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The document outlines the benefits, scoping, and implementation of corruption-oriented situation analyses within conservation projects. It emphasizes the importance of understanding local power dynamics, social norms, and legal vulnerabilities to design effective interventions. The guide provides a framework for stakeholder identification, data collection, and the formulation of recommendations, while highlighting critical considerations such as security, confidentiality, and gender perspectives. Three case studies from Latin America, Asia, and Europe illustrate the application of these analyses in fisheries, community forestry, and land-use planning, demonstrating how such studies can shift organizational mindsets toward a more systematic approach to anti-corruption work.

The document outlines a methodology for conservation practitioners to analyze how corruption impacts natural resource management. It details the benefits of such analyses—including improved understanding of power dynamics and local perceptions of corruption—and provides a step-by-step approach to defining scope, identifying stakeholders, and collecting sensitive data. The guide emphasizes a non-conflictual approach with governments and the importance of security and confidentiality. It includes three case studies: one in Latin America focusing on fishing permits, one in Asia on community forestry governance, and one in Europe on land-use planning, demonstrating how these analyses lead to systematic anti-corruption integration in conservation programming.

The document outlines the 'Map, Characterize, Assess, and Recommend' (MCAR) approach developed by the Basel Institute on Governance to identify and mitigate systemic corruption risks in the criminal justice system related to natural resources. It emphasizes a collaborative, systemic approach over isolated agency assessments, providing a step-by-step process from planning and process mapping to risk prioritization and the implementation of mitigation measures.

The document outlines a framework for conducting corruption-oriented situation analyses in conservation, emphasizing the benefits of understanding local power dynamics and perceptions of corruption. It provides guidance on defining scope, identifying stakeholders, and managing safety and confidentiality. Through three case studies in Latin America, Asia, and Europe, it demonstrates various methodologies—including vulnerability mapping, governance scoring, and legal framework analysis—to identify corruption risks in fisheries, community forestry, and spatial planning.

The document examines the role of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) in alleviating poverty for smallholder farmers, using a multidimensional framework of access to resources, opportunities, and power. While VSSs show strength in areas like labour rights and natural resource management, they often lack sufficient coverage of living income and climate adaptation. The brief argues that VSSs are a tool rather than a standalone solution, requiring an ecosystem of supporting actors, market demand, and government intervention to overcome barriers such as high certification costs and limited producer capacity.

The document examines the role of voluntary sustainability standards (VSS) in reducing poverty among smallholder farmers, using a multidimensional framework of access to resources, opportunities, and power. While VSS can improve crop prices and natural resource conservation, their overall impact on poverty reduction is context-dependent and often limited by high certification costs and poor market access. The brief recommends that VSS integrate living income criteria, gender equality, and climate adaptation, while governments should support these efforts by facilitating direct market links and providing financial resources.

Saint Lucia's National Adaptation Plan (NAP) is a 10-year participatory process led by the Department of Sustainable Development to build resilience across eight priority sectors. The process integrates various tools, including a Climate Financing Strategy and Private Sector Engagement Strategy, and has reached milestones such as the publication of the first NAP Progress Report in 2022 and Green Climate Fund project approval in 2023.

The document advocates for using internal controls—policies, procedures, and practices—to reduce corruption risks in illegal wildlife trade (IWT) enforcement. It highlights a gap where existing government internal control units often focus on financial accounting but neglect wildlife and natural resource management. Drawing on a three-country study in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, the briefing outlines a five-component framework (control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring) to move from aspirational goals to practical accountability. It provides practitioners with guidance on leveraging existing national audit systems, improving the valuation of natural resources for legal proceedings, and implementing technological solutions like smart patrol systems to close the 'implementation gap' in IWT enforcement.

The ESMP outlines the environmental and social safeguards for the Bhutan for Life (BFL) project's activities from January 2023 to June 2024. Key planned activities include the establishment of a cane and bamboo enterprise in Mongar, the creation of 51.97 hectares of new plantations, the maintenance of 39.47 hectares of existing plantations, and the creation of 36.23 hectares of habitat enrichment plantations. The plan identifies potential risks such as construction waste, noise pollution, and the introduction of invasive species, providing specific mitigation measures and monitoring arrangements. Implementation is led by Green Bhutan Corporation Limited (GBCL) under the supervision of the Department of Forest and Park Services (DoFPS).

The ESMP outlines mitigation strategies for three primary activities in the Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve: alpine meadow restoration, the construction of two reservoir tanks in the Thangdokha Watershed, and bio-engineering works at water sources. It identifies potential risks such as forest fires, masonry waste, and occupational health and safety hazards, providing specific mitigation measures and monitoring arrangements to ensure compliance with Bhutanese law and WWF safeguards.

