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The SEI/UNEP Fuel Chain Project developed a methodology and software tool within the LEAP/EDB system to assess the full life-cycle environmental impacts of energy resources. By analyzing the 'chain' from extraction to end-use, the project aims to provide a more comprehensive comparison of fuel options than site-specific assessments. Case studies in Sri Lanka and Venezuela were used to validate the tool, focusing on biomass, coal, natural gas, and petroleum. In Sri Lanka, biomass was found to be environmentally superior to coal for electricity generation, while LPG was cleaner than biomass for household cooking. In Venezuela, natural gas was preferred over residual fuel oil for electricity, but its advantage over diesel for transport was mixed due to methane emissions and lower vehicle efficiency.

The document analyzes the escalation of the Sinhalese-Tamil ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka from 1983 to 1986, focusing on the 'criminal fire'—reprisals and atrocities—committed by both government security forces and Tamil guerrillas. It argues that the conflict has evolved from social discrimination into an ethnic war where the conduct of armed forces actively reproduces the violence. The author proposes a two-step resolution process: first, the application of the Law of Armed Conflict and Human Rights Law to de-escalate military violence, followed by the use of human rights law to manage the political struggle. The report suggests international assistance from the UN, the Commonwealth, and the Red Cross, and advocates for radical reform of the Sri Lankan police and army to make them representative of both ethnic communities.

The statement argues that the World Bank's recent updates to the Inspection Panel's Toolkit are insufficient to modernize the independent accountability mechanism. While welcoming the addition of an advisory role and improved information sharing, the signatories contend that the failure to implement monitoring and dispute resolution functions leaves the Panel deficient compared to other mechanisms. They specifically criticize the reliance on the management-led Grievance Redress Service (GRS) as a substitute for independent dispute resolution and call for the complaint filing deadline to be extended to at least two years after project completion or loan closure.

A guide by Friends of the Earth International advocating for a legally binding international treaty to hold transnational corporations (TNCs) accountable for human rights abuses in Asia, citing gaps in current international law that allow companies to operate with impunity across jurisdictions.

The report documents various grassroots initiatives by Friends of the Earth (FoE) groups in Asia and the Pacific, focusing on community forest management, social and solidarity economies, food rights, and renewable energy. It advocates for a systemic transformation of economic and political systems in the region to address the entwined crises of inequality and climate change, calling for the removal of fossil fuel subsidies and the protection of customary land rights.

Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific presents a series of community-driven projects aimed at transforming the region's economic and political systems. The report details successful initiatives in forest management, social economy, food rights, renewable energy, and sustainable tourism, arguing that these local models can be replicated and expanded if supported by national and regional policies.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global infrastructure and economic cooperation framework led by China, focusing on energy and transport connectivity across Asia, Europe, and Africa. While marketed as a 'win-win' development strategy, the document argues it often serves Chinese domestic interests, such as exporting industrial overcapacity and asserting geopolitical influence. The briefing highlights significant environmental risks, particularly the funding of coal-fired power plants and large hydropower projects, and a lack of transparent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) safeguards. It identifies a 'debt trap' risk for recipient countries and calls for a shift toward a 'Green BRI' aligned with international sustainability standards.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), describing it as a strategic framework for Chinese foreign investment and global influence. It highlights a systemic lack of environmental and social safeguards, the dominance of Chinese state-owned enterprises, and the tendency of BRI financing to favor fossil fuel projects over renewables. The briefing also details the 'debt trap' risks for recipient nations and the efforts of civil society organizations to advocate for a 'Green BRI' and greater corporate accountability.

The document analyzes the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a strategic tool for China to export industrial overcapacity and expand global influence. It highlights a systemic lack of transparency, the dominance of state-owned enterprises, and significant environmental risks, particularly through the financing of coal and hydropower projects. While China promotes a 'Green BRI' and 'ecological civilization,' the report argues that actual implementation often lacks rigorous safeguards, leading to 'debt traps' and biodiversity loss. It calls for international civil society to push for binding treaties on multinationals and the adoption of higher environmental and social standards.

The report analyzes social protection as a tool for climate resilience, highlighting its ability to provide shock-responsive support, facilitate sustainable natural resource management, and cushion the impacts of low-carbon transitions. It identifies a gap in long-term structural adaptation and notes that while multilateral climate funds are increasingly engaging with social protection, integration remains fragmented and often prioritizes project-based interventions over systemic strengthening.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Accreditation Panel assessed PROPARCO, a subsidiary of Agence Française de Développement (AFD), for international access to climate finance. The assessment found that PROPARCO meets most fiduciary and gender policy standards and is capable of managing high-risk environmental and social projects, provided it implements a formal external complaint mechanism. While PROPARCO demonstrated a strong track record in loans and equity, it only partially demonstrated its capacity for guarantee operations, leading to a conditional recommendation for accreditation.

