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The report analyzes perspectives from 84 NYDF endorsers, including governments, companies, NGOs, and indigenous peoples. It finds that while many individual actions have been taken, global deforestation has accelerated by 44% since 2014, and the world is not on track to meet its collective forest goals. The document identifies eight key lessons, emphasizing that high-level commitments must transition to measurable implementation supported by strong governance, secure land tenure for indigenous peoples, and a paradigm shift in forest finance to move from 'grey to green' investments.

The report evaluates the five-year progress of the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), concluding that while localized successes exist, global efforts are not on track to meet 2020 and 2030 goals. It identifies eight core lessons, emphasizing that political will, strong governance, and secure land tenure for indigenous peoples are critical for success. The document highlights a significant gap between high-level commitments and ground-level implementation, noting that deforestation has accelerated by up to 44% since 2014. It calls for a paradigm shift in financing, moving from 'grey' to 'green' finance, and a stronger integration of nature-based solutions into national climate agendas.

The report evaluates the experiences of over 80 NYDF signatories, including governments, companies, NGOs, and indigenous peoples. It finds that while individual projects show success, global progress is insufficient, with tropical deforestation increasing by 44% since 2014. The document identifies eight key lessons, emphasizing that high-level political will, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and secure land tenure for indigenous peoples are critical for success. It highlights systemic failures in finance, where investments in deforestation drivers vastly outweigh those for forest protection, and calls for a paradigm shift toward 'nature-based solutions' and 'green finance' to meet climate and biodiversity goals after 2020.

The report finds that despite widespread commitments, global progress toward the NYDF goals is insufficient, with tropical deforestation increasing by 44% since 2014. Through consultations with 84 signatories, the document identifies eight key lessons, emphasizing that high-level political will, secure land tenure for indigenous peoples, and a shift from 'grey' to 'green' finance are critical for success. While some localized successes in REDD+ and sustainable supply chains are noted, systemic barriers—including corruption, lack of transparency in agricultural commodities, and the criminalization of forest defenders—continue to hinder large-scale implementation.

The document estimates that installing pollution-control technology for sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM) in India's coal fleet requires between INR 73,176 crore and INR 86,135 crore. This investment is expected to increase electricity tariffs by 9% to 21%, with the highest impact on 500 MW units. The report highlights significant barriers to meeting the December 2022 compliance deadline, including high upfront costs, financial stress among distribution companies, and a lack of technical experience. It recommends that costs be passed to consumers to reflect externalities, that the poorest be protected via targeted subsidies, and that continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) data be made public to ensure transparency.

The report argues that while cobalt and lithium are critical for the low-carbon transition, their current recycling rates are low—specifically less than 5% for lithium-ion batteries. It identifies barriers across the primary supply chain (such as conflict and child labour in the DRC), the recycling chain (inefficient collection and technical challenges), and regulatory environments (inapt definitions and ambiguous liability). The authors recommend enhancing eco-design, raising consumer awareness to reduce 'hibernation' of electronics, and updating regulatory frameworks to include clear definitions and meaningful recycling targets to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the circular economy.

The report outlines the value of natural infrastructure (NI) in Canada for climate adaptation, specifically for flood and drought mitigation. It identifies significant barriers in federal funding programs, such as the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) and the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF), including high funding thresholds and restrictions on private land eligibility. The document explores innovative financing mechanisms like green bonds and insurance-linked resilience bonds, while emphasizing the need for natural asset accounting in public sector financial statements to incentivize municipal protection of NI.

The report details a series of Swedish-led dialogue forums in five countries aimed at integrating climate policies (NDCs) with sustainable development goals (SDGs). Common findings across the forums include a critical need for capacity building at local levels, the challenge of translating national policies into regional implementation, and the necessity of securing both international and domestic financing. While stakeholders generally recognized the synergies between NDCs and SDGs, concerns persisted regarding trade-offs between rapid industrialization and environmental sustainability. Country-specific insights highlight Vietnam's focus on integrated water management, Tanzania's debate on the economic costs of environmental degradation, Zambia's emphasis on research and solar potential, Cambodia's focus on inter-ministerial policy coherence, and Uganda's concerns over institutional silos and external financing dependencies.

The report details a March 2019 workshop aimed at addressing the opportunities and challenges of Voluntary Sustainability Certification (VSC) in Kenya's tea industry. Key findings highlight that while VSCs improve market access and environmental practices, they impose prohibitive costs and create 'certification fatigue' due to a multiplicity of standards. The document recommends the development of a national benchmarked standard, similar to the Kenya Flower Council's model, and the creation of a multistakeholder platform to implement a collective action plan.

