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The document argues that the increasing use of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) in consumer and industrial products creates significant risks in the waste stream due to unknown toxicity and difficulties in characterization. It demands that governments and companies implement extended producer responsibility, restrict the transboundary movement of MNM waste, and establish public registries of nano-products, particularly within the European Union, to ensure safe recycling and disposal.

The document argues that manufactured nanomaterials (NM) in waste streams pose risks to health and the environment due to incomplete toxicity understanding. It demands the implementation of extended producer responsibility, restrictions on transboundary movements of NM waste, and the creation of a public registry of nano-products in the EU to ensure transparent quantification of waste flows. Additionally, it advocates for public funding of research into waste prevention and the development of safe recycling and disposal technologies that prevent cross-contamination of secondary materials.

The document argues that the increasing use of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) in consumer, industrial, and medical products is leading to their proliferation in waste streams, posing risks to human health and the environment that are not yet fully understood. Signatories demand that governments and companies implement extended producer responsibility, restrict the transboundary movement of MNM waste, and establish a public registry of nano-products in Europe to ensure transparency. The statement also advocates for the development of safe recycling technologies and the integration of waste prevention into publicly funded nanotechnology research to support a safe circular economy.

The Declaration on Waste Containing Nanomaterials argues that the increasing presence of manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) in waste streams poses risks to human health and the environment due to uncertainties regarding their toxicity. The signatories call for the implementation of full producer responsibility, the restriction of transboundary waste movements, and the creation of an EU-wide public nano-product registry to ensure transparent quantification of waste flows. They further advocate for innovation in waste prevention, the development of safe recycling and disposal technologies, and the establishment of verifiable end-of-waste criteria to support a circular economy without introducing new environmental risks.

The document examines Petronas's dominance in Malaysia's oil and gas sector and its impact on national revenue and energy security. While Petronas is diversifying into renewables and natural gas as a 'low-carbon' solution, it maintains fossil fuels as its core business and lacks a public plan to phase them out. The report highlights Malaysia's heavy reliance on coal and gas for electricity, the financial risk of stranded assets, and the necessity of a 'just transition' to protect socioeconomic stability given that Petronas contributes approximately 20% of government income.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Accreditation Panel recommends the accreditation of Joint Stock Company TBC Bank (APL113), a leading Georgian banking group, for medium-sized projects with high environmental and social risk (Category I-1). While the bank fully meets basic fiduciary, environmental, and social standards, the panel identified gaps in its procurement oversight of executing entities, public information disclosure for on-lending operations, and a track record of gender assessments in climate projects. These gaps are addressed through specific conditions for accreditation.

The EU is establishing Strategic Partnerships with 14 countries to secure critical minerals for its 2050 climate neutrality goal. Global Witness argues that these deals prioritize resource access over social and environmental governance, citing specific risks in Serbia, Rwanda, Australia, Argentina, Uzbekistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The author calls for the EU to implement stringent safeguards and transparent 'Roadmaps' to ensure the energy transition does not perpetuate human rights abuses or environmental destruction.

The SAVi assessment concludes that a sustainable infrastructure scenario—combining railway expansion and sustainable buildings—would generate a cumulative discounted net benefit of KZT 2,424 billion (USD 5,259 million) between 2022 and 2050. While a traditional benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 0.82 would suggest the project is not investment-worthy, the sustainable benefit-cost ratio (S-BCR) is 8.53 when accounting for societal and environmental externalities. The most significant economic driver is the value added from freight trade, totaling KZT 2,452 billion (USD 5,319 million), assuming a 60% shift from road to rail transport. The report recommends prioritizing electrified rail and energy-efficient buildings to reduce CO2 emissions and operational costs, noting that solar power is cheaper than fossil fuel generation for the project's energy needs.

The SAVi assessment of the Uchkuduk-Kazakhstan Border Highway in Uzbekistan indicates that while the project has a low traditional benefit-cost ratio of 0.18, its sustainable benefit-cost ratio (S-BCR) is significantly higher at 1.38 to 1.95. The project is expected to generate cumulative discounted net benefits between USD 230 million and USD 567 million over a 30-year period (2022-2052), driven primarily by public revenues from raw materials trade and avoided traffic accident costs.

The document provides a geographic overview of the top 15 cotton-producing countries as of 2016, categorizing them by production levels and their status regarding Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) compliance.

