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The report evaluates Spain's fisheries enforcement framework, finding that while the country has become an EU leader in combating IUU fishing through high-profile operations like 'Sparrow', significant gaps remain in the application of the penalty point system, engine power verification, and traceability controls. It highlights a general lack of transparency in implementation data and recommends legislative amendments to allow criminal prosecution of IUU fishing in international waters.

The report analyzes the challenges facing Shanxi province as it transitions away from coal, highlighting the tension between national environmental goals and provincial economic dependence. It uses international case studies to argue that successful transition requires a comprehensive approach combining economic diversification, infrastructure investment, and social welfare to prevent long-term regional decline.

The paper argues that while the water-energy-food nexus approach is popular for identifying resource interdependencies, its treatment of governance is superficial and overly technical. By reviewing the literature through risk, economic rationality, and political economy perspectives, the authors identify three primary gaps: a lack of understanding regarding the conditions for cross-sector collaboration, a neglect of multi-level governance dynamics beyond horizontal interactions, and a failure to account for the political and cognitive factors that determine policy change. The authors suggest that the nexus community must integrate insights from integrative environmental governance theory to move beyond administrative coordination and address the power relations and norms that actually drive decision-making.

The study concludes that anthropogenic climate change significantly increased the likelihood of the June 2017 heat event across Western Europe. Using observational data and multiple climate model ensembles, researchers found that such extreme heat is now more frequent, occurring every 10 to 30 years depending on the country. The risk ratio was highest in Portugal and Spain, where the probability of such heat increased by more than ten times due to global warming. The report also notes that under high-emission scenarios (RCP8.5), temperatures similar to June 2017 could become normal by the end of the century.

The document asserts that the Paris Agreement is a universal and flexible framework essential for stabilizing global temperature increases below 2°C. It characterizes the U.S. decision to withdraw as an "historical mistake" that could increase future global temperature rises by up to 0.3°C and isolate the U.S. internationally. However, the authors note that a "domino effect" of other nations withdrawing has not occurred, as key players like China, the European Union, and India remain committed. The text highlights that the transition to clean energy is driven by economic opportunity, noting support from major U.S. companies, the divestment from coal by Blackrock, and the competitiveness of renewables, exemplified by subsidy-free auctions in Spain. Internal U.S. opposition is also noted, specifically from the governors of California, New York, and Washington.

The authors assert that the Paris Agreement's universal and flexible design allows it to persist despite the United States' withdrawal. While the US exit is described as a historical mistake that could increase global temperatures by up to 0.3°C, the authors note that key players like China, the EU, and India remain committed. They highlight that the transition to clean energy is driven by economic opportunities, with major US companies and financial institutions like Blackrock divesting from fossil fuels and supporting the agreement for the sake of stability. Additionally, internal US opposition from governors in California, New York, and Washington suggests a continued domestic effort to reduce emissions.

A coalition of environmental organizations calls on the Spanish government to strengthen the EU's Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) to align with the Paris Agreement, specifically requesting a 95% emissions reduction by 2050, the removal of the 'ESR safety reserve', and stricter governance to ensure climate targets are met.

The IAI Science Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) report outlines strategic recommendations to improve the visibility, engagement, and financing of science-policy linkages. It details a December 2016 workshop in Mar del Plata, Argentina, where researchers and decision-makers collaborated on five thematic areas: health and diseases, land use and hydrology, weather forecasting and early warning, coastal and marine management, and urban monitoring. The report advocates for increased IAI Directorate capacity, specifically in outreach and fundraising, and suggests strengthening participation in international conventions and private sector engagement to enhance the application of scientific data in regional governance.

The report examines the challenges of coal transition in Shanxi, China, where high economic dependence on coal conflicts with national environmental goals. It analyzes international experiences—specifically South Wales (UK), Asturias (Spain), and Kentucky (USA)—to suggest a comprehensive approach that balances economic diversification, infrastructure improvement, and social protection to mitigate unemployment and community decline.