This report by the Green Economy Coalition reviews the first ten years of the SEED Awards (2005-2015), an initiative founded by UNEP, UNDP, and IUCN to support social and environmental enterprises. It analyzes the survival and impact of 202 SEED Winners across 37 countries, highlighting the role of multi-stakeholder partnerships and tailored support in fostering green and inclusive growth at the grassroots level.

CRiSTAL (Community-based Risk Screening Tool – Adaptation and Livelihoods) is a decision-support tool developed by IUCN, IISD, SEI, and Intercooperation to help project managers understand the links between climate, livelihoods, and project activities. The tool uses a four-step analytical framework implemented via Microsoft Excel to identify climate hazards, assess their impact on livelihood resources, and adjust project activities to enhance adaptive capacity and minimize maladaptation. Since its 2007 launch, it has been applied in over 20 countries, following initial field tests in Mali, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Nicaragua, and Sri Lanka.

The document describes CRiSTAL (Community Risk Identification and Adaptation Tool), a framework developed by IUCN, IISD, SEI, and Intercooperation to analyze the links between climate threats, local livelihoods, and project activities. The tool uses a two-module process—Climate Context and Livelihoods, followed by Adaptation Planning and Management—to help project planners avoid maladaptation and enhance community resilience. It relies on a combination of scientific climate data and community consultations, with data managed via Microsoft Excel. Since its 2007 launch, it has been applied in over 20 countries, following initial field tests in Mali, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Nicaragua, and Sri Lanka.

The evaluation concludes that the CMC hybrid model—combining community radio and telecentre services—is an outstanding success in promoting social inclusion, cultural resilience, and poverty alleviation. Key achievements include the integration of CMCs into local communities and the creation of new livelihood opportunities. However, the report identifies significant challenges, including a lack of internal intersectoral cooperation within UNESCO, inconsistent field office support, and the financial instability of centres relying on volunteers and limited revenue. The evaluation recommends that UNESCO establish a clearer strategic interest in the initiative, develop a more structured Results Based Management (RBM) framework for scaling up, and advocate for enabling national policy environments regarding ICT connectivity and broadcast licensing.

The project, a partnership between IISD, MYRADA, and DFID, aimed to build capacity in Appreciative Inquiry (AI) to design sustainable development projects in rural India. It exceeded its initial targets, training 804 people from 70 organisations and engaging approximately 500 community-based organisations (CBOs) representing 10,000 people. Key outcomes included the mainstreaming of AI within MYRADA, the creation of a field-guide and training video, and the development of community visions focusing on gender equity, environmental improvement, and livelihood security. The report concludes that AI is a robust, motivating tool that complements existing participatory techniques like Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA).

The document evaluates four scenarios for restoring Beira Lake: business-as-usual, wastewater treatment upgrades, dredging, and a combined approach. Using the SAVi tool, it analyzes the impact of these interventions on water clarity, property values, and recreational spending between 2020 and 2025. While the combined approach (Scenario 4) generates the highest total benefits, wastewater treatment upgrades (Scenario 2) offer the highest benefit-to-cost ratio.

The document provides a data-driven overview of the top 15 tea-producing countries as of 2016, categorizing them by production levels, Human Development Index (HDI), and their status regarding Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) compliance.

The Strong Cities Network (SCN) toolkit, developed by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, guides local authorities in managing the social consequences of terror attacks. It emphasizes the shift toward 'soft targets' in urban centers and the critical role of municipal leadership in preventing social division. The guide details strategies for community engagement, including mapping vulnerable groups and using both direct and indirect outreach. It provides a comprehensive communications framework to de-escalate tensions, combat misinformation, and avoid the glorification of perpetrators. Additionally, it outlines the establishment of psychosocial support working groups to address collective and individual trauma. The document includes leadership checklists and worksheets to help city officials coordinate with national authorities and local stakeholders to build long-term urban resilience.

The document provides an analytical account of child soldiering in Africa, focusing on the drivers, roles, and consequences for both boys and girls. It argues that the use of children is a global phenomenon facilitated by the proliferation of light weapons and the nature of modern intra-state civil wars. The author emphasizes that recruitment is often a deliberate military strategy based on the agility and controllability of children, or a result of extreme poverty and state collapse. The text highlights the specific, often invisible, experiences of girl soldiers, who serve as combatants, spies, and forced 'wives'. It concludes that child soldiering creates a 'scarred generation' and a dysfunctional notion of childhood, which in turn alters the culture of the affected societies.