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This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the impacts of large-scale private agricultural investments on local livelihoods, water resources, land tenure, and gender equality. It argues that while such investments can create employment and market opportunities, ill-designed contracts often lead to environmental degradation, water scarcity, and the marginalization of rural communities, particularly women. The document advocates for an integrated approach to planning, utilizing a 'social tenure model' and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure sustainability and inclusivity.

This research paper analyzes the Global Goal for Adaptation (GGA) under the Paris Agreement, focusing on the proposals of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) to achieve parity between mitigation and adaptation. It argues that while the Paris Agreement establishes the GGA, its operationalisation requires clearer guidelines on minimum information for adaptation communications (a-NDCs) to allow for the aggregation of data and the assessment of adequacy during the global stocktake. The paper highlights the significant domestic investments made by developing countries like Ethiopia and Uganda and calls for a hybrid approach—combining bottom-up national needs with top-down scientific benchmarks from the IPCC—to determine and provide adequate adaptation support.

This research paper evaluates Africa's prospects for achieving universal access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) by 2030, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. Using the International Futures (IFs) forecasting system, the authors compare a 'Current Path' (business-as-usual) against two alternative scenarios: 'Universal Access' (an aggressive push for 97% coverage) and 'Balancing WASH' (a moderate approach based on 2015 baselines). The analysis highlights the massive infrastructure investment required, the potential for significant economic and human development gains, and the risk of spending trade-offs that could undermine health and education goals.

The SEforALL 2016-2021 Business Plan outlines a strategy to achieve universal modern energy access, double energy efficiency, and double the share of renewables globally. The organization uses data-driven 'heat maps' and a 'Global Tracking Framework' to prioritize high-impact countries and sectors. Its operational model relies on 'lean start-up' methodologies and a network of 'Delivery', 'Proud', and 'Funding' partners, including sector-specific 'Accelerators'. Financially, SEforALL aims to transition to a 50:50 public-private funding split, with a base-case budget growing from $7.4 million in 2017 to $11.0 million by 2021.

This executive summary introduces a World Resources Report framework for creating more equal, productive, and sustainable cities, focusing specifically on 'struggling' and 'emerging' cities in the Global South. It identifies critical challenges in urban population growth and service delivery, proposing that equitable access to core services—housing, water, energy, and transportation—can serve as a catalyst for broader urban transformation.

This case study describes a project led by the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS) between August and December 2014 to embed the Bank of Uganda’s Financial Consumer Protection Guidelines (FCPG) within 31 Supervised Financial Institutions (SFI) in Uganda. Funded by Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSDA) with £105,000, the initiative aimed to create a sustainable local market for financial consumer protection (FCP) training by increasing the capacity of Ugandan training firms and SFI Human Resource teams.

The SEI Strategy 2015–2019 outlines the Stockholm Environment Institute's framework for bridging science and policy to support sustainable development. The strategy focuses on enhancing scientific research through new 'SEI Initiatives', expanding policy engagement to include 'hard-to-reach' stakeholders like the private sector, and strengthening capacity development across individual, organizational, and institutional levels. It also details the enabling infrastructure required for delivery, including communications, ICT tools, financial management, and a custom monitoring system (PMEC).

This fact sheet from the World Resources Institute explains the sources, scale, and trends of global agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while highlighting the role of new Greenhouse Gas Protocol guidance in helping companies measure and manage their climate footprint.

This fact sheet by the World Resources Institute describes the launch of the GHG Protocol's first international guidelines for the agriculture and livestock sector, providing data on global emissions sources, trends, and mitigation opportunities.

This research paper evaluates the G-20's financial regulation and development agenda between 2011 and 2012, finding that while general G-20 documents rarely mention Africa explicitly, they address broader developing country needs. Key areas of relevance include financial inclusion, agricultural finance, and local currency bond markets. The author argues that while the G-20 recognizes the need to adapt international standards to developing contexts, greater active participation and regional coordination by African states are necessary to ensure their specific needs are met.

This briefing analyzes the World Bank Group's (WBG) risk mitigation instruments for climate change, finding that while the WBG offers comprehensive explicit, implicit, and indirect risk coverage, climate-specific instruments have not kept pace with investment needs. Between 2010 and 2012, climate-related risk commitments averaged USD 570 million annually (14% of total risk mitigation). The report highlights that IBRD has provided the most financial resources for climate risk mitigation, while IFC is the most active by number of initiatives. It recommends a clear mandate to expand these instruments, particularly guarantees and index-based tools, to better support low-carbon projects.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) evaluates the alignment of the G-20 food security agenda with the interests of the African continent. The analysis finds that while the G-20's commitments broadly align with African policy processes—particularly regarding food-price volatility, agricultural productivity, and nutrition—the G-20 has been slow to implement regulatory reforms and provide significant funding for African agriculture. The author argues that the G-20 often overlooks systemic issues requiring internal reform, such as biofuel policies and commodity speculation, which significantly impact food security in developing regions.

This document presents nine case studies of public-private collaborations (PPCs) designed to enhance resilience through disaster risk management and climate change adaptation. The projects span various sectors, including transport, agriculture, water, housing, and energy, across multiple countries in Asia, Africa, and Central America.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs argues that traditional natural resource management has failed and that African nations should adopt Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes and economic valuation to protect their natural assets, which are critical for poverty reduction and livelihoods.

This policy brief describes a study using a global-to-local modelling approach to analyze the interactions between socio-economic development, land use, food security, and climate change in Vietnam for the period 2010-2030. The study employs a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model combined with a spatial land use model to project outcomes under three scenarios: Business As Usual (BAU), High Climate Impact (HCI), and High Economic Growth (HEG).

This case study examines the operational challenges faced by Rice Milling Company (Pvt.) Limited (RMC), a company that processes and exports rice and other food products from Malawi. It details barriers related to government pricing regulations, bureaucratic export permits, infrastructure inefficiencies, and a lack of technical skills in the local labor market.

A statement issued by the Global Climate and Health Alliance on December 4, 2011, during the UNFCCC's 17th Conference of the Parties in Durban, South Africa. The document calls upon public health organizations, professionals, and ministries to take concerted action to protect public health from the threats of climate change.

A vision statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon outlining the goal to achieve sustainable energy for all by 2030 through universal energy access, improved energy efficiency, and an increased share of renewable energy.

This policy brief by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) examines the intersection of climate change and poverty reduction. It argues that climate variability hinders the ability of poor populations to escape poverty and threatens the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The document advocates for integrating climate adaptation into national poverty reduction strategies, investing in evidence-based data, and ensuring that emission mitigation efforts provide tangible co-benefits for the poor.

This policy brief by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the intersection of climate change and poverty reduction. It argues that climate variability hinders the ability of poor populations to escape poverty and threatens the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly in Africa. The document advocates for the integration of climate adaptation into national development strategies, the collection of more conclusive data on climate-poverty links, and a cautious approach to mitigation projects to ensure they provide tangible co-benefits for the poor.