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The document examines how climate change exacerbates water scarcity, poor water and air quality, and economic instability in the San Joaquin Valley, offering specific adaptation strategies for households and communities.

The report argues that the UK, the Netherlands, and Germany are in breach of the EU Habitats Directive by failing to implement effective management measures for the Dogger Bank SACs. It concludes that most bottom-contacting fishing gears cause significant harm to the H1110 sandbank habitat and should be halted to restore the site's integrity.

The GAMS project seeks a USD 9.975 million grant from the Green Climate Fund to restore 276,000 hectares of land in North, South, and West Kordofan, Sudan. The initiative focuses on scaling up gum Arabic production through the capacity building of 500 producer associations (GAPAs), linking them to private sector financing and formal markets to incentivize the sequestration of 9.23 million tonnes of CO2e over 20 years. Additionally, the project will rehabilitate 400 km of livestock corridors and 151,000 hectares of rangelands to improve pastoralist mobility and reduce conflict between farmers and herders.

The evaluation concludes that the NAP GN has been a valuable contributor to the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, exceeding its grant targets for training and institutional capacity building. While highly effective in providing neutral knowledge brokering and tailored country support, the report identifies needs for improved impact measurement, better coordination with multilateral entities, and a strategic shift toward supporting the implementation phase of NAPs.

Climate change is intensifying wildfires in the United States by raising temperatures and drying out forests, while a century of fire suppression has increased fuel loads. These fires cause significant loss of life, property destruction, and high federal costs, while simultaneously releasing greenhouse gases that further accelerate global warming.

The report details the impact of the Emergency Amazon Fire Fund, which raised nearly $2 million in the US for fire response and recovery. It highlights the severity of the 2019 fire season, where the total burned area reached at least 21,621 square miles, and notes that 2020 saw a 28% increase in fires in the Brazilian Amazon during July compared to the previous year. WWF's interventions include donating 700 fire-fighting tools to the State of Amazonas Fire Department, supporting community-led wildfire prevention in Colombia's Chiribiquete National Park, and establishing an emergency program in Bolivia. The document argues that fires are driven by deforestation—fueled by land speculation, infrastructure development, and market demand—and are exacerbated by climate change. Long-term goals focus on securing 210 million acres of the biome through Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) and strengthening Indigenous land rights.

The project aims to restore 471,500 hectares of land in Ghana's Northern Savannah Zone to achieve 6.139 million tCO2e in emission reductions over seven years and 25.24 million tCO2e over 20 years. Key interventions include restoring 200,000 hectares of savannah forests under community management (CREMA), restoring 100,000 hectares of shea parklands through public-private partnerships, and establishing 18,500 hectares of Modified Taungya System (MTS) plantations in forest reserves. The project specifically targets the empowerment of 20,000 women collectors by increasing their incomes by 30-50% through improved shea value chain efficiencies. Total financing is 54,546,775 USD, with 30,100,000 USD requested as a grant from the Green Climate Fund.

The ASER Solar Rural Electrification Project aims to provide 100% solar mini-grids to 1,000 isolated villages in Senegal between 2021 and 2026. With a total financing package of EUR 198.7 million, including EUR 75.4 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the project targets the electrification of 38,900 households and the support of 3,739 productive use applications. The initiative focuses on reducing CO2 emissions, improving rural resilience to climate change, and empowering women and youth through technical assistance and financial incentives for energy-powered businesses.

The report details Ghana's response to COVID-19 up to June 23, 2020, highlighting the tension between public health restrictions and economic survival. It describes the strain on health infrastructure, the government's financial interventions, and the socio-economic hardships faced by vulnerable groups and the informal sector. The text also notes the shift in national spending priorities, the local production of medical supplies, and the challenges of maintaining electoral processes during the pandemic.

The 'Financing for Low-Carbon Auto-Rickshaws' instrument is a loan product delivered via a non-banking financial company (NBFC) to facilitate the transition from conventional to electric auto-rickshaws in India. It addresses barriers to ownership by providing 100% debt financing, removing collateral requirements, and offering lower interest rates. The model utilizes a community-driven collection system to reduce default risks and pools equity, debt, and concessional capital to lower borrowing costs. The initiative aims to reduce annual carbon emissions by over 22 million tonnes and significantly increase driver incomes compared to renting.

