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This policy brief examines the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) from an African perspective, analyzing its compatibility with the African Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Pelindaba Treaty) and the role of the African Commission on Nuclear Energy (AFCONE).

The 100 Days Report details the activities of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) from February 5 to May 15, 2021. The organization focused on advocacy for Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), supporting the UN High-level Dialogue on Energy and the COP26 Energy Transition Council, and providing technical assistance for energy access in several developing nations.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs analyzes South Africa's historical failure to champion human rights in its foreign policy, contrasting its domestic constitutional principles with its international actions. The author argues that South Africa has traditionally prioritized an 'anti-imperialist' struggle over human rights, though recent actions on the UN Human Rights Council suggest a shift toward greater commitment.

In a parting reflection published on April 16, 2021, Andrew Steer outlines the lessons learned during his nine-year tenure as leader of the World Resources Institute (WRI). He describes WRI's growth into a global team of 1,500 professionals and details the strategic approaches the organization used to influence climate and environmental policy, including the use of data-driven research combined with practical on-the-ground implementation and multi-stakeholder convening.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute outlines four critical objectives for the Leaders Summit on Climate (April 22-23, 2021), hosted by the United States. The document argues that the summit is a vital milestone for major economies to align their 2030 emissions targets with net-zero trajectories, increase climate finance for developing nations, end public funding for coal, and ensure COVID-19 economic recovery plans prioritize green infrastructure over fossil fuels to keep the 1.5 degree Celsius warming limit within reach.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and Sitra explores how Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) can be used to facilitate the global transition to a circular economy (CE). It identifies specific policy levers—including tariff liberalization, services market access, technical standards, investment protections, subsidy reforms, and public procurement—that can be integrated into trade agreements to promote resource efficiency and discourage linear 'take-make-waste' economic models.

This policy brief provides a stocktaking of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) negotiations on e-commerce as of February 2021. It examines how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption while widening the digital divide, and analyzes the current state of play in the JSI negotiations, including areas of convergence and persistent divergence among the 86 participating members.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics argues that immediate and transparent emission cuts are essential to avoid ecological disaster, as the cumulative nature of CO2 means that delaying action increases peak temperatures even if net-zero targets are eventually met.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute argues that the United States should set a greenhouse gas emissions-reduction target of 50% below 2005 levels by 2030. The document outlines how such a target is achievable through a combination of federal and local action, would stimulate economic growth and job creation, and is necessary to maintain international leadership and meet global warming limits of 1.5 degrees C.

The Green Economy Coalition (GEC) provides guidelines for its membership application process, emphasizing a commitment to collaboration and a transition toward a distributive delivery structure with regional and national hubs. The document outlines an interim review process managed by the UK global hub to screen applicants through due diligence and collaboration trials before final approval.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) proposes a standardized Cooling Investment Tracking Framework to address significant data gaps in global cooling finance. The authors argue that current datasets focus too narrowly on equipment sales and lack the transaction-level granularity needed for governments and investors to align capital with sustainable cooling needs.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines South Africa's transition from a secret apartheid-era nuclear weapons programme to a state committed to nuclear non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It details the country's normative frameworks, governance structures, and the challenges facing its nuclear energy expansion plans, including the legacy of state capture during the Zuma presidency and the current cautious approach under President Cyril Ramaphosa.

A statement by the Green Economy Coalition (GEC) arguing that the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic must be a 'green recovery' to avoid locking the world into future crises related to climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequality.

A statement by RMI calling for the United States to adopt a robust industrial policy and public-private partnerships to regain global competitiveness in the clean energy transition following the inauguration of the Biden-Harris Administration.

This report consists of a series of expert commentaries analyzing the global geopolitical and domestic implications of the January 6 Capitol Hill attacks. The contributors discuss how the event affected the perception of U.S. democracy and influenced the foreign policies and internal political dynamics of the United Kingdom, Brazil, South Africa, Turkey, and India.

This research paper analyzes US President Donald Trump's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, arguing that he treated the crisis as a campaign stage. The author contends that Trump pursued a laissez-faire 'herd immunity' strategy, not for epidemiological reasons, but to frame himself as a protector of the working class and small business owners against a perceived 'elite' scientific and political establishment.

The 'Agua Sin Límites' (Water Without Limits) initiative by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) proposes a new agenda for sustainable water management. It aims to address the limitations of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) by focusing on tele-connections beyond the basin, multi-scale participatory approaches to address social inequalities, and the early integration of ecosystem needs into planning.

This annex to the 2021 NYDF Goal 7 Progress Report provides technical and economic mitigation potential estimates for forest-related activities, analyzes the ambition of forest targets in National Determined Contributions (NDCs), and estimates the global finance needs and public finance flows for forest mitigation.

The COP26 Resilience Hub Synthesis Report outlines key messages and future directions for climate adaptation and resilience, emphasizing the need for locally led action, diversified finance, and the integration of nature-based solutions. It synthesizes findings from the Resilience Hub's activities at COP26, focusing on three pillars (urban, coastal, and rural) and ten thematic areas to guide action toward COP27.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development explores the intersection of circular economy solutions and international trade policies to support global decarbonization. It argues that transitioning from primary to secondary materials and extending product lifespans are essential for meeting Paris Agreement goals, as resource extraction and processing account for half of global greenhouse gas emissions. The authors advocate for the removal of trade barriers to circular goods and services and the use of bilateral and regional trade agreements to establish standards for low-carbon circularity.