Search Climate Insights Directory

The document provides a comprehensive framework for small-scale fishing communities in South Africa to exercise their environmental rights against industrial developments. It details the legal landscape, including the Constitution and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), and explains the processes for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and public participation. The guide highlights the risks associated with oil and gas exploration, mining, and power ships, while emphasizing the impacts of climate change on coastal livelihoods. It concludes with practical steps for legal challenges and accessing information via PAIA requests, illustrated by case studies involving Shell and Searcher.

The document provides a comprehensive guide for small-scale fishers in South Africa to exercise their environmental rights. It details the legal protections offered by the Constitution and acts like NEMA and MPRDA, explains the risks associated with oil and gas exploration, mining, and energy projects, and provides practical steps for engaging in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and legislative processes to ensure community voices are heard in ocean governance.

Egypt's Fourth National Communication details the country's climate vulnerabilities, particularly regarding water scarcity and sea-level rise, and outlines a strategic framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 24% by 2030 compared to business-as-usual levels. The report emphasizes a transition toward a green economy through the Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy 2035, aiming for a 42% share of renewables by 2035, and the implementation of extensive adaptation measures in agriculture, coastal zones, and public health. It also highlights the critical impact of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on water security and the need for enhanced international climate finance and technology transfer.

Natural Justice argues that South Africa's proposed 2024 EIA regulation amendments must ensure full environmental impact assessments for high-impact activities, including hydraulic fracturing, seismic surveys, and coastal industrial construction, to protect ecological integrity and community livelihoods.

The Block Island Wind Farm, the first operational offshore wind farm in the U.S., utilized a community benefits agreement (CBA) to secure local support by addressing the island's critical need for mainland electricity and internet connectivity. Key successes included the hiring of a local community liaison and funding for third-party technical consultants for the town. The project resulted in a 40% reduction in electricity rates, the elimination of diesel generators, and the installation of broadband fiber optic cables. While early engagement was perceived as limited, the project's alignment with the island's infrastructure needs and the state's Special Area Management Plan facilitated its approval.

The study identifies a significant decrease in wind speed and a reduction in coastal upwelling days at Monte Hermoso between 2008 and 2015, coinciding with the absence of the medusa Olindias sambaquiensis. It also notes a 0.4 °C increasing trend in sea surface temperatures over the eight-year period, suggesting these environmental changes contribute to the lower occurrence of the species.

The research identifies a gap between the increasing concern of environmental managers in São Paulo's coastal zone regarding climate change impacts and the actual implementation of public policies for mitigation and adaptation.

The document outlines the South African legal requirement for companies to obtain Environmental Authorisation (EA) through an EIA or ESIA process before starting oil and gas exploration or production. It explains the stages of the assessment—including scoping and impact assessment—and provides a structured set of questions to help community members articulate concerns regarding livelihoods, health, marine access, biodiversity, cultural practices, and climate change.

The report finds that the development of the 3,500-hectare Kawasan Industri Takalar (KITA) has been characterized by a severe lack of transparency and meaningful public participation, violating the principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). Residents of Desa Laikang, primarily seaweed farmers and fishers, report minimal official information and feel excluded from planning. The audit reveals a discrepancy between the company's public narrative of 'aquabusiness' and official documents that prioritize heavy industry, such as nickel downstreaming and electric vehicle assembly. Economic compensation is limited to low-value land payments (Rp 5,000 to Rp 11,000 per square meter) without livelihood protection. Furthermore, the project's ownership is concentrated within the family of a national political elite, raising concerns about conflicts of interest. The community has responded with formal protests and a village-level declaration of rejection, which the government has largely ignored.

The report evaluates 52 community-managed areas (CMAs) across Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania using the Elinor tool. It finds that while 30% of CMAs have made substantial progress toward equitable governance, 40% are in early stages and 30% have made minimal progress. Key challenges include weak operational capacity, limited funding, and gaps in inclusive decision-making. The report argues that secure tenure and clearly defined rights are essential precursors to effective management and positive ecological and social outcomes.

The report identifies critical areas in Indonesia where nature-based solutions (NbS)—specifically the conservation and restoration of forests and coastal ecosystems—can mitigate climate risks such as flooding, landslides, and coastal erosion. Using biophysical modeling, the study finds that protecting just 16% of the country's land area (those most impacted by infrastructure) can support climate resilience for 147 million people and 68% of the road network. It argues for integrating these spatial analyses into 'upstream' national and subnational infrastructure planning to avoid high-risk areas and invest in restoration, which could benefit over half the population and 53% of the road network. The report recommends mainstreaming NbS into the Medium and Long-Term Development Plans and the 2020-2040 Road Network General Plan.

