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This research paper evaluates the role and effectiveness of international development partners in financing climate mitigation and adaptation within Indonesia's land use sectors. It analyzes finance flows from 2011, identifying a heavy reliance on grants and a focus on capacity building, while noting that international contributions are significantly smaller than domestic funding.

The report analyzes international climate finance for land use in Indonesia, finding that while international support is well-targeted toward building 'enabling environments' (capacity building and policy), it is significantly smaller than domestic funding and often bypasses local government institutions. The authors recommend longer project durations, better coordination through a centralized government database, and capacity building for local organizations to access international funds directly.

Nigel Sizer reviews five years leading WRI's forest program, highlighting the creation of Global Forest Watch and the Global Restoration Initiative. He notes the role of technology in monitoring deforestation and the commitment of private sector companies to deforestation-free supply chains. Looking forward, he identifies the need for scalable solutions, improved certification standards, and expanded land rights for indigenous communities and poor farmers.

The fact sheet highlights the systemic instability of rural property rights in Brazil, noting that the country ranks 76th out of 129 countries in property rights security. It links this uncertainty to increased deforestation, as clearing forest is used to prove land productivity to avoid expropriation. The document also connects land disputes to violence, citing 770 land-related homicides between 1994 and 2015 and Brazil's position as a global leader in murders of environmental and land rights activists. Institutional failures contributing to the problem include a lack of georeferencing before 2004, poor integration between the 11 federal agencies managing property rights, and the prevalence of 'grilagem' (land grabbing), with suspected grilagem affecting 23% of the state of Pará.

The report details the conclusion of the Small Grants Program for Cooperative Research in the Americas (SGP-CRA) and the ongoing progress of the Third Cooperative Research Networks Program (CRN3). It highlights the mobilization of US$ 26 million from an initial US$ 2.75 million investment in SGP-CRA and the implementation of 17 multidisciplinary networks under CRN3. Key achievements include the influence of research on legislation in Argentina, the development of hurricane forecasting for Baja California, and the creation of a coastal risk decision tool for 25 Caribbean countries. The report also notes the start of the CONICET-IAI partnership and the development of the Inter-American Forum for Global Change Research Cooperation to expand multilateral funding.

The assembly brought together approximately 55 representatives from ministries, donors, and civil society to discuss the PNACC, which was slated for finalization in early 2017. The event focused on transitioning from sector-specific to multi-sectoral climate approaches and mapping current and future activities of technical and financial partners (PTFs) across six priority vulnerable sectors: energy, agriculture, human settlements and health, water resources, coastal erosion, and land use/forestry. Participants agreed on the need to finalize activity mapping to revise the PNACC budget and ensure its integration into the National Development Plan (2018-2022).

The report argues that the proposed Laver mine would effectively make traditional Sami reindeer herding impossible in the area by destroying critical winter grazing lands. Through scenario analysis, the authors demonstrate that the mine would force herders into either unsustainable 'reindeer farming' via supplementary feeding or the total abandonment of the area, both of which threaten the intergenerational transfer of traditional knowledge and the survival of the Pite Sami language. The document also highlights a systemic failure in Swedish mining permit processes, which often ignore cumulative impacts and indigenous rights in favor of a presumed 'coexistence' between mining and herding.

The document outlines the challenges of rapid urbanization in the Global South, where a growing proportion of the poor live in cities with limited financial resources. It proposes a framework to categorize cities by economic productivity and population growth, focusing on 'struggling' and 'emerging' cities. The authors argue that prioritizing equitable access to core services—housing, water, sanitation, energy, and transportation—is a critical entry point for transformative urban change, citing the examples of Medellín and Surat as cities that achieved broad transformation through targeted reforms and strong political coalitions.

The document argues that the current trajectory of urbanization in the Global South—characterized by rapid population growth outpacing economic growth and the 'urbanization of poverty'—risks locking cities into unsustainable patterns. It proposes a new categorization of cities based on economic productivity and population growth, focusing on 'struggling' and 'emerging' cities. The authors contend that providing equitable access to core services (housing, water, sanitation, energy, and transport) is the essential entry point for broader transformative urban change. Using case studies from Medellín and Surat, the paper illustrates how solving a 'seminal problem' can trigger a virtuous cycle of improvement across governance, finance, and planning, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

The document warns that including land use in climate targets can lead to 'cheating the climate' by allowing countries to replace necessary fossil fuel reductions with unreliable and non-permanent carbon offsets. It highlights specific risks in the US, EU, and Russia, where poor accounting rules or high uncertainty regarding LULUCF emissions could dilute overall mitigation efforts. The author advocates for treating carbon sequestration in forestry and agriculture as a complementary contribution to climate action, rather than a direct substitute for emissions cuts in other sectors.

