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The world is off track to meet 2025 and 2030 forest goals, with commodity-driven deforestation increasing by 5.6% in 2022. While some leading agricultural companies and governments (notably the EU) are taking action, overall impact is limited by low political priority, insufficient corporate transparency in extractives, and systemic risks to environmental defenders.

The document outlines mandatory requirements and recommendations for several GCF funding proposals across various countries. General requirements for all proposals include signing a funded activity agreement (FAA), completing legal due diligence, and confirming internal approvals. Project-specific conditions vary, including requirements for solar power financing in Mongolia, grievance mechanisms in Senegal, co-financing and budget increases for forest conservation in Bhutan, and water-balance studies in Ethiopia. Recommendations focus on gender-sensitive training, biodiversity protection in Egypt, and women's participation in water committees in Colombia.

The briefing examines the tensions between WTO members over agricultural subsidies, public stocks, and export restrictions. It argues that for MC13 to be successful, the WTO must move beyond non-binding declarations toward binding commitments, specifically proposing an export restriction exemption for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to ensure food availability during crises.

The document outlines a five-step participatory scenario development (PSD) process designed to integrate local stakeholder knowledge with scientific climate projections to create plausible future development pathways. It argues that the most effective PSD brings together 'expert' and stakeholder knowledge to balance biophysical risks with social issues. A case study in Lake Balaton, Hungary, illustrates the process, where 80 participants identified key economic factors—such as tourism and agriculture—and developed adaptation strategies including rainwater storage and the use of native crop varieties. The guide concludes that PSD helps identify development priorities that simultaneously increase adaptive capacity, though it notes the challenge of linking quantitative climate data with qualitative scenarios.

The document outlines the importance of long-term strategies (LTS) as a link between shorter-term Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the Paris Agreement goals. It details six core elements of an LTS: a long-term vision, quantified mitigation goals, adaptation and resilience plans, pathways with interim milestones, monitoring and revision processes, and transparent communication. The guide emphasizes the role of civil society in holding governments accountable and ensuring a just transition, particularly in the context of economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.