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The document highlights the economic value of natural infrastructure in the Canadian Prairies, noting that in 2022, the sector directly employed over 33,000 people and contributed over CAD 4.1 billion to the region's GDP. In Saskatchewan specifically, the sector directly employed over 5,800 people and contributed CAD 640 million to the provincial economy in 2022. The report argues that increased annual investments—such as CAD 10 million or CAD 25 million in Saskatchewan—could significantly boost direct jobs and GDP while addressing water infrastructure gaps and increasing resilience against climate impacts like floods, droughts, and wildfires.

The document outlines the methodology for a briefing on public money for fossil fuels, detailing how the authors tracked subsidies, state-owned enterprise (SOE) investments, and international public finance. It specifies the use of IMF and IEA data for 2022 subsidies and explains the 50% government ownership rule for SOE analysis. The note also highlights significant data gaps, particularly regarding subnational support and transparency in Chinese SOE reporting, suggesting that total government support for fossil fuels is likely underestimated.

The document outlines a methodology for applying the Comparable Uncontrolled Price (CUP) method to bauxite transactions, focusing on the impact of mineral quality and market indexes on pricing. It identifies available alumina and reactive silica as the primary drivers of economic value and provides a detailed process for adjusting benchmark index prices to reflect specific ore characteristics and transportation costs. The guide also lists reputable price-reporting agencies and provides a worked example of calculating a Free on Board (FOB) price for Guinean bauxite exported to China.

This guide establishes a methodology for valuing bauxite in transactions between related parties, focusing on the 'arm's length principle'. It identifies key economic drivers of bauxite pricing—such as available alumina content and reactive silica impurities—and explains how to use market price indices from agencies like CBIX, Fastmarkets, and CRU to establish fair market values. The document also details necessary comparability adjustments for product quality, transport costs (Incoterms), and economic circumstances to prevent tax revenue loss in developing nations.

The document applies the Comparable Uncontrolled Price (CUP) method to bauxite, detailing how physical characteristics, economic circumstances, and contractual terms influence pricing. It identifies key price drivers—specifically available alumina and reactive silica—and provides a methodology for using market indices from agencies like CBIX, Fastmarkets, and CRU to establish arm's length prices, including a practical calculation example for exports from Guinea to China.

The document outlines strategies for implementing decentralized solar power plants in India's agriculture sector via the PM-KUSUM scheme. It addresses the distinct objectives of Component A (farmer income) and Component C (feeder-level solarization), while analyzing the water-energy-food nexus to prevent groundwater depletion. Key recommendations include reducing investment risks through 'deemed generation clauses', utilizing 'land banks' to facilitate developer-landowner interactions, and refining tariff calculations to reflect the higher O&M costs of small-scale plants. The guide also highlights the 'Paani Bachao Paisa Kamao' (PBPK) scheme in Punjab as a model for using direct cash incentives to encourage water conservation and discusses the potential of agrivoltaics to balance food and energy production.

The document highlights the economic contributions of natural infrastructure in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, noting that the sector provides jobs and GDP growth while increasing resilience to climate-related weather extremes. In Alberta specifically, the sector directly employed over 21,000 people and contributed CAD 2.9 billion to the provincial economy in 2022. The report argues that increased annual investments—such as CAD 20 million or CAD 50 million in Alberta—would further drive job creation and GDP while addressing water infrastructure gaps and buffering against floods, droughts, and wildfires.

The 2023 state of global environmental governance was characterized by a tension between significant multilateral achievements and deepening geopolitical fractures. While the world saw the adoption of the BBNJ treaty and the Global Framework on Chemicals, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains dire, with only 15% of targets on track. Climate action reached a milestone with the first Global Stocktake (GST) in Dubai, calling for a transition away from fossil fuels, though critics noted the absence of a full phase-out. Geopolitical tensions, particularly Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have hindered scientific collaboration in the Arctic and increased the use of voting over consensus in treaty negotiations. Financial gaps remain a critical barrier, with calls for a New Global Financing Pact to address the needs of the Global South.

The report tracks government financial support in India's energy sector, noting that while renewable energy subsidies doubled in FY 2022, fossil fuel subsidies remained more than four times higher than those for clean energy.