The report details a multistakeholder workshop focused on the impact of Voluntary Sustainability Certification (VSC) on Rwanda's coffee sector. It identifies significant barriers for smallholder farmers, including high annual audit costs, a lack of local certification bodies, and a mismatch between the supply of certified coffee and market demand. The document proposes solutions such as the development of a national 'Rwanda GAP' standard, the translation of training manuals into Kinyarwanda, and the creation of a multistakeholder platform for data sharing and coordination to improve the economic viability and sustainability of the sector.

The document outlines a dialogue between stakeholders on the necessity of a managed decline of Canada's oil and gas sector to avoid the economic and social disruptions of an unmanaged collapse. It emphasizes that climate leadership for wealthy fossil fuel producers requires ending production expansion and implementing supply-side policies. Key discussions focus on the need for a dedicated transition fund, the reform of fossil fuel subsidies and Alberta's low royalty regimes, and the importance of participatory planning that protects workers and communities. The paper argues that a comprehensive policy portfolio—combining demand-side carbon pricing with supply-side production limits—is essential for Canada to meet its global fair share of emissions reductions.

On 25 July 2018, the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) convened a meeting in Windhoek, Namibia, to engage civil society in the APRM process. Participants identified 17 primary governance challenges, which were subsequently condensed into a thematic framework for a written submission. Key areas of concern include executive dominance, land access, youth unemployment, institutionalised corruption, and a lack of policy coherence. The IPPR is tasked with driving the drafting process, with a deadline for initial contributions set for the end of August 2018.

The report details a consultation process led by the Cameroon Climate Change Working Group under the African Climate Legislation Initiative to identify priority areas for climate legislation. Participants identified land use and farming as the most critical sectors for regulatory intervention and highlighted corruption and limited public participation as primary barriers to successful law implementation. As a result, the Legal Response Initiative provided a legal opinion on improving the delivery of rainfall forecasts to farmers, suggesting revisions to Decree No. 2005/118 regarding the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The report details research and stakeholder discussions regarding the under-utilization of specialty crops in the US. It highlights significant in-field losses—such as 50% for fresh tomatoes and 36% on average for crops in North Carolina—driven by strict cosmetic standards and economic barriers. The document outlines four envisioned future states: implementing full-cost accounting for food, increasing ubiquitous access to healthy produce, integrating regional food systems with industrial agriculture, and removing food safety barriers to donation. It concludes with a practical example of 'concurrent harvesting' used by Imperfect Produce to create markets for 'seconds'.

The document reports on a June 2018 meeting between the Canadian government, academics, and civil society representatives regarding the reform of international investment law. Participants argued that traditional investment treaties often prioritize investor protection over sustainable development and can hinder the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Canadian government expressed commitment to a progressive trade and investment agenda incorporating environment, labour, and gender equality standards. Proposed reforms include conducting cost-benefit and impact analyses before negotiations, shifting treaty focus toward sustainable development, balancing investor rights with obligations regarding corruption and human rights, and reforming or eliminating Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms to protect a state's right to legislate in the public interest, particularly regarding climate change.

The report details discussions between Canadian government officials, academics, and civil society on reforming international investment law. It argues that traditional investment treaties, focused on investor protection, often conflict with sustainable development goals and human rights. Key proposals include shifting the focus of treaties toward sustainable development, conducting broad impact assessments, and reforming or eliminating investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms to protect the state's right to regulate in the public interest, particularly for climate change objectives.

The report assesses the potential for natural infrastructure to complement the Cantareira Water Supply System in São Paulo, Brazil. Using a Green-Gray Assessment, it finds that targeted reforestation of 4,000 hectares could reduce sediment pollution by 36%, yielding a 28% return on investment over 30 years by reducing water treatment and dredging costs. While forest restoration is likely to slightly increase dry season water flows through a 'sponge effect' and fog capture in cloud forests, the overall impact on annual water availability is estimated to be marginal. The document provides a roadmap for scaling these investments, suggesting blended finance models and improved landowner engagement to overcome risks and uncertainties.

Mighty Earth and Olam International conducted a series of meetings and site visits in Gabon to evaluate the social and environmental impacts of large-scale plantation agriculture. While acknowledging Olam's job creation and conservation efforts, the visit highlighted ongoing tensions regarding biodiversity, climate impacts, and local community access to essential services and water.

The document details the outcomes of a two-day assembly in May 2017 aimed at advancing Colombia's National Adaptation Plan for Climate Change (PNACC). It identifies critical gaps in institutional continuity, financing, and the integration of local community knowledge, while highlighting the role of regional nodes and international cooperation in bridging these gaps. The report emphasizes the need to transition from a top-down approach to a transversal network that fosters bidirectional communication between national entities and territorial actors.

The report examines business responses to the EU's 2030 climate and energy framework, noting that while some companies diversify into renewable energy generation, others stimulate market demand through procurement requirements.