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The IEU report for the first half of 2020 outlines the progress of several major evaluations, including assessments of the GCF's country ownership approach, environmental and social safeguards, and the Simplified Approval Process. It highlights the unit's efforts to integrate behavioural science through the new Behaviour and Design Lab (BaDLab) and the LORTA programme. The report also details extensive communication efforts via webinars and social media to increase the uptake of evaluation findings, and provides a budget update showing a total expenditure and commitment of USD 2,447,221 against a 2020 budget of USD 5,581,985 as of 30 April 2020.

The research evaluates national and international support policies for emissions-intensive trade-exposed (EITE) industries, specifically comparing Canada's approach with those of Australia, California, and the European Union. The evaluation is based on four specific metrics: administrative costs, economic efficiency, the incentive to reduce emissions, and equity both between and within sectors.

The document argues that the current CAP reform proposal is misaligned with the European Green Deal, lacking quantified targets and sufficient safeguards to prevent the funding of environmentally harmful farming practices.

The document outlines the role of blended finance in mobilizing commercial capital for sustainable development goals, emphasizing the need for DFOs to anchor these activities in local contexts. It recommends that DFOs develop explicit local context policies, align investments with national development strategies, and deepen partnerships with local financial institutions. Additionally, it highlights the critical need to increase local currency financing and develop cost-effective foreign exchange solutions to mitigate risks for international investors.

The project aims to reduce the discharge of treated wastewater into wadis by implementing an integrated management approach at two treatment plants: Al Lajoon in Karak and Wadi El-Sir in Amman. It focuses on providing cost-effective reclaimed water to vulnerable farmers, introducing climate-resilient crop varieties, and deploying solar-powered water-pumping systems. The initiative seeks to reduce pressure on groundwater and improve livelihoods through a new pricing strategy and the promotion of green technologies like composting. The project expects to benefit 158,000 direct and 450,000 indirect beneficiaries, representing 7% of Jordan's population, with a total estimated cost of 9,725,000 USD.

The document argues that the World Heritage Committee should not defer climate mitigation issues to the UNFCCC, as state parties have independent obligations under the World Heritage Convention to protect properties from climate change. It asserts that site-level mitigation and adaptation are insufficient for highly vulnerable sites like coral reefs and glaciers, which require warming to be limited to well below 1.5°C. The briefing recommends using the List of World Heritage in Danger to enforce corrective measures based on a state's alignment with global emissions pathways.

Dr. Izidine Pinto, an author for the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, conducted a seminar at Eduardo Mondlane University in Quelimane, Mozambique, in March 2020. He used local examples, such as the impacts on Quirimbas National Park and the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago, to make global climate science resonate with students. The session included discussions on the consequences of Tropical Cyclone Idai and the temporary improvement of air quality during the COVID-19 pandemic due to reduced industrial and transport activity.

Dr Lucas Ruiz emphasizes the importance of presenting oneself as a 'regular person' to reduce the distance between experts and the public. He advocates for tailoring messages to the specific needs of the audience, such as linking glacier shrinkage to water resources for agricultural communities, and using analogies—comparing glaciers to bank accounts—to explain complex processes without relying on scientific jargon. Additionally, he highlights the effectiveness of visual aids like pictures, plots, and short videos to maintain engagement.

Dr Roxy Mathew Koll, an author for the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, employs a 'global to local' communication approach to bridge the gap between high-level scientific reports and the lived experiences of people in India. He supplements IPCC data with local scientific papers and government reports to link climate change to immediate food, water, and energy security issues. To counter the depressing nature of climate risk assessments, he incorporates success stories of community-led adaptation and mitigation. His engagement methods include the use of comics, newspaper clippings, and 'temproidery'—a creative project using color-coded embroidery to visualize rising temperature spirals.

A survey of 1,029 U.S. adults conducted in April 2020 reveals that while 75% of registered voters believe global warming is happening, views on its causes and the urgency of action vary significantly by political affiliation. Despite these divisions, there is broad cross-party support for renewable energy research, public land use for clean energy, and the Paris Climate Agreement. The report also finds that a candidate's position on global warming is a 'very important' voting factor for 43% of registered voters.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) advocates for integrating NDC priorities into national stimulus packages to ensure a low-emission recovery. It highlights the GCF's role in providing financial instruments and readiness support to help developing countries, particularly LDCs and SIDS, implement climate-resilient infrastructure and energy efficiency without increasing debt burdens.

