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The report details how COVID-19 negatively impacted artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) through health crises, economic contraction, and disrupted supply chains. While many governments maintained basic support, the pandemic exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, increased illicit mining activities, and disproportionately affected women's livelihoods. The document argues that formalization of the sector is essential to reduce future vulnerability.

The report examines how firms utilize services to support circular economy activities and the impact of digitalization on this transition. Based on a survey of 96 firms, it finds that a high proportion of small and medium-sized enterprises engage in international services trade, particularly through digital trade and offshore commercial presence. While 40% of respondents faced no barriers, others identified regulatory differences concerning waste treatment and environmental impact reporting as significant obstacles to trade.

The study finds that while trust in media and government officials varies, there is high and consistent trust across all 50 U.S. states in doctors, infectious disease experts, the CDC, and family and friends. Local TV and local/state government officials are the most trusted media and government sources, respectively, while President Trump is the only source trusted by fewer than half of Americans.

The study finds that a vast majority of Americans across all 50 states trust their own doctors, infectious disease experts, the CDC, and family and friends for COVID-19 information. While trust in media and government varies—with local TV and local/state officials being more trusted than national networks and federal figures—there is very little geographic variation in these trust levels, with a maximum range of 4 percentage points across states.

The report analyzes a May 2018 survey of 1,257 American adolescents to determine how they learn about climate change, their level of scientific understanding, and their emotional responses to the issue. Key findings indicate that while a large majority of teens recognize climate change is happening and trust NASA scientists, their understanding of the underlying science is often incomplete. Social media and television are the most common general news sources, while science teachers are the most frequent source of climate-specific information. The report also highlights a significant level of worry among teens, with many believing their generation will suffer more harm than their parents' generation and feeling that adults are not doing enough to protect them.

The report details how COVID-19 caused operational disruptions, reduced premium income, and accelerated digitalization within the insurance sector in Eastern and Southern Africa. While life and health products provided some coverage, business interruption insurance largely failed to support business resilience. Insurers face prudential stability concerns and liquidity challenges, though 50% expect premium income to recover within a year.

The document details survey results from 2016 and 2018 regarding the adaptation community's approach to high-end climate change scenarios. It finds that while many practitioners are increasingly using these scenarios and doubt the Paris Agreement has eliminated the risk of dangerous warming, preparedness and the availability of decision-making tools have not improved, highlighting a need for better information exchange and research.

The Green Bond Treasurer Survey finds that while cheaper pricing is often cited as a primary driver, issuers actually value intangible benefits more, such as enhanced reputation, a broader investor base, and improved internal risk management. The survey reveals that 98% of respondents attracted new investors and 91% experienced deeper investor engagement. Most issuers (88%) plan to issue more green bonds, and 85% utilized Second Party Opinions (SPOs) to ensure integrity. The report emphasizes that the process of issuing a green bond often catalyzes internal sustainability commitments and the creation of sustainability committees.

The document outlines a variety of U.S. federal programs—spanning the EPA, FEMA, HUD, NOAA, USDA, and USFWS—that provide grants, loans, and technical support for nature-based solutions. These projects, such as wetland restoration, green roofs, and urban forestry, are designed to reduce climate-related hazards like flooding and heat waves while providing carbon sequestration and economic co-benefits. The fact sheet details the eligibility and specific applications of these resources, illustrating their use through examples in cities and states across the U.S.

The document outlines federal resources for nature-based solutions (NbS), which include green and natural infrastructure designed to increase resilience to climate impacts like flooding and extreme heat. It details specific programs from agencies such as the EPA, FEMA, HUD, NOAA, USDA, and USFWS, highlighting their eligibility criteria and providing real-world examples of projects, such as wetland restoration in California and urban forestry in Oregon. The text emphasizes that NbS can be more cost-effective than traditional engineered projects and provide co-benefits like carbon sequestration and improved water quality.

The report finds that while education levels influence the types of questions people have about climate change and their initial perceptions of NASA, the NASA climate change website is accessible to all education levels and effectively improves perceptions of NASA's competency and trust, particularly for those with less formal education. While the website did not eliminate pre-existing knowledge gaps, it helped less-educated visitors learn more and increased their certainty regarding the reality and impacts of climate change.

