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The report highlights that the true lifetime cost of plastic is 8 times higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) than in high-income countries (HICs), primarily due to higher waste mismanagement rates and subsequent marine ecosystem damage. It identifies three structural inequities: the lack of influence LMICs have over global production, their limited waste management capacity, and the absence of accountability mechanisms for producers. To address this, WWF calls for a global treaty with binding rules on production bans, circular design standards, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.

The Gender Action Plan for the 'Marajó Resiliente' project establishes a framework to integrate gender and racial equality into the scaling of diversified agroforestry systems (DAS) in the Marajo Archipelago. A gender-responsive budget of USD 4,666,157 (47% of the total budget) is allocated to support these goals. The plan includes the creation of a Local Advisory Committee with dedicated 'Gender' and 'Quilombola' Situation Rooms to monitor issues and improve strategies. Key targets include ensuring at least 50% of beneficiaries for DAS implementation and technical assistance are women, and at least 30% are Quilombola, particularly in Salvaterra. The plan also focuses on strengthening women-led associations to access markets and providing financial management training and a Reserve Fund for Community Access to Credit to reduce barriers for vulnerable smallholders.

The report analyzes how the Brazilian Judiciary can combat land grabbing in the Amazon through two primary functions: the administrative control of land registries and the judicial resolution of possessory actions. Using Pará as a case study, it highlights the effectiveness of administrative cancellations of fraudulent titles but notes a lack of transparency in data and a failure to coordinate with the Executive branch for land restitution. The document also critiques the prevalence of a 'civilist' view of possession in courts, which often ignores the specificities of agrarian and ethnic possession, potentially legitimizing illegal occupations. It concludes by examining strategic litigation, including climate damage claims and the protection of conservation units, as tools to deter land grabbing.

The paper evaluates the impact of forest fires on the permanence of six REDD+ projects certified under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. Using remote sensing, documentation analysis, and surveys, the authors found that while some loss events and one reversal occurred, credit permanence was maintained due to the use of capitalized buffer pools. The study also suggests that NCS projects can provide fire-mitigation benefits that exceed minimum carbon crediting requirements.

The author contends that South Africa is failing to realize its economic potential due to policies that promote financialization and austerity over productive growth and social support. The text highlights the extreme wealth inequality in the country and criticizes the National Treasury's opposition to extending the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant. It argues that the current fiscal challenges are manageable and that austerity is counterproductive to growth, suggesting instead a model of decisive political leadership and state-led development to avoid a 'social cliff'.

The document defines the 'Strategic Alliance Global Order' as a system where no single state possesses absolute dominance, forcing countries to build complex networks of alliances to maintain influence. It analyzes how this dynamic is accelerating due to the Ukraine war and is manifesting in the growth of minilateralism, the expansion of blocs like BRICS and the EU, and the strategic maneuvering of middle powers. The author suggests that South Africa and other Global South nations can leverage this environment to act as bridges between different global configurations to promote a rules-based international system.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) and Panama's SENACYT organized a training program in science diplomacy for decision-makers in the Americas. The program includes a field trip to Coiba National Park and a three-day workshop focusing on the intersection of science, policy, and international relations to address global environmental change (GEC), including climate change and biodiversity loss. It aims to strengthen regional cooperation and evidence-based policymaking through modules on national strategies, intergovernmental processes (such as the UNFCCC and CBD), and scientific advising.

This report details the activities of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Directorate from 1 July 2023 to 13 October 2023. It focuses on the implementation of decisions from the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-31), specifically regarding research programs on climate-health and ocean systems, science diplomacy, and the expansion of institutional associations.

The IAI Executive Directorate has advanced several strategic mandates from CoP-31, including the launch of a climate, environment, and health research program, the establishment of an Oceans, Islands, and Coastal Regions Committee, and the expansion of scientific diplomacy initiatives. Key achievements include the distribution of initial grants to 12 research teams across 15 countries, the development of partnerships with the University of the West Indies and the Global Change Research Center in Paraguay, and the implementation of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) Fellowship with 45 fellows. The Directorate is also coordinating regional efforts on the Amazon and tropical forests, as well as enhancing gender and indigenous inclusion through new advisory committees and targeted funding for underrepresented researchers.

A study by World Weather Attribution found that human-induced climate change significantly increased the intensity and likelihood of an early spring heat event in South America, which affected Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. The event, occurring approximately once every 30 years in the current climate, would have been 1.4 to 4.3 °C cooler without human-caused warming. The study notes that the likelihood of such an event has increased by at least 100 times due to climate change. Future warming of 2°C above pre-industrial levels is projected to make similar events five times more likely and 1.1 to 1.6 °C hotter. The researchers highlight a lack of heat action plans in the affected region, which increases vulnerability for the urban poor and ecosystems, despite the fact that adaptation can reduce morbidity and mortality.

