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The document argues that the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has failed its dual goals of reducing emissions and promoting sustainable development. It highlights that 40-70% of projects are non-additional, meaning they would have occurred without CDM registration, and that many projects cause social and environmental harm. The signatories call for the exclusion of fossil fuel and large hydro projects, the implementation of 'do no harm' assessments, and the creation of meaningful public participation and grievance mechanisms.

The document highlights that global economic disaster losses rose by 200% over 25 years, with losses from weather-related disasters doubling every 12 years. It argues that ex-post relief is unsustainable and advocates for ex-ante risk reduction through comprehensive risk assessments, fiscal planning, and sector-level mainstreaming. Key tools discussed include the CAPRA GIS platform and the CATSIM model for evaluating fiscal vulnerability. The guide emphasizes that while risk financing (insurance and reserve funds) is useful, it must be paired with land-use planning and building codes to effectively reduce exposure.

The document analyzes the International Bar Association's Model Mining Development Agreement (MMDA 1.0), providing a template and narrative to ensure mining contracts promote sustainable development, transparency, and equitable resource distribution. It details key contractual areas including land tenure, royalties, taxation, and community obligations, while emphasizing the use of international standards like the IFC Performance Standards and EITI. Additionally, the report investigates the existence of similar model agreements for the oil and gas sector, concluding that no internationally accepted model currently exists despite the availability of various national form contracts.

The report examines the role of small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in driving a 'pro-poor' green economy in developing countries. Based on a three-year study of over 1,300 enterprises, it finds that these entities provide critical environmental services and poverty alleviation but face significant barriers, including limited access to finance, technical expertise, and a disconnect between national macro-strategies and local implementation. The document argues for a shift toward hybrid business models and the adoption of Triple Bottom Line planning to ensure financial sustainability and measurable impact.

The document describes the New Ventures project, which provides mentorship and investment access to SMEs in six emerging markets to promote environmental sustainability. It highlights Ouro Verde, a Brazilian company producing sustainable Brazil nut products, which has created 47 jobs and supports the sustainable management of 1.3 million hectares of rainforest. Overall, New Ventures has facilitated over $225 million in investment for 346 enterprises, resulting in a 2010 CO2 reduction of 135,021 tons and the sustainable management or conservation of 1,490,448 hectares of land.

The IAI Core Budget request for fiscal year 2012-2013 is US$1,312,578, a slight decrease from the previous year. The budget supports the Directorate's operations, including the management of the Collaborative Research Network (CRN) and Small Grants Programs, and accounts for the relocation of the Directorate from Brazil to Uruguay in January 2013. Salaries and benefits constitute 72% of the core budget. The document also outlines member country contributions, with the United States providing the largest share at US$762,000.

The document examines the scale and impact of energy subsidies in Bangladesh, noting that they consume a significant portion of the national budget while primarily benefiting wealthier citizens. It analyzes subsidies for petroleum, natural gas, electricity, and coal, arguing that these measures distort the economy and discourage energy diversification. The guide suggests transitioning toward targeted social assistance, such as cash transfers, and implementing gradual, transparent price adjustments to mitigate the impact on the poor during reform.

The document defines Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) as processes to provide and assess factual information to ensure parties meet their obligations. It notes that while the Bali Action Plan initiated MRV requirements, there is currently no clear, agreed-upon global framework, leading to fragmented reporting and a lack of trust between developed and developing nations. The text highlights a central tension: developed countries generally seek uniform standards for all, while developing countries advocate for differentiated standards and increased financial and technical support to build reporting capacity. The author argues that a standardized, transparent MRV system is essential for accountability, building trust, and tracking progress toward the UNFCCC's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Bottom-Up Energy Analysis System (BUENAS) is a policy analysis tool developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to model energy demand for appliances and equipment in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. It projects energy consumption from 2005 to 2030 across 12 individual countries and the European Union, covering approximately 62% of global final energy demand (increasing to 77% if China is included). The model utilizes a modified Kaya identity—Energy = (Activity × Intensity) / Efficiency—and is implemented via the Long-Range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) system. BUENAS evaluates three scenarios: Business As Usual (BAU), Recent Achievements (modeling MEPS implemented or announced between 2010 and 2011), and Best Practice (assuming the adoption of the world's most stringent standards by 2015). Results indicate that the Best Practice scenario could reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 988 mt by 2030, with the most significant electricity savings projected in the residential (27%) and commercial (22%) sectors.

