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The International Institute for Sustainable Development has developed a replicable strategy for spatial targeting of water retention projects, such as wetlands and small naturalized dams, in the Canadian Prairies. This approach uses models like PTMApp and LiDAR-based digital elevation models to identify optimal sites for phosphorus interception, particularly in ungauged basins where data is limited. Such natural infrastructure is presented as critical for mitigating the increased flood and drought risks caused by climate change in the region.

The document critiques the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget, asserting that it seeks to dismantle environmental progress through significant funding cuts to conservation and cultural programs. It highlights a shift toward deregulation and resource extraction, specifically noting reductions in funding for the National Park Service, the Historic Preservation Fund, and various research and restoration programs. The author contends that these cuts disproportionately affect Latino communities and shift federal responsibilities to under-resourced state and tribal governments.

A coalition of organizations opposes a proposed $46.5 billion allocation for U.S. border wall construction, arguing that existing barriers have wasted billions of taxpayer dollars, harmed border communities, and destroyed biodiverse ecosystems. The letter highlights the lack of effectiveness of the wall, the violation of tribal and private land rights, and the systematic waiving of 83 federal laws to expedite construction. The signatories urge Congress to instead fund remediation of existing damage and rescind the REAL ID Act waivers.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) has issued a draft Declaration of Asunción on Water Security, Biodiversity, and Climate Resilience in the Americas. The document invites IAI Parties, Associates, and advisory committees to review and formally endorse the declaration during the 33rd Conference of the Parties (CoP-33) in Asunción, Paraguay, from 29-30 May 2025. The declaration is intended to advance scientific collaboration and policy action regarding the intersection of water, biodiversity, and climate resilience, aligning with Theme 2 of the IAI’s Scientific Agenda.

The IAI is seeking nominations for its Expert List to provide technical consultation to regional stakeholders. Nominees must possess authoritative knowledge in one of eight strategic scientific themes: food security, energy security, water security, biodiversity and ecosystem services, climate action, health and wellbeing, poverty and equity, or clean air, water and soils. The list currently includes former and current members of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Science and Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC), as well as IAI-funded researchers. Nominations must be submitted by June 6, 2025.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) is expanding its Expert List to provide regional actors with a curated directory of professionals for technical consultations. Nominees must possess authoritative knowledge in one of eight priority themes: Food Security, Energy Security, Water Security, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Climate Action, Health and Well-Being, Poverty and Equity, or Clean Air, Water, and Soils. The list currently comprises investigators from IAI-funded projects and members of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC). Parties must submit nominations by 6 June 2025.

The document analyzes the compatibility between the IUCN Global Standard for NbS and the CBD Voluntary Guidelines, concluding that both are effective for scaling up nature-based solutions. It emphasizes the need for clarity on transferring global frameworks to local contexts and suggests that upcoming reviews of these standards should align with UNEA Resolution 5/5 to avoid duplication of effort.

The CEO of Mighty Earth reports on rewilding successes, including the planned restoration of grizzly bears to Washington state and a feasibility study for their return to California. The note also celebrates the creation of the 729,000-acre Patagonia Azul Provincial Park in Argentina and calls for Indonesia to shift its 'food and energy estates' project from intact forests to degraded lands to protect biodiversity and climate goals.

Global climate finance for agrifood systems reached USD 94.9 billion in 2021/22, representing 7.2% of total global climate finance. While flows have increased since 2019/20, the report finds that investment is critically misaligned, with a massive funding gap of USD 1.1 trillion annually required through 2030 to align the sector with climate goals. Growth is heavily concentrated in domestic public investment in China and Europe, while private capital remains largely absent in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. Mitigation finance is dominated by energy-related projects like agrivoltaics, while adaptation finance remains heavily reliant on public grants. The report calls for a strategic mix of financial instruments and policy reforms to unlock capital for high-impact solutions such as soil carbon management and nature-based solutions.

The IAI and its partners commit to enhancing regional resilience in the Americas by integrating transdisciplinary science into early warning systems for droughts and floods, promoting scientific diplomacy, and ensuring open data exchange to support agriculture, energy, and ecosystem management.

