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This briefing note from the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the role of vertical integration in National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes, focusing on the necessity of linking national decision-makers with sub-national authorities, local organizations, and citizens to ensure inclusivity and representation.

This research paper examines the failure of security sector reform in South Sudan, specifically the inability to unify various armed groups into a single national force. It highlights how a militarised political culture and internal opposition disputes, such as the attempted ouster of Vice President Riek Machar, create instability and hinder the implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

The FSD Africa Code of Conduct (Version 4.0), updated on 14 September 2021, establishes the ethical standards and professional behavior required of all personnel associated with the organization. It defines the scope of application, management and employee responsibilities, and specific standards regarding integrity, conflict of interest, and safeguarding.

This briefing from RMI advises US local leaders to utilize existing federal funding opportunities to advance decarbonization, resilience, and environmental justice rather than waiting for new legislation. It outlines strategies for navigating over 100 existing programs, integrating equity via the Justice40 initiative, and seeking funds from non-traditional agencies.

This policy brief examines the success of the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol in phasing out ozone-depleting substances (ODS). It highlights the synergy between science, diplomacy, and the private sector, noting that the regime has not only facilitated the recovery of the ozone layer but has also provided significant climate co-benefits by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This report examines the impact of digitization, big data, and automation on the global mining sector and proposes policy options to maintain good governance and social balance as the industry transitions.

This research paper by the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) proposes a framework to evaluate the credibility of corporate decarbonization transitions to prevent 'greenwashing' in transition finance. It introduces five essential characteristics for a credible transition—alignment with the Paris Agreement, robust planning, tangible action, internal oversight, and external reporting—and suggests a certification mechanism for Sustainability-Linked Bonds (SLBs) and corporate entities to provide scientific, standardized benchmarks for investors.

This discussion paper by the Climate Bonds Initiative proposes a framework to evaluate the credibility of corporate decarbonization transitions to prevent greenwashing in sustainable finance. It introduces five 'hallmarks' of a credible transition—Paris-aligned goals, robust plans, implementation action, internal monitoring, and external reporting—and suggests a certification system to categorize companies as 'Green Transition' or 'Interim Transition'.

The Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) proposes a framework to evaluate the credibility of corporate decarbonization transitions to prevent greenwashing in sustainable finance. The proposal introduces five essential attributes for a credible transition: Paris Agreement-aligned goals, robust plans, implementation action, internal monitoring, and external reporting. The CBI intends to expand its certification scheme beyond Use-of-Proceeds (UoP) bonds to include Sustainability-Linked Bonds (SLBs) and Sustainability-Linked Loans (SLLs), as well as certifying companies' overall transition agendas.

This discussion paper by the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) proposes a framework to assess the credibility of company decarbonisation transitions to prevent greenwashing in sustainable finance. It introduces five 'hallmarks' for a credibly transitioning company—Paris-aligned targets, robust plans, implementation action, internal monitoring, and external reporting—which CBI intends to use as the basis for certifying Sustainability Linked Bonds (SLBs), Sustainability Linked Loans (SLLs), and the companies themselves.

This report by Thina Nzo examines the failure of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement (REIPPP) programme to deliver tangible socioeconomic benefits to the eMthanjeni Local Municipality and its host communities, arguing that the current centralised policymaking approach reproduces structural disempowerment.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing groundWork, Vukani Environmental Justice Movement in Action, and the African Climate Alliance, has written to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and the National Energy Regulator SA (NERSA). The letter objects to the inclusion of new fossil fuel generation capacity in the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 and a September 2020 ministerial determination, specifically opposing 1500 MW of new coal capacity. The CER requests clarity on whether the IRP 2019 will be updated by the end of 2021, citing a June 2021 announcement by President Ramaphosa regarding the Electricity Regulation Act that could unlock over 5000 MW of embedded generation capacity not currently accounted for in the plan.

The NAP Global Network Secretariat is providing support to 20 country partners in the preparation of their first adaptation communications (ADCOM) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), focusing on common questions and the links between ADCOMs and National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes.

This research paper evaluates 168 nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement against international environmental law. It finds that some countries use unjustified indicators (like cost or emissions per GDP) to set targets. The author argues that to meet temperature goals, developed states must be net-negative by 2030, and among the G20, only India and Indonesia have justification for temporary emission increases relative to 2010.

This case study compares the energy matrices of Colombia and Argentina, analyzing their reliance on fossil fuels versus low-carbon sources and their respective commitments to energy transition and emission reductions.

The Institute for Economic Justice and other civil society organisations argue that the South African government's March 2021 response to the United Nations Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights does not show sufficient progress in implementing recommendations, specifically regarding social assistance for adults aged 18 to 59 with little or no income.

The National Cooling Action Plan (NCAP) provides analyses on space cooling mitigation in buildings to support Grenada's commitments under the Paris Agreement, the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

This case study describes the May 2020 installation of a high-capacity energy storage system in a private residence in Eagle Bay, Western Australia, designed to provide off-grid reliability in an area with an unstable power grid.

The Global Campaign to Reclaim Peoples’ Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity issued a statement on August 17, 2021, criticizing the third revised draft of a proposed binding treaty to regulate transnational corporations (TNCs). The campaign argues that the draft is an ineffective instrument that fails to establish direct obligations for TNCs and risks becoming a 'normative trap' by relying on voluntary frameworks and state-centric obligations.

This guide explains that grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) can reduce utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions by flexing energy loads based on grid price and carbon intensity. It identifies that buildings drive up to 80% of peak demand in the United States and lists low- and no-cost measures for GSA building managers, such as optimizing building operations, thermal mass, and lighting automation.