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The document provides a comprehensive guide to transdisciplinary (TD) science through seven case studies in Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Panama, Jamaica, Mexico, Colombia, and Uruguay. It emphasizes the integration of academic knowledge with local and indigenous systems to create actionable solutions for global environmental change. Key themes include the necessity of 'bridge-builders' in leadership, the importance of epistemic justice, and the shift from 'ecosystem services' to 'nature's contributions to people' (NCP). The case studies cover diverse issues such as Amazonian forest fires, community biodiversity monitoring, gender gaps in coffee farming, and public sanitation in riverine communities. A final synthesis identifies critical success factors: inclusive leadership, co-design of goals with communities, and the translation of technical data into accessible formats for local decision-making.

The document outlines transdisciplinary (TD) research practices through seven case studies in Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on the co-creation of solutions for global environmental change. It emphasizes the shift from 'ecosystem services' to 'Nature’s Contributions to People' (NCP) and highlights the necessity of epistemic justice, community leadership, and the role of 'brokers' or liaisons in bridging gaps between academic scientists and local stakeholders. Key examples include wildfire monitoring in the Amazon, biodiversity monitoring in Panama, women's empowerment in the Jamaican coffee industry, community conservation in Mexico, sanitation in Brazil, watershed protection in Uruguay, and social water management in Colombia.

The guide defines conflict-sensitive Nature-based Solutions (NbS) as adaptation activities designed to increase the resilience of ecosystems and communities while accounting for the causes, actors, and dynamics of conflict. It warns that NbS can inadvertently exacerbate tensions by introducing economic burdens, restricting livelihood access, or creating perceived inequalities in benefit distribution. To mitigate these risks, the document advocates for a participatory process involving women and underrepresented groups to ensure co-design and ownership. The proposed framework for conflict-sensitive NbS follows a cycle of assessment, design, implementation, and monitoring, requiring a conflict analysis alongside traditional climate vulnerability and risk assessments to identify potential triggers and peacebuilding opportunities.

The EU Action on Policy Coherence for Adaptation and Resilience is a consortium-led initiative (HD, BF, and IISD) funded by the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments. Running from October 2025 to September 2028, the project aims to improve the alignment of regional and national policies on peace and climate adaptation in fragile contexts through methodology development, country-level implementation, a technical Help Desk, and the dissemination of lessons learned.

The iCRA project (January 2025–December 2026) seeks to strengthen the evidence base for intersectional approaches to climate change adaptation. By piloting intersectional climate risk assessments (CRAs) in Nepal and South Africa, the project analyzes how overlapping systems of inequity—such as racism, ableism, and caste-based discrimination—influence vulnerability to climate hazards. The project utilizes knowledge co-production with partners serving marginalized groups to generate recommendations for policy-makers and practitioners.

The document argues that Africa's potential for a demographic dividend depends on accelerating the demographic transition—reducing child mortality and fertility—and converting a larger working-age population into economic growth through job creation and governance. It contrasts the youthful population of Africa with the ageing populations of Europe and the Netherlands, suggesting strategic opportunities for labour mobility and trade. Using the International Futures (ifs) model, the author presents a 'Demographics and Health' scenario where targeted investments in contraceptives, maternal health, and WASH infrastructure lead to a smaller, wealthier, and better-educated population by 2050, reducing extreme poverty by 48 million people.

The document argues that the COP29 finance goal of US$300 billion is insufficient, covering less than 4.3% of projected global needs, and that Africa receives less than 3% of total global finance for developing countries. It highlights a critical imbalance where only 36% of Africa's climate finance is dedicated to adaptation. The brief calls for African nations to transition from passive actors to co-creators at COP30, advocating for the 'Baku to Belém Roadmap' to reach US$1.3 trillion and demanding that finance be grant-based, accessible, and channeled through African institutions. It also notes the negative impact of the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the need for more inclusive participation for least developed countries in UN negotiations.

As of 2025, almost every developing country has initiated a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, with 71 countries having submitted multi-sector NAPs since 2015. The most common climate hazards identified in these plans are droughts, floods, and changes in precipitation, while the primary priority sectors are agriculture, health, and water/sanitation. While 100% of NAPs mention monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), only 65% include a cost estimate for implementation, with estimates ranging from USD 1.4 million to USD 349 billion. Gender and social inclusion are integrated to varying degrees, with women and youth being the most frequently mentioned social groups.

The NAP Global Network's 2024 report details its progress in supporting developing countries with National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes through technical assistance, South-South peer learning, and knowledge production. The Network has supported 70 countries to date, with over 60% of technical assistance directed toward Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Key 2024 achievements include the launch of a new peer learning strategy, the publication of over 180 knowledge products, and the implementation of a monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework. The report highlights specific 'stories of change' in countries like Costa Rica, Rwanda, and Côte d’Ivoire, demonstrating the transition from planning to implementation and the integration of gender and social inclusion.