The document assesses the feasibility of dialogue between governments and violent extremist groups in the Lake Chad Basin based on a survey of 31 civil society organization representatives. While many respondents support exploring dialogue due to the failure of purely militarized responses, significant barriers exist, including deep mistrust, unclear extremist motivations, and ideological conflicts regarding the implementation of Sharia law. The brief recommends that governments conduct further research into actor motivations and initiate nationwide discussions to secure community buy-in.

The report finds that while all surveyed infrastructure investors use ESG scoring frameworks, integration is most prevalent in qualitative evaluation and post-investment monitoring, with less emphasis on valuation modelling. Key drivers for ESG integration include financial returns, risk management, and brand reputation. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and physical climate risks are the most integrated factors, particularly in the energy, utilities, and transport sectors, whereas biodiversity remains the least integrated due to quantification challenges. The report notes a shift from simple negative screening toward a more nuanced approach where investors may acquire unsustainable assets to finance their transition to sustainability.

The report finds that while most Swedish municipalities address sustainable consumption within their own operations, few target households or businesses. A significant majority of officials (79%) identify a lack of political support as their primary need. The report recommends systematic tracking of all purchases and investments to calculate environmental impacts and suggests that the government empower county administrative boards to coordinate local efforts.

The NDC Update Report emphasizes the necessity of long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies (LTSs) to drive ambition in the 2020 NDC update cycle. Survey data indicates that while confidence in current NDC implementation remains high, over half of respondents are unclear if their governments will raise ambition in the next update, with discussions often focused on costs rather than social or environmental benefits. The report proposes eight key elements for robust LTS processes, noting that more than half of surveyed governments had not yet started the LTS process. It highlights that 13 LTSs had been submitted to the UNFCCC at the time of writing, often characterized as "living documents" with a focus on stakeholder engagement. Contributions from organizations such as the NDC Partnership, GIZ, UNDP, WRI, AFD/IDFC, LEDS-GP, and FAO underscore the need for whole-of-government scope, transparency, and sector-specific pathways—particularly in energy and agriculture—to align investments and ensure food security.

The report examines the 'concern-action gap' within the scientific and engineering communities regarding the climate crisis. It argues that the credibility of climate research is undermined when researchers maintain high-carbon lifestyles, such as frequent air travel for conferences. Through a straw poll of 153 respondents, the document finds that while many scientists are adopting plant-based diets and reducing car use, a significant number still struggle to align their lives with the 1.5°C pathway. It also discusses the role of civil disobedience and activism as a means for scientists to 'walk the talk' and counter the influence of fossil fuel interests.

The report analyzes the efforts of Swedish municipalities to promote sustainable consumption across their own operations, households, and local businesses. While many municipalities work systematically within their own operations—focusing on vehicles, food, and energy—there is significantly less focus on households and businesses. A critical gap exists in monitoring the environmental impact of procurement, with nearly half of the surveyed municipalities performing no such assessment. The report identifies economic motives and national guidelines as primary drivers, while highlighting a severe need for political support, financial resources, and standardized data tools. It recommends that municipalities establish systematic procurement analysis, that local politicians prioritize sustainable consumption, and that the government tasks regional administrative boards (länsstyrelsen) with coordinating these efforts.

The report details how developing countries approach investment treaty negotiations, highlighting a trend toward renegotiating outdated agreements and the use of model treaties. It identifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and investment authorities as the primary leads in negotiations and provides a detailed mapping of ratification processes across various nations.

The document summarizes a survey of 72 respondents from 54 developing countries, highlighting a trend toward modernizing investment treaties to close litigation loopholes and align with domestic laws. It reports that 21 countries are renegotiating or terminating existing treaties, and 24 have been subject to treaty-based investment disputes that influenced their policy approach. The survey also tracks the use of model investment treaties and the level of involvement from Parliaments and political leaders in the negotiation process.

The report documents a pattern of anti-science policies at the US Department of the Interior (DOI) under Secretary Ryan Zinke, arguing that the administration prioritized fossil fuel and mining interests over public health and environmental protection. Key findings include the blocking of critical health and safety research, the removal of climate change from strategic planning, and the creation of a hostile work environment for federal scientists. The document highlights specific cases of land protection reductions, such as at Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, and the undercutting of the Endangered Species Act. It concludes with recommendations for increased congressional oversight and the reintegration of climate science into DOI policy.