Search Climate Insights Directory
1,894 results
Agrocombustibles y la Directiva de Energías Renovables (RED por sus siglas en inglés)
The report criticizes the EU's reliance on agrofuels to meet renewable energy targets in transport, asserting that these fuels often cause more environmental damage than fossil fuels. It highlights the role of Indirect Land-Use Change (ILUC) in increasing greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss, while also noting the negative impact of biofuel production on global food prices and water consumption. The document calls for a shift toward a transport strategy based on energy efficiency and renewable electricity, and the implementation of stricter sustainability criteria that account for ILUC.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Annex XII: Accreditation assessment of upgrade application from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
The Accreditation Panel recommends that the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) be upgraded to 'large' project size and 'high risk' (Category A/I-1) environmental and social risk categories. The assessment found that IFAD's fiduciary standards, project management capacities, and environmental and social safeguards fully meet GCF requirements for these expanded parameters.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Harnessing the power of the sun
MAVUNOLAB is a youth-driven innovation centre implementing a project to reduce fish food loss and waste in the Lake Victoria region of Tanzania. The initiative focuses on the Dagaa value chain, where 10-22% of fish caught on the Tanzanian side is wasted, primarily due to ineffective traditional sun-drying and smoking methods. MAVUNOLAB has developed a low-cost solar-powered dryer capable of drying up to 250 kg in less than four hours as of 2024, with a goal to provide these to 150 fish processors by 2027. The project specifically targets women, who traditionally handle post-harvest processing but face high financial risks and gender inequalities, including dependency on men for fish and drying equipment. By integrating technical innovation with social empowerment, the initiative aims to reduce women's debt and improve their economic independence. MAVUNOLAB employs a community-centered approach, using needs assessments and partnerships with Beach Management Units (BMUs), local government, and Sokoine University of Agriculture to refine its technology and ensure local alignment.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Resilience Knowledge Coalition
The Resilience Knowledge Coalition is a "network of networks" hosted by the Global Resilience Partnership and co-led by SouthSouthNorth and the International Centre for Climate Change and Development. It aims to ensure that the best knowledge and practice on resilience are used to shape policies and investments, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The coalition operates through three interrelated functions: 'Collaborate' (peer-to-peer learning and capacity building), 'Connect' (virtual knowledge-sharing platforms), and 'Apply' (measurement, incubation, and scaling support). It emphasizes a bottom-up approach, prioritizing Global South demand and expertise to avoid the top-down, donor-driven models of previous knowledge-brokering initiatives.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Executive summary
Challenging power structures in rural Uganda
The case study examines the Trans-Harmony Farms project by the Initiative of Trans with A Mission (ITWAM) in the Mbale and Manafwa districts of Uganda. It details how the initiative supports 29 LGBTQIA+ farmers by providing training in permaculture and agroforestry, creating a cooperative to bypass systemic exclusion from government resources, and developing a digital app to ensure safe market access. The document analyzes these efforts through five dimensions of transformative potential: alignment with local contexts, resource enablement, relationship building, challenging power structures, and supporting systems learning. It highlights the critical role of the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) in exacerbating the marginalization of these farmers and the strategic use of trusted personal relationships with local government officials to navigate a hostile legal environment.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Case study
Pricey food, precious forests: The invasion of Ukraine, global food security and deforestation
The document warns that the global food price surge, driven by climate events and the invasion of Ukraine, is being used by industry actors and politicians to push for the deregulation of forests to increase agricultural production. It argues that deforestation actually undermines food security by disrupting weather cycles and increasing climate shocks, citing examples of crop losses in Brazil and Canada. The author urges the UK, EU, and forest-rich nations to maintain and strengthen due diligence requirements to prevent businesses from profiting from deforestation.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement
Reimagining service delivery: Innovative approaches for sustainable impact in low-income communities
