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The document analyzes the legal requirements of Article 9 of the Nature Restoration Law (NRL), which mandates the restoration of at least 25,000km of free-flowing rivers in the EU by 2030. It details the process for creating barrier inventories, prioritizing the removal of obsolete structures, and ensuring these actions align with other EU frameworks like the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Habitats Directive. The briefing emphasizes the need for longitudinal, lateral, and vertical connectivity and warns against using the Renewable Energy Directive to justify the retention of obsolete barriers.

Brazil is projected to increase oil and gas production by over 20% by 2030, with Petrobras driving more than half of this growth. However, analysis shows that up to 85% of Petrobrass new oil production would be economically unviable in a 1.5C world, creating significant stranded asset risks. Petrobras plans to invest USD 97 billion in oil and gas from 2025 to 2029, which is six times its spending on decarbonization and diversification. The report finds that Petrobras lags industry peers in target setting and business model diversification. To mitigate these risks, the authors recommend that the Brazilian government curb exploration licenses, redefine Petrobrass mandate toward a "harvest mode" strategy, and redirect financial flows toward clean energy, where an annual investment gap of USD 16 billion is projected by 2035.

The report evaluates the Manitoba portion of the Hudson Bay Lowlands, a 67,181 km2 region that is 97.5% intact. It utilizes an ecosystem goods and services (EGS) framework to monetize benefits, finding a minimum annual value of CAD 247.7 million from biodiversity, tourism, and health services, alongside a carbon storage value of CAD 1.28 trillion. The document emphasizes the region's role in climate mitigation and its deep relational value to Indigenous communities, including the Cree, Métis, and Dene. It identifies threats from potential critical mineral mining, hydroelectric diversions, and transportation projects like the NeeStaNan corridor, arguing that Indigenous-led conservation is essential for meeting Canada's 30% by 2030 protection targets.

Belize's NDC 3.0 sets a target to avoid cumulative greenhouse gas emissions of 6,234 kTonCO2e by 2035 compared to a business-as-usual scenario. The plan focuses on scaling renewable energy, enhancing carbon sequestration in the AFOLU sector, and improving climate resilience across coastal, health, and infrastructure sectors. Implementation is heavily dependent on international climate finance, with an estimated total cost of 1.55 billion USD and a funding gap of 85%.

The report argues that the global ocean economy must transition from business-as-usual to a nature-positive model to avoid an estimated US$8.4 trillion in economic value loss by 2036. It introduces the AR3T (Avoid, Reduce, Restore & Regenerate, Transform) action framework to help companies in four key sectors—offshore wind, coastal and marine tourism, shipping, and seafood—halt and reverse biodiversity loss. The document emphasizes that nature positive is a collective societal goal, requiring absolute gains in nature rather than relative net gains or offsets. It provides specific technical recommendations for each sector, such as using nature-inclusive design in offshore wind, implementing sustainable siting in tourism, reducing vessel noise in shipping, and eliminating destructive fishing practices in the seafood sector. The report also highlights the necessity of integrating social equity and Indigenous knowledge into conservation efforts, asserting that a nature-positive future must also be 'people positive'.

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 report evaluates a hybrid infrastructure approach for flood risk management in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana, comparing it to a business-as-usual scenario. It finds that the hybrid approach—combining nature-based solutions like wetland restoration and tree planting with grey infrastructure—is highly economically viable, with returns ranging from USD 3.26 to USD 13.53 for every USD 1 invested. The primary economic driver is the avoidance of flood damages, with estimated avoided costs between USD 163.29 million and USD 747.11 million. The assessment also identifies co-benefits such as increased carbon sequestration, improved air quality, and local job creation to support the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly in securing funding and aligning policies with climate priorities.

The report finds that while carbon markets have the potential to generate social and economic benefits for LMIC communities, current impacts are often suboptimal or negative due to poor project design and governance. Agricultural and energy efficiency projects generally show higher potential for positive community impact than pure forest conservation projects, which often restrict access to vital resources. Key barriers include low carbon prices in voluntary markets, delayed payments, and the exclusion of women due to land tenure structures. Positive outcomes are linked to pro-poor design, inclusive governance, higher carbon prices for co-benefits, and adherence to stringent standards like the CCB Standard.

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 document analyzes global agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, noting that the sector accounted for approximately 20% of global anthropogenic emissions in 2022. It identifies ruminant livestock and deforestation as the primary drivers of these emissions and highlights significant regional variations in emission intensities. The author argues that coupled subsidies and market price supports incentivize environmentally harmful practices and recommends repurposing these funds toward sustainable management, innovation, and uncoupled payments to reduce the sector's carbon footprint while balancing food security and livelihoods.