The report analyzes the impact of the EU Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) on Brazil, highlighting the alignment between EU requirements and Brazilian policies like the Forest Code and CAR. While these tools offer opportunities for Brazil to certify its sustainable production, challenges remain regarding the short implementation deadline, the disproportionate cost burden on smallholders, and the lack of a national traceability system for commodity chains.

The Brazilian sustainable debt market reached USD 33.3bn by H1 2023, with green bonds dominating at 45.2%. Within the agriculture sector, forestry is the most financed land-use category, followed by agriculture and bioenergy. The report highlights the role of sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) for hard-to-abate sectors and recommends government guarantees and a national taxonomy to scale GSS+ financing.

The Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) proposes a Global Credit Guarantee Facility (GCGF) to address the high cost of capital for renewable energy in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), where debt costs are on average 7x higher than in developed economies. The GCGF would act as a trust fund providing partial guarantees to mitigate sovereign, off-taker, and average foreign exchange risks, while transferring political and residual FX risks to existing institutions like MIGA and TCX. CPI outlines three sizing approaches for the facility: a 'Conservative' model requiring USD 4.2 billion in funded capital, a 'Base Case' requiring USD 1.2 billion, and an 'Optimistic' model requiring USD 660 million. The paper estimates that an AAA-rated guarantor could reduce risk premiums by an average of 6% and improve credit ratings by 5-6 notches under its primary risk reduction approach.

The document analyzes the impact of the EUDR on Brazilian exports of commodities such as cattle, soy, and coffee. It argues that while Brazil possesses a sophisticated framework of environmental policies—including the Forest Code and satellite monitoring systems—that align with EU goals, significant challenges remain. These include the short implementation timeline, the high cost of due diligence for smallholders, and the lack of a comprehensive national traceability system. The authors suggest that the EUDR could serve as a catalyst for Brazil to achieve zero illegal deforestation by 2030 and enhance its market share in Europe by utilizing the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) as a sustainability certificate.

The 2023 Forest Declaration Assessment finds the world is off track to eliminate deforestation and forest degradation by 2030. In 2022, global gross deforestation reached 6.6 million hectares, a 4% increase from 2021. While some countries like Indonesia and Malaysia show progress, massive losses continue in tropical Latin America and the Caribbean. The report highlights a critical funding gap, noting that 'gray' public finance (subsidies driving deforestation) vastly outweighs 'green' finance. It also emphasizes the ongoing violence against environmental defenders and the systemic lack of legal recognition for Indigenous Peoples' and local communities' land rights.

The briefing finds that the global steel industry is not on track for net zero by 2050, as only a third of the top 50 producers have set 2050 targets. It highlights a critical gap in transparency regarding emission scopes and a concerning trend where planned capacity for coal-based blast furnaces significantly outweighs that of low-emissions projects.

The Universal Basic Income Coalition (UBIC) advocates for a rights-based social protection floor in South Africa, specifically a universal basic income (UBI) for adults aged 18-59. The coalition argues that current systems leave a gap for able-bodied working-age adults, contributing to extreme poverty and inequality. They propose a grant that is universal, unconditional, and redistributive, funded through progressive taxation rather than regressive measures like VAT. The UBIC suggests a progressive realization of this goal, starting with the expansion of the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, with the ultimate target of pegging the grant value to the Upper Bound Poverty Line (UBPL). They emphasize that UBI should be an individual rather than household-based payment to protect women's autonomy and should be part of a broader wellbeing framework including job creation and improved public services.

Reclaim Finance argues that TotalEnergies' claims of diversification are misleading, as the company intends to increase oil and gas production through 2028 and expand its liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity. The report highlights that the company's renewable energy growth is largely driven by acquisitions of existing projects rather than new construction, and that its 'clean' hydrogen and electricity goals still rely heavily on fossil gas. A specific case study on the Papua LNG project illustrates the potential for significant carbon emissions and human rights violations, while the report concludes by urging financial institutions to stop supporting new fossil fuel projects.

Reclaim Finance argues that TotalEnergies' claims of diversification are misleading, as the company intends to increase absolute oil and gas production by 2030 and is aggressively expanding its liquefied natural gas (LNG) portfolio. The report highlights that the company's renewable energy growth relies heavily on acquisitions rather than new capacity and criticizes the Papua LNG project for its projected climate and human rights impacts.

The document analyzes the demographic transition of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, noting that all are facing population ageing while still in a middle-income economic phase. It highlights the risks of economic stagnation, fiscal pressure on pensions and healthcare, and the political challenges of raising retirement ages. The author recommends that BRICS members leverage their collective resources to invest in human capital, assistive technologies, and age-friendly urban planning, while sharing policy lessons to create a sustainable development precedent for other Global South countries.