This briefing document, prepared by the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC), presents proposed revisions to the Scientific Agenda of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) for adoption by the Conference of the Parties at its 28th meeting.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) has proposed a revised Scientific Agenda to its Conference of the Parties. This update aligns the agenda with the IAI Strategic Plan, emphasizing transdisciplinary science and the integration of human systems. The proposed agenda is organized into four primary research themes: human dimensions and policy consequences, climate variability in the Americas, ecosystems and biodiversity, and the chemical composition of the atmosphere, oceans, and freshwater. These themes aim to address regional sustainability, including food and water security, climate adaptation, and biodiversity conservation across the Americas.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Proposal Toolkit 2020 serves as a technical manual for entities seeking climate finance for developing countries. It outlines the essential roles of National Designated Authorities (NDAs), Accredited Entities (AEs), and Executing Entities (EEs), and provides a ten-step methodology for proposal development. Key design requirements include a strong climate rationale, a Theory of Change, and a logical framework aligned with GCF's investment criteria. The guide emphasizes the integration of environmental and social safeguards, gender action plans, and indigenous peoples' policies. It also details the financial instruments available—grants, concessional loans, equity, and guarantees—and explains the approval pathways, including the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) for smaller, low-risk projects.

In 2019, China led the world in labeled green bond issuance, with 386.2 billion RMB (55.8 billion USD) issued, a 33% increase from 2018. The market saw a significant rise in non-financial corporate issuers and the introduction of the first labeled green municipal special bond. While the market is growing, a gap remains between domestic Chinese green definitions and international standards, particularly regarding the use of proceeds for general corporate purposes and the inclusion of 'clean coal' projects. The report highlights the potential for refinancing as 88% of the domestic green bond balance is set to mature within five years.

India faces significant climate vulnerability, with nearly 3% of its GDP at risk annually. To meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) goals, India requires $2.5 trillion in investments between 2016 and 2030, yet it is currently mobilizing less than 25% of this requirement. A primary barrier to scaling these investments is the lack of an agreed-upon definition of 'green finance,' leading to confusion and inconsistent reporting across the financial sector. The document proposes a combination of international practices, a principles-based approach (aligning with national goals and net carbon reduction), and a sectoral taxonomy to create a formal definition. Such a framework would enable better tracking of capital flows, mitigate greenwashing, and allow financial institutions to better assess climate-related physical and transition risks. The authors recommend forming a stakeholder task force to develop a comprehensive green finance roadmap that includes a common taxonomy, mandatory climate risk disclosures, and regulatory incentives to divert capital from carbon-intensive sectors.

The paper contends that South Africa's current policy of austerity is economically destructive and proposes a R1 trillion fiscal stimulus over three years. It argues that the country has the fiscal space for expansion because its debt levels are comparable to emerging market peers and its productive capacity is underutilised. Using input-output modelling, the authors estimate an average fiscal multiplier of 1.68, suggesting that a stimulus of 10% of GDP (approximately R500 billion) could generate over R800 billion in economic expansion and nearly 3.5 million jobs. The proposed stimulus is guided by ten principles, including targeting high-multiplier sectors, reducing inequality, and ensuring environmental sustainability through a 'Green New Deal'. Financing is proposed through progressive taxation, rebuilding the capacity of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), leveraging Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), and reforming monetary policy.

The guide outlines 20 essential components of a comprehensive legal framework for ESIA in the mining sector, covering the entire mine life cycle from exploration to post-closure. It emphasizes the importance of integrating social impacts alongside environmental ones, ensuring meaningful stakeholder engagement, and establishing robust financial assurances for mine closure. The document provides a phased roadmap for government action, practical tools for gap analysis and legal reform, and case studies on investor-state disputes to illustrate the risks of inadequate ESIA processes.

The document outlines a comprehensive approach to mining governance, emphasizing the necessity of a robust legal framework for Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP). It details the responsibilities of governments across five mining phases: prospecting, exploration, planning, construction/operation, and closure/post-mining transition. Key recommendations include ensuring legal consistency, mandating public participation and transparency, requiring financial guarantees for site restoration, and implementing strategic environmental assessments. The guide also provides practical tools for gap analysis and legal reform, while highlighting critical issues such as gender equality, indigenous rights, and the prevention of international investment disputes through clear, non-arbitrary regulatory processes.

The document examines the complex climate finance landscape in Kenya, where a wide range of funding sources and a devolved governance model create coordination challenges. It identifies technical barriers such as capacity gaps and fragmented funding, alongside political barriers including a lack of high-level political will and diverging agendas between the government and development partners. The authors argue that while technical measures are necessary, they are insufficient without addressing underlying political priorities and shifting the government's focus to better include bilateral donors, who provide the majority of the country's climate finance.