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The report examines how gender norms and power dynamics influence vulnerability and adaptive capacity in the ocean economy of SIDS and coastal LDCs. It highlights the undervalued roles of women in small-scale fisheries and tourism and analyzes how climate change, market shifts, and COVID-19 disproportionately affect women due to socio-economic structures. The document advocates for the systematic collection of sex-disaggregated data, the implementation of gender-transformative policies, and the alignment of international finance, such as Official Development Assistance (ODA) and climate risk insurance, with gender equality goals to enhance overall community resilience.

The GCF Secretariat report for the period ending 31 July 2021 indicates that programming and implementation targets are largely on track, with 76% of the portfolio now under implementation. Key achievements include the approval of USD 1.2 billion in funding at the B.28 meeting and the adoption of the Integrated Results Management Framework (IRMF) at B.29. The Secretariat is working to diversify its private sector portfolio and improve direct access for entities. However, the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) targets are likely to remain unmet due to slow proposal development. The report also highlights the impact of COVID-19 on project expenditure and the ongoing efforts to finalize bilateral privileges and immunities agreements.

The GCF's Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) assessed four pilot RFP programmes: Enhanced Direct Access (EDA), Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME), Mobilizing Funds at Scale (MFS), and REDD+ Results-based Payments (REDD+). The assessment concludes that while the RFPs are relevant to the GCF mandate and country needs, they have not been used effectively as a modality. Key failures include a lack of incentives for proponents, an inability to attract new accredited entities, and a project cycle that remains as complex and lengthy as the regular Proposal Appraisal Process (PAP). The REDD+ RFP was the most successful due to its tailored process and specialized expertise. The IEU recommends establishing the RFP as a formal institutional modality with standardized processes, transparent topic selection based on portfolio gap analysis, and incentives such as simplified accreditation.

The IAI Directorate reported progress in aligning its Scientific Agenda with its Strategic Plan, incorporating revisions from Canada, Argentina, and Colombia. Key scientific initiatives included transdisciplinary projects on vector-borne diseases in Jamaica and St. Lucia, and the development of a COVID-19 working group. The Directorate launched the Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) fellowship program, implemented in two countries, and established partnerships with Mitacs in Canada and the PAGES program. Efforts to bridge science and policy included a virtual workshop on drought policies for Southern South America and the creation of a fire monitoring platform for the triborder Amazon region (Brazil, Bolivia, Peru). The IAI also collaborated with the Belmont Forum on several Collaborative Research Actions (CRA) and published a special issue in the Journal Environmental Development on CRN3 results.

The document examines the potential for "debt-for-climate" swaps as a mechanism to provide budgetary relief to developing countries while funding climate mitigation and adaptation. It argues that while these swaps are not a universal solution and must supplement general macroeconomic stabilisation, they offer mutual benefits for debtors and creditors. The authors propose a selection framework based on economic need, emissions potential, climate ambition, and governance capacity. Applying these criteria, the paper identifies several Small Island Developing States (SIDS)—including Dominica, Granada, Samoa, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tonga—as well as Bhutan and Rwanda, as promising candidates for such initiatives. However, the authors note a trade-off: while these countries are highly suitable, their low emissions mean the global impact on emissions would be smaller compared to including larger emerging economies.

The Commonwealth of Dominica is seeking GCF readiness support to address gaps in its transport sector, which is the country's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. The proposal outlines a four-step approach: collecting bottom-up transport data and modelling, analyzing low-carbon options (such as electric mobility and low-carbon shipping), formulating a cabinet-endorsed roadmap, and structuring financial instruments to access climate finance. The project aims to help Dominica achieve its Nationally Determined Contribution target of reducing transport emissions by 17% by 2030 relative to 2014 levels, which requires a 40-50% reduction compared to a business-as-usual trajectory. Key deliverables include a transport emission inventory, a low carbon transport roadmap, and a GCF concept note for a specific low-carbon transport project.

The report outlines a framework for Saint Lucia to mobilise domestic and international climate finance to build resilience. It identifies key funding sources, assesses the scale and type of existing project concepts, and defines the roles of government agencies, accredited entities, and the private sector in a cyclical financing process.

The strategy aims to integrate the private sector into Saint Lucia's National Adaptation Plan (NAP) by educating businesses on climate risks, facilitating access to finance, and promoting public-private partnerships (PPPs). It maps the domestic economy, which is dominated by micro-businesses and the services sector, and proposes a four-step engagement cycle: initiate, inform, incorporate, and involve. Key priorities include climate-proofing the tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors, and exploring innovative financing such as green and blue bonds.

The IAI Executive Directorate's 2019-2020 report details progress in transdisciplinary research, capacity building, and open science, while noting significant disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Key achievements include the launch of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) fellowship program in Argentina and the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Organization of American States (OAS). The report also highlights efforts to align scientific agendas with human systems and the development of a flexible funding mechanism for the Americas in collaboration with the Belmont Forum.

