Search Climate Insights Directory

The report examines how ecosystem services—provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting—directly impact human well-being, particularly for poor and indigenous communities. It highlights that poverty is a multidimensional issue often tied to environmental degradation and lack of resource access. Using frameworks like the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, the document argues for integrating ecosystem-based policies with poverty-alleviation measures to build resilience against climate change and environmental shocks. It emphasizes that without such integration, environmental protection policies can inadvertently increase poverty through maladaptation or by restricting essential livelihood access.

The report argues for a 'symbiosis' of indigenous wisdom and scientific data to build community resilience in Central America. It details the holistic worldview of indigenous peoples, who view climate change as a result of human imbalance with 'Mother Earth'. The study provides a synergy model linking biodiversity, DRR, and CC, and documents success stories where traditional knowledge—such as interpreting natural indicators or using ancestral seeds—effectively mitigated disaster impacts. It concludes that indigenous peoples must be treated as active stakeholders and decision-makers in public policy rather than mere objects of projects.

The report examines the intersection of ecosystem management, poverty reduction, and climate adaptation in Belize, focusing on the vulnerability of its coastal zone. It identifies key drivers of change—population patterns, socio-economic development, and climate change—and uses scenario building to project outcomes by 2050. The study assesses Belize's current governance baseline across four clusters (institutions, policies, regulations, and capacity), finding that while sectoral policies are progressing, enforcement and integrated capacity remain weak. It proposes a transition toward stronger, more centralized governance and integrated cross-sectoral planning to enhance national resilience.

The authors propose a two-fold linkage between forests and climate adaptation: using forest ecosystem services to reduce social vulnerability ('forests for adaptation') and implementing measures to protect forests from climate impacts ('adaptation for forests'). They advocate for Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) as an overarching framework to integrate these goals, noting that ecological infrastructure is often more cost-effective and adaptive than engineered alternatives. The paper highlights the need for cross-sectoral governance, financial transfers like payments for ecosystem services, and the integration of mitigation policies such as REDD+ to avoid maladaptation and ensure long-term resilience.

The author posits that improved forest management is a "no regrets" strategy that simultaneously addresses immediate vulnerabilities—such as floods and droughts—and long-term climate risks through carbon sequestration. While ecosystem-based adaptation can be a cost-effective alternative to hard infrastructure, the author warns that protecting forests may create trade-offs for local communities. The document suggests using REDD+ mechanisms to finance protection in high-carbon forests while reserving other adaptation funds for low-carbon areas, such as sub-Saharan Africa. Finally, it emphasizes that overcoming poor governance and establishing democratic public participation are essential to implementing these strategies.

The report identifies five critical elements for effective climate adaptation decision-making: public engagement, decision-relevant information, institutional design, planning tools, and resources. It argues that governments must move from reactive disaster relief to proactive risk management, accounting for extremes, heightened variability, and long-term change. The document emphasizes that vulnerability—shaped by social, economic, and geographic factors—determines the impact of climate change, necessitating targeted interventions for the most disadvantaged. Through various case studies and research, it recommends integrating climate risks into existing sectoral policies and utilizing flexible, robust, and durable decision-making frameworks to manage uncertainty.

The IISD's Vulnerability & Adaptation Work Program focuses on integrating climate risk reduction into development decision-making through a holistic, ecosystem-based approach. The program is organized around seven themes, including the development of adaptive policies, the design of a post-2012 international adaptation regime, and the study of socio-economic impacts such as forced migration and violent conflict. The work is implemented through partnerships with international organizations and Canadian entities, utilizing tools like the Sustainable Livelihoods approach and exploring innovative financing mechanisms such as micro-finance and payments for ecosystem services.

Plan 4C is a strategic framework designed to make Cartagena de Indias the first coastal city in Colombia to implement a long-term vision for climate compatible development by 2040. The plan addresses the city's high vulnerability to sea level rise, coastal erosion, and extreme weather, which threaten its critical port, industrial, and tourism sectors, as well as its UNESCO World Heritage status. It proposes five core strategies: creating climate compatible ports and industries, committing the tourism sector to climate action, protecting historic heritage, adapting neighborhoods, and implementing ecosystem-based adaptation. To support these, the plan identifies 36 projects and three cross-cutting axes focused on information, education, and planning. The total estimated cost for adaptation, including complementary city projects, is approximately COL$1.5 trillion. Implementation is to be managed by the Cartagena Climate Action Center (CACC) and supported by the Inter-Institutional Commission on Climate Change (CICCC).

The guidelines define ecosystems and ecosystem services, explaining their role in climate resilience and the use of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA). It outlines a framework for project proposals, including a classification of environments (marine, coastal, inland water, forest, dryland, island, mountain, polar, and cultivated), and emphasizes the need for an integrated systems approach. A key focus is on achieving a paradigm shift through natural capital accounting (NCA) to ensure the long-term sustainability of investments. The document also provides impact measurement indicators and a list of indicative SAP-able and non-SAP-able activities.

The project aims to benefit approximately 182,850 people in Karnali Province, Nepal, by restoring 1,000 hectares of degraded forests and bringing 10,000 hectares under sustainable management. It focuses on reducing vulnerability to landslides, droughts, and floods while promoting climate-smart livelihoods through non-timber forest product (NTFP) micro-enterprises and alternative energy solutions. The initiative includes technical support for 30 municipalities to develop Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPAs) and the establishment of early warning systems in six high-risk municipalities.