The briefing outlines the systemic failures of traditional municipal service delivery in South Africa, where over 7.32 million households in approximately 4,298 informal settlements face severe constraints. It proposes Alternative Service Delivery (ASD) as a paradigm shift based on Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), emphasizing decentralization and public-private partnerships. The document establishes a framework of technical, social, and financial 'best practice norms' to ensure sustainability and community ownership. Through case studies like Peco Power (energy), Kaloola (sanitation), Regenize (waste), and Gcwalisa (food/waste), it demonstrates how off-grid and community-led solutions can provide interim services while working toward long-term goals. It concludes by recommending a systems approach to integrate ASD into provincial planning and calling for flexible policy and funding mechanisms.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
Impact case study: Sustainable local development in Nomzamo Agri Village, Ermelo, Mpumalanga
The Nomzamo Agri Village initiative implemented a decentralized solar energy model that provided electricity to 91% of households, leading to significant financial savings, improved safety through 60 solar streetlights, and the creation of 78 temporary jobs. This energy foundation enabled further interventions in communal refrigeration for small businesses, waterless and greywater sanitation pilots, and a transition from subsistence to commercial farming, with the first cabbage harvest sold to a supermarket in late 2024. The project, supported by GreenCape's Alternative Service Delivery Unit and international partners, generated over R350,000 in local earnings for enumerators and solar technicians.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Case study
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) CASE STUDY
The document presents Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) as a method to maximize food yield using indoor facilities and climate-regulated systems. It identifies key drivers for CEA adoption in South Africa, including severe water scarcity, soil loss, and high rates of urbanization. The study highlights benefits such as year-round production, reduced food mileage through vertical farming, and improved pest control. To scale the industry, the document argues for increased access to affordable financing and dedicated resources for research, development, and skills training.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Case study
Supporting Socio-Economic Resilience in the City of Cape Town through Sustainable Urban Agriculture
The document argues that urban agriculture (UA) provides a pathway to community resilience by improving food security, creating jobs, and reducing environmental impact. It highlights the transition of Nazeer Sonday from intensive hydroponic tomato farming to a regenerative polyculture system at Vegkop Polyculture Farm in Philippi. By implementing practices such as no-till, mulching, and crop rotation, the farm increased its soil organic content (SOC) from 0.5% to 2% and expanded its crop variety from one to approximately thirty. The case study emphasizes that regenerative practices mitigate economic risks, such as the 2008 spike in potassium nitrate fertiliser prices, and reduce dependence on costly synthetic inputs. It also notes the role of co-operatives and Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) in helping small-scale farmers access larger markets and ensure sustainable production.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Case study
Black Soldier Fly agriculture
The document argues that Black Soldier Fly (BSF) agriculture can transform organic waste liabilities into economic opportunities by producing high-value protein meal, oil, and frass. It highlights Cape Town as a global leader in BSF innovation and identifies key opportunities in waste management, livestock and pet food, and soil security to future-proof food supply chains against climate instability and geopolitical tensions.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
Improving market access for Cape Town urban farmers
The document identifies that urban agriculture (UA) in Cape Town is often viewed only as a food security solution rather than a viable economic activity. It highlights that small urban farmers are frequently locked out of formal markets due to a lack of economies of scale, high investment requirements, and insufficient business management skills. To overcome these, the report suggests the use of formal co-operatives to aggregate produce, the adoption of specific food safety accreditations (such as SAGAP or GlobalGAP), and the development of local physical markets like agrihubs and farm stalls. It also emphasizes the role of online marketplaces and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture's Market Access Programme in bridging the gap between producers and off-takers.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
Nutrient upcycling: Spent brewery grain to insect protein and more
The document details the use of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae to convert low-grade organic waste into high-value protein and oil for animal feed, pet food, and pharmaceuticals. It focuses on Maltento, a Cape Town company that processes organic by-products like spent brewery grain and fruit/vegetable pulp. The study argues that this circular economy approach reduces landfill reliance, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and decreases dependency on volatile global imports of soy and fishmeal. In 2021, Maltento processed approximately 6,000 tonnes of organics, creating jobs and providing a more stable price for protein derivatives.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Case study
