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Ryse Energy deployed hybrid mini-grids consisting of 5 kWp wind turbines and 3 kWp solar arrays across 16 islands in Chile's Los Lagos region to power schools and health care facilities. Funded by the Government of Chile for EUR 400,000, the project provides electricity access to a population of approximately 2,000 people, reduces annual CO2 emissions by an estimated 18 tonnes, and created 35 jobs. To ensure sustainability in these remote locations, Ryse Energy provided a one-week intensive operation and maintenance (O&M) training course to community members.

The report details the proceedings of the 50th meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, held via videoconference on 19 August 2020. The meeting focused on implementing decisions from the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-28) and discussing the feasibility of virtual meetings.

The report analyzes 46 green bonds (USD 37bn) issued in H1 2020. It finds that green bonds generally outperformed vanilla equivalents in terms of book cover and spread compression, particularly in the EUR market. Despite a general market sell-off during the COVID-19 pandemic, green bonds maintained sufficient liquidity and showed resilience. Approximately 55% of allocations went to green or socially responsible investors. While the 'greenium' (pricing inside the yield curve) was less consistent than in H2 2019, 11 of 21 bonds with buildable yield curves priced on or inside their curves. The report also highlights the emergence of the communications sector, exemplified by Swisscom, and the growth of green bond ETFs.

The Sub-national Climate Finance Initiative (SnCF) is designed as a blended finance private equity fund paired with a grant-funded Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) to support mid-sized sustainable infrastructure in developing countries. The Fund targets a total raise of USD 750 million, consisting of a USD 150 million concessional tranche and USD 600 million in commercial capital, aiming to invest in sustainable energy, waste and sanitation, and nature-based solutions. The TAF, targeting USD 28 million, focuses on project preparation, impact certification via Gold Standard, and local government capacity building. The initiative aims to mobilize up to USD 3.8 billion in total finance, with a target of 35-50 projects across up to 20 countries. Key target markets identified include Chile, South Africa, North Macedonia, Mexico, and Jordan. The Fund projects a net IRR of 9.4% for commercial investors and 5.4% for the concessional tranche, with a goal to avoid 77 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent over the infrastructure lifetime.

The document highlights a significant gap in climate action and finance regarding sanitation, noting that while the IPCC identifies sanitation as a key measure for reducing climate vulnerability, it is largely absent from Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate funding. It examines how sanitation systems contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane from anaerobic decomposition, and suggests that shifting from pit latrines to composting toilets or biogas systems can mitigate these impacts. The brief recommends improving research on climate-sanitation links, adapting planning frameworks like the WHO Sanitation Safety Planning approach, and increasing the capacity of sector stakeholders to mobilize climate finance.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) announced the election results from its 28th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-28) held on 19 August 2020. The Executive Council for 2020–2022 includes Canada, Chile, Jamaica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, the United States, and Uruguay, with the United States serving as Chair. Additionally, the document lists the newly elected members of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC), including their respective areas of expertise and institutional affiliations.

The document is a participant list for the 28th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, dated 19 August 2020. It identifies representatives from various member nations and the chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).

The document argues that renewable energy (RE) is now a viable, low-cost alternative to grid and diesel power for mining operations, particularly through hybrid systems. While high initial capital expenditure and intermittency pose challenges, the long-term total cost of ownership is lower over a 20-year period. The paper highlights the role of energy storage in stabilizing supply and the potential for portable solar systems to support exploration. It also notes that the shift toward electric vehicles in mining will further drive RE demand. In South Africa, major mining companies are already seeking to self-generate solar power to reduce grid dependence.

The global green bond market saw a 26% year-on-year decline in issuance volume during H1 2020, totaling USD 91.6 billion, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While green issuance slowed, there was a surge in 'pandemic' labeled debt (approximately USD 75 billion) and social/sustainability bonds (USD 94.4 billion). Developed markets dominated the landscape, contributing 82% of issuance, with the US and France leading. Government-backed entities and non-financial corporates were the most prominent issuer types, and energy remained the most popular use of proceeds category at 34%.

The report examines the nascent gender bond market, which as of March 2020 consisted of 13 issued bonds. It identifies a lack of universal standards, with most issuers relying on the Social Bond Principles or UN Sustainable Development Goals. The analysis categorises gender bonds into 'corporate behaviour' and 'financial inclusion' types, noting a significant gap in bonds funding products and services that directly benefit women. In sub-Saharan Africa, the report finds that while there is interest in gender lens investing, no gender bonds have been issued. South Africa is identified as the most viable market for commercial issuance due to a receptive investor base, while Kenya and Nigeria face challenges related to conservative institutional investors and debt capital market instability.

