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The briefing analyzes community land tenure in 14 countries, finding that while 57% of total national land in these countries is held by communities, levels of legal recognition and formal documentation vary significantly by nation. It highlights that 'not-recognized' land held under customary tenure is more vulnerable to seizure, and notes that while some countries like Tanzania and Kenya recognize all held community land, others like DRC and Cambodia have very low rates of legal recognition.

The report advocates for "subsidy swaps," where governments redirect financial support from fossil fuels to clean energy (renewables and energy efficiency). It argues that while removing fossil fuel subsidies alone can reduce emissions, swapping those funds into clean energy magnifies long-term climate benefits and supports a "just transition" for workers and communities. The document provides evidence from India, Indonesia, Zambia, and Morocco to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach and suggests that governments should focus on large-scale on-grid renewables and leveraging private finance to maximize impact.

This research paper assesses the impact of removing consumer fossil fuel subsidies by 2025 across 26 countries, finding a simple average GHG emission reduction of 6% by 2030 compared to business as usual. The study argues that while FFSR alone is insufficient to meet Paris Agreement goals, combining it with a 10% energy tax and reallocating 30% of savings into renewable energy and energy efficiency could increase average reductions to 13.2% by 2030. It highlights that FFSR is a cost-effective tool, saving governments an average of USD 93 per tonne of CO2e removed. The paper also reviews the regressive nature of fuel subsidies and advocates for 'subsidy swaps' toward sustainable energy and social safety nets, noting that only 8% of current NDCs explicitly include FFSR.

The document analyzes the impact and implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) across Africa, with a detailed focus on Zambia. It explores the benefits of trade facilitation, such as increased exports and regional integration, while highlighting systemic barriers including inadequate infrastructure, reliance on donor funding, and poor inter-governmental coordination. Through a case study of four Zambian border posts—Nakonde, Kasumbalesa, Kazungula, and Chirundu—the paper illustrates the gap between high-level political commitment and on-the-ground operational realities, such as the failure to implement functional Single Window systems and the regression of previously successful One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) due to lack of data-sharing and poor donor exit strategies.

The report provides a comprehensive assessment of Namibia's governance, highlighting systemic challenges such as executive dominance over the legislature, persistent poverty and inequality, and a lack of transparency. It offers specific policy recommendations across 13 key areas, including corruption, youth unemployment, education, healthcare, gender-based violence, land reform, and environmental sustainability, to support the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) process.

The document outlines a framework for G20 nations to align their near-term climate pledges (NDCs) with mid-century visions (LTSs) to achieve Paris Agreement goals. It emphasizes that such alignment avoids carbon lock-in, supports just transitions, and unlocks economic benefits, including a potential US$26 trillion in global benefits by 2030. The paper provides guidance on NDC implementation, the process for updating pledges by 2020, and the necessity of G20 support for developing countries to overcome capacity and financing gaps.

The IGF Mining Policy Framework Assessment for Ecuador identifies gaps in environmental management and post-mining transition. It recommends that the government improve community consultations with Indigenous Peoples, integrate international environmental best practices into national law, enhance waste and water management guidelines in impact studies, and strengthen the formalization and data collection for the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.

The report examines the business models of commodity trading companies, specifically those dealing in non-fuel minerals, and identifies potential tax risks for host countries. It finds that while most trading is conducted at arm's length, risks emerge from profit-based fiscal instruments, opaque corporate structures, and specific financing arrangements like metal streaming. The authors recommend strengthening legal frameworks through mandatory contract registration, the use of globally recognized prices for tax calculations, and increased financial disclosure requirements for private trading firms.

The report examines the operations of mineral and metal commodity trading companies, highlighting their role as intermediaries and financiers for mining companies, particularly small-scale producers in emerging economies. It identifies that while most traders operate independently—reducing the risk of transfer pricing—their lack of transparency and use of complex corporate structures can facilitate tax evasion and corruption. The document specifically analyzes risks associated with 'metal streaming' and prepayments, which can shift wealth from host countries to investors. It recommends that host governments implement mandatory contract registration, use internationally recognized pricing for tax calculations, and strengthen financial disclosure requirements for private trading firms.

