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The report argues that while vertical economic inequality is at an all-time high globally, horizontal inequality (inequality between groups) has declined significantly over the last 30 years. It finds that horizontal inequalities—particularly economic and political disparities affecting deprived groups—are stronger predictors of armed conflict than vertical inequalities. The authors emphasize that perceived inequality often diverges from objective data and is a critical driver of violence. While political institutional reforms and territorial autonomy show some success in preventing or ending conflict, economic policies have a mixed record. The report concludes with a call for better data on perceptions and a more rigorous analysis of policy outcomes.

The document analyzes India's struggle with food insecurity and malnutrition despite its economic growth and history of self-sufficiency. It discusses the 2013 National Food Security Bill, the legacy of the Green Revolution, and the debate between the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the promotion of seed sovereignty to protect crop biodiversity. The authors argue for a holistic approach to food security that considers socio-political factors, indigenous knowledge, and the impacts of climate change.

The statement highlights the systemic challenges faced by women and transgender environmental activists, including the intersection of patriarchy, capitalism, and environmental destruction. Activists from various regions report that gender-based oppressions—such as the sexual division of work, lack of funding for women-led campaigns, and state persecution—hinder environmental activism. Conversely, the document emphasizes the growing international solidarity among women and queer activists who are integrating food sovereignty and anti-fossil fuel efforts with the dismantling of patriarchal systems.

Friends of the Earth International condemns the February 15, 2017, assassination of environmental lawyer Mia Manuelita Cumba Masacariñas-Green in Tagbilaran, Bohol. The organization highlights that her death contributes to a total of 112 environmental campaigners and human rights defenders murdered in the Philippines over the last 15 years. It urges the Philippine government to bring perpetrators to justice and calls for international pressure to end extrajudicial killings.

The report analyzes the climate pledges of 18 Asian countries, finding that while energy and transport are primary mitigation focuses, there are significant gaps in quantified climate finance requirements and the integration of gender and social inclusion. It highlights a regional disparity in disaster risk reduction planning, with South Asian countries generally showing higher levels of integration than their South-East Asian counterparts.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) opposes Rex Tillerson's nomination for US Secretary of State, asserting that his career at ExxonMobil creates profound conflicts of interest regarding the Paris Agreement, the Keystone XL pipeline, and global climate action. The statement highlights ExxonMobil's history of funding climate misinformation and its legal challenges concerning human rights abuses in Indonesia and the Philippines.

The report examines how foreign agricultural investments interact with gender inequalities across five dimensions: land rights, productive resources, household labour, employment, and decision making. It compares five Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) and five Responsible Investment Frameworks, finding that while VSS focus more on employment conditions, responsible investment frameworks are stronger on land rights. Evidence suggests that VSS often fail to improve women's land ownership and can inadvertently increase women's unpaid labour burdens. The author recommends that investors and host governments adopt explicit gender strategies, ensure women's participation in negotiations, and monitor gender-disaggregated data to prevent the reproduction of local gender inequalities.

The Global NDC Conference 2017 brought together over 250 participants from 80 countries to exchange best practices on advancing low-carbon resilient development. The report identifies integrated governance, multi-dimensional financing strategies, and the Enhanced Transparency Framework as the three pillars necessary for the successful implementation of NDCs. Key recommendations include the need for high-level leadership to break down sectoral silos, the translation of NDCs into bankable project pipelines to attract private investment, and the institutionalization of data systems to build trust and accountability.

The document lists various entities awarded for pioneering green bond activities in 2016. Key achievements include the first green sovereign bond from Poland, the largest overall issuer (Shanghai Pudong Development Bank), and the first green bonds from several countries including Colombia, Costa Rica, Morocco, and the Philippines. It also recognizes the People's Bank of China for regulation and CICERO for its 'Shades of green' assessment model.

The report finds that finance for energy access is significantly below the levels required to meet SDG 7 by 2030. Annual electricity commitments in 20 high-impact countries averaged $19.4 billion, far short of the estimated $45 billion needed. Clean cooking finance is described as 'shockingly low,' averaging just $32 million per year against an estimated need of $4.4 billion. The analysis highlights a heavy bias toward grid-connected infrastructure and a critical lack of funding for decentralized solutions, which receive only 1% of electricity finance. It also notes significant disbursement delays in 69% of electricity commitments. The report recommends integrated policy approaches, increased support for decentralized energy enterprises, and bold, market-based strategies for clean cooking fuels.

