Search Climate Insights Directory

The document examines the TCMF Proposal's provisions for 'innovative fishing gears', specifically focusing on pulse trawling. ClientEarth argues that Article 24 of the proposal lacks a clear definition of 'innovative' and an adequate burden of proof. It recommends that any gear designated as innovative must be proven to have lower negative impacts on marine ecosystems than conventional methods, based on independent evaluations by the STECF. Using pulse trawling as a case study, the briefing highlights significant knowledge gaps regarding its impact on benthic communities and non-target species, and warns against its use in Natura 2000 sites without meeting the Habitats Directive's integrity tests.

The document examines the TCMF Proposal's approach to combining common EU-level technical measures with regionalised measures. It argues that regional measures must be supported by robust scientific evidence to ensure they are at least as effective as baseline measures in achieving CFP and TCMF objectives. The briefing details how the regionalisation process under Article 18 of the CFP Basic Regulation links technical measures to discard plans and multiannual plans (MAPs), and discusses the necessity of coherence between fisheries management and EU environmental laws, such as the Nature Directives and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

The report analyzes diverse resource management models—ranging from sovereign wealth funds in Norway to ecosystem service payments in Costa Rica—to derive a framework for benefit sharing. It emphasizes that successful long-term outcomes require clear leadership, strong legislative frameworks, institutional mechanisms for implementation, and the active inclusion of Indigenous populations in decision-making. The document contrasts successful models, such as Norway's GPFG, with cautionary examples like Alberta's Heritage Savings Trust Fund and Nigeria's oil sector, highlighting the risks of overreliance on non-renewable resources without strategic diversification and robust legal safeguards.

The report highlights that while global wild tiger populations increased to approximately 3,890 by 2016, this progress is threatened by an estimated 11,000 kilometres of planned roads and railways across tiger landscapes. Linear infrastructure causes habitat fragmentation, increases human-tiger conflict, and facilitates poaching. Through case studies in the Dawna Tenasserim Landscape, the Terai Arc Landscape, and Sumatra, the document demonstrates how infrastructure projects can isolate populations and degrade ecosystems. WWF calls on governments and investors to adopt long-term spatial plans, protect critical habitats as inviolate areas, and implement wildlife crossings to maintain connectivity.

The paper argues that land in Indonesia is systematically undervalued because current assessments fail to comprehensively account for ecosystem services and lack integration with spatial planning and licensing processes. To address this, the authors propose a district-level natural capital assessment pilot, specifically recommending Kotawaringin Timur due to its high concentration of high conservation value areas under plantation status and its potential for low-emission oil palm productivity gains. The proposed methodology integrates Ministry of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 15/2012 and Ministry of Finance Regulation No. 98/PMK.06/2010, utilizing a combination of GIS, inventories, participatory approaches, and expert judgment to inform a 'Production and Protection' approach to land management.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of Brazil's rural land tenure system, tracing its history from colonial sesmarias to the 1988 Constitution. It highlights a fragmented system of multiple rural registries and cadastres that lack integration, which facilitates 'grilagem' (illegal land grabbing). The document details the specific regularization processes and obstacles for five key land categories: Indigenous Lands, quilombola territories, Conservation Units, agrarian reform settlements, and individual possessions on federal lands. It concludes by analyzing the complexities of implementing the 2012 Forest Code, particularly the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR), in the context of collective land tenure and overlapping territorial claims.

The assessment finds that 60% of Central Kalimantan's land area contains High Conservation Value (HCV) areas, with 62% of these areas threatened by development. The report identifies critical hotspots in five districts and highlights logging and spatial planning as primary drivers of forest loss, which declined by 32% between 1973 and 2012.

The report provides the first systematic assessment of snow leopard abundance in Wangchuck Centennial National Park, identifying breeding populations in the Central and Western Park Ranges. Using camera traps and SECR models, it found mean densities of 2.74 individuals/100 km² in the Central range and 3.36 individuals/100 km² in the Western range, while the Eastern range showed very low activity. The study highlights a correlation between snow leopard density and the availability of blue sheep, noting that WCNP densities are low compared to similar regions in Nepal and India, likely due to high co-predator richness and limited prey. The authors recommend satellite telemetry to study habitat connectivity and community-based conservation to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

The report projects warming across all six studied snow leopard landscapes in Central Asia, with varying seasonal precipitation changes. Eastern Nepal, Sikkim, and Bhutan are expected to experience winter warming and wetter monsoons, while South Gobi and Central Tienshan/Sarychat will see summer warming and minimal precipitation increases. The Karakoram-Pamir region is projected to have consistent warming and increased winter precipitation. These shifts are expected to exacerbate risks to snow leopards, including habitat fragmentation, shifting tree lines, and increased human-wildlife conflict.

The WWF-Mondi Wetlands Programme (WWF-MWP), established in 1991, has spent 25 years catalysing wetland conservation in South Africa. The programme evolved from a local project in KwaZulu-Natal to a national initiative, and eventually part of a global partnership between WWF and Mondi. Key achievements include the development of a scientifically defensible wetland delineation method adopted by the forestry industry and government, the creation of the SUSFARMS® sustainable sugarcane management system, and the catalysing of the state-run Working for Wetlands programme. The programme has shifted its focus from specific wetland sites to a broader 'landscape approach' to water stewardship, engaging dairy, sugar, and forestry sectors to improve water security and ecosystem resilience.

