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The paper reviews the evolution of disaster risk science, shifting from an emergency management focus to a proactive disaster risk reduction (DRR) approach. It analyzes the interplay between hazards, exposure, and vulnerability, while highlighting the emergence of systemic and Anthropocene risks. The authors identify significant geographical imbalances in research production, with a heavy reliance on Western scholarship and a lack of data from Africa and low-to-middle income countries. It calls for greater integration of DRR with climate change adaptation (CCA) and a stronger focus on disaster justice and indigenous knowledge.

The report finds that while countries are making incremental progress in strengthening their NDCs, the current pace and scale of ambition are insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement goals. By September 2022, 139 new or updated NDCs had been communicated, aiming for a 2030 emissions reduction of 5.5 GtCO2e more than initial commitments, which represents a 7 percent reduction from 2019 levels—far below the 43 percent reduction required for the 1.5°C target. The analysis highlights that 77 percent of NDCs include GHG reduction targets, 86 percent include adaptation components, and 53 percent estimate finance requirements totaling nearly $4.3 trillion.

The document outlines strategies for adapting global physical, social, and ecological infrastructure to climate risks, emphasizing the need for immediate investment in low-carbon resilience, the integration of nature-based solutions, and the inclusion of local and Indigenous knowledge. It highlights the vulnerability of essential systems—including energy, transport, and health—and advocates for protecting vulnerable populations through social safety nets and inclusive decision-making.

The report finds that while updated NDCs show increased ambition and better alignment with national planning, a massive gap remains between current commitments and the emissions reductions needed to limit warming to 1.5°C. Mitigation efforts have improved in scope and transparency, but many sectoral measures remain vague. Adaptation components are more prevalent in developing countries and show increased focus on equity and critical systems, though implementation details like timeframes and indicators are often missing. Climate finance requirements reported in NDCs total $4.282 trillion, highlighting a significant need for increased international support.

The WWF-US Oceans strategy aims to achieve nature-positive seascapes and sustainable blue economies by 2030. The approach integrates place-based conservation, the deployment of nature-based solutions for climate resilience, and the use of blue finance to shift capital away from harmful activities. Additionally, the 'Oceans Futures' initiative addresses the nexus of ocean health and geopolitical stability through predictive analytics and conflict resolution to prevent unsustainable resource extraction.

The document argues that high-impact hydropower is incompatible with nature-positive goals due to its role in the 84% collapse of freshwater species populations since 1970 and its tendency to cause human rights abuses. It positions insurers as key facilitators of the sector, as private companies often cannot build or invest in projects without insurance. The guide recommends that insurers adopt specific ESG policies, decline cover for projects in protected areas, and require independent impact assessments and greenhouse gas emission calculations. It also highlights that climate change increases the risk to hydropower, with 61% of existing and planned projects projected to be in river basins with high risk of floods or droughts by 2050.

The WWF-US Oceans team aims to establish nature-positive seascapes by integrating science-based design, community-led management, and innovative blue finance. The strategy focuses on climate adaptation and resilience, targeting the recovery of marine resources and the security of 100 million people by 2030. Key interventions include the use of nature-based solutions—specifically prioritizing mangroves, fish, seaweed, and aquaculture—and the development of blended finance mechanisms like a Fishery Improvement Fund to ensure long-term sustainability.

The document introduces the 'Systems Journey,' a three-phase iterative process (Engage, Explore, Learn) designed to move beyond linear thinking in conservation and sustainability work. It outlines eight core principles for systemic change and provides a toolkit of 11 practical methods—such as Systems Mapping, the Iceberg Model, and Scenario Planning—to help navigators identify leverage points and develop adaptive theories of action. The guide emphasizes the importance of co-creation, acknowledging power dynamics, and embracing a 'safe-to-fail' experimental mindset to achieve long-term structural transformation.

The document introduces a 'systems pathway' consisting of three phases: Engaging, Exploring, and Learning. It argues that complex problems cannot be solved with linear thinking and instead requires a collaborative, iterative approach. The guide details a process for understanding system dynamics, identifying high-leverage points for intervention, and developing adaptive theories of change and action. It includes a toolkit of 11 practical methods, such as the Iceberg Model and Scenario Planning, to help practitioners move from a state of 'chaos and confusion' toward systemic renewal.

