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The document examines the review of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325), highlighting the 'Global Study' and the resulting UNSCR 2242. It notes a general failure in implementation, particularly regarding sexual violence in conflict, and identifies emerging threats such as the militarization of women's lives due to violent extremism and critical funding shortages caused by shifting donor priorities in Europe and the Nordic countries.

The report examines diverse river protection strategies across several countries to balance energy needs with the conservation of free-flowing rivers. It highlights national legal designations in the United States and Norway, environmental water reserves in Mexico, species-specific reserves in China, national parks in Brazil, and biodiversity offsets in Costa Rica. The authors argue that system-scale planning is the most effective way to direct hydropower development away from high-value river systems.

The document defines key climate terminology used in COP21 negotiations, such as decarbonization, carbon neutrality, and carbon budgets, while explaining how these terms influence the global emissions trajectory. It argues that for long-term goals to be effective, they must be consistent with climate science, limit both long-term and cumulative emissions, and provide clear dates and plausible reduction pathways.

The document outlines critical areas for climate finance at COP 21, emphasizing the need for developed countries to meet the $100 billion annual goal by 2020, increasing funding for adaptation, and improving transparency in reporting finance flows. It highlights recent pledges from various nations and argues for a shift in trillions of dollars from high-emissions to low-emissions activities.

The briefing argues that carbon markets have historically failed to increase climate commitments and have often undermined emissions reductions through 'hot air' loopholes. It recommends that the Paris agreement prevent double counting, ensure that international trading is supplementary to ambitious domestic action, and restrict market mechanisms to countries with adequate carbon budgets. The text notes a shift from a single global UN-led market toward a fragmented landscape of national and regional initiatives, while advocating for a transition from carbon offsets toward direct financial support for climate actions in developing countries.

The guide outlines three primary strategies for business engagement during COP21: educating leaders on climate science and policy, making public climate commitments through platforms like the Lima-Paris Action Agenda and the We Mean Business 'Take Action' campaign, and participating in onsite networking and events in Paris. It highlights specific tools for tracking commitments, such as NAZCA, and lists various side events and hubs, including the 'Open to Business' hub, designed to facilitate business-led climate action.

The document is a call to action by cleantech entrepreneurs and supporting organisations directed at COP21. It argues that viable solutions for decarbonisation already exist but are hindered by policy influence and capital allocation favouring the fossil fuel industry. The signatories demand a global shift to 100% renewable energy by 2050, the redirection of finance away from fossil fuels, and the implementation of science-based targets and carbon pricing.

The report evaluates the market share of certified sustainable commodities and the volume of deforestation-free commitments from companies, financial institutions, and governments. It finds that while palm oil certification has increased, soy and paper have remained stagnant, and beef lacks a global certification standard. Corporate pledges have risen rapidly since 2009, but financial institutions and exporting jurisdictions show significantly lower levels of commitment and policy implementation.

The report evaluates the effectiveness of public and private financial incentives for reducing forest emissions between 2005 and 2015. It finds that while over US$3 billion in public funds were committed to performance-based REDD+ payments by 2014, actual disbursements lagged at just over US$1 billion. The private forest carbon market experienced rapid growth until 2011 but subsequently declined, with the market value falling to approximately US$150 million by 2013. The document highlights that the voluntary carbon market alone is insufficient to scale up demand and emphasizes the need for integration into emissions trading systems.

The report establishes a monitoring framework for the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), assessing ten goals related to halting deforestation, restoring landscapes, and improving governance. While it notes that 'overall progress remains slow', it identifies positive trends such as the inclusion of a deforestation target in the Sustainable Development Goals and an increase in clean cookstove distribution. The document highlights significant data gaps, particularly regarding non-agricultural drivers of deforestation and domestic public spending on forests, while noting that 'data are mostly trending in the right direction'.

The report evaluates the early progress of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4.5 to 8.8 billion tonnes by 2030. While it notes positive trends such as the inclusion of deforestation targets in the Sustainable Development Goals and increased funding for clean cookstoves, it highlights that overall progress remains slow. Key challenges include the lack of a coordinated effort to reduce non-agricultural deforestation, slow disbursement of REDD+ funds, and ongoing violence against forest-dependent communities.

