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The document argues that the global energy system is unsustainable and unjust, driven by neoliberalism and extractivism. It details the environmental and social harms of fossil fuels, nuclear power, and certain 'clean' alternatives, while warning against 'techno-fixes' and corporate-led transitions. It advocates for a decentralized, democratically controlled system that prioritizes basic human rights to energy and a just transition for workers.

The guidebook outlines a holistic approach to fossil-fuel subsidy reform in Southeast Asia, emphasizing a gradual transition to market-based pricing. It details methods for projecting economic and social impacts, designing mitigation measures such as targeted cash transfers, and building political support through internal coordination and external communication. The guide highlights that while subsidies are often intended to protect the poor, they frequently benefit wealthier populations and create fiscal burdens and environmental damage.

Scott Vaughan argues that while NAFTA did not cause a widespread 'race to the bottom' in environmental standards, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) has lost relevance. He suggests the CEC pivot from the trade-environment debate toward a cooperation agenda focused on North American energy and climate integration, cumulative environmental impact assessments, and the improvement of comparable environmental data.

The document examines the technical challenges and gaps in accounting for greenhouse gas emissions in cookstove projects, specifically focusing on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and voluntary offset programs. It identifies critical uncertainties in estimating biomass fuel savings, monitoring stove usage, and determining the fraction of non-renewable biomass used. The brief argues that current methodologies often rely on unscientific workarounds, such as using fossil fuel emission factors, and fail to account for significant non-CO2 climate impacts like black carbon.

The document outlines how businesses of all sizes impact biodiversity and can benefit from protecting it. It provides a structured approach to integrating biodiversity into corporate policy using the Deming cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act) and discusses the economic value of ecosystem services. The guide also offers specific steps for managing biodiversity on company premises and introduces various certification schemes like the European Biodiversity Standard.

The author contends that COP18 achieved modest but real progress, including the EU's acceptance of a second Kyoto Protocol commitment period and the continuation of the Durban Platform. The text posits that the period following the 'disastrous failure' of COP15 has been a transitional phase used to clarify political positions and move toward a more flexible system where emerging economies like China, India, and Brazil also commit to emission reductions. The author argues that 'political will' is insufficient for breakthroughs; instead, 'enabling conditions'—such as social stability and the mitigation of income inequality—are required for national leaders to build domestic support for bold international climate action.

The Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense (AIDA) and the Mexican Environmental Law Center (CEMDA) report that at least 14 wind projects in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, have generated social and environmental costs that outweigh their benefits. The authors highlight the failure of the Mexican government to ensure free, prior, and informed consent for indigenous communities, the use of unreasonable land lease terms, and the occurrence of threats and violence against local opposition. Environmental damages cited include mangrove deforestation and the destruction of migratory bird habitats. The document calls for a human rights-based development protocol and a process to measure project externalities to ensure sustainability and community benefit.

Annual global climate finance flows reached approximately USD 343-385 billion in 2010/2011, with the private sector providing the majority (USD 217-243 billion). While public finance (USD 16-23 billion) acts as a catalyst, total investment remains far below the USD 1 trillion annual requirement projected by the IEA to limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius. Mitigation activities, primarily renewable energy and energy efficiency, attracted the bulk of funding (USD 350 billion), while adaptation interventions received USD 12.3-15.8 billion. Emerging economies, particularly China, Brazil, and India, were the largest recipients of mitigation finance, often utilizing domestic resources and National Development Banks.

The document argues that while the G-20 provides a more inclusive framework for global economic governance than the G-8, BRICS cooperation within it remains issue-based rather than institutionalized due to diverging national interests. It highlights that Brazil and South Africa share a reliance on soft power and a desire for institutional reform, which strengthens their bilateral alignment. The author identifies two primary areas for BRICS consensus in the G-20: the reform of international financial institutions like the IMF and a shift toward developmental issues. While the BRICS have successfully influenced the G-20 agenda and blocked certain industrialized-nation proposals, they struggle to speak with a single voice on trade and monetary policy.

