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The report argues that India's energy efficiency market is stalled due to a lack of reliable baselines, high perceived risks for financiers, and prohibitive tax treatments. It proposes ten 'big ideas', including the creation of India-adjusted monitoring, verification, and financing protocols, the use of corporate social responsibility funds, and the establishment of a national ESCO association. The document also highlights the potential for 'negawatt' trading to improve the financial health of electricity distribution companies (discoms).

The 2014 European elections saw a significant rise in far-right and eurosceptic forces, particularly in France where the Front National achieved 25% of the vote. While the German Greens maintained a double-digit result, they lost three mandates. Across Europe, the Green faction became more regionally diverse with new representatives from countries like Spain, Hungary, and Croatia, though it lost influence due to the collapse of a progressive majority in the Parliament. The author argues that the Greens must counter the narrative of the EU as a neoliberal tool and push for an end to unilateral austerity policies to restore trust in European integration.

The 2014 International Solar Decathlon at Versailles showcased sustainable housing designs from over 20 universities globally. The event emphasized the synergy between innovative products, such as polyisocyanurate insulation, and student ingenuity in addressing energy efficiency and urban retrofitting. Notable projects included Appalachian State University's modular town home, the Berlin Rooftop Project's use of abandoned roof space, and Delft University's 'second skin' for poorly insulated Dutch townhomes.

EU coal emissions rose 6% from 2010 to 2013, contributing to 18% of total EU CO2 emissions. This increase was driven by fuel-switching from gas to coal in Germany, the UK, and Poland, which together account for 66% of coal-based emissions. While renewables and falling demand reduced overall fossil generation by 4.3% per year, the low carbon price under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) failed to prevent coal's resurgence. The report warns that the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) may not force expected closures because of cheaper compliance technologies and the introduction of capacity markets, particularly in the UK and Poland, which risk locking in high-carbon infrastructure into the 2030s. Modelling suggests that if coal remains cheaper than gas, emissions will fall only 3% by 2016, though the potential for fuel-switching will increase by 2020. Sandbag recommends urgent ETS reform, mandatory carbon intensity reporting, and targeted CCS funding.

The document argues that agricultural cooperatives promote inclusive investment by allowing farmers to maintain control over resources while achieving economies of scale. It highlights that well-organized cooperatives reduce risk for foreign investors and facilitate more efficient contracting. The brief emphasizes that government support should be limited to creating an enabling legal environment and providing technical resources, rather than interfering in internal management, as bottom-up initiatives are generally more successful.

The document promotes agricultural cooperatives as a socially and politically acceptable alternative to 'land grabbing,' allowing farmers to retain control of their resources while accessing markets and finance. It distinguishes between production and service cooperatives and highlights the benefits of collective bargaining and resource sharing. The text emphasizes that while foreign investment can reduce risk and provide capital, government support should be limited to creating a favorable legal environment and providing technical training, rather than direct interference in management.

The document examines how climate change threatens Kenya's trade sector, particularly agriculture and tourism, through infrastructure damage and supply chain disruptions. It discusses the potential for 'green protectionism' via carbon labeling and border carbon adjustments, while suggesting that Kenya could gain a competitive advantage by branding its low-carbon niche products.

The document argues that the Green Climate Fund's Private Sector Facility (PSF) must address specific risk gaps—namely policy and financing risks—to unlock large-scale private capital for climate mitigation and adaptation. It proposes two primary business models: a 'Facilitated Model' acting as a fund-of-funds through intermediaries, and a 'Full-service Model' engaging directly with private actors. The authors emphasize the need for a clear separation between governance and management, suggesting the use of independent due diligence and private sector expertise, potentially through a dedicated Investment Panel, to ensure efficient decision-making and risk management.

A coalition of social movements and NGOs argues that the FAO's current forest definition is reductionist and primarily benefits industrial timber, pulp, paper, and rubber companies. The authors contend that by defining forests simply as land with a certain percentage of tree cover, the FAO erroneously classifies large-scale monoculture plantations as 'reforestation' and ignores the structural and cultural importance of forests to the 300 million people who depend on them for their livelihoods. The letter calls for a new, community-led definition process that recognizes the role of forests in food sovereignty and biological diversity.

The research demonstrates that participatory scenario development serves as a critical tool for capacity-building and awareness-raising in developing countries, complementing traditional vulnerability assessments by integrating socioeconomic trends with climate projections. Through case studies in Ghana, Honduras, and Tajikistan, the authors show that PSD can validate and complement donor-driven initiatives and national strategies. The paper emphasizes the need to combine qualitative stakeholder knowledge with quantitative data—such as downscaled global scenarios and crop modeling—to avoid 'myopic traps' and ensure adaptation options are compatible with broader development goals like poverty reduction and food security.

