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The document examines South Africa's position within BRICS ahead of its 2023 chairship, highlighting the tension between its democratic values and the geopolitics of larger members like Russia and China. It evaluates the success of 'multi-track diplomacy' through institutions like the New Development Bank and the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Centre, while noting that domestic crises—including energy instability and economic recovery—hinder South Africa's ability to fully leverage the partnership for national growth.

The IAI Science Diplomacy Center (SDC) held its first advisory board meeting in November 2022 to establish a framework for strengthening the science-policy interface in the Americas. The board defined a vision focused on peaceful and sustainable regional development through transdisciplinary collaborations and set goals including the creation of a science diplomacy knowledge hub and regional training. Key recommendations include focusing on 'Climate Action' as a priority thematic area, leveraging the Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program to produce non-technical policy briefs, and developing a strategic communication plan to attract diverse funding from foundations and member Parties. The meeting also highlighted the need for contextualized training that includes scientists, diplomats, and journalists, and the establishment of a formal mentorship program to bridge the gap between early-career researchers and policy-makers.

The IAI Science Diplomacy Center (SDC) held its first advisory board meeting in November 2022 to define its mission, vision, and goals for enhancing science diplomacy in the Americas. The board identified 'Climate Action' as a primary initial focus area and recommended the development of a Strategic Communication Plan to provide decision-makers with digestible, non-technical scientific information. The SDC aims to operate as a knowledge hub and leverage the STeP Fellowship Program to build regional capacity, while exploring sustainable funding through grants, donations, or matching fund structures.

The IAI's Science Diplomacy Center (SDC) Advisory Board met in Uruguay in November 2022 to define the Center's strategic framework. The Center aims to facilitate regional collaboration on global change challenges, specifically prioritizing 'Climate Action' as a common ground for member states. Key recommendations include developing a Strategic Communication Plan to provide policymakers with jargon-free scientific reports and exploring sustainable funding through grants, donations, or matching fund structures. The Center will also seek synergies with the Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) fellowship program to build regional capacity in science diplomacy.

The research analyzes how climate-induced crop yield changes between 2070 and 2099 may disrupt global food trade networks for wheat, rice, and maize. Using a network model, the study finds that maize trade is the least stable of the three crops and suggests that global food security will depend on production changes in major producers and the ability of trade communities to balance losses in vulnerable countries.

The ADAPT Jamaica project targets six parishes in Central Jamaica to protect the livelihoods of approximately 503,372 persons. It addresses vulnerabilities to drought, hurricanes, and flooding through a combination of technical training via Farmer Field Schools, the installation of rainwater harvesting and irrigation systems, and the creation of a data-driven agricultural services portal. The project also focuses on reducing food loss (estimated at 30-40%) and improving financial inclusion for smallholders through a partnership with the Development Bank of Jamaica to create customized credit products and risk-management tools.

The author argues that international trade policy is shifting from a primary focus on trade liberalization and economic efficiency toward a 'multipurpose' approach. This new framework integrates broader objectives—including climate action, supply chain resilience, and national security—directly into trade policy rather than treating them as externalities. The document outlines domestic challenges, such as balancing incommensurable goals and breaking down departmental silos, and international challenges, including the increasing tension between national policy imperatives and World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. It concludes that while this shift addresses the perceived failures of globalization, it risks fragmenting international cooperation and increasing the divide between developed and developing nations.

The document analyzes the extreme vulnerability of CARICOM states to climate change, noting that while the region contributes only 0.33% of global greenhouse gas emissions, its key trade sectors—tourism, agriculture, and the blue economy—face existential threats. It identifies a gap in the region's trade policy, which currently lacks a clear articulation of how to serve climate resilience. The paper suggests that CARICOM can leverage its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to identify WTO negotiating priorities, such as technology transfer, climate finance, and the removal of trade barriers for environmental goods. It specifically recommends that the WTO recognize the unique vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and move beyond a developed-country agenda to support SIDS' offensive interests in carbon markets and the blue economy.

The report assesses Ghana's climate adaptation landscape, highlighting a gap between national policy frameworks and local implementation. While Ghana has established comprehensive strategies like the updated NDCs and the National Climate Change Policy, funding is heavily skewed toward mitigation (87.4%) over adaptation (3.4%). Through three case studies in the Savannah, Upper East, and coastal regions, the study demonstrates that locally led adaptation (LLA)—such as organic shea processing, climate-smart agriculture, and community-based disaster risk reduction—effectively reduces vulnerability and improves livelihoods. However, LLA is hindered by limited financial resources, weak institutional coordination, and a top-down decision-making approach. The report recommends devolving financial resources, integrating traditional knowledge into policy, and fostering participatory decision-making to enhance climate resilience.

