five times less climate impact than current standards—which could prevent 100 gigatons of CO2e emissions by 2050 and save US$1.4 trillion in power generation capital costs.

The Defenders in Development Campaign urges states and development finance institutions (DFIs) to integrate human rights protections into development projects, noting that defenders of land and environmental rights face extreme risks of violence and criminalization.

The report examines the 'architecture of impunity' that allows transnational corporations (TNCs) to evade legal accountability for human rights and environmental violations. It specifically critiques the European Union for acting as a key opponent to the UN Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group's (OEIGWG) efforts to establish a legally binding treaty, instead promoting voluntary Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and 'multi-stakeholderism'. The document details how 'corporate capture' occurs within EU and UN institutions, where private sector interests shape the regulations intended to govern them. This is illustrated through case studies of European TNCs—including Shell, Engie, and Glencore—operating in the Global South, where the report claims they outsource severe impacts while using CSR to deflect criticism. The report highlights the 2017 French 'duty of vigilance' law as a rare successful example of binding national legislation against this trend.

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.

As of 31 August 2018, the GCF pipeline included 103 funding proposals requesting USD 6.3 billion and 192 concept notes requesting USD 10.16 billion. The report details the distribution of these requests by sector, region, and theme, while also tracking the progress of the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) pilot, the Project Preparation Facility (PPF), and several active requests for proposals (RFPs) including Enhanced Direct Access and REDD-plus result-based payments.

The report examines food fortification in Mexico, focusing on the mandatory addition of micronutrients to wheat and maize flour. It highlights a 'double burden of malnutrition' where high obesity rates coexist with widespread micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron and zinc. While legislation (NOM-247-SSA1-2008) mandates fortification, the report finds that the legal framework lacks details on external monitoring and enforcement, effectively leaving the industry to self-regulate. Analysis of available government data from COFEPRIS shows variable compliance, with a concerning drop in folic acid compliance in maize flour from 100% in 2015 to one-third in 2017. The report also criticizes the 'bad fortification' of ultra-processed 'junk foods' used by the industry to mislead consumers about the health benefits of unhealthy products. It concludes with recommendations for the Mexican government to strengthen monitoring protocols, introduce penalties for non-compliance, and ensure that industrially produced tortillas and breads are made from fortified flour.

The report examines the state of food fortification in Mexico, specifically focusing on the mandatory enrichment of wheat and corn flours to combat 'hidden hunger' and micronutrient deficiencies. While Mexico has legislation (NOM-247-SSA1-2008) requiring the addition of iron, zinc, folic acid, and B vitamins, the document argues that a lack of clear government oversight and reliance on industry self-regulation have led to variable compliance. It highlights a significant drop in folic acid compliance for corn flour between 2015 and 2017 and criticizes the 'bad fortification' of ultra-processed 'junk food' used to mislead consumers. The report concludes with recommendations for the Mexican government to update legislation with specific monitoring protocols, sanctions, and nutritional specifications for end-products like tortillas and bread.

The research finds that protected territories in the Brazilian Amazon effectively shield the vegetation within their boundaries from advancing deforestation, particularly in high-risk contexts. However, this protection does not reduce the overall level of deforestation in the region; instead, it appears to deflect clearing activities to unprotected areas. The shielding effect is most pronounced in protected areas for sustainable use and decreases as proximity to transport infrastructure increases.