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The document assesses the global and regional shortfall in biodiversity finance, noting that the world failed to meet any Aichi Biodiversity Targets by 2020. It argues that conservation should be viewed as an investment with a financial return on investment (ROI) rather than a cost. The author explores several 'green' financial instruments—including debt-for-nature swaps, green bonds, 'blue' financing, payment for ecosystem services (PES), and biocredits—as viable options for Africa. It specifically highlights the opportunity provided by COVID-19 recovery packages to implement a 'build forward better' approach, urging African governments and the African Development Bank to lead in mobilising these resources and realigning harmful subsidies toward nature-positive outcomes.

The document outlines systemic governance failures in South Africa from a youth perspective, highlighting exclusion from political decision-making, extreme economic inequality, and poor infrastructure in education and health. It argues that while progressive policies often exist on paper, implementation is slow and unsystematic, particularly regarding land reform, climate change transition, and youth employment. The submission recommends institutionalising youth quotas, expanding social protection through a basic income grant, and reforming the electoral system to allow independent candidates.

The analysis of 36 SDG targets in Sri Lanka reveals a highly synergistic environment where only 2% of direct interactions are restricting. The most significant 'accelerators' for the entire agenda are strengthening policy coherence, reducing corruption, and enhancing climate change capacity. Conversely, expanding access to drinking water and decent housing present the highest risks of trade-offs, particularly regarding natural resource management and water wastage. The findings emphasize that most trade-offs are non-deterministic and can be mitigated through mindful implementation and institutional coordination.

The UNEP Regional Seas Programme employs a regionalized approach to ocean governance, coordinating actions across 18 Conventions and Action Plans involving over 146 countries. While it has achieved significant milestones in pollution management and biodiversity conservation, its effectiveness is hindered by political instability, funding gaps, and weak enforcement.

Chile's updated 2020 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) introduces a "social pillar" designed to align climate action with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This framework includes eight criteria for the design and monitoring of climate measures, specifically addressing the decarbonization of the power matrix and the closure of 28 coal-fired power plants by 2040. To support this, Chile launched a process in June 2020 to develop a "Strategy for Just Transition" by 2021, utilizing a three-tier governance structure involving government, companies, unions, and communities. While the NDC is praised for integrating social issues across all policy areas and establishing monitoring mechanisms, labor unions have expressed concerns regarding the government's legitimacy and the exclusion of workers from the NDC enhancement process.

The global sustainable debt market reached USD 1.7 trillion by the end of 2020, with USD 700 billion issued during the year. While green bonds remain the largest segment, social and sustainability bonds saw dramatic growth in 2020, largely driven by pandemic-related funding. The European Union has emerged as a global leader, integrating GSS bonds into its climate neutrality goals for 2050 and developing comprehensive taxonomies and standards to ensure market integrity.

This report establishes the theoretical foundation for an MRV system in Senegal's waste sector as part of a project to implement Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). It defines MRV components, outlines core GHG accounting principles such as transparency and accuracy, and categorizes MRV applications into emissions, actions, support, and other outcomes. The document emphasizes that an effective MRV system serves as a planning tool for continuous improvement and a mechanism to attract climate finance by providing high-resolution data on emission reductions.

The document describes COP Pavilions as spaces for Parties and observer organisations to host events, showcase research, and network. It details the types of activities held there, how attendees find events, and the application process for COP26.

The document argues that National Development Banks (NDBs) are ideally positioned to bridge the financing gap for climate-smart urban infrastructure due to their local knowledge and proximity to cities. However, it notes that only 4% of Public Development Banks are specifically mandated to finance local governments. The research identifies barriers across policy, institutional, and financial levels—such as restrictive legal structures, lack of bankable project pipelines, and insufficient capitalization. To address these, the authors introduce an 'NDB Maturity Model' consisting of twelve dimensions across strategic, financial, business, and operational parameters. The brief recommends that national ministers update NDB mandates to include climate focus, reassess legal structures to allow for higher risk and longer tenors, and integrate NDBs into national climate goals and infrastructure strategies. A case study on Indonesia's PT SMI and the 'SDG Indonesia One' platform is provided as an example of using blended finance to implement SDG-oriented infrastructure projects.