The ESMP outlines the implementation of human-wildlife conflict (HWC) mitigation technologies, specifically portable electric fencing and bioacoustics devices, across six districts in Bhutan. It identifies potential environmental risks, such as e-waste and soil disturbance, and social risks related to occupational health and safety. The plan mandates adherence to both Royal Government of Bhutan laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures, with the latter prevailing in cases of discrepancy. Implementation is led by district administrations in collaboration with the National Plant Protection Centre, with a total budget of Nu. 1,598,000 for the specified activities.

The ESMP for Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP) outlines mitigation strategies for four planned activities: improving alpine meadows, maintaining water supply at the Nabji Park Range Office, planting bamboo in landslide-prone areas of Korphu Damde, and constructing a river bank protection wall at Tongtong Maed. The plan integrates Bhutanese national laws with WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP), prioritizing the more stringent WWF standards in cases of discrepancy, particularly regarding compensation for non-title land users and community consultation. The document details specific environmental risks, such as construction waste and invasive species, and social risks, primarily occupational health and safety for workers. It provides a comprehensive framework for implementation, monitoring, and worker welfare standards, with a total activity budget of Nu. 1,450,000.

The ESMP for Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary outlines mitigation strategies for five key activities: restoring alpine meadows, improving lowland grasslands, implementing bioengineering for watershed management, restoring natural saltlicks, and maintaining the Joenkhar Range Office. It integrates Bhutanese national laws with WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP), prioritizing the latter in cases of discrepancy, particularly regarding compensation for non-title land users and community consultation. The plan details specific environmental risks, such as the spread of invasive alien species and waste generation, and mandates strict occupational health and safety (OHS) standards for workers, including the provision of safety gear and standardized living facilities.

The ESMP focuses on the production of highland honey in Thangza village, Lunana Gewog, between January 2023 and June 2024. While the project anticipates no negative environmental impacts and expects positive biodiversity gains through pollination, it identifies occupational health and safety for bee handlers as a minor social risk. To mitigate this, the plan mandates compliance with BFL health and safety guidelines, regular health screenings, and fair employment practices. Due to the arduous 9-day journey by pony to the site, the program proposes transporting bee colonies by helicopter to ensure bee health and performance. The project is budgeted at Nu. 1,635,000, with monitoring conducted by BFL focal persons and the ESS Focal officer.

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the Royal Botanical Park (RBP) outlines the safeguards and mitigation strategies for three planned activities: campsite development, cafeteria maintenance, and the installation of a zip line. The plan ensures compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP), with the latter prevailing in cases of discrepancy. Key environmental risks identified include waste generation, dust, and habitat disruption, while social risks focus on worker health and safety. The document provides detailed occupational health and safety (OHS) standards and monitoring arrangements to be implemented by BFL focal persons and contractors.

The document explores the application of Robust Decision Making (RDM) to address the 'super wicked' problem of climate adaptation in the Greater Mekong Subregion, where decision-making is often hindered by mistrust of national governments and unequal power dynamics. It suggests that while full RDM is technically intensive, a simplified 'RDM lite' approach could better suit local needs by preserving core principles of participation and robustness. The study also identifies critical needs for capacity building, strengthening informal networks, and ensuring 'meaningful' participation through transparent information access and digital inclusion.

The IAI and CERMES have agreed to a two-year partnership to create synergies between the NOAA-CERMES Climate Resilience Enhancement Programme (NCCREP) and the IAI Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program. The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between climate science research and decision-making in the Caribbean and Latin America by providing professional development in leadership, communication, and science diplomacy for early-career researchers. CERMES is responsible for coordinating the placement of up to three fellows annually in Caribbean host institutions and managing funding via NOAA, while the IAI provides a professional development program and access to an Inter-American networking platform.

The report analyzes gender disparities, gender-based violence (GBV), and socio-economic conditions in four project sites in Pakistan to integrate gender-responsive strategies into the Recharge Pakistan project. It identifies significant gaps in women's access to land, decision-making, and education, while highlighting the disproportionate impact of climate change on rural women. The document concludes with a Gender Action Plan that includes specific targets for women's participation in EbA interventions, the establishment of survivor-centered grievance mechanisms for GBV and SEAH, and capacity building for both community members and WWF staff.

The document examines the vulnerability of community-based conservation (CBC) to corruption, specifically highlighting risks in land tenure, administrative processes, and revenue sharing. It argues that power imbalances and insecure resource rights enable elite capture and bribery, which can lead to resource overexploitation and project failure. To counter this, the author recommends strengthening institutional capacities, implementing social accountability tools, and ensuring inclusive definitions of 'community' to protect marginalized groups.

The document analyzes the impact of the Financial Compensation for Mineral Exploration (CFEM) in Pará, Brazil, between 2007 and 2020. It finds that mining royalties, which are highly concentrated in a few municipalities and subject to commodity price volatility, have not improved local development indices. Instead, a significant portion of these funds is diverted toward salaries and pensions, contrary to regulatory intentions. The authors recommend stricter spending regulations and the creation of financial instruments to smooth revenue volatility.