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The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI) have signed a five-year framework agreement to collaborate on global change research and scientific diplomacy. The agreement focuses on activities at the interface of science and policy, including administrative support, technical assistance, and capacity building. Specific projects will be detailed in subsequent complementary acts, which will define budgets, human resources, and intellectual property rights. The agreement does not create immediate financial obligations for either party.

The IAI Strategic Plan 2024–2030 focuses on three strategic themes: meeting the needs of Parties to address global environmental change, developing science for the sustainability of the Americas, and ensuring the sustainability of the IAI. These themes are implemented through 10 strategic goals, including the promotion of transdisciplinary research on biodiversity, climate change adaptation, and water-food-energy nexuses, as well as strengthening science-policy interfaces and regional funding networks.

The report advocates for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as a high-level tool to integrate environmental, social, and economic considerations into mining plans, policies, and programs (PPPs). Unlike project-level Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), SEA provides a long-term, iterative perspective that helps balance competing interests and address cumulative impacts. The document details how SEA has been applied in countries like Namibia, Ghana, Romania, and Mozambique, highlighting its role in optimizing infrastructure, improving regulatory frameworks, and enhancing public participation. It identifies key obstacles such as limited institutional capacity and lack of political will, recommending that governments prioritize inter-ministerial collaboration and inclusive stakeholder engagement, particularly when managing critical minerals for the energy transition.

The document advocates for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as a tool to integrate environmental and social considerations into high-level mining policies, plans, and programs (PPP). Unlike project-level Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), SEA provides a broad perspective to manage cumulative impacts and align mining with national development goals. Through case studies in Namibia, Ghana, Romania, Mozambique, and Canada, the report illustrates how SEA can optimize infrastructure, improve regulatory frameworks, and enhance stakeholder engagement, while identifying obstacles such as limited institutional capacity and lack of political will.

The fact sheet defines nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation as actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use, and manage the natural environment. It emphasizes that because climate change impacts people differently based on identity—such as gender, age, and disability—NbS must be designed through inclusive local engagement. The document provides practical examples for inclusivity, such as ensuring mangrove restoration training considers women's childcare duties and that forest management meetings are held in local languages and accessible locations for Indigenous Peoples. It outlines a framework for inclusive engagement that involves listening to unique relationships with nature, consulting those most at risk, and involving community members in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of adaptation activities.

The SUNCASA project, funded with USD 22 million by Global Affairs Canada and managed by IISD and WRI, implements nature-based solutions (NbS) to combat flooding, heat, and biodiversity loss in Dire Dawa, Kigali, and Johannesburg. The project targets 2.2 million beneficiaries, with a specific focus on gender equality and the empowerment of marginalized groups in climate adaptation planning.

The document describes nature-based adaptation solutions (SafN) as a subset of nature-based solutions (SfN) focused on protecting, conserving, restoring, and sustainably managing ecosystems to mitigate climate impacts. It details a four-step implementation process—from methodology development to identifying adaptation options—and highlights the co-benefits for biodiversity and human well-being, such as food and water security. The text emphasizes that effective SafN must be inclusive, gender-responsive, and integrated into broader adaptation strategies, drawing on international standards from the IUCN and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

The fact sheet defines nature-based adaptation solutions (SafN) as actions to protect and manage ecosystems to improve community and nature resilience. It argues that for these solutions to be effective, they must be inclusive, accounting for how culture, customs, and social roles influence a person's ability to participate and benefit. The document provides a set of practical recommendations for inclusive planning, such as consulting high-risk groups, ensuring accessible meeting times and locations, and collaborating with local specialists to remove barriers to equitable benefit distribution. It highlights how climate impacts vary by identity, noting that women fishers, small-scale farmers, people with disabilities, and men in storm response face distinct risks based on their societal roles and resource access.

The document analyzes Africa's role and priorities within the UNFCCC COP process, specifically focusing on the transition from COP27 to COP28 and looking ahead to COP29. It highlights the continent's success in establishing the Loss and Damage Fund and launching voluntary initiatives like the Africa Carbon Markets Initiative, while warning that climate finance remains severely constrained and dominated by loans rather than grants. The brief argues that Africa must shift from a reactive to a proactive approach, integrating gender perspectives and climate-peace-security policies, while balancing the need for energy access with a just transition to low-carbon energy.