The report assesses the impact of COVID-19 on South Africa's economy, forecasting significant job losses and wage declines. Using a 10% contraction in final demand as a median scenario, it estimates 1.77 million jobs are at risk, with the most severe impacts falling on low-skilled, informal, and poverty-stricken workers. The analysis highlights that the service sector and agriculture are hardest hit due to their reliance on consumption spending. The authors argue that the government's R500 billion rescue package is insufficient and poorly implemented, recommending a net new expenditure of at least R500 billion, expanded social protection, and targeted support for the informal sector and primary industries.

The Ghana Shea Landscape Emission Reductions Project (GSLERP) is a medium-sized initiative requesting USD 30.1 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to restore degraded landscapes in Ghana's Northern Savannah Zone (NSZ). The project focuses on four main outputs: restoring 200,000 hectares of off-reserve savannah forests under community management (CREMAs), restoring 100,000 hectares of shea parklands through public-private partnerships, establishing 25,500 hectares of Modified Taungya System (MTS) plantations in forest reserves, and strengthening national REDD+ monitoring and safeguard systems. It targets a total emission reduction of 25.24 million tCO2e over 20 years and aims to benefit 100,200 direct beneficiaries, with a strong emphasis on empowering 20,000 women shea collectors through value chain improvements and cooperative formation.

The document outlines the systemic health and environmental costs of plastics, from fossil fuel extraction to waste management, and warns that projected production growth will consume a substantial portion of the remaining global carbon budget.

The report examines how COVID-19 disrupted the sub-Saharan African insurance value chain, forcing rapid digitalisation and straining balance sheets due to reduced premium income and investment returns. While household life and health policies generally covered the pandemic, business interruption insurance largely did not due to global reinsurance exclusions. The document highlights opportunities for insurers to adopt remote onboarding and for regulators to remove barriers to digital sales and manage potential market consolidation.

The document details the financial distress caused by COVID-19 in India's electricity sector, specifically the revenue losses of DISCOMs and the payment delays affecting power producers. It outlines a stimulus package of INR 90,000 crore for DISCOMs and lists specific loan terms from PFC-REC, including a 10-year loan period and requirements for digital payment and smart meter installation. The briefing also highlights best practices in billing and collection adopted by states like Odisha, Gujarat, Bihar, and Rajasthan to mitigate losses.

The project aims to reduce the discharge of treated wastewater into wadis by implementing an integrated management approach at two treatment plants: Al Lajoon in Karak and Wadi El-Sir in Amman. It focuses on providing cost-effective reclaimed water to vulnerable farmers, introducing climate-resilient crop varieties, and deploying solar-powered water-pumping systems. The initiative seeks to reduce pressure on groundwater and improve livelihoods through a new pricing strategy and the promotion of green technologies like composting. The project expects to benefit 158,000 direct and 450,000 indirect beneficiaries, representing 7% of Jordan's population, with a total estimated cost of 9,725,000 USD.

As of June 23, 2020, Ghana recorded 14,568 Covid-19 cases and 95 deaths, leading to severe pressure on health infrastructure and the economy. The government responded by implementing partial lockdowns in Accra, Kumasi, and Kasoa, and later announced an ambitious plan to build 88 hospitals in districts currently lacking them. Financial measures included a $100m initial commitment, GHS 600m for SMEs, and utility bill relief. The pandemic disrupted the informal sector, affected road development priorities, and complicated the 2020 general election preparations, specifically the compilation of a new voters' register.

The document examines how COVID-19 disrupted mining operations, specifically affecting direct employment, contractors, and local suppliers. It highlights the vulnerability of underground mining and non-permanent workers, while noting that automation and 'essential service' designations mitigated some impacts. The report argues for a transition from general stimulus packages to sector-specific support, emphasizing the need for new health protocols, increased local sourcing to reduce global supply chain dependency, and investment in worker reskilling to prepare for future systemic shocks.

The document highlights the vulnerability of mining employment during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in remote areas where large-scale mining is often the primary source of income. It argues that government support for mining companies should be contingent on maintaining jobs and wages, and calls for the inclusion of non-permanent workers in social protection programs. To build future resilience, the brief recommends retraining displaced workers, investing in digital solutions for local businesses, and developing strategic regional value chains to reduce dependence on a few emerging markets.

The document highlights the vulnerability of mining employment during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in rural and remote areas where large-scale mining is often the primary employer. It argues that government support for mining companies should be conditional on maintaining jobs and wages, and that non-permanent workers must be included in social protection schemes. To build future resilience, the text recommends retraining displaced workers, investing in digital solutions for local businesses, and developing regional strategic value chains to reduce dependence on a limited number of emerging markets.