The report finds that water retention projects in Manitoba's Seine, Rat, and Roseau watersheds provide significant economic returns, with an average benefit-to-cost ratio of 2.45 over 20 years. For livestock-specific operations, this ratio increases to 3.16, delivering benefits such as flood protection, extended grazing, and improved water quality.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) issued a statement mourning the death of James "Jim" Carr, who served as an IISD board member and vice-chair from 2000 to 2008. Carr was a Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre and held several Canadian ministerial roles, including Minister of Natural Resources. He was recognized for his advocacy for sustainability, international cooperation, and the IISD’s Experimental Lakes Area, as well as his contributions to the business and arts communities in Manitoba.

The document argues that Canadian oil producers face an existential threat as global oil demand is projected to peak around 2030. While Canada's heavy reliance on U.S. refineries provides a temporary buffer, this will not shield the sector from falling global prices and declining demand. The brief concludes that ESG credentials and production costs are insufficient to maintain competitiveness against Middle Eastern producers, necessitating urgent economic diversification.

The report advocates for the creation of the Seal River Watershed Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) in northern Manitoba, highlighting its role in biodiversity, carbon storage, and the preservation of Indigenous cultures. It asserts that Canada and Manitoba cannot meet conservation targets without Indigenous involvement and recommends that the Manitoba government implement interim protections and a feasibility study for the IPA.

The report examines the role of nature-based infrastructure (NBI) in urban environments, highlighting its cost-effectiveness and climate resilience compared to traditional grey infrastructure. It identifies four key NBI types—urban green spaces, green roofs, stormwater infrastructure, and wetlands and lakes—and argues that incorporating nature into urban planning generates significant societal returns and supports other sustainable infrastructure investments.

In June 2022, the WTO's 164 members reached a historic agreement to tackle harmful fisheries subsidies, marking the first multilateral trade deal centered on environmental sustainability. The process involved over 20 years of negotiations and was supported by a combination of impartial technical policy advice from the IISD and high-ambition advocacy from The Pew Charitable Trusts. To create external pressure, the 'Stop Funding Overfishing' campaign was launched, eventually gathering 182 signatories, including the World Wildlife Fund and Oceana. The final agreement, adopted at the Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12), includes prohibitions on subsidies for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, fishing of overfished stocks, and fishing on the unregulated high seas. To ensure future progress, the deal includes a clause stating the agreement expires if a more comprehensive deal is not reached within four years of entry into force.

The report identifies that Canada's federal adaptation governance is currently 'weak' and fragmented, primarily operating at the director general level with limited connection to senior decision-makers. It argues that the upcoming National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) provides a critical opportunity to revitalize this structure. The authors suggest several options for improvement, including establishing a dedicated DM-level committee for adaptation, creating a formal legal mandate through legislation, and developing a specialized knowledge-brokering unit. The report emphasizes that success depends on sufficient funding, senior-level leadership, and a deeper understanding of the distinct characteristics of adaptation compared to climate mitigation and emergency management.

The document argues that Canadian oil producers are highly vulnerable to declining global demand and falling prices. While the heavy reliance on U.S. refineries provides a temporary buffer, this will not shield Canada from global price volatility or the long-term decline in petroleum consumption. The author contends that ESG credentials and production costs will not allow Canada to compete against lower-cost Middle Eastern producers in a shrinking market. Consequently, the brief warns of an existential threat to the sector, including job losses and reduced tax revenues, urging the Canadian government to diversify its economy.

The document details updates to three specific Indian energy subsidies: a one-time relief for oil marketing companies (OMCs) to cover LPG losses, the Reform Linked Distribution Scheme for power distribution companies (DISCOMs), and capital infusions for renewable energy financing institutions.

Ethiopia is not on track to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, with poverty and hunger projected to remain high due to conflict in Tigray, climate change, and economic shocks. The report argues that a sustainable food system transformation is possible with an additional annual public investment of USD 4.6 billion from 2023 to 2030. This funding would target increasing agricultural productivity, transitioning to healthier diets, and enhancing climate resilience. A significant financing gap exists between short-term emergency food assistance and the long-term investments required for systemic resilience. Key recommendations include prioritizing on-farm interventions, scaling up sustainable livestock intensification to reduce GHG emissions, and integrating nutrition education with social protection programs.

The document identifies the Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET) standard as a highly controversial element of international investment agreements (IIAs) that frequently leads to investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) cases. It argues that the lack of a precise definition for FET creates divergent interpretations and a 'regulatory chill' effect. To mitigate these risks, the brief suggests that states should carefully draft FET provisions in new agreements—either by excluding the clause, using alternative terminology, or implementing a limited, well-defined standard—while also taking policy steps to address unqualified FET clauses in existing treaties.