The document examines the shift in Russian foreign policy under President Dmitry Medvedev, analyzing the tension between his proposed 'modernization' and the 'hard power' approach demonstrated during the 2008 conflict in Georgia. It explores Russia's strategic interests in the 'near abroad' (CIS), its pursuit of a multipolar world order to counter US unilateralism, and its complex relationships with the EU, China, and the US. Key themes include the use of energy as a political tool, the militarization of the Arctic, and the role of international law and institutions like the OSCE and Council of Europe.

The research examines the Central Asia Regional Security Complex (CA RSC), comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It argues that while these states share concerns regarding trans-border terrorism, extremism, and narcotics trafficking from Afghanistan, their primary security drivers are internal rivalries and the strategic balancing of global powers—specifically Russia, China, and the USA. The author contends that the 'Heart of Asia' concept fails because it underestimates inter-state non-cooperation and ignores the distinct security dynamics of sub-regions. Central Asian states employ a 'multi-vector' foreign policy to maximize benefits from competing external interests while guarding their sovereignty. Consequently, their engagement with Afghanistan is fragmented and unilateral, focused on extracting economic rent or preventing security 'bleed-out' rather than a unified regional strategy.

The research examines the link between water scarcity and intrastate conflict, arguing that the relationship is not deterministic but is mediated by domestic political institutions. Using a simultaneous equations model for 98 countries (1981–2000), the authors find that while water scarcity does not directly increase the probability of conflict, it does negatively impact the likelihood of democratic institutions emerging. Crucially, the study finds that democratic regimes are more effective at mitigating the risk of conflict in water-scarce conditions. The authors suggest an 'ecological trap' where water scarcity promotes autocracy, which in turn fails to manage resources effectively, potentially leading to a cycle of scarcity, autocracy, and conflict.

The fashion industry is a major contributor to global carbon emissions and water pollution, with a supply chain heavily reliant on fossil fuels and concentrated in low- and middle-income countries. Women comprise over 60% of the global garment workforce but face systemic barriers, including limited access to sustainable energy and underrepresentation in leadership. The report advocates for the adoption of renewable energy, circular fashion models, and gender-responsive policies to drive a sustainable transition. Key recommendations include scaling financial support for women-led SMEs, investing in green skills training, and implementing mandatory supply chain transparency to address environmental and social inequities.

The report argues that transitioning from national energy self-sufficiency to an integrated regional power system in Central Asia would enhance energy security, lower electricity production costs, and accelerate decarbonization. Modelling indicates that 'Unlimited transmission' could reduce electricity production emissions intensity by approximately 3% and save 1.4 billion USD in annual costs by 2050 compared to self-sufficiency. The document highlights the potential for Kazakhstan to become a hydrogen hub (primarily via 'blue' hydrogen) and for Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to provide baseload hydropower. To achieve this, the report proposes a roadmap integrating technical, political, financial, and organizational considerations.

The report details the creation of a comprehensive modeling framework for the Syr Darya River Basin, integrating the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) platform, the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) with the Next Energy Modeling system for Optimization (NEMO), and a macroeconomic model (Macro). This integrated approach allows for the simulation of complex interdependencies between water availability, energy production, and economic outcomes across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The study evaluates six thematic narratives—ranging from business-as-usual to regional cooperation and ecosystem restoration—under four climate projections (Historical, Dry, Average, and Wet). Key findings indicate that pursuing isolated national interests increases water stress, while regional cooperation and efficiency policies significantly reduce unmet irrigation demands, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and boost agricultural value added and GDP.

The document identifies a significant global trend toward expanding coal-fired power capacity, with 1,199 new plants proposed across 59 countries. China and India are the primary drivers of this expansion, accounting for 76% of proposed new capacities. The analysis also highlights a shift in the global coal trade from Atlantic to Pacific markets, prompting infrastructure expansions in countries like Australia.

The WWF AHM Project provides technical, financial, and capacity-building support to the 12 snow leopard range countries to implement the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Program. This support includes the development of climate-smart landscape management plans, the provision of catalyst grants up to USD 5,000, and the implementation of conservation field activities in six member states. Key milestones include the 2013 Bishkek Declaration and the creation of model management plans for Eastern Nepal and Central Tian Shan.

The document outlines the need to bridge the gap between conservation science and the private sector to ensure infrastructure does not compromise global biodiversity targets. It highlights specific tools like the Sustainable Infrastructure Label and the Mitigation Hierarchy, and provides examples of national efforts in Uzbekistan and Nepal to implement sustainable infrastructure practices.