The report argues that while Nigeria has comprehensive national adaptation frameworks, there is a significant gap between high-level policy and local implementation. It highlights that locally led adaptation (LLA) is already occurring through community-driven initiatives in biogas production, aquaculture, and erosion control, but these efforts are hindered by a lack of finance, technical capacity, and political will. The authors advocate for a shift from 'top-down' approaches to those that empower frontline communities to lead the design and monitoring of adaptation actions.

The report analyzes COP27 outcomes through a human rights lens, highlighting the breakthrough establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund and the first consensus-based mention of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. However, it criticizes the failure to commit to a fossil fuel phase-out, the influence of fossil fuel lobbyists, and the 'unprecedented' restrictions on civil society participation imposed by the host country, Egypt. The document also notes missed opportunities in the Action Plan on Action for Climate Empowerment and the Gender Action Plan review, while calling for a rights-based approach to the Global Stocktake and Article 6.4 carbon market mechanisms.

Friends of the Earth International argues that the neoliberal system drives ecological crises and fuels violence against marginalized communities. The organization advocates for a shift from individual human rights frameworks toward the recognition of collective 'rights of peoples' to protect land, water, and ancestral practices. It defines 'territory' as a socially constructed space—including the human body—and positions the defense of these territories and their defenders as a prerequisite for systemic transformation toward sustainable societies.

Friends of the Earth International argues that the neoliberal capitalist system drives multiple ecological and social crises, leading to the systemic violation of the collective rights of marginalized communities. The organization advocates for a shift from individual human rights frameworks to 'Rights of Peoples' to protect indigenous, Afro-descendant, and peasant communities. It defines 'territory' as a socially constructed space encompassing spiritual, cultural, and physical relationships, including the human body, and positions the defense of these territories and their defenders as essential for achieving a transformative system change toward sustainable societies.

The analysis reveals that only 24% of the 67 sampled countries demonstrated a climate risk responsive recovery. A significant paradox was identified: a country's income level was a stronger determinant of whether it used COVID-19 funds for adaptation than its actual climate vulnerability. High-income countries were more likely to integrate physical climate risks into their recovery plans, while the most vulnerable countries were the least likely to do so, with only Kenya and Vanuatu among the 20 most vulnerable countries approving explicit adaptation actions. Most responsive measures focused on water resources management, disaster prevention, infrastructure, and nature-based solutions, primarily targeting drought and flooding.

The IISD provides free technical assistance and training to developing countries to help them design investment laws and policies that support sustainable development. Their services cover the entire investment lifecycle, from promotion and protection to dispute resolution, and include support for reforming investment treaties and aligning national policies with international best practices.

The document analyzes the vulnerabilities of rural indigenous populations in Mexico and Colombia, specifically regarding health, food security, and economic stability during the COVID-19 pandemic. It details two pilot projects—one in the Sierra Norte de Puebla (Mexico) focusing on productive strengthening and community savings, and another in the Resguardo El Refugio (Colombia) focusing on ancestral knowledge and youth entrepreneurship. The brief argues that resilience is best achieved through decentralized decision-making, intersectional policy design, and the integration of youth and women into leadership roles.

The document examines the vulnerabilities of rural indigenous communities in Mexico and Colombia, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and proposes a resilience-based approach to public policy. It details two community projects: one in the Sierra Norte of Puebla, Mexico, focusing on productive strengthening, food security, and community savings; and another in the Guaviare department, Colombia, focusing on ancestral knowledge recovery (chagras), poultry entrepreneurship, and sustainable training. The brief argues that resilience requires delegating decision-making to communities, adopting an intersectional lens to support women and youth, and moving away from paternalistic, assistance-based government models toward long-term productive development.

Fundación WRI Colombia submitted a request for its 2023 special tax regime update, reporting its mission to protect the environment and sustain natural resources. The entity reported receiving 3,749,179,091 pesos in donations and spending 765,537,756 pesos on salary payments to governing bodies.

The document details WWF's objectives for Fiji by 2030, aiming for 10,000 km2 of the Great Sea Reef to be under sustainable management and protecting $170 million in annual coastal infrastructure from climate change. It identifies key challenges including climate change vulnerability and unsustainable resource exploitation, proposing integrated solutions such as implementing 30% protection by 2030, restoring 22,000 hectares of mangroves, and improving climate resilience for 5,000 people.

The document argues that current global food production pushes the planet beyond its natural limits, contributing significantly to biodiversity loss, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions. WWF proposes a systemic transformation focused on four strategic pillars: conservation of critical landscapes, regenerative and resilient systems, thriving people and communities, and innovation and influence. Key goals for 2030 include achieving zero deforestation from commodity expansion and halving the footprint of agricultural food systems through circular approaches.