This publication is the official contribution from Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific region for the third session of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on Transnational Corporations and other business enterprises with respect to Human Rights, held in October 2017 in Geneva.

The document highlights the vulnerability of the Asia Pacific region to climate change, specifically focusing on how extreme weather and slow-onset disasters drive migration. Through case studies in Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines, it illustrates the loss of livelihoods, food insecurity, and social disruption facing marginalized communities. It concludes that current legal systems fail to recognize 'climate refugees' and urges governments to implement human-rights-based resettlement and adaptation strategies.

The 2017 Green Economy Barometer reports a dual reality: while renewable energy capacity is growing and green technologies are hitting mass markets, the 'brown economy' remains dominant, biodiversity is in crisis, and financial systems continue to subsidise fossil fuels. The document argues that the transition is gathering speed but risks failure if it does not address the needs of rural economies, informal workers, and the youth unemployment crisis.

The document outlines a framework for financing National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes, distinguishing between the development phase (planning and coordination) and the implementation phase (execution of adaptation actions). It identifies domestic public revenues, bilateral providers, multilateral funds, and private sector actors as key funding sources. The guide emphasizes the need for a dedicated financing strategy to bridge funding gaps and align national priorities with available financial instruments, while highlighting the critical role of senior-level political commitment and the integration of adaptation costs into national budgeting cycles.

The document outlines a comprehensive framework for financing National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes, distinguishing between the lower-cost 'development phase' (planning and coordination) and the high-cost 'implementation phase' (execution of adaptation actions). It identifies four primary funding streams: national public finance (budgets, fiscal instruments, and national climate funds), bilateral providers (grants and technical assistance), multilateral funds (such as the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund), and the private sector (through direct investment and public-private partnerships). The guide emphasizes the necessity of a tailored financing strategy that identifies funding gaps, determines appropriate financial instruments, and establishes operational steps to align national adaptation priorities with available resources.

The document outlines a strategic framework for financing National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes, distinguishing between the 'elaboration phase' (planning and coordination) and the 'execution phase' (implementation of priority measures). It identifies four primary funding streams: domestic public revenues, bilateral providers, multilateral funds, and the private sector. While elaboration is typically funded by public and bilateral grants, the more costly execution phase requires a diversified mix of public and private capital. The brief recommends that countries develop a dedicated NAP financing strategy that identifies funding gaps, determines appropriate financial instruments, and defines operational steps to improve access to resources.

The document details the UCDP's approach to tracking armed conflict and fatalities, arguing that its rigorous, permanent infrastructure provides a 'gold standard' for measuring SDG 16.1.2. It outlines the program's categorization of violence, its data triangulation methods, and the challenges of disaggregating data by age and sex. Using UCDP data, the authors analyze global conflict trends from 1989 to 2016, noting a general long-term decline in warfare deaths despite recent spikes and high geographic concentration in countries like Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

The report finds that current financial commitments for energy access are significantly below the levels required to meet 2030 universal access goals. For electricity, annual commitments averaged $19.4 billion, far short of the estimated $45 billion needed, with 90% of funds targeting centralized grid infrastructure. Clean cooking investment is critically low, averaging only $32 million per year against a minimum estimated need of $4.4 billion. The analysis highlights a heavy reliance on international public finance and a significant gap in tracking domestic private investment.

The report finds that finance for energy access is significantly below the levels required to meet SDG 7 by 2030. While electricity commitments averaged $19.4 billion annually in 2013-14, this is far short of the estimated $45 billion needed. Clean cooking finance is described as 'shockingly low', averaging only $32 million per year for residential use. The analysis highlights a heavy bias toward grid-connected infrastructure and a critical lack of funding for decentralized solutions, which receive only 1% of electricity finance. It recommends integrated policy approaches, the scaling of market-based clean cooking strategies, and the removal of financial barriers for small energy enterprises.

The Adaptation Futures 2016 conference, held in Rotterdam, convened over 1,700 experts to address the urgency of climate adaptation. The synthesis highlights a critical gap where risks are being created faster than they are reduced, calling for more radical and experimental adaptation strategies. Key findings emphasize the necessity of diverse partnerships, the integration of the private sector, and a shift in monitoring from measuring process to measuring progress. The report details thematic outcomes across ten areas, including urban infrastructure, food security, public health, and the Arctic, while advocating for a reinforcing relationship between research 'on' and 'for' adaptation.