The briefing outlines 25 policy recommendations for governments to address gender inequalities in the mining sector. It focuses on legislative reforms, institutional capacity building, fair land acquisition, gender-responsive impact assessments, community development, and the protection of women's safety and security. The goal is to ensure women's equal participation in the workforce and their fair share of the sector's economic and social benefits.

The briefing argues that mining activities disproportionately affect men and women differently, often leaving women with minimal benefits and higher exposure to environmental and social risks. It proposes 25 specific actions for governments across five key areas: legislation, institutional strengthening, land acquisition, impact assessments, and community development. Key recommendations include implementing gender-disaggregated data collection, creating national action plans for gender equality in mining, ensuring equitable compensation for land expropriation, and integrating gender-sensitive criteria into Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs). The document also emphasizes the need for fiscal incentives for companies promoting gender equality and the protection of women from gender-based violence in mining communities.

This briefing outlines 25 policy options for governments to address gender inequalities in the mining sector. It argues that mining operations disproportionately impact women and that current laws often fail to recognize women as active participants. The recommendations cover integrating human rights standards into legislation, implementing gender-disaggregated data collection, ensuring equitable land compensation, and protecting women from gender-based violence (GBV). It emphasizes the need for gender-responsive environmental and social impact assessments and the inclusion of women in decision-making processes and supply chains.

The document examines the systemic link between gender equality and sustainable development, asserting that discriminatory social norms and legal barriers hinder environmental and economic progress. It highlights the economic costs of gender inequality, the historical evolution of UN gender policies, and the specific benefits of women's leadership in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, and natural resource governance. The briefing concludes with recommendations for gender-responsive policies, increased funding for women-led organizations, and ensuring women's control over productive resources to meet the 2030 Agenda.

The document examines South Africa's reliance on international DFIs and MDBs to bridge a ZAR502 billion funding gap in its Infrastructure Build Programme, noting a historical hesitation to seek such aid. It highlights that while renewable energy has received the bulk of funding, there are significant gaps in project preparation skills and coordination. The author recommends that the Investment and Infrastructure Office (IIO) lead the coordination of donor assistance and that the government clarify funding structures and procurement processes to attract private investment.

The proposal seeks USD 300,000 to help Malaysia align its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic with climate change priorities. The project, implemented by the Malaysia Green Technology and Climate Change Centre (MGTC) under the Ministry of Environment and Water, aims to analyze the impact of pandemic stimulus packages on climate strategies, develop a national resilient recovery strategy and investment plan, and create at least one new project concept note for GCF submission. The initiative focuses on sectors including energy, construction, transport, waste, water, and manufacturing to facilitate a transition to a climate-neutral and inclusive economy.

The document analyzes the private sector's engagement with sustainable development, moving from a history of disinformation and lobbying against regulation to a current landscape of sustainability pledges and impact investing. It argues that while 'greening' existing systems is valuable, true sustainability requires a shift toward 'regenerative equity' through Sustainability-Oriented Hybrid Organizations (SOHOs) that prioritize people and nature over profit-driven growth.

The document examines how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected energy demand, security, and utility finances in emerging economies, arguing that the recovery phase presents an opportunity for a 'green recovery'. Using case studies from Indonesia, Kenya, Thailand, Mexico, and South Africa, it identifies common challenges such as household energy insecurity and financial stress for state-owned utilities. The authors urge governments to integrate green recovery into their NDC planning, commit to accelerated decarbonisation, and address systemic vulnerabilities to prevent social injustices during the energy transition.

The IISD welcomes Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the first woman and first African to lead the WTO, noting her diverse experience in finance, health, and development. The organization identifies critical early priorities for her term, including fisheries subsidies and humanitarian food aid exemptions, while advocating for a trade system that supports sustainable development and the SDGs in a post-COVID reality.

The document explains that human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels, are the main drivers of global warming, which has seen average global temperatures rise by about one degree Celsius since 1880. It details the resulting environmental impacts, such as rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and increased frequency of extreme weather events, while highlighting the specific vulnerability of the United States to billion-dollar disasters. The text outlines mitigation and adaptation strategies, including the transition to renewable energy and energy efficiency, and discusses the role of international agreements like the Paris Agreement and the influence of climate finance in supporting these transitions.

The document examines the role of green bonds in addressing Africa's climate vulnerability and infrastructure gaps, noting that while public finance is currently inadequate, green bonds offer a pathway to mobilize capital for sustainable development and climate mitigation.