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This policy brief, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs, provides recommendations to restore multilateral trade cooperation and the central role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) amidst a systemic crisis characterized by the failure of the Doha Round and the rise of Mega-Preferential Trade Arrangements (MPTAs).

This briefing by the World Resources Institute outlines six critical areas of climate finance to monitor during the COP 21 negotiations in Paris. It emphasizes the need for developed countries to meet the $100 billion annual funding goal by 2020, the importance of increasing adaptation funding, and the necessity of transparent reporting and a predictable finance cycle to support developing nations.

This report by Energy Innovation describes California's climate and clean energy policy framework, highlighting the state's success in decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions. It details the combination of performance standards and a cap-and-trade program, the resulting growth in green jobs and clean technology, and the state's influence on federal and other state-level policies.

The Community Energy Resource Guide, published by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in December 2015, provides a comprehensive roadmap for U.S. communities to develop energy action plans. It outlines a collaborative planning process, methods for analyzing energy landscapes, and specific tactics across the buildings, electricity, transportation, and industry sectors to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

This briefing by RMI argues that concerns regarding the economic limitations of wind and solar growth—specifically the 'merit order effect' where variable renewables depress wholesale prices—are based on static models that ignore supply-side evolution, demand flexibility, and storage technologies.

This research paper examines the threat of South Africa losing its agricultural benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) due to trade barriers on US exports, specifically poultry, beef, and pork. It analyzes the economic impact of potential suspension and suggests moving toward a negotiated bilateral trade agreement to ensure greater stability.

A report by the NewClimate Institute, supported by the Climate Action Network (CAN) and the Global Call for Climate Action (GCCA), examines the co-benefits of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) and the potential benefits lost by not pursuing a transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050.

A statement by WRI Climate Director Jennifer Morgan regarding the 21st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris, framing it as a critical opportunity for a new form of international cooperation to address climate change and transition to a sustainable economic model.

The Center for International Environmental Law critiques the claim that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) provides the strongest and most enforceable environmental commitments in trade history, arguing that past U.S. free trade agreements (FTAs) show a pattern of ineffective enforcement of environmental safeguards while frequently utilizing Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) to allow corporations to sue governments over environmental laws.

This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International argues that industrial agribusiness is a primary driver of climate change and social inequality, advocating for agroecology and food sovereignty as sustainable alternatives. It specifically critiques 'Climate Smart Agriculture' (CSA) as a corporate-led 'false solution' that greenwashes industrial practices without challenging the underlying economic systems.

This fact sheet by Friends of the Earth International argues that industrial agribusiness is a primary driver of climate change and hunger, advocating for agroecology as a sustainable, equitable alternative. It critiques 'climate-smart agriculture' as a 'false solution' designed to protect corporate profits and maintain existing power structures while greenwashing industrial practices.

This fact sheet by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) surveys employment data for the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors globally and within the United States. It compiles data from various sources, including the U.S. Department of Energy and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), noting that inconsistent research methodologies and job definitions make direct comparisons difficult.

This fact sheet provides an overview of fuel cell technology, detailing its operational mechanisms, various types, and its comparative advantages over internal combustion engines and batteries. It examines the technical and economic barriers to widespread adoption—specifically cost, hydrogen production, and infrastructure—while outlining current applications in portable, stationary, and transportation sectors. The document also analyzes the role of U.S. federal and state policies, including Department of Energy (DOE) initiatives and state-level incentives, in driving the commercialization and deployment of fuel cells.

This 2015 fact sheet by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) compiles employment data for the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors in the United States and globally. It highlights significant job growth in U.S. green building and solar sectors, while identifying China as the global leader in renewable energy employment. The report notes challenges in data consistency due to varying methodologies and the cessation of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Green Careers program.

This report by Energy Innovation outlines a three-step framework for improving the performance of publicly-owned utilities (POUs), including municipal utilities, public utility districts, and cooperatives. It emphasizes the use of performance-management practices, governance reforms, and financial restructuring to align utility operations with customer values and public policy priorities.

This primer by Friends of the Earth International describes the structure, governance, and operational mechanisms of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), a multilateral fund under the UNFCCC designed to support climate adaptation and mitigation in developing countries. It details the role of Accredited Entities, National Designated Authorities, and the influence of the private sector and civil society, while highlighting concerns regarding the accreditation of banks with poor human rights and environmental records.

This fact sheet, published by Friends of the Earth International in November 2015, provides a guide to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), detailing its governance, funding mechanisms, accreditation processes, and the role of various stakeholders including the private sector and civil society.

This technical annex assesses progress toward Goal 10 of the New York Declaration on Forests, which focuses on strengthening forest governance, transparency, the rule of law, and the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs). The report utilizes three primary indicators: the strength of institutions and policies in producer and consumer countries, the prevalence of illegal logging and related violence, and the formal recognition of land and forest rights for IPLCs.

This technical annex assesses progress toward Goal 2 of the New York Declaration on Forests, which aims to eliminate deforestation from the production of agricultural commodities—specifically palm oil, soy, paper, and beef—by 2020. The report uses market share of certified commodities and the number of corporate and governmental commitments as proxy indicators for progress, noting significant data gaps and varying levels of ambition across different sectors.

This technical annex evaluates progress toward Goal 3 of the New York Declaration on Forests, which targets the reduction of deforestation from non-agricultural sectors. It identifies infrastructure, human settlements, and mining as the primary non-agricultural drivers, with logging as the main cause of forest degradation. The report highlights a significant lack of disaggregated data, making it impossible to establish quantitative indicators for progress. It reviews public policy tools such as import bans on illegal timber in the US, EU, and Australia, and the use of Strategic Environmental Impact Assessments (SEA) by the World Bank. Private sector efforts include FSC and PEFC certifications, though certified forest land has plateaued at 10% since 2008, and emerging responsible mining initiatives like the Oro Verde program in Colombia.