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This report by Friends of the Earth International (ATI) documents violence and human rights violations against environmental defenders between November 2011 and October 2013. It argues that these attacks are a global trend driven by a neoliberal extractivist model and corporate dominance, which often results in the criminalization and physical persecution of activists, indigenous peoples, and local communities.

This report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) documents violence and human rights violations against environmental defenders between November 2011 and October 2013. It argues that these attacks are a global trend driven by a neoliberal extractive model that prioritizes corporate profit over the rights of nature and people. The document details various forms of repression—including criminalization, arbitrary detention, and targeted killings—and evaluates the effectiveness of international solidarity and legal strategies in protecting defenders.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines agricultural cooperatives as a model for inclusive investment. It details the types of cooperatives, their benefits for smallholders, the role of foreign investment in reducing risk and improving skills, and the necessary government support and legal frameworks to ensure their success without undue state interference.

This report synthesizes regional perspectives from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean on the capacity-building needs required to integrate sustainable development (SD) principles into national and subnational planning. Based on workshops held in 2014, the document identifies gaps in multistakeholder participation, vertical and horizontal government coordination, cross-sectoral policy integration, and monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (MER) systems to prepare countries for the post-2015 development agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This research paper, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in April 2014, examines strategies for implementing climate compatible development at the subnational level (cities, districts, and provinces) across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It identifies specific challenges, such as scientific uncertainty and limited resources, and highlights opportunities for local innovation and the use of indigenous knowledge. The paper provides a framework of effective strategies, including the use of knowledge partnerships and participatory processes, and discusses the necessity of scaling these local successes up to national levels and out to other jurisdictions to achieve global transformational change.

This conference report from the Green Economy Coalition details discussions held at Wilton Park in February 2014 regarding 'Real Green Economies'. The document critiques the macro-economic, top-down models of 'green growth' promoted by international institutions, arguing that they often ignore social justice and the needs of the poor. It advocates for a transition based on diverse, community-led pathways and the integration of social equity into green policy from the outset.

This report summarizes the outcomes of the SDplanNet-Asia Pacific Regional Workshop Series held in Nairobi, Kenya, in April 2014. It analyzes existing governance practices for sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region, identifies gaps in vertical and horizontal integration, and proposes a capacity-building agenda for 2014–2015 to help national and subnational planners implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development reviews the role, composition, and effectiveness of National Councils for Sustainable Development (NCSDs) over the past 25 years. It identifies success factors for these bodies as countries prepare to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the potential role of National Sustainable Development Councils (NCSDs) in designing and delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Based on a survey of 12 countries, it examines existing national strategies, the challenges of monitoring progress, and the varying responsibilities of NCSDs in advising and implementing sustainable development policies.

An open letter from a coalition of social movements, NGOs, and activists to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, urging a revision of the official definition of 'forests' to better reflect the biological diversity and the needs of forest-dependent communities.

WRI urges the Green Climate Fund to adopt a holistic and flexible approach to 'readiness' support. While acknowledging the GCF's initial $30 million focus on helping countries access the fund, WRI argues that long-term transformation requires addressing broader systemic barriers, such as policy development and financial capacity, and utilizing a diverse range of national and international institutions for implementation.

This research paper evaluates the G-20's financial regulation and development agenda between 2011 and 2012, finding that while general G-20 documents rarely mention Africa explicitly, they address broader developing country needs. Key areas of relevance include financial inclusion, agricultural finance, and local currency bond markets. The author argues that while the G-20 recognizes the need to adapt international standards to developing contexts, greater active participation and regional coordination by African states are necessary to ensure their specific needs are met.

This guidebook, produced by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC), provides practical guidance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to utilize free trade agreements (FTAs) within and outside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It details the mechanisms of internal agreements like the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATiGA) and external partnerships with China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand, while providing country-specific export procedures and support facilities for ASEAN member states.

This research paper examines the potential for fossil-fuel subsidy reform in Emerging and Developing Asia—specifically Southeast Asia, India, and China—to provide fiscal space and revenue for financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It argues that current subsidies are regressive, inefficient, and detrimental to environmental and health goals, and advocates for their phase-out in favor of targeted social welfare systems and corrective taxation.

This discussion brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute reviews global studies to estimate the international finance required for climate change mitigation, specifically for a warming trajectory of no more than 2°C. It distinguishes between various metrics—such as total, incremental, and net climate-relevant investment—and highlights a significant gap between current funding and the needs of developing (non-OECD) countries.

This discussion brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the relationship between disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation, arguing for a more integrated approach that addresses the underlying drivers of vulnerability and the wider context of social and economic development.

This research synthesis brief from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) outlines the organization's work on climate change adaptation and vulnerability. It emphasizes that vulnerability is primarily driven by socioeconomic and political conditions rather than climate exposure alone, and argues that adaptation and development are inextricably linked. The document details SEI's technical support, capacity-building initiatives like weADAPT, and regional projects across Asia and the Nordic countries, while highlighting the inherent limits of adaptation.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law provides an overview of cases from 2013 involving the harassment, criminalization, and killing of land and environmental rights defenders globally. It highlights the systemic risks faced by individuals opposing extractive industries, large-scale development projects, and land grabbing, noting that these defenders are often targeted by both state forces and non-state actors, including corporations.

This World Resources Institute working paper details the first phase of the Adaptation Finance Accountability Initiative (AFAI), which maps international-to-national adaptation finance flows and assesses institutional contexts in Nepal, the Philippines, Uganda, and Zambia.

The 'Minimum Standards for local climate-smart disaster risk reduction' is a practical guide and checklist designed to help local community leaders and disaster risk reduction (DRR) practitioners integrate future climate-related risks and uncertainties into their risk reduction efforts. It provides a framework for community-level action and guidance for civil society organizations (CSOs) and local government authorities to support these efforts, ensuring that DRR activities contribute to long-term climate change adaptation and move beyond 'business as usual'.