The 33rd Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) approved the core budget for 2025–2026 and adopted the Asunción Declaration on Water Security, Biodiversity, and Climate Resilience in the Americas. The meeting focused on strengthening the link between science and policy through regional mechanisms and the invitation of new Associates, including the World Meteorological Organization, the American Geophysical Union, and the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research. Additionally, the Conference approved an Open Access to Data and Publications Policy and revised procedures for granting permanent observer status.

The 33rd Meeting of the IAI Conference of the Parties approved the 2025-2026 operating budget, the Asunción Declaration on Water Security, Biodiversity, and Climate Resilience in the Americas, and a new policy on open access to data and publications. The meeting also extended invitations for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the American Geophysical Union (AGU), and the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC) to become Associates of the Institute.

The report advocates for the use of spatial targeting to maximize the water quality and climate adaptation benefits of water retention projects, such as wetlands and naturalized dams, in the Canadian Prairies. It highlights the PTMApp model and the necessity of high-resolution LiDAR-based digital elevation models (DEMs) to accurately map phosphorus loading and identify non-contributing areas. Using the Swan Lake study area as a demonstration, the document argues that strategic site selection improves cost-effectiveness and phosphorus interception, particularly during high-magnitude spring runoff events.

The report compares the IUCN Global Standard for NbS and the CBD Voluntary Guidelines, concluding that both are highly compatible and align with UNEA Resolution 5/5. While the IUCN standard provides high-level overarching criteria for a wide range of NbS, the CBD guidelines offer more detailed, step-by-step operational guidance specifically for ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR). The analysis recommends that future international efforts focus on compiling existing guidance and avoiding the duplication of work rather than creating new sets of guidelines.

The document outlines a methodological framework for gender mainstreaming within Senegal's climate adaptation planning. It identifies specific entry points across 14 process steps—from launch to notification—and provides seven key tools, including gender analysis and gender-responsive budgeting. It highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on women in Senegal and offers a series of national and international best practices to ensure equitable benefits from adaptation measures.

The document highlights the rapid degradation of wetlands in Myanmar, noting a 25% loss in the Upper Chindwin River basin between 2000 and 2020. It critiques existing government-led initiatives for being tokenistic and limited primarily to Ramsar sites, leaving smaller wetlands vulnerable. Based on a project in the Hkamti region, the authors demonstrate that community leadership—through village working committees and alternative livelihood planning—enhances resource management and monitoring. The brief recommends establishing a community-led management framework, diversifying funding, and integrating wetland conservation across sectoral policies like agriculture and tourism.

The report finds that while a majority of Armenians recognize the impacts of climate change—particularly on health—and support renewable energy, actual personal engagement in environmental activities remains low at 22%. Public trust in environmental action is highest for educational institutions and lowest for the private sector and NGOs. Significant barriers to participation include a lack of time, financial costs, and indifference.

The report finds that while a majority of Moldovans (61%) perceive their understanding of climate change as good or very good, actual engagement in environmental activities is around 57%. Public priorities for environmental protection are led by access to clean water and sanitation and waste management. There is significant concern (65%) regarding dependence on foreign energy sources, with strong support for developing solar and wind power. Educational institutions are viewed as the most important actors in driving environmental action, while corporate sustainability initiatives receive the highest level of public support. Barriers to individual engagement include a lack of time (62%) and financial costs (34%).

The report finds that while a majority of Ukrainians acknowledge the personal impacts of climate change and support renewable energy development, significant barriers such as financial costs and a perceived lack of common practice hinder individual engagement. Public trust in environmental action is highest for volunteers and youth activists, while the central government is viewed as moderately important but less efficient. Energy security is a major concern, with a strong preference for solar and wind power to reduce foreign dependence.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) has appointed five representatives from Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Peru to its new Indigenous Peoples Advisory Committee (IPAC). The selection follows a call for candidates open from February 5 to March 19, 2025, which received 14 applications from across the Americas. The selected members were chosen for their ability to integrate indigenous and western knowledge systems to address global environmental change.