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RESPONSE TO CRITIQUES FROM M. WANG AND J. DUNN (ARGONNE LABORATORY)
WRI responds to critiques from Argonne National Laboratory, reaffirming that dedicating land to bioenergy is highly inefficient compared to solar PV and poses significant risks to food security and carbon storage. WRI argues that 'marginal lands' are often misidentified and that bioenergy does not inherently provide greenhouse gas reductions unless it creates additional plant growth.
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Document type: Statement
World Bank Safeguards Review – Phase 3 Consultations
A statement from a coalition of civil society organizations to the World Bank requesting a meeting to discuss recommendations for the third and final consultation phase of the Safeguards Review for the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF).
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Document type: Statement
GETTING TO $100 BILLION: CLIMATE FINANCE SCENARIOS AND PROJECTIONS TO 2020
This World Resources Institute working paper analyzes four scenarios to determine how developed countries can meet the 2009 Copenhagen commitment to mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 for climate action in developing countries. The analysis projects that reaching the target will likely require a combination of public finance sources and leveraged private sector investment, while noting a persistent imbalance where mitigation finance far outweighs adaptation finance.
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Document type: Research paper
Kaiser Permanente buys 153 MW of wind and solar power
A case study by RMI detailing Kaiser Permanente's procurement of 153 MW of off-site wind and solar power through a deal with NextEra Energy Resources to meet its sustainability goals in California.
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Document type: Case study
HOW TO CALCULATE AND PRESENT DEEP RETROFIT VALUE
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.
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Document type: Guide
EU trade secrets directive threat to free speech, health, environment and worker mobility
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.
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Document type: Statement
Prioritizing “No Significant Harm” over “Reasonable and Equitable” in Governance of Aquifers
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.
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Document type: Research paper
The BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement and its Position in the Emerging Global Financial Architecture
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.
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Document type: Policy brief
The Changing Nature of Turkey’s International Policy
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.
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Document type: Policy brief
Australia’s Policy Priorities in a Global Era
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.
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Document type: Policy brief
CITES-Authorized Trade in DRC Timber Continues at Unsustainable Levels
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.
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Document type: Statement
Statement of SAIIA's National Chairman 2015
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.
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Document type: Statement
La réglementation sur les nanotechnologies et l’OCDE
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.
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Document type: Guide
AVOIDING BIOENERGY COMPETITION FOR FOOD CROPS AND LAND
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.
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Document type: Research paper
IAI activities plan July 2015 – June 2016
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.
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Document type: Report
SOLICITUD DE PRESUPUESTO OPERATIVO AÑO FISCAL 2015/2016 Y SOLICITUD PRELIMINAR 2016-2018
This document is a budget request from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) for the 2015/2016 fiscal year and a preliminary request for 2016-2018. It details the operational costs required to maintain services, monitor scientific programs, and manage the transition of activities in Montevideo, while proposing an 8.9% increase in member country contributions.
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Document type: Report
A briefing note on COP 21 for the members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP)
This 2015 briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines key issues and priorities for the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) ahead of the COP 21 climate conference in Paris. It emphasizes the need for an ambitious, legally binding agreement that addresses the specific vulnerabilities of Africa, ensures equity through the Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) principle, and closes significant financial and ambition gaps to limit global warming.
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Document type: Briefing
Note d’information sur la CdP 21 à l’intention du Parlement panafricain
This briefing note, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development in October 2015, outlines the key issues and priorities for the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) ahead of the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris. It emphasizes the need for a legally binding agreement that addresses the specific vulnerabilities of Africa, ensures climate equity, and secures financial commitments from developed nations to support both mitigation and adaptation efforts.
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Document type: Briefing
Regional Financial Institutions and the Role of the BNDES in Latin America
This research paper examines the role of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) in Latin America, finding that while it provides significant financing for infrastructure and capital goods, its activities are primarily market-driven and designed to support Brazilian exports rather than state-led regional integration. Between 2009 and 2013, BNDES disbursements to Latin America grew significantly, particularly to Venezuela and Cuba, though the bank faces criticism over project sustainability and the concentration of funds among a few large Brazilian firms.
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Document type: Research paper
SEI INITIATIVE
The SEI Initiative on Fossil Fuels and Climate Change, launched in January 2015, aims to research and influence the supply side of fossil fuel development to align with a 2°C global warming limit. The initiative focuses on the emissions implications of infrastructure, the political economy of extraction, and the role of international governance. It utilizes case studies in Colombia, South Africa, Indonesia, Norway, and the U.S. to explore the transition away from fossil fuel dependence.
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Document type: Briefing