The document details the human rights violations resulting from the Barro Blanco hydroelectric dam project in Panama, specifically the forced eviction of indigenous Ngöbe communities. It argues that the State of Panama, as well as Germany, the Netherlands, and member states of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), have failed in their obligations to protect the Ngöbe's rights to housing, food, water, culture, and education. The appeal highlights a lack of free, prior, and informed consent and calls for an immediate halt to evictions and project funding.

The report discusses the historical and legal foundations of fiduciary duty, emphasizing the need to evolve these standards to address modern environmental and climate risks. It highlights that ignoring such risks can be considered a breach of fiduciary duty and provides comparative models from South Africa, the United States, the Netherlands, and Norway to illustrate how institutional investors can transition toward sustainable practices. The document specifically suggests that China is at an opportune moment to establish culturally appropriate fiduciary principles to manage its growing institutional assets sustainably.

The document explores the historical and legal foundations of fiduciary duties, emphasizing their role in protecting beneficiaries from the inherent conflicts of interest and information asymmetries in asset management. It argues that climate change and environmental risks are now material financial factors that fiduciaries must integrate into their risk management to avoid a dereliction of duty. Using examples from South Africa, the United States, the Netherlands, and Norway, the report illustrates how different jurisdictions are transitioning toward sustainable asset management and suggests a roadmap for China to establish similar culturally appropriate fiduciary principles.

The document introduces the CaRROT toolkit, an MS Excel-based tool for Kenya's flower industry to account for GHG emissions, energy, and water consumption. It outlines the assessment methodology based on ISO, IPCC, and GHG Protocol standards, and identifies climate-related business opportunities such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and voluntary carbon markets. The report recommends establishing sectoral baselines and enhancing capacity building to transition the industry toward a low-carbon model.

The document explains the role of amicus curiae in ICSID proceedings, detailing the legal requirements under Rule 37(2) for non-disputing parties to file written submissions. It highlights the tension between investment protection and human rights, arguing that amicus interventions are critical for introducing public interest perspectives into a system that often prioritizes investor rights. The guide provides best practices for drafting petitions and submissions, emphasizing the need for legal grounding and the demonstration of the petitioner's independence and expertise.

The report analyzes the landscape of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), noting that the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) are the most frequently used frameworks. It examines the governing structures of intergovernmental bodies (ICSID, PCA, UNCITRAL) versus non-governmental ones (ICC, SCC, LCIA, CRCICA), arguing that intergovernmental structures offer better reform opportunities for states. The document highlights critical flaws in the current system, including the 'dual-role' of arbitrators acting as both counsel and judge, the lack of transparency in private institutions, and the limited avenues for states to challenge awards based on errors of law or fact. It suggests that systemic reforms to these central rules could impact thousands of existing investment treaties simultaneously.

The document examines the nature of far-right extremism in Europe, categorising agents into youth gangs, terrorist cells, political/paramilitary groups, and nativist/anti-Islam movements. It identifies four primary government approach structures: general crime prevention, securitised, social-integration linked, and multi-agent/multi-level. The report highlights significant implementation challenges, including poor data collection, lack of frontline awareness, and the 'securitisation' of the issue which can alienate civil society. It concludes with ten key recommendations, emphasizing the need for comprehensive legal frameworks on hate crime, national Exit programmes for disengagement, and long-term funding for sustainable prevention.

The document outlines a comprehensive framework for tackling far-right extremism through seven key action areas: diverting individuals from involvement, responding to hate speech, managing public order, ending violent behaviour, supporting victims, raising awareness, and pushing public agencies to act. It emphasizes the importance of experiential learning, non-judgemental intervention, and the use of credible messengers, such as former extremists and survivors. The guide provides specific guidance for different professional roles, including police, educators, and local authorities, while highlighting the necessity of staff well-being and the strategic use of digital platforms to counter extremist narratives.

The Living Planet Report 2014 highlights a critical decline in global vertebrate populations and an ecological overshoot where humanity requires 1.5 Earths to sustain its current consumption. It emphasizes the interdependence of food, water, and energy security with healthy ecosystems and proposes a 'One Planet Perspective' to align human development with planetary boundaries.

The paper examines how Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa integrate green economy principles into their national development strategies. It finds that while some countries like South Africa embrace the concept as a path to sustainable development and job creation, others, such as Brazil, view it with skepticism, fearing it may benefit developed nations or hinder economic growth. The authors conclude that for a green transition to be successful, it must be aligned with each country's specific economic priorities and social objectives.