The paper finds that climate actions across examined INDCs align with 154 of the 169 SDG targets, demonstrating significant potential for mutual benefits between climate and development agendas. While global alignment is high, the authors note that few countries explicitly referenced SDGs in their INDCs, often due to separate institutional oversight between environment and development ministries. Case studies of Colombia and Uganda show high goal-level alignment, though target-level alignment varies based on national priorities. The document advocates for a 'whole-of-government' approach to maximize resources and avoid implementation silos.

The review concludes that the Yzermyn underground coal project's EIAR and EMPr are of poor quality, failing to address critical concerns from the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), Department of Water Affairs (DWA), and Department of Mineral Resources (DMR). The author argues that the project poses high risks to 'irreplaceable' biodiversity and water resources, specifically regarding acid mine drainage and the drawdown of wetlands. The review asserts that the competent authority ignored these risks and the NEMA principles when granting environmental authorisation, focusing only on surface footprint rather than landscape-scale impacts.

The review concludes that the Yzermyn underground coal project's EIAR and EMPr are of poor quality, failing to address critical concerns raised by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), Department of Water Affairs (DWA), and Department of Mineral Resources (DMR). Key failures include the lack of updated specialist studies for the 'best environmental option', inadequate assessment of acid mine drainage (AMD) and its long-term decant risks, and a failure to account for cumulative impacts on 'irreplaceable' biodiversity and water resources. The reviewer asserts that the project's focus on surface 'footprint' impacts ignores wider landscape-scale damage to Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Areas (FEPAs) and the Grassland Important Bird Area. Furthermore, the review finds that the Environmental Authorisation was granted despite these deficiencies, relying on misleading information and failing to apply the NEMA principles of sustainable development.

The document examines the shift in Southern Africa from centralized conservation to community-based natural resource management (CBNRM). It analyzes various institutional models—such as conservancies, community-based organisations (CBOs), and private game reserves—evaluating their success in balancing biodiversity conservation with rural livelihood improvement. Using Namibia and Botswana as primary case studies, the paper highlights the critical role of secure devolution of rights, transparent governance, and the need to diversify income streams beyond wildlife tourism to ensure long-term sustainability and community stewardship.

RCL has committed to reducing GHG intensity by 35% from a 2005 baseline and implementing strict sustainable seafood procurement targets, including sourcing 90% of wild-caught seafood from certified or improving fisheries by 2020. The company aims to integrate Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standards into its tour operations, targeting 1,000 certified tours by 2020, and intends to support WWF ocean conservation projects. Additional goals include reducing shipboard landfill waste by 85% from a 2007 baseline, increasing Advanced Wastewater Purification System coverage to 90% by 2020, and reducing water bunkering in high-risk regions.

The project aims to improve coastal fisheries in FMAs 715, 717, and 718 by implementing EAFM principles through four main components: establishing enabling policy and capacity, deploying management tools like MPAs and Fisheries Improvement Projects (FIPs), operationalizing the Blue Abadi Fund for sustainable financing in West Papua, and creating knowledge management platforms. The initiative targets the recovery of 39,329 tons of over-exploited fisheries and the improved management of 3.6 million hectares of marine protected areas (MPAs), while integrating gender equality and indigenous rights into its governance.

The proposal seeks USD 20,546,756 in grant financing to implement Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) across 10,000 hectares in The Gambia. The project aims to restore degraded forests, savannas, and agricultural landscapes to increase the supply of climate-resilient natural resources and establish community-managed businesses. It targets 11,550 direct beneficiaries, with a focus on women, and intends to integrate EbA into national policies and local land-use planning to catalyze a paradigm shift toward a green economy.

The policy brief argues for the immediate integration of Rural Credit and the Forest Code in Brazil to incentivize environmental preservation. It proposes that producers without environmental liabilities, or those in the process of regularization via the Environmental Regularization Program (PRA), should receive expanded credit limits. This approach is presented as a more effective alternative to the government's 2018 plan, which only required registration in the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR). The authors highlight that such a policy requires no additional Treasury funds and aligns with international models like the EU's Common Agricultural Policy.

The report assesses Myanmar's natural capital, focusing on four key ecosystem services: sediment retention for water quality, dry-season water availability, flood risk reduction, and coastal protection. Using InVEST models and climate projections, it identifies critical areas where natural ecosystems support human populations and infrastructure. The findings indicate that while the volume of services (such as sediment retention) will likely change due to increased rainfall under climate change, the geographic 'hotspots' of these services are expected to remain stable. The report emphasizes the overlap between these service-providing areas and Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), arguing that protecting these synergies is vital for both human resilience and wildlife conservation. It specifically highlights the Tanintharyi region as an example of where infrastructure projects, like the Dawei road, could threaten critical natural capital.

The ADVANCE Approach is a partnership between the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Columbia University Center for Climate Systems Research (CCSR) designed to move away from short-term consultant-based climate science engagement. It employs a seven-step co-generation process—analyzing context, developing learning questions, gathering data, obtaining feedback, revising information, providing integration guidance, and evaluating outcomes—to ensure climate risk data is fit-for-purpose and usable for local decision-makers. The approach focuses on identifying specific climate thresholds and variables relevant to stakeholders, such as maximum temperature in tropical regions or upland precipitation for mangrove conservation, and builds local capacity to interpret and apply this information to build resilience.