VIRTUAL COURSE: Climate, Environment, and Health for the Americas - Mobilizing transdisciplinary knowledge and training for policy action
The course aims to strengthen public sector capacity to adapt to environmental determinants of health in the Americas. It focuses on transdisciplinary (TD) research, which integrates knowledge from multiple disciplines and stakeholders—including policy-makers and affected communities—to create solution-oriented public policies. The curriculum consists of five modules covering TD research definitions, implementation, design, teamwork management, and grant writing, supplemented by five science communication sessions. Participants are expected to dedicate 40 hours to the material and must score 70% or higher on a final 20-question quiz to receive a certificate.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Guide
Ayllu Resilience Mechanism to Address the Effects of Climate Change Through a Dialogue of Knowledge Between Local Wisdom and Innovative Technologies in Micaya, Bolivia
The document details a transdisciplinary project in Micaya, Bolivia, designed to combat the effects of climate change—specifically frosts, droughts, and soil degradation—through a 'dialogue of knowledge' between local wisdom and innovative technologies. The project implemented agroecological practices, such as community greenhouses and the use of zeolites, to increase food production and reduce pesticide reliance. Health assessments revealed severe nutritional deficiencies and genotoxic damage linked to pesticide exposure, while the adoption of agroecological methods increased vegetable production by approximately 30%. The brief argues that climate resilience is most effective when built through local engagement and intercultural dialogue, providing a replicable model for other high-Andean communities.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Policy brief
Mecanismo de resiliencia Ayllu frente al efecto del cambio climático mediante diálogo de saberes entre conocimientos locales y tecnologías innovadoras en Micaya, Bolivia
The document details a transdisciplinary project in Micaya, Bolivia, designed to combat the effects of climate change—specifically frosts, droughts, and soil degradation—through a 'dialogue of knowledges' between local ancestral wisdom and scientific technology. The initiative implemented community greenhouses, organic fertilizers, and zeolites to increase vegetable production by approximately 30% and diversify local diets. Health assessments revealed severe nutritional deficiencies, with over 80% of the population lacking vitamin B12 and nearly one-third showing genotoxic damage linked to pesticide exposure. The project argues that climate resilience is most effective when built from the territory through intercultural dialogue and the active participation of women and local authorities.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Policy brief
Climate Change Impacts in Latin America and the Caribbean
The document examines the multifaceted effects of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting vulnerabilities in artisanal fisheries, rural women's livelihoods, education, and public health. It argues that traditional top-down scientific and governance models are insufficient, proposing instead 'co-production' of knowledge and participatory water and land management to build regional resilience.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Impactos del cambio climático en América Latina y el Caribe
The document examines the diverse impacts of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting vulnerabilities in rural communities, women, education, and public health. It discusses the role of ocean warming in collapsing fisheries, the link between deforestation and zoonotic diseases, and the necessity of shifting from technocratic to participatory water governance. The report emphasizes the 'Anthropocene' as a geological era driven by human activity and argues for a transdisciplinary approach to science that integrates local and indigenous knowledge to create effective public policies.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Climate, Environment, and Health in the Americas
The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and the Belmont Forum are coordinating the Collaborative Research Action (CRA) on Climate, Environment and Health (CEH). The first round of CEH funding, launched in 2019, provided over 12 million euros and in-kind contributions from 13 funding agencies across 10 countries to support 9 projects involving 69 researchers from 20 countries. A second round of funding (CEH2) is currently being developed through a scoping process involving virtual workshops in the Americas from July to September 2021 to identify science and funding priorities.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Fact sheet
Outline of Intent to form a consortium between IAI, and the ICSU and UNESCO regional offices in support of Future Earth activities
The IAI, ICSU-ROLAC, and UNESCO are forming a consortium to implement research, capacity building, and outreach programs in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) aligned with Future Earth themes. The partnership focuses on two primary goals: developing secure, low-carbon energy systems and integrating risk prevention and management to mitigate natural disasters. The consortium aims to strengthen interdisciplinary research involving social, applied, and natural sciences to generate policy-oriented outcomes for the region.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement