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This report summarizes a seminar hosted by the Institute for Security Studies on November 14, 2008, featuring U.S. Ambassador Eric M. Bost. The discussion focused on the 2008 U.S. presidential election of Barack Obama and the potential implications for Africa, specifically addressing the tension between global expectations of a policy shift and the likelihood of a domestic-focused U.S. agenda.

A joint statement by Friends of the Earth and ten other environmental and consumer advocacy organizations criticizing a U.S. energy bill for failing to address global warming or oil dependence while providing subsidies to the fossil fuel and nuclear industries.

A statement from Friends of the Earth criticizing a congressional energy plan for failing to reduce oil dependence, rolling back environmental protections, and prioritizing polluting industries over renewable energy.

A joint press statement from Friends of the Earth, the National Parks Conservation Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, and The Wilderness Society urging the Department of Interior to abandon a secret rewrite of national park policies led by Paul Hoffman.

A statement by Friends of the Earth legislative director Sara Zdeb criticizing the provision of billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded subsidies and tax cuts to major oil companies while they report record profits and consumers face rising energy costs.

A statement by Norman Dean, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, regarding the Supreme Court's decision to hear a case on whether the Bush Administration must regulate carbon dioxide emissions under the Clean Air Act.

Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder condemned President Bush's global warming strategy as a "charade" intended to derail international talks, noting that the United States produces 25 percent of global greenhouse gases.

A statement by Friends of the Earth-U.S. opposing the inclusion of mandates and incentives for liquid coal in a pending Senate energy bill, arguing that such measures would undermine efforts to reduce global warming emissions.

Friends of the Earth-U.S. President Brent Blackwelder criticized President George Bush's 'major emitters' summit on global warming, arguing that the administration's voluntary approach and separate meetings sidetrack the United Nations process and isolate the United States.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) details the job creation potential and economic impacts of renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) sectors across the United States and internationally. It compares the employment capacity of green industries against fossil fuel and nuclear sectors and highlights the role of specific policy instruments, such as Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and tax credits, in driving workforce growth.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) examines the environmental and health impacts of school bus transportation, highlighting the benefits of buses over private vehicles and the specific dangers associated with diesel engine idling.

This research paper examines the historical context of superpower competition in Africa during the Cold War and analyzes the potential implications of a 'new' Cold War or a shift toward multi-polarity between the West and Russia for African states.

This executive summary by Friends of the Earth International challenges the sustainability claims of the Malaysian palm oil lobby, specifically the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC). The document argues that palm oil expansion, particularly in the state of Sarawak, is driving deforestation, violating indigenous land rights, and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions through the drainage and burning of peatlands, often fueled by European and American demand for biofuels.

This report analyzes the environmental and social impacts of China's role as a leading producer, importer, and exporter in the global cotton and textile supply chain. It examines the trade-offs between economic growth and environmental degradation, proposing a transition toward sustainable production practices and a strategic shift in sourcing toward rain-fed regions in Africa to reduce global environmental pressure.

This report examines the integration of sustainable development into the regional and bilateral trade arrangements of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), comprising South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Swaziland. It analyzes the tension between trade liberalization and national development goals, the impact of the SACU Revenue Sharing Formula, and the outcomes of various Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The study concludes that most trade deals focus almost exclusively on market access, neglecting social and environmental pillars of sustainable development.

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute evaluates whether the Stern Review underestimated climate damages for the United States and the world. By revising parameters in the PAGE2002 model—specifically regarding adaptation, catastrophic risk, and the damage function—the authors argue that business-as-usual damages in 2100 could be significantly higher than the Stern Review's estimates, rising from 2.2 percent of global GDP to 10.8 percent.

This seminar report, compiled by the Institute for Security Studies, details a presentation by Dr. Witold Patoka on the 2008 conflict between Georgia and Russia and its implications for European security. The document outlines the timeline of the August 2008 hostilities, the terms of the subsequent ceasefire, and the geopolitical tensions involving NATO, the European Union, and the United States.

This research paper examines the role of product energy performance standards and processes and production methods (PPMs) in mitigating climate change and their interaction with international trade law. It argues that while energy efficiency standards are highly cost-effective and should be supported by trade regimes, PPM-based measures are more legally complex and controversial, particularly regarding their impact on developing country exporters and their consistency with WTO rules.

This report by Friends of the Earth International criticizes the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for financing large-scale, export-oriented agrofuel projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. The document argues that these projects exacerbate social and environmental inequities, threaten biodiversity, and may increase greenhouse gas emissions due to land-use changes, rather than serving as a viable climate solution.

This 2008 research paper examines the concept of "embodied carbon"—the total CO2 emitted during a product's lifecycle from raw material extraction to delivery. It contrasts production-based emissions accounting with consumption-based accounting, noting that developed Annex B countries are typically net importers of embodied carbon. The paper discusses the potential for border carbon adjustments to address competitiveness imbalances but highlights significant legal uncertainties regarding non-discrimination principles in trade law and the technical challenges of data availability in developing nations.