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This policy brief clarifies the conceptual framework of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), specifically focusing on Nature-based Climate Solutions (NbCS) and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) for climate change adaptation. It outlines the requirements for these solutions to be effective, provides practical examples across various ecosystems, and discusses the social and environmental safeguards necessary to prevent rights violations and biodiversity loss.

This guidance note from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) clarifies the conceptual framework of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), Nature-based Climate Solutions (NBCS), and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), with a specific focus on climate adaptation. It outlines the requirements for a project to be classified as NBCS for adaptation, provides practical examples across various ecosystems, and discusses the social and environmental safeguards necessary to prevent rights violations and ecological harm.

This briefing note by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues for the integration of human rights, social safeguards, public participation, and independent grievance mechanisms into the rules and modalities of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. It highlights the risks of environmental and social harm associated with carbon markets and draws on failures of the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism to advocate for a rights-based approach to climate governance.

This briefing note, prepared for a dinner discussion at the June 2019 Climate Negotiations (SB50), outlines the necessity of integrating human rights into climate action to ensure policy coherence and the protection of vulnerable populations. It traces the evolution of human rights recognition within the UNFCCC framework, from the 2010 Cancun Agreements to the 2015 Paris Agreement, and identifies specific opportunities at SB50 to implement social safeguards and review human rights-related workstreams.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the implementation of environmental and social (E&S) safeguards for infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa. It focuses on the tension between the prescriptive standards of multilateral development banks (MDBs) and the desire for greater country ownership, specifically analyzing the World Bank's 2016 Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). The author argues for a shift toward country-specific safeguard plans, enhanced capacity building for national entities and state-owned enterprises, and the strengthening of accountability mechanisms to protect affected communities.

A statement from a coalition of civil society organizations to the World Bank requesting a meeting to discuss recommendations for the third and final consultation phase of the Safeguards Review for the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF).

This 2014 submission from a coalition of civil society organizations provides critical feedback to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) on its proposed accreditation system, fiduciary standards, and environmental, social, and gender safeguards. The authors argue that the current framework relies too heavily on the IFC Performance Standards, which they claim do not represent international best practice, and that safeguards lack the detail and mandatory rigor applied to fiduciary standards. The submission advocates for a "do no harm" approach, the adoption of an exclusion list for high-risk activities, and a differentiated accreditation process based on the risk level of proposed projects.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) issued this response on October 27, 2003, to address submissions received during a 120-day public comment period regarding the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline and ACG Phase 1 projects. The document defends the projects' compliance with IFC and World Bank safeguard policies, specifically addressing concerns from NGOs and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) regarding environmental assessments, involuntary resettlement, and the treatment of vulnerable groups.

This policy brief by the Center for International Environmental Law uses the Alto Maipo Hydroelectric Project in Chile as a case study to argue for the inclusion of social safeguards, stakeholder consultation, and independent redress mechanisms in the Article 6 mechanisms of the Paris Agreement.

The World Resources Institute report 'Striking the Balance' provides guidance for investors in developing countries on designing social and environmental safeguard policies that balance accountability with recipient-country ownership. It outlines eight specific recommendations for investors and analyzes four risk management approaches used by the World Bank.