Kenya's 2024 Adaptation Communication details the nation's vulnerability to droughts, floods, and sea level rise, particularly in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). It outlines a comprehensive policy framework centered on the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2015-2030 and the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) 2023-2027, prioritizing food security, water management, and disaster risk reduction. The report estimates a financial requirement of USD 44 billion by 2030 to implement priority adaptation actions.

The document reports a growing trend of integrating NbS and EbA into National Adaptation Plans, noting that all NAPs now include at least one such action. It provides a breakdown of the specific ecosystems and management actions most frequently cited in these plans and offers action points for improving synergies with biodiversity planning and monitoring.

The NAP Global Network's 2023 report details its efforts to accelerate climate adaptation in developing countries through technical support, peer learning, and knowledge generation. Key achievements include supporting 41 countries with technical assistance, facilitating regional peer learning cohorts in Central America and West Africa, and advancing gender-responsive and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks. The Network is currently tracking progress toward its 2025 strategic targets, with significant success in expanding its Country Support Hub and In-Country NAP Support Programs.

The document reports a growing trend of integrating nature-based solutions (NbS) and ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) into National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), noting that all analyzed NAPs include at least one such measure. While most NAPs identify biodiversity and ecosystems as priority sectors, only 53% reference a national biodiversity plan or strategy, suggesting a need for closer synergy between climate and biodiversity planning.

The document presents a series of demands from African environmental defenders, calling for the recognition of their human rights, the creation of a legally binding regional treaty for their protection, and an end to 'false solutions' in climate change. It advocates for a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the cessation of militarized conservation in favor of community-led models, and the implementation of redress mechanisms to hold governments and businesses accountable for human rights violations. The text emphasizes the need for the meaningful inclusion of women, youth, and indigenous peoples in the management of natural resources and climate mitigation efforts.

The document examines how climate change acts as a 'threat multiplier' that exacerbates gender-based violence (GBV) by interacting with existing structural vulnerabilities and gender power dynamics. It highlights that women and gender minorities face distinct risks due to their specific labor roles, such as water collection and farming, and limited access to resources. While review articles show an increase in GBV following extreme weather events, the author notes a lack of robust quantitative data and a significant knowledge gap regarding sexual and gender minorities. The brief calls for governments to translate UN Women, Peace and Security (WPS) commitments into action through gender-sensitive disaster relief and the inclusion of marginalized groups in adaptation planning.

The report outlines a framework for the Loss and Damage Fund's design, emphasizing the need for diversified funding sources, simplified access for marginalized communities, and a governance structure that prioritizes grants and local leadership. It argues for a comprehensive approach that complements existing humanitarian and development aid rather than creating rigid new categories.

The Asia-Pacific region, home to 60% of the global population aged 60 and over, faces severe risks from climate change, including projected heat exposure nearly four times higher than other regions by mid-century. Older adults suffer disproportionately from heatwaves, natural disasters, and air pollution due to physical and socio-economic vulnerabilities. However, the document emphasises that older adults are not merely vulnerable but are 'a reservoir of knowledge and experience' who contribute to resilience through traditional knowledge and community-led initiatives in countries like India and Indonesia. The summary calls for a 'triangular strategy' of Protect, Reduce, and Mobilise to ensure older adults are active participants in climate action and that their human rights are protected through age-sensitive policies and universal social protection.

The document argues that the Loss and Damage Fund should avoid the bureaucratic hurdles of traditional climate finance by adopting flexible, grant-based mechanisms and inclusive governance. It emphasizes the need for direct access for local NGOs and marginalized communities, particularly in fragile states and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), while integrating with existing humanitarian and development flows to ensure a comprehensive response to climate-induced losses.

The briefing argues that climate change and biodiversity loss are inextricably connected and recommends five key opportunities to align the CBD and UNFCCC agendas. These include developing specific indicators for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), aligning National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), formalizing collaboration between the IPBES and IPCC, establishing a joint work program among the three Rio Conventions, and formalizing the role of CBD Action Agenda High-Level Champions.

The document argues that Latin America and the Caribbean are among the most climate-vulnerable regions globally, facing severe economic losses and ecosystem degradation. It highlights the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) as a strategic opportunity for the region to secure quantitative financing and integrate nature-based solutions. The brief recommends aligning national adaptation plans with human rights, indigenous knowledge, and regional cooperation to ensure a just and measurable transition.