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The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) possesses vast natural wealth, including the world's largest cobalt production and the second-largest tropical rainforest, yet remains one of Africa's poorest nations. Since independence in 1960, the country has been characterized by political instability, authoritarian rule under Mobutu Sese Seko, and devastating conflicts such as the Great African War. Recent history has seen a transition toward democratic elections, though the administration of President Félix Tshisekedi continues to face challenges regarding economic stability and violence in the eastern region.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of several partner organisations, submitted a formal comment to the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) regarding the proposed "Flexible Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system." The CER argues that the shift from a rules-based system to one based on administrative discretion risks violating constitutional rights to a healthy environment and just administrative action, potentially weakening environmental protections and public participation.

The Canadian Climate Institute evaluates recent federal climate policy developments, expressing concern over industrial carbon pricing while emphasizing the critical importance of upcoming vehicle emission standards. The author argues that for Canada to meet its goal of emission reductions equivalent to a 75% electric vehicle (EV) adoption rate by 2035, the government must ensure policy details are sufficiently strict and avoid excessive compliance flexibilities. The document highlights the global trend toward EVs, noting that China's rapid adoption and the resulting decline in global oil demand threaten Canada's automotive and oil sectors if the country fails to transition effectively.

The briefing warns that Pacific SIDS are facing a convergence of geopolitical and climatic crises. The war in Iran is driving up fuel and food prices due to shipping disruptions and import dependence, leading to states of emergency in Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands. This economic strain is expected to be compounded by a strong El Niño in the second half of 2026, which threatens tuna stocks, freshwater access, and agricultural productivity. The document recommends immediate anticipatory action, such as pre-positioning supplies and expanding early warning systems, alongside long-term investments in regenerative agriculture and regional fisheries management.

Latvia employs a "Comprehensive State Defence" model that integrates biosecurity into a whole-of-society resilience framework, led by the Ministry of Health. While the country possesses solid institutional foundations—including a BSL-3 national reference laboratory and a new Crisis Management Centre established in July 2025—it lacks a standalone national biosecurity strategy and does not explicitly identify biological weapons as a distinct threat in its security documentation. Latvia is heavily integrated into EU and NATO mechanisms, regularly conducting CBRN exercises such as RADEX 2025 and participating in ECDC preparedness assessments. Key areas for improvement include modernizing disease surveillance IT infrastructure, formalizing access to BSL-4 capabilities, and articulating a clearer posture against deliberate biological threats.

In 2025, global coal capacity additions reached 97.4 GW, the second-highest on record, primarily driven by China and India, even as global coal-fired electricity generation declined by 0.6%. The report highlights a decoupling where coal is increasingly used as system insurance rather than primary generation, as wind and solar displace coal. While China and India dominate new development, coal activity elsewhere is shrinking and becoming more isolated. However, net capacity outside China rose by 5 GW due to a slowdown in retirements and rebounds in India.

The report finds that the global iron and steel industry is facing a 'lock-in' crisis due to continued investment in coal-based blast furnace capacity, particularly in India and China. While electric arc furnace (EAF) capacity is increasing, green hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (DRI) remains a critical bottleneck, with only 2% of operating DRI capacity using green hydrogen. India is currently the primary driver of global steelmaking development, accounting for 42% of developing capacity, much of which is coal-based. China maintains the largest operating capacity, but 94% of its blast furnace capacity lacks a retirement plan. The report warns that relining existing blast furnaces locks in emissions for 15–20 years, threatening global climate goals as the sector accounts for 11% of global CO2 emissions.

The statement argues that the FY2027 Department of the Interior budget cuts funding by nearly 13% from 2026 levels, reducing staff at the U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service while funding aesthetic projects and border wall construction that damages Indigenous sacred sites.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) has announced it will attend the Conference of the Left (29-31 May 2026) in Johannesburg as an observer. While recognizing the event as an opportunity to engage with left formations on issues like climate and just transition, the IEJ declined a prominent role due to concerns over the lack of transparency in funding, the SACP's leadership role, and the failure to exclude individuals or organizations that violate principles of anti-racism and anti-corruption. The IEJ also highlighted the underrepresentation of feminist organizations.

The document provides a framework for education ministries to integrate their sector into the national adaptation plan (NAP) process. It argues that because the education sector is both highly vulnerable to climate change and essential for community resilience, it must coordinate with climate actors to align sector plans with national commitments and secure adaptation financing.

In Q1 2026, private equity firms acquired over 100 US companies with at least 500 employees, primarily in professional, scientific, and technical services, followed by information technology (20%) and manufacturing (16%). The report highlights concerns that the private equity focus on short-term returns leads to deferred maintenance and downsizing in manufacturing, and financial instability in food services through high debt loads. Notably, a $10.7 billion consortium led by BlackRock and EQT to acquire AES Corporation would significantly increase their fossil fuel power plant portfolios. Other tracked activities include acquisitions in education staffing, childcare franchises, professional sports, and the restructuring of TikTok's US operations.