The report evaluates the first year of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), noting that while new initiatives and commitments have emerged, overall progress toward eliminating natural forest loss by 2030 remains slow. Key achievements include the inclusion of a deforestation goal in the Sustainable Development Goals and increased funding for clean cookstoves, which reached USD 260 million in 2014. However, the report finds no evidence that the annual rate of natural forest deforestation is decreasing. Progress in agricultural commodity supply chains is mixed, with certified sustainable palm oil growing by 18% globally, while certified sustainable soy represents only 2% of the market. Restoration efforts are underway, with 62.59 million hectares committed via the Bonn Challenge, though this is only 42% of the 2020 target. Financial flows for forest emission reductions have increased, with bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) rising from an annual average of USD 365 million (2002-07) to USD 744 million (2008-13), but actual REDD+ disbursements lag behind the USD 3 billion in commitments made between 2008 and 2014.

The document examines the transition of isolated communities from a total dependence on imported oil to renewable microgrids. It identifies high electricity costs, environmental concerns, and abundant local resources as primary drivers for this shift. Through ten detailed case studies—including locations such as Kodiak, Alaska, and El Hierro, Spain—the report highlights the critical role of energy storage (batteries, flywheels, and pumped hydro) and energy efficiency in maintaining grid stability. Key findings indicate that renewable integration can significantly reduce retail electricity rates and improve system resiliency, though it often requires a phased technical approach to overcome stability and logistical challenges.

The report analyzes the land-sector climate pledges (INDCs) of four major tropical-forest nations. It finds that while Brazil and Indonesia provide some transparency, their land-sector ambitions are low. India's submission lacks critical specifics on GDP and sequestration timing. In contrast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is highlighted as a model for both transparency and ambition, despite its limited national capacity. The author concludes that smaller countries are generally producing better land-sector INDCs than larger emitters.

A coalition of 98 global entities argues that the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) fails to comply with international human rights obligations, specifically those recognized in the 2010 Cancun Agreements. The letter calls for the establishment of an independent accountability mechanism, the adoption of international sustainable development safeguards, and the implementation of improved stakeholder consultation processes to prevent environmental and social harms.

The research paper argues that climate policy has historically over-emphasized demand-side measures, such as carbon pricing and energy efficiency, while neglecting the supply side of the fossil fuel economy. The authors identify three primary barriers to supply-side action: political opposition from powerful fossil fuel interests, territorial GHG accounting rules that under-credit supply-side reductions, and a common perception that restricting production merely causes 'leakage' to other regions. The paper proposes a typology of supply-side policies, including producer subsidy reform, conservation payments for leaving reserves undeveloped, and ring-fenced cap-and-trade systems for production rights. It suggests that integrating supply-side measures can widen the mitigation cost curve, reducing the cost of achieving emission targets and mitigating 'carbon lock-in' and 'stranded-asset' risks. The authors highlight the case of Norway, where a combined supply-demand strategy could potentially achieve global emission reductions at one-third the cost of a demand-only approach.

The report details a workshop in Pajala, Sweden, where local stakeholders and researchers co-created four future narratives for the region based on global Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). Participants identified climate change, national-local power relations, and international security as primary drivers of change. The resulting narratives explore a range of futures, from a sustainable 'Green Road' focused on circular economies and bio-production to a 'Rocky Road' characterized by resurgent nationalism and state withdrawal from municipal welfare. The study emphasizes the interconnection between local Arctic conditions—such as mining and reindeer herding—and global trends in migration, resource demand, and climate change.

The Arctic is warming at almost twice the global average rate, a phenomenon known as Arctic amplification. While long-term climate stability requires reducing carbon dioxide, the author argues that targeting short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) like black carbon (BC) and methane can provide immediate mitigation benefits. The paper specifically focuses on the shipping and oil and gas sectors, which are expected to grow as sea ice retreats. It recommends a ban on heavy fuel oil (HFO) for shipping to reduce BC and marine risks, and the creation of a best-practices dialogue via the Arctic Economic Council to limit methane releases and flaring in oil production. The author emphasizes that coordinated infrastructure planning is essential to make these cleaner practices viable in the harsh Arctic environment.

The report analyzes food waste in Estonia, finding that households are the largest contributors, with an average of 130.4 kg of food waste per household annually. In the catering sector, restaurants exhibit the highest rate of food loss, with 87% of their total food waste being avoidable. The study identifies food spoilage as the primary driver of household waste and plate leftovers as the main cause in hospitals and restaurants. It concludes with specific recommendations for households, schools, and healthcare facilities to reduce waste through better planning and consumer awareness.

The author discusses the deep distrust immigrant families in Norway have toward the Child Welfare Service (Barnevernet), noting that this fear often outweighs the understanding that some children need protection. This crisis of confidence has evolved into a foreign policy issue, with countries like Lithuania, Poland, and India becoming involved. The author argues that the state's communication measures have been insufficient and that trust in such institutions is essential for a democratic society and the successful integration of immigrants.