The document identifies the Technical Assistance (TA) Facility for the Global Subnational Climate Fund as a Category I-2 environmental and social safeguards project. It lists target countries across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean, and confirms that an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) has been disclosed in multiple languages to comply with requirements.

The report analyzes rooftop solar PV failures following major hurricanes in the Caribbean (2017-2019) to establish engineering and installation best practices. It identifies critical failure modes, such as top-down clip failures and corner overturning, and recommends specific technical mitigations including vibration-resistant hardware, mechanical attachments over purely ballasted systems, and strict adherence to roof edge setbacks. The authors estimate that implementing these resilience measures increases engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) costs by approximately 5%.

The document outlines a 24-month project requesting USD 582,749 from the Green Climate Fund to develop a green bond market ecosystem in Jamaica. The initiative focuses on assessing the debt market, creating regional guidelines based on international standards, providing capacity building for market players, and developing a project concept for a green bond facility. It specifically aims to support the Caribbean region, including a mentorship partnership with Dominica to facilitate geothermal development financing.

The document examines the marginalization of traditional knowledge and the Kwéyòl language in Saint Lucia's public policy, often driven by a bias toward modernization and Eurocentric development models. It highlights the role of the Folk Research Centre (FRC) in documenting and promoting these cultural assets through initiatives like Jounen Kwéyòl and the development of Creole orthography. The author contends that while some progress has been made, such as the use of Kwéyòl in parliament, the language is still excluded from formal education and business. The paper concludes by advocating for the official recognition of Kwéyòl and the mainstreaming of cultural analysis in policy, similar to gender and climate change, to achieve more sustainable lifestyles.

The report details how developing countries approach investment treaty negotiations, highlighting a trend toward renegotiating outdated agreements and the use of model treaties. It identifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and investment authorities as the primary leads in negotiations and provides a detailed mapping of ratification processes across various nations.

As of 31 August 2018, the GCF pipeline included 103 funding proposals requesting USD 6.3 billion and 192 concept notes requesting USD 10.16 billion. The report details the distribution of these requests by sector, region, and theme, while also tracking the progress of the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) pilot, the Project Preparation Facility (PPF), and several active requests for proposals (RFPs) including Enhanced Direct Access and REDD-plus result-based payments.

As of 30 April 2018, the GCF pipeline consists of 65 funding proposals requesting USD 3.9 billion and 183 concept notes requesting USD 10.9 billion. The report details the sectoral, regional, and thematic distribution of these requests, noting a strong presence of cross-cutting projects. It also assesses the status of the Project Preparation Facility, the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) pilot, and specific requests for proposals including Enhanced Direct Access (EDA), MSME support, and REDD-plus. The GCF is implementing knowledge management improvements, such as NDA/AE portals, to increase transparency and processing speed.

As of 31 January 2018, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) had accredited 59 entities, with a pipeline of 198 entities having created accounts on the Online Accreditation System. The report highlights a strategic shift toward prioritizing direct access entities, which now constitute a larger share of those completing the accreditation process. It also details the ongoing support provided to direct access entities through readiness programs and gap assessments, and tracks the progress of accredited entities in fulfilling specific fiduciary, environmental, social, and gender conditions. Additionally, the document notes a temporary lack of quorum in the Accreditation Panel (AP), which delayed new accreditation recommendations for the nineteenth Board meeting.

The 2018 Eastern Caribbean Green Economy Barometer evaluates the transition to a green economy (GE) in the OECS, concluding that progress is "below average." While member governments generally acknowledge the GE concept, the report finds that definitions remain narrow, often lacking focus on equity and inclusion. Key barriers include a lack of structured fiscal policies, the absence of finance ministries in GE dialogues, and a failure to integrate natural capital valuation into national policies. Despite these gaps, the report identifies "green shoots" such as renewable energy commitments in Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Lucia, as well as the Caribbean Regional Oceanscape Project (CROP).

The Santa Cruz Declaration, issued by the Green Economy Coalition, asserts that micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and addressing climate vulnerabilities. The declaration highlights that SMEs constitute 95% of the world's private enterprises and 60% of private sector employment, positioning them as the primary engines for disruptive innovation and social transformation. It calls on governments, civil society, and academia to partner with green SMEs to build sustainable livelihoods and rethink systems that hinder sustainable business models.

Between 2010 and 2015, US$ 1,477 million in climate finance was committed to Caribbean SIDS, representing approximately 6% of total reported aid flows. The analysis reveals a heavy reliance on bilateral sources (85%), with a significant concentration of funds in a few countries and sectors. While 48% of finance targeted mitigation and 32% adaptation, the report highlights a critical gap in funding for resilience-essential sectors like health and education. Furthermore, a low regional disbursement ratio of 39% suggests significant implementation challenges compared to non-climate aid.