The report examines how wastewater treatment plants can be transformed into carbon removal hubs by managing alkalinity and repurposing biosolids. It identifies two primary intervention categories: alkalinity management (including Wastewater Alkalinity Enhancement and Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement) and biosolids management (including biomass burial, biochar, supercritical water oxidation, and incineration with CCS). The document highlights synergies such as the safe destruction of PFAS and the use of existing pumping infrastructure to reduce capital and energy costs. Globally, the biogenic carbon in municipal wastewater represents a theoretical removal potential of 120–460 MtCO2 per year, though current treatment rates limit this to 70–260 MtCO2. Key barriers to scale include feedstock supply chain development, quantification challenges for carbon credits, and ecological risks.

The document addresses the risk of 'over-inflated pressure from minority laggard interests' in EU policy debates, noting that trade association positions often do not reflect their broader membership. It highlights a growing trend of companies bypassing traditional associations to support climate-aligned policies through initiatives like Corporate Leaders Group Europe. The guide introduces the RPE Framework and tailored EU guidance to help businesses align their advocacy with their climate commitments, noting that 94% of business leaders in 2025 viewed stable net-zero policies as critical to investment.

A World Weather Attribution study finds that climate change has shifted extreme heat earlier into the year in Saudi Arabia, making May temperatures in Mecca as dangerous as summer temperatures were between 1970 and 1990. The analysis indicates that peak May temperatures are now approximately 2°C hotter and average May temperatures are approximately 3.5°C higher than in a preindustrial climate. This trend increases the risk of heat stroke and exhaustion for millions of pilgrims, with projections suggesting that if global temperatures rise by 3°C, 97% of Hajj pilgrimages would occur during periods of dangerous heat.

Rooftop solar capacity in the Philippines has likely doubled between April 2025 and April 2026, reaching approximately 1,300 MW. This growth is driven by surging electricity prices, which have reduced payback periods for residential, commercial, and industrial users to between 2.3 and 3.1 years. The report highlights a massive influx of solar panel imports from China and the emergence of domestic manufacturing. To further scale rooftop solar to a target of 3,500 MW with 4,500 MWh of battery storage within 24 months, the author recommends expanding low-interest loan schemes, legalising 'plug-and-play' solar kits under 800 watts, and implementing a distributed grid-battery project.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) criticizes the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) for raising the repo rate to 7% on May 28, 2026, arguing that inflation is driven by external supply-side costs rather than excessive demand. The IEJ contends that high real interest rates—roughly 3% compared to an emerging market average of 2%—stifle investment, increase government debt-servicing costs, and burden households already facing high unemployment and rising costs of living. The document calls for a shift toward a developmental monetary policy that supports green industrialization, energy sovereignty, and infrastructure renewal to achieve genuine price stability.

The report projects that Cape Verde will experience significant urbanisation and economic growth by 2043, with GDP per capita rising to US$10,839 under the Current Path. While the country has high human development and political stability, it faces challenges including a high dependency on food imports (90% of food consumed is imported) and vulnerability to climate-induced flooding. The analysis explores several scenarios, finding that 'Free Trade' and 'Manufacturing/Transfers' have the highest potential to increase GDP per capita, while a 'Combined Agenda 2063' scenario could reduce extreme poverty to 3.6% of the population but would increase carbon emissions to 0.47 million tons by 2043. Energy projections suggest a transition toward renewables, with a goal for them to constitute 50% of total energy production by 2043.

The document describes Burkina Faso as a landlocked West African nation facing severe political instability, characterized by six coups and ongoing jihadi violence. It highlights the country's status as the most affected by terrorism globally in 2023, resulting in millions of internally displaced persons and significant disruptions to health and education. Economically, the nation relies on subsistence farming and gold mining, while its geopolitical alignment has shifted toward Russia and the Confederation of Sahel States following its withdrawal from ECOWAS.

The report forecasts Benin's development to 2043, predicting a population increase to 21.2 million and GDP growth to US$66.3 billion under the Current Path. While GDP per capita is expected to rise to US$4,685, absolute poverty is projected to increase to 11 million people. Sectoral scenarios suggest that Free Trade and Leapfrogging have the highest potential for economic growth, while the Combined Agenda 2063 scenario could double the economy to US$117.2 billion but would increase carbon emissions to 10.1 million tons.

The Financial Flows scenario models the impact of aggressive but reasonable increases in inward financial flows to Africa. By 2043, the scenario projects aid increasing to US$113.5 billion, FDI reaching 5.3% of GDP, and net remittances reaching US$121.5 billion. The model also conservatively reduces illicit financial outflows by 13% using outward FDI as a proxy. The report notes that while aid primarily benefits low-income countries, FDI growth would require improved political stability and the implementation of the AfCFTA.