The report finds that Indonesia's current tax system does not incentivize sustainable land use in the palm oil industry, characterized by low tax-to-GDP ratios and minimal revenue redistribution to local governments. It proposes six fiscal reforms, including increasing land taxes and tying revenue sharing to sustainability indicators, to reduce deforestation and improve land productivity.

The report analyzes Indonesia's land-use revenue systems, finding that 93.5% of revenue is based on production rather than land size, which fails to disincentivize land expansion. It identifies high-potential areas for reform, including the Land and Building Tax, Forestry Non-Tax Revenue, and the use of Adjustment Funds for earmarking sustainable land use activities. The analysis also highlights how current central-to-regional revenue sharing may perversely encourage local governments to grant more land permits to increase their budgets.

The document analyzes the economic value and operational gaps in Central Kalimantan's oil palm sector, highlighting significant under-utilization of midstream mill capacity and limited downstream refining. It identifies a wide range of business models, from smallholder farmers to fully integrated multinationals, and argues that integrated models are better equipped to manage financial, production, and market risks. The authors recommend a 'landscape management approach' via the PALM Program to transition the sector toward sustainable, high-productivity practices without further deforestation.

The 2012 Forest Code regulates the use and protection of native vegetation on private lands in Brazil, utilizing Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) and Legal Reserves (Reserva Legal) to balance agricultural productivity with environmental conservation. A central component is the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR), a mandatory electronic database for monitoring and planning. The law includes a special legal regime for 'consolidated areas'—lands illegally deforested before July 22, 2008—allowing these owners to regularize their status through the Environmental Regularization Program (PRA), which offers flexible restoration parameters and the possibility of compensating Legal Reserves in other locations. However, implementation faces challenges, including reliance on varying state-level regulations, legal uncertainties from pending lawsuits, and the need for individual landowner initiative and resources.

The 2012 Forest Code governs private land use in Brazil through Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) and Legal Forest Reserves, utilizing the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) for monitoring. It includes a special regime for landowners who illegally deforested prior to July 2008, offering leniency and offsetting options via the Environmental Regularization Program (PRA). Implementation faces hurdles including state-level legislative delays, legal challenges regarding constitutionality, and a lack of capacity among landholders.

Global climate finance reached at least USD 391 billion in 2014, driven by a 26% increase in private investment in renewable energy and a steady rise in public finance. Private finance, totaling USD 243 billion, remains the largest source, with China emerging as a major hub for renewable energy investment. Public finance reached USD 148 billion, with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) contributing the bulk of these funds. The report highlights a strong domestic preference, with 74% of total flows remaining within the country of origin. Mitigation projects dominated the landscape, accounting for 93% of total finance, while adaptation finance reached USD 25 billion.

Indonesia's draft INDC proposes an unconditional 29% emissions reduction by 2030, rising to 41% with international assistance. The World Resources Institute identifies gaps in transparency and ambition, specifically urging the government to publish its business-as-usual (BAU) baseline, increase its unconditional target, and include quantitative carbon stock targets for the land sector to address the fact that nearly 55% of its emissions stem from deforestation and peatland destruction.

Large-scale solar PV systems have grown rapidly, accounting for over half of all solar capacity installed between 2010 and 2014. These projects benefit from economies of scale, with costs in 2013 averaging half of those in 2010, making them significantly cheaper than residential solar. While they generate electricity without carbon emissions or water consumption, they require substantial land area, which can impact habitats. Mitigation strategies include using degraded lands, such as landfills. Growth is supported by federal tax credits, state renewable electricity standards, and permitting reforms.

The report details the development of the WEFsat-Mining tool, designed to help decision-makers in Suriname assess how mining impacts community access to water, energy, and food. It highlights the critical role of the mining sector in Suriname's economy, while noting severe environmental risks such as mercury pollution from artisanal gold mining. The project included capacity-building workshops and the proposal of a hydrologic monitoring framework to track water quality and quantity. Key recommendations emphasize the need for integrated WEF planning, diversified renewable energy, and improved local hiring and procurement policies to enhance community well-being.

The document introduces the WEF security concept to operationalize sustainable development in mining. It details a conceptual framework based on availability, access, supporting infrastructure, and supporting institutions/policies. The guide provides a review of existing sustainability indicators and introduces WEFsat-Mining, an Excel-based tool for stakeholders to assess current WEF status, identify mining influences, and determine mitigation or enhancement actions. It also outlines stakeholder engagement practices and a four-stage participatory scenario planning process for regional landscape investment.