Natural Justice assesses South Africa's 2025 draft NDC, acknowledging progress in absolute emissions targets but warning that these are undermined by over-reliance on international conditionality and a lack of concrete implementation plans. The submission argues that the draft fails to meet the 'highest possible ambition' standard set by the ICJ, citing gaps in adaptation financing, the exclusion of natural disturbance emissions from accounting, and the absence of a clear fossil fuel phase-out schedule. It recommends integrating a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA), establishing a grant-based Loss and Damage facility funded partly by a tax on fossil fuel profits, and mandating Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for all climate projects.

The policy brief proposes that Cyprus leverage its unique island profile and Mediterranean position during its 2026 EU Council Presidency to advance EU-level action on water scarcity, climate adaptation, energy security, and transport decarbonisation. Key recommendations include establishing a Mediterranean Resilience Summit, a Water & Climate Security Forum, and an EU-SIDS Compact 2030, while steering legislative processes such as the Energy Security Framework and ETS revisions to support affordability and resilience.

The report examines whether Official Development Assistance (ODA) prevents or exacerbates violent conflict. A systematic review of 20 studies indicates that while assistance can foster stability by improving livelihoods and accountable governance, it can also fuel violence by creating 'prizes' for elite capture or provoking insurgent backlash. Case studies of South Sudan and Mozambique highlight a contrast between fragmented states and capable but exclusionary states, suggesting that prevention strategies must be tailored to the specific institutional context. The authors recommend shifting from externally imposed state-building models toward community-driven initiatives and inclusive governance reforms.

The report tracks G20 climate commitments from 2008 to 2024, noting a shift from general statements to specific goals like phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies and implementing the Paris Agreement. It highlights the disruptive impact of US withdrawals from the Paris Agreement under the Trump administration and the challenges of institutional memory within the G20. For its 2025 presidency, South Africa focuses on 'solidarity, equality and sustainability', with specific priorities for Africa-focused energy access, climate-resilient agriculture, and scaling adaptation finance.

The report examines the role of South Africa's 2025 G20 presidency in advancing a 'transformational' theory of change for the climate crisis. It emphasizes 'country platforms' as a bottom-up methodology for national transition planning and argues that current global financial structures are a 'non-system' that misallocates capital and imposes an unsustainable cost of capital on developing nations, particularly in Africa. The author proposes a 'monetary architecture' approach to unlock funding by reconfiguring balance sheets, rather than relying solely on market-oriented blended finance or fiscal expansion.

Kazakhstan's NDC 3.0 sets a target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 17% below 1990 levels by 2035 unconditionally, and up to 25% with international support. The plan aligns with a long-term goal of carbon neutrality by 2060 and emphasizes a transition from coal-dependency toward renewable energy, nuclear power, and energy efficiency. The document details sectoral mitigation measures, adaptation strategies for water and agriculture, and a framework for addressing loss and damage. Implementation is supported by a revitalized Emissions Trading System (ETS) and a proposed Carbon Fund, with total indicative investment needs for 2026–2035 estimated at USD 175.6 billion.

Rwanda's NDC 3.0 sets an ambitious target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 53% by 2035 compared to a business-as-usual scenario, integrating Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) for the first time. The plan prioritizes adaptation across eight sectors, including agriculture and water resources, and establishes a dedicated loss and damage response mechanism. Implementing these goals requires an estimated USD 12 billion, with USD 5 billion for mitigation and USD 7 billion for adaptation.

The document describes the Paris Agreement's 'ambition cycle' as a four-stage iterative process: formulation of long-term strategies (LTS) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), implementation, monitoring via Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), and collective evaluation through the Global Stocktake (GST). It emphasizes the need for alignment between short-term NDCs and long-term net-zero goals, while warning against over-reliance on carbon markets and carbon capture technologies. The guide provides a national implementation roadmap and case studies from Costa Rica, the United Kingdom, Colombia, and Panama to illustrate best practices in climate governance and transparency.

The study examines vertical integration—the coordination between national and sub-national governments—in Indonesia, Brazil, and India. It identifies common barriers such as fragmented governance, capacity gaps, and financing shortages at the local level. The paper recommends improving cross-sectoral governance, enhancing official capacity for planning and evaluation, harmonizing risk assessment data, and ensuring traceable financial mechanisms to bridge the gap between national commitments and local resilience outcomes.

The report finds that human-induced climate change significantly increased the frequency and intensity of extreme heat globally from May 2024 to May 2025, affecting billions of people and making all 67 identified significant heat events more likely. It highlights the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations and the systemic failure to accurately document heat-related mortality, while advocating for a combination of urban heat action plans and aggressive fossil fuel mitigation.

The Flood Green Guide Youth Champions pilot program engaged nine young leaders (aged 24-30) from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia and the Pacific Islands to co-design a framework for youth involvement in flood risk management (FRM). Through a hybrid approach of in-person workshops in Sri Lanka and virtual meetings, the program developed a structure focused on capacity building, civic engagement spaces, and targeted funding. While the program successfully fostered a community of advocates and provided foundational knowledge in nature-based solutions, it faced challenges regarding long-term participant engagement and the difficulty of maintaining cohesion in a global versus regional program model.