The paper assesses the continuity of French Africa policy under President François Hollande and identifies opportunities for South Africa to partner with France. It suggests that while the two nations may differ on specific conflicts, their shared interests in democratic governance and security, combined with France's permanent seat on the UN Security Council and South Africa's influence in the African Union, create a strategic basis for collaboration.

The document examines how Switzerland, as a 'small state', employs economic diplomacy and inter-ministerial coordination to influence global economic governance. It focuses on Switzerland's relationship with the G-20, the UN, and various international organisations (IOs) to protect its financial centre. The paper details the use of Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) and the Inter-Departmental Working Group G-20 (IDAG20) to align domestic policy with international standards while maintaining competitiveness in banking and taxation.

The draft report outlines the initial administrative and operational steps taken by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board, including the election of Co-Chairs, the selection process for a host country, and the establishment of an Interim Secretariat. It details the role of the World Bank as Interim Trustee and provides a financial snapshot of the Fund's trust fund as of September 2012. The report also maps GCF's progress against specific guidance provided by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UNFCCC.

The paper examines 38 PES schemes in Latin America, finding that most are local initiatives driven by NGOs and focused on improving extractive water supply through forest conservation. It highlights a significant disconnect between payment levels and market-based data, noting that payments are typically decided top-down and based on inputs (actions) rather than verified ecosystem outputs.

The project investigates how to combine top-down national PES schemes with bottom-up local approaches, specifically Andean Reciprocal watershed Agreements (ARA), to better value ecosystems and promote climate compatible development. It seeks to develop a practical framework and a combined index for adaptation, mitigation, and development objectives, with the goal of influencing national legislation and providing a guide for scaling up locally led ARA.

The provided text is a list of academic references from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. It catalogues research on tree-ring analysis (dendrochronology), glacier recession, and precipitation patterns in the Andes, the Canadian Rockies, and Mexico.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) submits proposed revisions to the UNCITRAL draft rules on transparency in investor-State arbitration. The submission focuses on expanding the scope of application to existing treaties, mandating the public disclosure of a wide range of case documents, establishing public hearings as the default rule, and tightening the criteria for confidentiality and 'integrity of the process' exceptions to prevent broad tribunal discretion from undermining transparency.

China transitioned from being 'slow off the mark' in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to dominating the market by employing a coordinated capacity-building strategy and strong governmental oversight. Central to this success was the appointment of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) as the Designated National Authority (DNA), ensuring that climate policy was managed by a powerful 'heavy-hitting' ministry rather than a less influential environment ministry. China implemented unique restrictions to protect its interests, including a floor price for Certified Emission Reductions (CERs), revenue levies ranging from 2% to 65% to fund the state-controlled CDM Fund, and requirements for Chinese control of project entities. These experiences have served as a foundation for China's transition toward a domestic emissions trading system, with pilot programs in cities like Beijing and Shanghai starting in early 2013 and a nationwide goal for 2015. Furthermore, China integrated carbon intensity reduction goals into its national 5-year plans, linking the performance of local officials to the achievement of these environmental targets.

Ecuador's Socio Bosque programme provides annual per-hectare payments to private and communal landholders who maintain forest cover. While not originally designed for REDD+, it supports Ecuador's climate strategy by reducing deforestation and increasing the resilience of the rural poor. After three years, the programme covered 881,933 hectares through 1,566 agreements, though it faces challenges regarding land titling and high monitoring costs.

The document examines China's strategic approach to the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), highlighting the role of powerful ministries, coordinated capacity building, and specific market restrictions to ensure local benefits.

The Socio Bosque programme in Ecuador provides annual per-hectare payments to private and communal forest landholders in exchange for maintaining forest cover. While not initially designed for climate mitigation, it has become a pillar of Ecuador's national REDD+ strategy. After three years, the programme signed 1,566 agreements covering 881,933 hectares with a total investment of US$14.4 million. Key challenges include the requirement for legal land titles, high monitoring costs due to satellite cloud interference, and risks of inequitable benefit sharing within communities. The government aims to diversify funding through green taxes and industry payments to reduce the current 40% administrative cost burden.