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The report details a workshop in Bali, Indonesia, focused on reforming fossil-fuel subsidies in Southeast Asia. It presents a policy framework based on three pillars: getting energy prices right, managing reform impacts, and building public support. The document includes case studies from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Iran, highlighting the fiscal burdens of subsidies, the effectiveness of targeted cash transfers and 'lifeline' tariffs, and the political difficulties of price deregulation. It emphasizes that successful reform requires comprehensive communication strategies, impact assessments for vulnerable groups, and a transition toward market-based pricing to support green growth and energy efficiency.

The document analyzes the mismatch between the stated environmental goals of biofuel policies and their actual political objectives, such as supporting agricultural constituencies. It argues that subsidies often create market distortions and unintended consequences, such as increasing food prices and harming the environment. The authors recommend phasing out support for food-based biofuels, adopting carbon pricing and the removal of fossil fuel subsidies as 'first-best' alternatives, and adhering to good governance principles and the Precautionary Principle to manage uncertainty regarding indirect land use change and food security.

The document examines the role of fiscal incentives in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), arguing that tax exemptions cannot compensate for a weak investment climate. It critiques the use of blanket tax holidays, which can lead to tax avoidance and minimal domestic economic embedding. Instead, the author proposes a framework of 'timely, targeted and temporary' incentives, advocating for performance-based measures such as tax credits, accelerated depreciation, and green bonds. The paper suggests that governments should gradually move toward a uniform low corporate tax rate to create a level playing field for domestic and foreign investors while ensuring that incentives are administered through transparent tax codes rather than discretionary sector ministries.

The report analyzes the economic, environmental, and social impacts of fossil-fuel subsidies in APEC economies, estimating that consumption subsidies alone cost at least US$105 billion in 2010. It argues that such subsidies are often regressive, benefiting wealthier populations and increasing GHG emissions. The document proposes a three-phase reform framework—research, developing options, and implementation—and details case studies from Australia, Indonesia, Chile, Mexico, Thailand, China, and Russia to illustrate best practices in transparency, targeted social compensation (such as cash transfers), and gradual price deregulation.

The document examines Nigeria's energy subsidy regime, focusing on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), household kerosene (hhK), and electricity. It highlights the immense fiscal burden on the government, with fuel subsidies alone estimated at over ₦2 trillion in 2011. The guide argues that these universal subsidies disproportionately benefit higher-income earners and are plagued by systemic corruption, such as inflated import claims and the diversion of kerosene to black markets. It also notes that under-pricing of energy has stifled investment in refining and power infrastructure, leading to high reliance on private generators and significant gas flaring. The document outlines the government's transition toward cost-reflective electricity tariffs via the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) and the attempted removal of gasoline subsidies through the SURE-P program, while providing international lessons on gradual price liberalization and targeted social compensation.

The report concludes that there is insufficient scientific evidence to support the use of biochar as a reliable climate change mitigation tool. A review of 329 references found that only 15 field studies measured biochar decomposition, and of those, only six provided data to estimate stability. These six studies showed wildly varying results, with mean residence times (MRT) ranging from 8.3 years to over 3,000 years. The authors argue that the science is too immature to justify public investment in biochar for carbon sequestration, as the influence of biochar on the whole system carbon balance remains poorly quantified.

The 2050 Criteria identifies primary environmental and social risks for ten major commodity sectors—including aquaculture, beef, cotton, dairy, palm oil, soy, sugar, timber, wild-caught seafood, and bioenergy—and establishes Key Performance Criteria (KPC) to help banks and investors identify responsible practices. The document argues that the global economy is consuming natural resources faster than they can be replenished, creating systemic risks for the financial sector. It promotes the use of credible third-party certifications, such as the RSPO for palm oil and FSC for forestry, as proxies for business performance and risk management. The report also highlights investment opportunities in sustainable technologies, such as methane capture systems in palm oil and dairy sectors, and the rehabilitation of degraded lands to meet growing global demand without further deforestation.

The report analyzes FDI in Laos' agriculture sector, focusing on land concessions and contract farming. While FDI has driven macroeconomic growth, the authors argue it often fails to align with local economic development and food security goals due to poor transparency, land tenure insecurity, and a lack of rigorous social impact assessments.

The South African schooling system is characterised by high rates of grade repetition and low completion of the Further Education and Training (FET) phase, with completion rates for black youth at 40% compared to 72% for white youth. The author argues that poor education quality and ineffective feedback mechanisms in schools—where grade repetition does not necessarily correlate with academic progress—drive these inefficiencies. While financial constraints and teenage pregnancy are often cited as primary reasons for dropping out, the document suggests that a lack of academic progress and disengagement in the FET phase are deeper drivers. To address this, the author proposes a General Education Certificate at Grade 9 to provide a legitimate exit point and signal competency to employers, as the National Senior Certificate (NSC) currently acts as the only credible signal of quality in the labour market.

