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South Africa's foreign policy is centered on 'active non-alignment' and the 'universality' posture, aiming to mediate global conflicts and promote the interests of the Global South. A primary focus is the African continent, specifically through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the pursuit of Agenda 2063. The government seeks to enhance economic diplomacy by supporting South African investments in Africa and developing regional value chains for critical minerals like lithium. Additionally, South Africa maintains a commitment to human rights and self-determination, evidenced by its legal actions at the International Court of Justice regarding Palestine and its support for Western Sahara. On a multilateral level, the country advocates for the reform of the UN Security Council and leverages its membership in BRICS and the G20 to amplify African influence.

The report argues that while military R&D alone cannot solve the climate challenge due to long equipment lifecycles, a comprehensive approach combining innovation, policy changes, and procurement can significantly reduce emissions. It highlights the transition to low-carbon technologies in operations (such as sustainable aviation fuels and hybrid vehicles), the decarbonization of fixed infrastructure through microgrids and small modular reactors, and the need to address Scope 3 emissions within the defense industrial supply chain. The authors emphasize that procurement is the most powerful tool for militaries to catalyze clean energy markets and steer the defense industry toward net-zero goals.

The briefing reports an uptick in election-related disinformation during the European Parliament elections, featuring claims of voter fraud and global conspiracy theories. While no substantial interference occurred and no party significantly benefited, the persistence of these narratives despite Digital Services Act (DSA) guidelines suggests a need for binding measures. The document highlights the role of foreign state actors, specifically Russian channels, in attempting to weaken public support for EU institutions and policies like aid to Ukraine.

The briefing outlines four critical areas for the 75th NATO Summit to ensure the Alliance's future operating environment is resilient: planning for military responses to climate hazards, implementing the 2021 Action Plan on Climate and Security, operationalizing the nexus between climate and human security, and navigating the energy transition to reduce strategic vulnerabilities.

The document analyzes the challenges facing humanitarian disarmament in a contemporary environment characterized by rising global antagonism, a redistribution of power toward the Global South, and the decline of democratic space for civil society. It argues that the success of past treaties, such as the Mine Ban Convention, is threatened by competing global priorities like climate change and the erosion of trust between major powers. The authors highlight the difficulty of building cross-regional coalitions and the risks faced by civil society organizations (CSOs) due to government restrictions and stigmatization. To remain effective, the brief suggests that disarmament efforts must become more inclusive, diversify funding sources, and shift communication strategies toward the self-interest of states rather than relying solely on moral arguments.

The authors analyze the trend of rising defense budgets in EU and NATO member states following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, noting that spending increases are uneven and unaligned. They argue that this lack of coordination risks worsening the fragmentation of the European defense industrial base, creating mismatches between industrial supply and operational needs, and undermining the concept of strategic autonomy. Furthermore, the paper highlights potential negative economic impacts, including the 'crowding out' of civilian industries and the diversion of funds from the green transition, specifically citing proposals to cut EU renewables funding to support military investments.

Minister Kerrie D. Symmonds of Barbados argues that the 18-year-old Aid for Trade initiative is based on outdated assumptions and must be modernized to address the climate crisis and systemic vulnerabilities of small island developing states. He calls for a shift from traditional aid to an 'investment ambition' incorporating blended finance and private sector contributions, specifically citing the Bridgetown Initiative. Symmonds emphasizes that GDP-based eligibility for concessional financing is inadequate because a single climatic event can cause massive GDP losses, necessitating a reclassification of eligibility that accounts for vulnerability.

The authors contend that the EU is experiencing a 'U-turn' in climate commitment due to the rise of far-right political forces and security concerns stemming from Russia's war in Ukraine. They argue that current EU-level policies are 'dangerously inadequate' to protect European lives and livelihoods from catastrophic threats. The text highlights that while some industries and farmers have protested sustainability provisions, the economic costs of climate-induced supply chain disruptions—estimated up to $25 trillion globally over 35 years—far outweigh the costs of regulation. The authors urge policymakers to view climate change as a 'systemic threat' rather than focusing solely on near-term risks.