The document examines how decentralisation can enhance citizen engagement in governance, specifically at the regional level. Using South Africa as a primary case study, it argues that while basic participation methods are consistent across government levels, regional effectiveness is often hindered by unclear institutional design, a lack of authority to address demands, and the dominance of party-based political structures. The author evaluates various strategies—such as public hearings, petitions, and participatory budgeting—and concludes that robust participation requires a combination of clear division of responsibilities, adequate resourcing, responsive representation, and the strategic use of technology.

Amory B. Lovins of RMI argues that subsidies for distressed nuclear plants are unjustified because closing high-cost nuclear units and reinvesting their operating expenses into energy efficiency can reduce more carbon than maintaining the plants. He contends that 'baseload' power is not a grid requirement and that variable renewables are more resilient and cost-effective than central thermal plants.

The document evaluates EU countries' positions on the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), which covers 60% of EU greenhouse gas emissions. Using a scoring system across five categories—starting point, land use loopholes, ETS surplus loopholes, governance, and ambition levels—it ranks Sweden as the leader and Poland as the lowest performer. The brief argues that most EU countries are pushing for loopholes that undermine the Paris Agreement, with the European Commission's own proposal scoring only 20 out of 100 points.

The EU Climate Leader Board ranks EU member states on their support for the Effort Sharing Regulation across five categories: starting point, ETS surplus loophole, land use loophole, governance, and ambition level. Sweden ranks highest with a score of 67, while Malta ranks lowest with a score of 2. The analysis concludes that no EU country is currently doing enough to make the regulation compatible with the Paris Agreement.

The document provides a detailed breakdown of 'green jobs' in the US and internationally, contrasting clean energy employment with fossil fuel industry figures and detailing specific subsectors such as solar, wind, and energy efficiency.

The document analyzes the controversial application of most-favoured-nation (MFN) clauses in investment treaties, specifically how interpretations by arbitral tribunals since 2000 have allowed investors to import favorable provisions from third-party treaties, potentially undermining the bilateral nature of state commitments.

The report examines the transition of the carpet industry toward a circular economy, focusing on the French and European markets. It finds that the vast majority of carpets end up in landfills or incinerators, with actual recycling rates for industry leaders like Interface and Desso being significantly lower than their public commitments. The document specifically highlights the 'scandal' of single-use carpets in the French events sector and provides recommendations for manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers to implement closed-loop systems and eco-design.

The document provides a detailed breakdown of jobs in clean energy, contrasting them with fossil fuel employment in the U.S. and highlighting global leaders like China and Brazil. It details specific employment numbers for solar, wind, biomass, and energy efficiency subsectors, while noting the methodological challenges in comparing data from different sources.

The document examines the controversial role of Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) clauses in bilateral investment treaties (BITs), specifically the trend of investors importing more favourable provisions from third-party treaties. It details the divergence in tribunal rulings regarding the import of procedural rules—such as circumventing domestic court requirements—and the import of substantive protections. The guide highlights the risks of 'treaty-shopping' and the creation of 'super-treaties' that undermine state sovereignty. It concludes with strategies for states to mitigate these risks, including the use of 'like circumstances' criteria, explicit exclusions of dispute settlement mechanisms, and the adoption of positive lists for pre-establishment liberalization.

The document examines the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) clause in investment treaties, focusing on the legal uncertainty created by divergent interpretations from arbitral tribunals. It specifically analyzes the controversy surrounding the 'importation' of substantive and procedural rules from third-party treaties, the distinction between pre- and post-establishment treatment, and the risk of 'treaty shopping.' The guide concludes with strategic recommendations for states to protect their sovereignty and regulatory space by refining the drafting of MFN clauses or omitting them entirely in future treaties.

COP23 was intended as a technical summit to establish the Paris Agreement Rulebook, but achieved only modest progress on these rules. Key breakthroughs included a first-time agreement to address climate challenges in agriculture and the establishment of a Gender Action Plan and a Local Communities and Indigenous People’s Platform. The conference launched the Talanoa dialogue to accelerate action and increase ambition. While official negotiations were slow, strong political support was demonstrated by non-state actors and an alternative US delegation. Additionally, the 'Powering Past Coal' alliance was endorsed by 28 countries and regional actors, though Germany was notably absent from the pledge.