The document highlights a 200% increase in inflation-adjusted global average economic disaster losses over the last 25 years, noting that 2011 was the costliest year on record with US$380 billion in losses. It argues that these losses, driven by increased exposure of assets and people to hazards, threaten macroeconomic outlooks in low and middle-income countries. To mitigate this, the author advocates for embedding disaster risk measures into national budgets, land-use planning, and infrastructure investments based on national risk atlases and disaster risk assessments.

Minister Molewa's 2012 Budget Vote Speech details South Africa's commitment to a 'just transition' to a low-carbon, green economy. Key initiatives include the implementation of the National Climate Change Response Policy, the rollout of a 800 million Rand Green Fund, and the creation of biodiversity jobs through SANBI. The speech also addresses the National Waste Management Strategy, the fight against rhino poaching through SADC collaboration and CITES engagement, and the streamlining of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to balance economic growth with sustainability.

The paper examines the politicized nature of the rice sector in Southeast Asia, where domestic priorities and protectionism often lead to market volatility. It highlights how the 2007–2008 food price crisis drove countries toward insular strategies and 'rice sovereignty'. The authors propose that ASEAN can improve food security by enhancing the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS) for better transparency and fully actuating the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve. The document suggests that these cooperative mechanisms can build trust and stability in the international market, providing a more effective alternative to myopic domestic focuses.

The document details an expert meeting held in April 2012 to address two critical determinants of REDD+ success: the development of Safeguard Information Systems (SIS) and the fostering of effective private sector engagement. It highlights the need for flexible, country-driven SIS that leverage existing national and international architectures to keep transaction costs low. Regarding the private sector, the report emphasizes that policy clarity, certainty on carbon rights, and a 'nested approach' to accounting are essential to attract investment. The report also identifies significant capacity gaps in MRV, safeguards, and benefit-sharing systems across national and local levels.

The report examines the role of small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in driving a 'pro-poor' green economy in developing countries. Based on a three-year study of over 1,300 enterprises, it finds that these entities provide critical environmental services and poverty alleviation but face significant barriers, including limited access to finance, technical expertise, and a disconnect between national macro-strategies and local implementation. The document argues for a shift toward hybrid business models and the adoption of Triple Bottom Line planning to ensure financial sustainability and measurable impact.

Tanzania has implemented the Small Power Projects (SPP) programme to scale up decentralized renewable energy and reduce dependence on drought-prone hydropower and expensive fossil fuels. The programme uses an avoided-cost-based feed-in tariff (FIT) to attract private investment without increasing costs for the national utility, TANESCO. While five plants (28.3 MW) are operational and ten more are planned, growth is hindered by low tariffs, high financing costs, and technical skepticism. The brief highlights the importance of South-South exchanges with Thailand and Sri Lanka in developing the regulatory framework and suggests that transitioning to technology-based tariffs, supported by international climate finance, is necessary for broader deployment of solar and wind energy.

The report details the public health dangers of flooding, including drowning, waterborne diseases, mold-induced respiratory issues, and mental health trauma. It argues that climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation and sea-level rise, exacerbating these risks, particularly in areas with combined sewer overflow systems and high-density floodplain development.

The report examines the 'mainstreaming' of climate change adaptation into development planning to increase efficiency and avoid policy conflicts. It analyzes three guiding frameworks (Huq and Ayers, UNDP-UNEP, and OECD) and evaluates entry points across different governance levels. The analysis highlights challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, such as the disconnect between disaster management and climate policy, and suggests strategies including the use of a 'climate lens' for screening projects and the adoption of 'no-regrets' strategies.

The document analyzes South Africa's efforts to attract sustainable local and foreign investment through a combination of industrial policies, such as the New Growth Path (NGP), and a diverse catalogue of financial and fiscal incentives. It highlights a significant decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) between 2008 and 2010, attributed largely to high labor costs, and examines the 'Gateway into Africa' initiative designed to make South Africa a regional investment hub. The paper details various dti-managed incentives targeting SMMEs, industrial development, and specific sectors like automotive and film, while noting that many investors remain unaware of these schemes or find the application process cumbersome.

The SEI Research Forum Book of Abstracts compiles 60 research summaries from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) staff. The research spans four primary themes: Managing Environmental Systems, Reducing Climate Risk, Transforming Governance, and Rethinking Development. Key areas of investigation include the 'planetary boundaries' framework, the socio-economic drivers of clean cooking and sanitation in India and Africa, the effectiveness of climate adaptation policies in the UK and Sweden, and the geopolitical dynamics of climate negotiations involving BASIC countries. The document highlights a mix of completed research, ongoing projects, and future research ideas aimed at bridging science and policy for sustainable development.

The document translates the IPCC SREX report's findings into actionable insights for the health sector, emphasizing that disaster risk is increasing due to both climate extremes and human vulnerability. It details the direct and indirect health impacts of heatwaves, floods, and droughts, while arguing for a shift from incremental to transformational changes in health infrastructure and policy to build long-term resilience.