The briefing outlines how the EU can sustain its climate leadership following the June 2024 elections by linking emissions reductions to energy security, consumer cost savings, and industrial competitiveness. It highlights the success of the RePowerEU Plan in reducing Russian gas imports and notes that wind and solar power saved EU consumers approximately EUR 100 billion between 2021 and 2023. The document emphasizes that investing in green technology and implementing social safety nets, such as retraining programmes, will ensure the transition is competitive and inclusive.

The report evaluates pathways to decarbonise the Baltic-Finnish gas market, comparing a business-as-usual approach with renewable methane, renewable hydrogen, and cost-minimising scenarios. It finds that full decarbonisation by 2050 is possible, with the cost-minimising scenario offering the highest economic benefits, including a 44% reduction in total system costs and the creation of over 20,000 jobs. The analysis emphasises the critical role of onshore and offshore wind energy to power hydrogen production and suggests that existing LNG terminals can be repurposed for synthetic methane and bio-LNG. Key recommendations include regional integration of gas markets, harmonised certification for renewable gases, and the potential legal ban on connecting new buildings to the natural gas grid.

The briefing argues that Ukraine's reconstruction presents a 'build back better' opportunity to create a climate-resilient and inclusive society. It specifically advocates for the pragmatic implementation of energy-efficiency measures in residential buildings, suggesting that Ukraine avoid the planning inefficiencies seen in Bosnia and the scaling failures experienced in Croatia's post-earthquake recovery.

The document argues that Ukraine's reconstruction presents a 'watershed moment' to build a climate-resilient society, specifically through energy-efficient residential building. It warns against the 'international technocracy' and corruption seen in Bosnia and Herzegovina's recovery and the implementation delays and inefficient grant usage observed in Croatia's post-earthquake reconstruction under the NextGenerationEU program. The author analyzes the EUR 50 billion Ukraine Facility and the Ukraine Plan, suggesting a targeted funding strategy where grants are prioritized for cost-effective multi-family homes to reduce payback periods and attract investors, while low concessional loans are used for single-family homes.

The document details a roundtable event focused on the 'climate-food-security nexus,' arguing that the US must integrate defense and security actors into food security efforts to maintain stability and military readiness. Key recommendations include improving actionable intelligence through tools like the Climate Security Alert Tool, combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing through security cooperation, and increasing public investment in agricultural research and development.

The author contends that the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline would undermine China's energy security by increasing dependence on Russia, create unnecessary capital expenditure in an oversaturated market, and conflict with China's goal to peak carbon emissions by 2030.

The report evaluates claims made by candidates from the Socialist Party, Renew, La France insoumise, and Les Écologistes across five key sectors: transport, housing, agriculture, international trade, and finance. It corrects misconceptions regarding railway privatization, energy renovation rates, agricultural demographics, and the financial impact of proposed green taxes.

The author contends that the European Commission's response to farmer protests—scaling back environmental regulations—misidentifies the problem. The core issue is a neoliberal system that favors large agro-corporations and free-trade agreements, leaving small farmers with low incomes and high debts. The text proposes a 'just' Green Deal that includes ecological tariffs, a reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to reward sustainable land stewardship rather than land size, and a shift toward agroecology to align the interests of farmers with nature conservation.

The 2024 Three Seas Summit emphasized the necessity of regional coordination and private capital to advance energy transition and infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe. Key priorities include strengthening ties with the EU and U.S., supporting Ukraine's reconstruction, and leveraging a portfolio of 143 priority projects—primarily in transportation (51%) and energy (39%)—to build economic competitiveness and climate resilience.

The document highlights a recent increase in global coal capacity and a slowdown in the adoption of coal-restrictive policies by private financial institutions, calling for urgent regulatory action and the implementation of the Coal Transition Accelerator.

The authors call for a transformation of the international financial architecture during the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings to better support climate adaptation and resilience in fragile contexts. They argue that failing to improve access to finance for climate-vulnerable nations threatens global security by exacerbating risks such as irregular migration and political instability.

The document advocates for a shift from a market-driven digital ecosystem to one governed by 'Communication Rights,' which emphasize collective access, data sovereignty, and public interest regulation. It critiques the 'Global Digital Compact' for lacking substantive mechanisms for gender and social justice and analyzes how Western media outlets like The Economist exhibit geopolitical biases in conflict reporting, contrasting this with the perceived credibility of Al Jazeera's coverage of Gaza.