The Cook Islands, a Small Island Developing State highly vulnerable to climate change and economic shocks, utilized GCF readiness support to overcome capacity gaps. Between 2016 and 2019, the country received four grants totaling USD 1.9 million to strengthen its National Designated Authority (NDA), accredit the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) as a Direct Access Entity, and develop a national country programme. These efforts aimed to improve the country's ability to design and implement transformative climate projects and access larger funding streams.

The document advocates for a whole-of-government approach to climate change in Canada to ensure coherent policy implementation across diverse departments. Based on a survey of eight countries and in-depth analysis of the United Kingdom, the United States, and British Columbia, the report outlines five essential requirements for success: sustained executive leadership, adequate funding and mandates, empowered personnel, aligned departmental mandates, and public transparency.

The report evaluates the Hondsbossche Dunes, a 7-kilometre nature-based coastal protection project in the Netherlands, using the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) method. The assessment compares this nature-based solution against a conventional grey infrastructure alternative, specifically a sheet pile wall, across various flood scenarios.

The Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) reports on its 2021 activities, highlighting the launch of the Innovating for Climate Resilience Fund, the establishment of the Resilience Hub at COP26, and the creation of South to South Resilience Academies. The partnership focused on scaling coastal resilience through the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), supporting innovative finance in fragile regions like Sudan and Uganda, and promoting locally-led adaptation through catalytic grants and the Resilience Knowledge Coalition.

The author contends that the current global political economy is a 'neocolonial debt regime' where Global South nations are forced to divert funds from climate preparedness to pay creditors in the Global North. Using Belize as a case study, the text illustrates how debt-to-GDP ratios hinder public health and ecological resilience. The document calls for a shift from an 'insulting' aid-based model to a reparations-based framework, including the cancellation of all Global South debt, the implementation of 'climate-health-debt swaps', and the democratisation of international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank.

The project aims to increase soil organic carbon (SOC) and reduce non-CO2 emissions (N2O and CH4) to benefit 63,697 small-scale farmers in Mexico. It employs a stratified approach across three clusters: adaptation-focused (red), combined adaptation and mitigation (orange), and mitigation-focused (green). The initiative includes strengthening institutional governance, deploying the 'Soil Doctors' capacity-building program, and establishing a national climate finance system featuring carbon credits and an 'SSM Seal' for certified sustainable products.

The document details an external review of WRI's 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, evaluating its seven global challenges and core functions. It employs a mixed-methods approach, including 'Outcome Harvesting' and a 'Traffic Light System' to measure progress. Preliminary findings indicate that the Forests program is the strongest performer (95.9% achievement), while the Governance Center is partially on track (44% achievement). The review also assesses WRI's growth, the impact of COVID-19, and the integration of gender and social equity across its global operations, including specific assessments of its offices in Africa, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States.

The External Review finds that WRI is 'Mostly on Track' with its 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, achieving 71.3% of its targets by October 2021. While WRI remains a critical global player in environment and development, the review identifies significant risks related to rapid organizational growth, a potential tilt from research toward advocacy, and under-resourced core functions. The report highlights a need for a 'step-change' in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) and a more systematic integration of poverty, gender, and social equity (PGSE) across its programs. WRI's Africa office is also 'mostly on track,' though it faces challenges in coordinating global programming with regional priorities.

Nigeria's Adaptation Communication (AdCom) was developed through a participatory, gender-responsive process involving stakeholders from government, civil society, the private sector, and academia. The document aims to increase the visibility of adaptation relative to mitigation, provide input for the global stocktake, and assess progress toward the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA). The preparation was supported by the NAP Global Network Secretariat and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), with funding from the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).

The Kingdom of Eswatini's Initial Adaptation Communication (AdCom) identifies key climate hazards such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves, and details national efforts to mitigate these impacts through flood control, irrigation, and climate-proofed infrastructure. It highlights the role of the National Climate Change Policy (2016) and the National Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (2015-2020) in guiding adaptation actions involving government, NGOs, and the private sector.

The document outlines key lessons for SADC member states to improve their NDCs, emphasizing the need for inclusive stakeholder engagement, alignment with long-term development goals, and the use of quantifiable targets and evidence-based analysis. It highlights examples from South Africa, Rwanda, and Costa Rica to demonstrate how detailed implementation roadmaps and participatory scenario planning can enhance climate commitments.