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This briefing summarizes the recommendations of the State, Local and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, established by President Obama via Executive Order 13653. The Task Force provided 35 key recommendations across seven themes to help the federal government support community resilience against climate change. The document also details executive actions taken by the White House in response to these recommendations and specific funding requests in the Fiscal Year 2016 budget.

This guide by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) provides real estate investors with a framework to calculate and present the full value of deep energy retrofits. It argues that conventional evaluations, which focus primarily on energy cost savings, often overlook significant revenue and risk-reduction benefits that can make a project financially viable even if its net present value based on energy savings alone is negative.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute outlines the expected components and critical evaluation criteria for the United States' Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to be submitted to the United Nations in March 2015, ahead of the Paris climate agreement in December 2015.

A multi-sectoral coalition opposes a proposed EU trade secrets directive, arguing that its broad definitions and lack of safeguards threaten freedom of speech, worker mobility, and public access to critical health, environmental, and food safety data.

This commentary examines the governance of transboundary aquifers, arguing that the principle of "no significant harm" should be prioritized over "reasonable and equitable use" in management negotiations.

This policy brief analyzes the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), arguing that while it is currently more symbolic than a substantive challenge to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), it has the potential to evolve into a more independent and comprehensive financial safety net for emerging economies.

This policy brief examines the evolution of Turkey's international policy from a defensive, Western-oriented stance to an activist approach characterized by a desire for independence and an increasing emphasis on Islamic identity.

The report introduces the 'electricity system value chain' framework, designed to help technology providers and system designers identify and capture value within the complex, non-linear network of the modern electricity grid. It moves beyond linear value chains to a system-based approach that integrates electrical, communications, and organizational layers to align compensation with the actual value provided by emerging technologies, such as distributed energy resources.

This policy briefing examines the economic and strategic challenges facing Australia as a middle power, highlighting the tension between its strategic alliance with the US and its economic reliance on China. It discusses the limitations of regional institutions in the Asia-Pacific and suggests that the G-20 may offer a more effective platform for Australia to exert global influence.

A statement by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and partners criticizing the CITES permit system for failing to prevent the illegal export of Afrormosia timber from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), noting that 2015 export quotas remain high despite insufficient inventory data and widespread reports of falsified permits.

The 2015 statement by SAIIA's National Chairman argues that South Africa's international soft power is dependent on its domestic adherence to constitutional democracy. It advocates for a more cohesive 'economic diplomacy' strategy, a commitment to a rules-based multilateral international order, and a diversified approach to global partnerships beyond the BRICS nations.

The Obama administration's FY 2016 budget proposal requests significant funding increases for clean energy, climate resilience, and sustainable infrastructure. Key highlights include a $29.9 billion request for the Department of Energy, a $94.7 billion request for the Department of Transportation, and the creation of a $4 billion Clean Power Plan Incentive Fund. The budget emphasizes a transition to a low-carbon economy through investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency in buildings, and the modernization of transportation networks.

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs evaluates the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), arguing that while it provides duty-free access to the US market, it remains underutilised. The author proposes a four-pillar strategy for the October 2015 renewal: timely and extended renewal, addressing non-tariff barriers, improving structural competitiveness through infrastructure and finance, and aligning with global trading shifts like the TPP and TTIP.

A statement by the Center for International Environmental Law criticizing the lack of public participation and the excessive influence of industry lobbyists, specifically Cosmetics Europe, in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations.

A briefing by the World Resources Institute outlining four strategic opportunities for the United States and India to collaborate on clean energy and climate action during a meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Modi in January 2015.

A statement from World Resources Institute (WRI) President and CEO Dr. Andrew Steer responding to President Obama's 2015 State of the Union address, supporting the administration's climate leadership and its efforts toward an international climate agreement.

This guide describes the role of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in regulating chemicals and manufactured nanomaterials, specifically detailing the activities of the Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials (WPMN) and its steering groups.

This research paper argues that using land for bioenergy creates intense competition with food, feed, and carbon storage, potentially widening the global crop calorie gap. The authors contend that most bioenergy is land-inefficient compared to solar energy and that current greenhouse gas accounting often 'double counts' biomass, erroneously suggesting that bioenergy is carbon-free. The paper recommends phasing out bioenergy from dedicated land use and prioritizing biomass derived from true wastes.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) analyzes how the proposed Regulatory Cooperation chapter of the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement could undermine the authority of US states to implement public health and environmental protections. The author argues that the agreement's goals of regulatory convergence and compatibility would effectively create a regulatory ceiling, preventing states from adopting standards more protective than federal minimums, particularly regarding toxic chemicals and pesticides.

The IAI activities plan for July 2015 – June 2016 outlines institutional restructuring, research initiatives focused on ecosystem services and adaptation, and a series of capacity-building seminars and workshops across Latin America and the Caribbean.