The report examines the operational and financial models of mineral and metal trading companies, highlighting their role as intermediaries and financiers for small and medium-sized mining firms. It concludes that while these companies generally operate on an arm's length basis, their inherent opacity and the use of complex financial arrangements, such as streaming agreements, create potential fiscal risks for host governments. The document recommends enhancing transparency through the EITI, implementing mandatory contract registration, and using globally recognized pricing for tax calculations.

The document introduces Integrated Electrification Pathways (IEP) as a systemic approach to planning electricity access. It argues that relying on a single technology is insufficient and advocates for a complementary mix of centralized grids and decentralized solutions (mini-grids and off-grid systems) tailored to human needs and socio-economic development. The guide outlines four key characteristics of IEPs—focus on sustainable development, technological inclusivity, high-level political coordination, and market-enabling support—and provides a five-step planning process involving coordination bodies, expert engagement, geospatial data modeling, regulatory reform, and financial mobilization.

The document argues that achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 requires a shift from fragmented electrification efforts to Integrated Electrification Pathways (IEPs). IEPs are defined as inclusive planning approaches that leverage a mix of grid, mini-grid, and off-grid technologies based on human needs and sustainable development goals. The guide outlines four key features of IEPs—contextualizing access within human needs, considering all technological delivery models, securing high-level political commitment, and implementing market-enabling policies—and provides a five-step planning process. This process includes establishing a coordinating body, engaging experts, utilizing geospatial data and modeling tools, developing supportive regulations, and mobilizing diverse finance to support both developers and consumers.

The Tandem framework addresses the 'usability gap' in climate services by shifting from provider-led to collaborative, transdisciplinary co-design. It outlines a seven-step iterative process—ranging from identifying adaptation challenges to maintaining the service—supported by cross-cutting components like sustainable financing and capacity building. The framework is illustrated through an urban water security case study in Lusaka, Zambia, where co-produced hydrological models helped stakeholders assess water demand against climate scenarios.

This report from the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) outlines the council's activities and recommendations ahead of the 27th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-27) in Brasilia, Brazil. The EC provides guidance on the IAI Strategic Plan, the election rules for the Science and Policy Advisory Committee, and the establishment of flexible funding mechanisms for global change projects in the Americas.

This report from the Chair of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) outlines the EC's activities and recommendations ahead of the 27th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-27) in Brasilia, Brazil.

The report compares the soap, detergent, and cosmetics sectors in South Africa and Zambia, noting that while South Africa has a more mature industry, both face capacity and competitiveness challenges. Zambia struggles with a trade deficit and poor packaging quality, while South African small firms face high input costs and regulatory barriers. The authors recommend developing natural product lines, operationalising industrial clusters, and improving supermarket access to foster regional import substitution.

The research assesses agro-processing opportunities in South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mauritius, highlighting the potential for regional integration. It identifies specific growth opportunities in soybean production in Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique, and processing opportunities for tobacco in Mozambique. The paper recommends harmonising SADC standards, reducing transport costs, and reviewing sugar sector policies to strengthen regional value chains.

The document analyzes the tourism global value chains (GVCs), distinguishing between leisure and business tourism. It identifies that in Africa, the 'package booking' channel is more durable than in other regions, but the dominance of global lead firms often leads to leakages and underdeveloped linkages with local industries. While business tourism is a significant driver and has fostered the growth of African travel management companies like Satguru, the leisure sector faces constraints such as low domestic demand and restrictive government policies. The paper suggests that upgrading the value chain requires improvements in infrastructure, skills training—noting a lack of certified schools beyond Kenya and Zambia—and the deregulation of air markets to support low-cost carriers.

The 4th session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-4) focuses on 'Innovative Solutions to the Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production' to advance Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12. The assembly integrates input from the Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF), including the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), and technical data from the 6th Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-6) report. Key highlights include the exhibition of innovative projects such as the Flipflopi Dhow, a vessel made from waste plastic, and South African environmental risk and anti-poaching technologies.

The study examines cooking behaviours in urban Lusaka, Zambia, finding that dominant cooking cultures are reinforced by social interactions, national policy, and market accessibility. It identifies a mismatch between household perceptions, which view change as a complex result of 'softer' intertwined factors, and expert views, which prioritise 'harder' determinants like fuel price and availability.