The briefing argues that the G20 and Rio+20 summits lack concrete deliverables and proposes a 'green growth guarantee' to provide developing countries with indicators, planning support, financial engagement, and peer review. The author highlights the growth of catalyst funds leveraging private investment and the need for a unified approach to sustainable development planning to avoid duplicating efforts across different international frameworks.

The document analyzes the tension between protecting foreign investments and the sovereign right of states to regulate for the public interest. It examines how the lack of a clear definition of 'indirect expropriation' in most investment treaties allows arbitration tribunals to apply varying criteria—such as the 'sole effect doctrine' or proportionality—which can lead to substantial compensation claims even for legitimate public health or environmental regulations.

The report analyzes the challenges of defining 'indirect expropriation'—measures that deprive an investor of the economic value of an investment without formally seizing the title. It contrasts the 'sole effect doctrine,' which focuses exclusively on the prejudice suffered by the investor, with more balanced approaches like proportionality and the 'police powers' doctrine, which protect legitimate non-discriminatory public regulations. The author argues that current investment treaties often lack precise definitions, leading to inconsistent arbitral rulings that may discourage states from implementing essential public health, environmental, or social protections due to the risk of costly compensation claims.

The author identifies three failures of 'first wave' environmentalism: a failure to establish the relative urgency of environmental crises compared to immediate economic crises, the lack of a convincing narrative on growth in Agenda 21, and the tendency for environmental agendas to be managed by environmental ministers rather than economic development ministers. While the author praises the UN Secretary General's High Level Panel report for addressing these issues through recommendations on fiscal policy and a sustainable economy, he warns that the 'zero draft' of the Rio+20 outcome document remains largely aspirational and risks falling back into the 'environmental trap'.

The author argues that first-wave environmentalism failed because it lacked a convincing narrative on economic growth, failed to establish relative urgency against immediate poverty and debt crises, and remained isolated within environmental ministries. He evaluates the High Level Panel on Global Sustainability's report as a successful attempt to address these gaps through recommendations on green jobs, carbon pricing, and private sector engagement. However, he warns that the 'zero draft' for the Rio+20 outcome document remains largely aspirational and risks falling back into the 'environmental trap'.

The policy brief argues that foreign direct investment (FDI) does not automatically guarantee economic growth or job creation in South Africa. While FDI can offer benefits like skill transfers and market access, the author notes that certain types, such as retail investment by giants like Walmart, may displace local manufacturers and small businesses. The document highlights a decline in FDI flows to South Africa between 2009 and 2010, but suggests this is not necessarily negative if the focus shifts toward strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity and public infrastructure to build long-term economic confidence.

The report details how corporate interests corrupt science through research suppression, ghostwriting, and the vilification of scientists, while also manipulating federal agencies, Congress, and the judiciary. It assesses the initial steps taken by the Obama administration to improve transparency and scientific integrity and provides a comprehensive set of recommendations for further federal and private-sector reforms to ensure policy is based on independent science.

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) operates a microgrid that manages 42 megawatts of generating capacity, including solar photovoltaics, a cogeneration plant, and a landfill-gas fuel cell. This system allows the campus to optimize energy costs and 'island' from the main grid during emergencies, such as the September 2011 blackout affecting Southern California, Arizona, and Mexico.

The document outlines the interaction between climate change, human vulnerability, and disaster risk in Latin America and the Caribbean. It emphasizes that while climate change is altering the frequency and intensity of extreme events, human factors—such as unplanned urbanization and poverty—are primary drivers of increasing disaster impacts. The report advocates for an integrated approach that combines disaster risk management (DRM) with climate change adaptation (CCA) and sustainable development, moving from incremental to transformational changes in governance and infrastructure.

The document translates the global findings of the IPCC SREX report into a regional context for Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasizing that disaster risk is increasing due to rising vulnerability and exposure. It details observed and projected climate extremes—such as increased heatwaves and variable precipitation—and argues for the integration of disaster risk management (DRM) with climate change adaptation (CCA) and sustainable development. The report highlights the importance of both incremental and transformational changes, including the use of risk transfer mechanisms like insurance and the necessity of global greenhouse gas mitigation to avoid the most severe impacts.

The document highlights that the agriculture sector is exceptionally vulnerable to climate extremes due to its dependence on natural resources. It argues that disaster risk is increasing not only due to climate change but also because more vulnerable people and assets are exposed to these events. The brief advocates for a shift from short-term coping mechanisms to long-term transformational approaches, such as 'climate-smart agriculture', and emphasizes the need for integrated national disaster risk management systems that combine local knowledge with scientific data.