The report examines how MSMEs are integrated into regional and multilateral trade frameworks, noting a trend toward more sophisticated but often non-binding 'goodwill' provisions in newer 'next-generation' agreements. It highlights specific areas of support such as trade facilitation, public procurement, and e-commerce, while noting a persistent gap in the explicit integration of gender-specific MSME support.

The report examines the socioeconomic impacts of industrial decline and evaluates the effectiveness of various transition responses. It argues that successful 'just' transitions require early strategic planning, multi-stakeholder governance, and a holistic approach to regional economic development that builds on existing local capabilities rather than seeking a single industrial replacement. Through case studies in the US, UK, Australia, and South Africa, the document highlights the risks of uneven benefit distribution, the importance of reskilling over simple monetary compensation, and the necessity of addressing environmental legacies to enable land reuse.

In 2019, the global green bond market reached a record USD258.9 billion in issuance, a 51% increase over 2018. The market saw significant growth in non-financial corporate issuance and the entry of eight new countries. Europe led in cumulative volume, while the USA, China, and France remained the top individual countries by amount issued. Energy, buildings, and transport dominated the use of proceeds, accounting for 82% of the total. The report also notes a rise in green sukuk and the increasing importance of external reviews and Climate Bonds Standard certification.

The report contends that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep structural faults in South Africa's economy, including extreme inequality and a dependence on fossil fuels. It advocates for a 'Just Recovery' based on five principles: prioritizing health, providing direct economic relief, supporting workers over corporations, creating resilience for future crises, and building international solidarity. The authors propose a transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050, the implementation of a 'purple economy' to value care work, and a shift toward democratic public ownership to replace market-centric neoliberal policies.

The document argues that renewable energy (RE), particularly in hybrid systems combining solar or wind with diesel or grid power, is increasingly viable for the mining sector. While RE requires higher initial capital expenditure (capex) compared to diesel, it offers lower operating expenditure (opex) and protects mines from fuel price volatility over a 20-year period. Key challenges include the intermittent nature of RE, which necessitates energy storage or hybrid configurations to meet the constant 24-hour baseload demand of mines, and a shortage of skilled technicians for installation at remote sites. The brief highlights a trend toward self-generation in South Africa and the potential for portable RE systems to support exploration. It recommends promoting RE for extraction efficiency, developing mobile solar systems, expanding specialized technical education, and utilizing post-mining land for community or utility RE projects.

The document outlines a transition from administrative to strategic public procurement in Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighting four regional case studies and ten essential components for reform to support sustainable development.

The report details how private equity firms continue to acquire coal assets in the US, India, the Philippines, and Europe, often facing financial failure or environmental criticism. While US coal consumption dropped 44% since 2010 and utilities plan to retire dozens of plants by 2025, firms like KKR, Blackstone, and Macquarie have pursued coal investments that have resulted in bankruptcies or increased emissions. The document highlights a disconnect between the global need to reduce coal for the Paris Agreement and the investment strategies of private equity, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic further reduces energy demand.

The document examines how COVID-19 disrupted mining employment through lockdowns, supply chain failures, and commodity price volatility. It highlights the vulnerability of contractual and migrant workers, the risk of insolvency for local SMEs, and the potential for accelerated automation. The author argues that recovery requires shifting from blanket stimulus to targeted support, redesigning workplaces for health safety, and diversifying local industrial bases to reduce dependency on mining jobs.

The document examines how COVID-19 disrupted mining operations, specifically affecting direct employment, contractors, and local suppliers. It highlights the vulnerability of underground mining and non-permanent workers, while noting that automation and 'essential service' designations mitigated some impacts. The report argues for a transition from general stimulus packages to sector-specific support, emphasizing the need for new health protocols, increased local sourcing to reduce global supply chain dependency, and investment in worker reskilling to prepare for future systemic shocks.

The document analyzes how COVID-19 disrupted the mining sector through supply chain failures, reduced demand, and health-related closures. It highlights the vulnerability of non-permanent workers and local SMEs, while noting that automation may accelerate as a risk-mitigation strategy. The author recommends transitioning from general to targeted support, updating health and safety regulations, and investing in worker retraining to build long-term resilience against future 'black swan' events.