The project targets Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, and Lamu counties to combat impacts from drought, storms, and coastal erosion. It proposes a 'Source-to-Sea' framework that links upstream agricultural management with downstream coastal ecosystem restoration. Key interventions include restoring mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrasses, implementing climate-resilient farming to reduce riverbank erosion and sedimentation, and establishing sustainable finance mechanisms like Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) and blue carbon markets. The project aims to benefit approximately 323,100 direct beneficiaries, focusing on vulnerable fisherfolk and small-scale farmers, while addressing social issues such as gender-based violence and sex trafficking linked to economic desperation.

The 'Living Indus' project seeks USD 25 million in GCF grants to implement a programmatic framework for ecological restoration in Pakistan. The initiative focuses on two pillars: governance, which includes the creation of a 'Living Indus Act' and provincial masterplans, and investment, targeting the Sindh Province. Planned interventions include restoring mangrove and riverine forests, rehabilitating wetlands, and promoting climate-smart agriculture such as biosaline farming. The project aims to benefit 1.18 million direct beneficiaries and remove approximately 2.9 million tCO2eq through carbon sequestration in restored forests.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Accreditation Panel (AP) recommends the accreditation of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (APL038) for international access under a fast-track process. GIZ is recommended for a 'medium' project size limit (up to USD 250 million), medium environmental and social risk (Category B/I-2), and specific fiduciary functions including project management and grant award mechanisms. The recommendation is conditional upon GIZ submitting an operational manual detailing its fiduciary due diligence process, specifically regarding 'know your customer' and anti-money laundering (AML) standards. The assessment highlights GIZ's global presence in over 130 countries and its track record of managing approximately 1,300 projects as of December 2014, with 40% being climate-related.

The document outlines mandatory conditions and recommendations for multiple GCF funding proposals across various countries. General conditions for all proposals include the signing of a funded activity agreement (FAA) and completion of legal due diligence. Specific conditions target projects in Afghanistan (mini-grid market governance), Colombia (REDD+ emission reductions), Ghana (sustainability of shea landscapes), Sudan (conflict analysis and water infrastructure), and others. Recommendations from the independent Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) focus on quality assurance in Indonesia, policy advocacy in Nepal, and gender-inclusive decision-making in Sudan.

The document outlines the technical requirements and strategic approach for projects seeking funding through the Green Climate Fund's Simplified Approval Process (SAP) in the field of ecosystems and ecosystem services. It defines ecosystem services, explains the role of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in climate resilience, and identifies 'natural capital accounting' as a primary driver for a paradigm shift in investment. The guide provides a framework for measuring impact, lists examples of eligible and ineligible activities, and emphasizes the need for integrated, multisectoral approaches to overcome institutional coordination failures.

The guide outlines the technical requirements for GCF projects focusing on ecosystems and ecosystem services under the Simplified Approval Process (SAP). It defines ecosystem services, explains the role of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in enhancing climate resilience, and advocates for natural capital accounting to shift investment paradigms. The document provides a framework for measuring impact through specific indicators and offers a matrix of eligible and ineligible activities to ensure projects maintain low environmental and social risk.

The document provides a comprehensive analysis of nature-based solutions (NBS) as a means to address urban climate challenges. It evaluates the efficacy of various NBS—such as urban wetlands, green roofs, and sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS)—in regulating temperature, managing stormwater, and improving air quality. Beyond environmental benefits, the report examines the positive impacts of urban green spaces on public health and social cohesion, while critically addressing issues of environmental justice and the risk of 'green gentrification'. It also explores the governance and financial barriers to NBS implementation, proposing a 'mainstreaming' framework to integrate these solutions into municipal planning and policy.

The report examines the challenges of fragmented public policies in Latin America and proposes the Ecosystem Approach—a holistic strategy from the Convention on Biological Diversity—as a framework for integrating biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation. It emphasizes the role of territorial planning (Ordenamiento Territorial) and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) in building resilience, using the Integrated National Adaptation Project (INAP) in Colombia's Chingaza Massif as a practical example of bottom-up implementation.

The document outlines the eligibility criteria, team composition requirements, and financial guidelines for small grants aimed at implementing Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) projects in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). It emphasizes a transdisciplinary approach, requiring teams to include both university stakeholders and community members. Projects must support EbA objectives, specifically helping people adapt to climate change, utilizing biodiversity, and integrating into urban territory adaptation strategies. The grants support a project duration of 18 months, with a focus on strengthening university-community partnerships and the EPIC-N model.

The document argues that a just transition in South Africa must move beyond simple decarbonization to address structural inequalities rooted in the minerals-energy complex (MEC). It proposes a 'transformative resilience' framework based on three pillars: a green decent work agenda, expanded social protection (such as a universal basic income guarantee), and radical land reform. The essays detail specific vulnerabilities, including the marginalization of women in ecosystem-based adaptation, the mental health burdens of climate change on Black communities, and the precariousness of informal waste pickers. Sectoral analyses emphasize the need for inclusive food systems, urban drought resilience in cities like Cape Town, and the integration of renewable energy to support agricultural productivity and rural development.