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This policy brief defines 'climate compatible development' as an integrated approach that minimizes climate-related damage while maximizing human development opportunities in a low-emission, resilient future. It argues that policymakers must move beyond treating adaptation, mitigation, and development as separate strategies to achieve 'triple wins'—simultaneous benefits in emissions reduction, climate resilience, and social development.

This research paper from the World Resources Institute proposes a framework to limit new cropland expansion to lands with "low environmental opportunity costs" to avoid the conversion of natural ecosystems. It defines specific biophysical and non-biophysical criteria for identifying such lands and suggests a three-part policy approach to direct expansion away from high-impact areas.