The report identifies critical areas in the Philippines where nature-based solutions (NbS)—specifically the conservation and restoration of forests and coastal ecosystems—can mitigate climate risks like flooding, landslides, and coastal storms. Using biophysical modeling, the study finds that protecting or restoring a small percentage of land (13-19%) could benefit approximately half of the population and over half of the national road network. It argues for integrating these findings into 'upstream' strategic infrastructure planning to avoid high-value ecosystems and prioritize restoration, thereby reducing long-term maintenance costs and enhancing overall climate resilience.

The document identifies critical areas for the conservation and restoration of ecosystems to mitigate climate risks such as flooding, landslides, and coastal storms in Indonesia. It evaluates three scenarios: unconstrained conservation, infrastructure-impact conservation, and restoration. The analysis reveals that a small percentage of land area provides disproportionately high benefits for millions of people and significant portions of the national road network. Most of these priority areas lie outside existing protected networks, suggesting a need for new regulatory approaches. The brief recommends integrating these findings into national development plans (RPJMN, RPJPN), spatial planning (RTRW), and the 2020-2040 Road Network General Plan, while calling for capacity building and the integration of NbS data into national mapping platforms.

The document identifies critical areas for conservation and restoration in the Philippines to protect populations and road networks from climate hazards. It proposes integrating NbS into the Infrastructure Flagship Program and other national development plans to mitigate economic losses and environmental degradation.

The project successfully enhanced the climate resilience of vulnerable coastal communities in Viet Nam by exceeding targets for storm-resilient housing and mangrove restoration. It constructed 4,966 houses (target: 4,000) and restored 4,028 hectares of mangroves, sequestering approximately 1.12 million tons of CO2 equivalent. The project also established early warning systems in 24 high-risk communes and developed a risk data repository for 28 coastal provinces. While highly effective and aligned with national strategies, the evaluation noted limitations in women's participation in technical leadership roles and a need for more robust long-term environmental impact monitoring.

The report identifies a significant gap in industry-specific, science-based targets for ocean health, noting that most existing frameworks focus on 'avoidance' and 'reduction' while neglecting restoration and regeneration. Through an analysis of 25 frameworks, it highlights that sector-specific pressures—such as land reclamation in coastal development and ship strikes in shipping—are largely unaddressed. The document recommends that SBTN focus on three pillars: Capabilities (standardizing pressure measurement), Collaboration (aligning with TNFD and EU CSRD), and Communication (providing tailored toolkits). It emphasizes the need for quantitative, time-bound KPIs to replace binary assessments and calls for the integration of socio-economic factors, including Indigenous rights and community resilience, into marine conservation strategies.

The UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16), held in Cali, Colombia, focuses on delivering the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to "halt and reverse" biodiversity loss by 2030. Key negotiations center on National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), monitoring mechanisms, and resource mobilization, specifically the goal for high-income countries to provide USD 30 billion to low-income countries by 2030 via the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF). The conference emphasizes the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities under the theme "Peace with Nature."

The Nature-Based Solutions Inventory for Fiji catalogues various projects across the country's ecosystems, highlighting a concentration of efforts in the northern and western divisions. The inventory reveals a primary focus on coastal protection through mangrove planting and hybrid seawalls, alongside riverbank stabilization using vetiver grass and reforestation of native forests. These initiatives aim to address climate risks such as sea level rise, tidal surges, and flooding, while simultaneously tackling biodiversity loss and improving food security for local communities.

The document assesses the integration of gender perspectives within Senegal's National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process. It finds that while some sectors, such as fisheries and aquaculture, have successfully integrated gender, others—including health and transport—show weak or nonexistent consideration. The analysis highlights systemic gender inequalities in Senegal, such as unequal land access and limited female participation in strategic decision-making, which exacerbate vulnerability to climate change. It recommends strengthening institutional collaborations, improving gender-disaggregated data, and ensuring more equitable access to climate finance to create a more inclusive adaptation framework.

The Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) reports significant progress between 2020 and 2023 in scaling resilience innovations, democratizing knowledge, and influencing global policy. Key achievements include the incubation of the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), the growth of the Resilience Evidence Coalition to over 1,700 members, and the establishment of the Resilience Hub at COP26, COP27, and COP28. GRP focused on amplifying Global South voices through initiatives like the South to South Resilience Academies and the Locally Led Adaptation principles. The report highlights the mobilization of private sector finance through the PREPARE Call to Action and the implementation of innovation challenges such as RAIN in East Africa. These efforts are designed to transition GRP toward its 2024-2029 strategy, focusing on transforming food and financial systems and embedding resilience in the private sector.