The analysis finds that Engie's 2025 climate plan lacks a phase-out date for fossil gas and continues gas expansion through new plants and LNG contracts. While renewable targets increased to 95 GW by 2030, the company remains on a 'well below 2°C' trajectory rather than 1.5°C, with a decarbonization goal of 2045 that contradicts IEA Net Zero scenarios. CAPEX for fossil technologies remains nearly stable, and the company's reliance on hydrogen and biomethane is viewed as a risk for perpetuating fossil systems.

The Natur'ELLES project in Senegal addresses fisheries challenges like overfishing and habitat loss by empowering women through data access, education, and leadership training. The project utilizes tools such as the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) analysis tool and a Google Earth Engine Mangrove Mapping app to monitor mangrove health and support nature-based infrastructure. Specific initiatives include 'mangrove platforms' for stakeholder dialogue, literacy classes for women, and a feminist leadership program to increase women's participation in natural resource decision-making, particularly in the Sine Saloum and Casamance deltas.

The report identifies Iraq as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries globally, facing severe water scarcity, rising temperatures, and desertification. It proposes a strategic framework to prioritize GCF funding across key sectors, including energy, agriculture, water, and urban development. The document details a prioritized list of 19 projects, with high-priority initiatives focusing on climate-resilient livelihoods in southern Iraq and the transformation of the agricultural and water sectors. It emphasizes the need for international financial support, technology transfer, and the mobilization of private sector investment to bridge significant development gaps and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from the energy sector, which accounts for 85% of national emissions as of 2019.

The briefing identifies capacity constraints and policy incoherence as primary obstacles to implementing the European Green Deal in Sweden and Estonia, specifically regarding CBAM, EED, LULUCF, and JTF regulations.

The European Ocean Pact is presented as a critical opportunity to address the over-exploitation of Europe's marine areas, where over 90% is impacted by human activity. ClientEarth argues that the Pact must prioritize the achievement of healthy, clean, and resilient marine ecosystems over economic activities. The document outlines three strategic priorities: enhancing compliance with existing regulations like the Common Fisheries Policy, establishing legally binding targets to ensure policy coherence, and facilitating a just transition for coastal communities via an EU Ocean Fund.

Australia's reported fugitive emissions from coal mining have decreased by over 20% since 2005, despite raw coal production increasing by 170% between 1990 and 2022. While some reductions are attributed to mitigation investments, such as VAM-to-power projects and pre-mine drainage, the report argues that the trend is largely driven by a shift toward open-cut mining, the closure of high-emitting underground mines, and changes in emissions accounting methods.

Blue carbon ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes, are critical natural climate solutions that sequester over 50% of global ocean carbon despite covering only 0.5% of the sea floor. These habitats support 3 billion people through food security and protection from extreme weather, yet they face severe degradation, with 67% of mangroves already lost or degraded. Protecting these ecosystems could prevent 304 Tg of carbon dioxide emissions annually, while restoration could sequester an additional 841 Tg, totaling approximately 3% of annual global GHG emissions. However, as of 2023, only 61 of 151 countries with these habitats included their conservation in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The IAAT project aims to support 431,700 direct beneficiaries in Mali by promoting Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and agroforestry. The initiative focuses on improving extension services, developing inclusive value chains, and deploying low-carbon technologies such as solar irrigation and biodigesters. It targets a total GHG emission reduction of 2,446,543 tCO2eq over 15 years and the planting of 91,285 hectares of agroforestry trees. The project is implemented by Save the Children in collaboration with the Government of Mali, leveraging a Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) approach and synergies with the USAID-funded Albarka project.

The programme aims to protect approximately 1.52 million direct beneficiaries and 4.15 million indirect beneficiaries in the Amazon Basin from climate-induced water insecurity. It focuses on three components: strengthening hydro-meteorological knowledge and early warning systems, catalyzing investments in climate-resilient water, sanitation, and waste (WSW) infrastructure, and enhancing regional governance and transboundary cooperation. The initiative employs a mix of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), nature-based solutions (NbS), and advanced monitoring technologies to mitigate the impacts of extreme droughts and floods.

The Mirova Sustainable Land Fund 2 (MSLF2) is a private sector-focused investment programme targeting Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Malaysia, Morocco, Peru, and the Philippines. With a total target size of EUR 350 million, the fund uses a blended finance structure—including a GCF-funded junior tranche—to de-risk investments for institutional investors. The programme consists of an investment facility providing long-term debt and equity to companies in the agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) sector, and a Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) to improve company bankability and impact monitoring. The fund aims to sequester 17.2 MtCO2e and enhance the resilience of 63,000 direct beneficiaries through practices such as agroforestry and soil conservation.