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The report argues that community lands, managed by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), are critical for climate mitigation due to their ability to sequester carbon and maintain biodiversity. Despite managing approximately half of the world's land, only 10% is legally recognized. The document provides evidence that secure land tenure leads to lower deforestation rates compared to state-managed lands and is a cost-effective mitigation strategy. However, these lands face increasing threats from illegal mining, drug trafficking, and land grabbing, while land defenders face rising violence. The report concludes that international climate finance significantly underserves IPLCs and calls for governments to prioritize legal land titling and the protection of environmental defenders.

The evaluation finds that while the GCF is uniquely positioned to finance large-scale, high-risk adaptation projects, it has not yet fully utilized this potential. The adaptation portfolio is dominated by small-scale grant projects implemented by international accredited entities, with significant delays in project approval and legal arrangements. Private sector engagement remains extremely low, and the Fund lacks a specific strategy for adaptation impact measurement and innovation. Key recommendations include diversifying financial instruments, streamlining the business model for direct access entities, and establishing a clear private sector strategy for adaptation.

As of May 24, 2022, 43 companies have committed USD 458 million across 48 countries to support the Zero Hunger Private Sector Pledge. The largest individual commitments come from Bayer (USD 160 million) and PepsiCo (USD 100 million), with significant regional focus on Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The programme targets seven catchments across Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic to combat droughts and extreme rainfall. It employs a blended finance model consisting of a US$28 million grant facility for vulnerable communities, a US$102.8 million lending facility for EbA investments, and a US$30 million guarantee facility to de-risk lending for partner financial institutions. Key activities include reforestation, agroforestry, the installation of rainwater harvesting systems, and the establishment of a regional knowledge hub to mainstream EbA into national policies. The programme aims to directly benefit approximately 1.08 million people.

As of 31 July 2021, the GCF pipeline includes 89 funding proposals requesting USD 6.4 billion and 350 concept notes requesting USD 15.9 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, specific requests for proposals (RFPs) such as REDD-plus and MSME, and the status of 65 active Project Preparation Facility applications.

The Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) sustainable finance market grew significantly between 2019 and 2021, with total GSS issuance reaching USD 48.6 billion by June 2021. Green bonds remain the dominant instrument, though social and sustainability bonds have expanded rapidly, partly driven by COVID-19 relief efforts. Chile, Brazil, and Mexico are the primary markets, together accounting for 77% of all GSS issuance. While energy is the most funded sector, there is increasing diversification into low-carbon transport and sustainable agriculture. The region is also seeing a rise in sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) and the development of national green taxonomies to standardize climate-aligned investments.

The sustainable finance market in Latin America and the Caribbean grew significantly between 2019 and 2021, with total VSS emissions reaching USD 48.6 billion by June 2021. Chile, Brazil, and Mexico dominate the market, accounting for 77% of all VSS emissions. Green bonds remain the largest segment (USD 30.2 billion), while social and sustainability bonds have seen rapid growth, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Energy is the most funded sector, though transport and land use are significant. The report also highlights the emergence of sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) and the ongoing development of national green taxonomies in countries like Chile, Colombia, and Mexico.

The Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) sustainable finance market grew significantly between 2019 and 2021, with total VSS emissions reaching USD 48.6 billion by June 2021. Chile, Brazil, and Mexico dominate the region, accounting for 77% of all VSS emissions. Green bonds are the largest segment (USD 30.2 billion), primarily driven by energy projects and sovereign issuances in Chile. The report also highlights the rise of social and sustainable bonds, the emergence of sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs), and the ongoing development of national green taxonomies in countries like Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.

The 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (CoP-29) resulted in the adoption of 17 decisions covering financial budgets, governance policies, and scientific initiatives. Key outcomes include the approval of a new Gender Policy, a Whistleblower policy, and the establishment of a working group for a national climate assessment initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean. The meeting also addressed financial strains caused by a lack of voluntary contributions and updated the IAI Scientific Agenda.

The report details the administrative, financial, and scientific outcomes of the IAI's 29th Conference of the Parties. Key actions include the approval of the 2021-2022 operating budget, the adoption of a gender policy for projects, and the establishment of a working group for national climate assessments in Latin America and the Caribbean. The meeting also addressed the financial pressure caused by unpaid voluntary contributions and the need to combat predatory scientific publishing in the Americas.

The LAC region has a high overall electrification rate of 97%, yet 18.1 million people remain without electricity and 65 million are underserved. The report argues that off-grid renewable energy solutions are the best fit for at least 40% of this access gap, particularly in rural 'last-mile' communities. While the region possesses vast renewable resources, market growth is hindered by socioeconomic constraints, limited regulatory frameworks for private off-grid actors, and a lack of coordinated data. The document provides detailed country profiles for Haiti, Honduras, and Suriname, highlighting their specific challenges and the potential for productive use of renewable energy (PURE) to drive local economic development.

The author contends that U.S. foreign policy fails to recognize the complex drivers of forced displacement in Central America, specifically the intersection of extreme weather events and structural poverty. The text highlights how the Central American Dry Corridor is particularly vulnerable to droughts and storms, which destroy subsistence agriculture and drive migration. It further argues that many migrants are misclassified as 'economic migrants' when they are actually fleeing climate-induced food insecurity and systemic oppression, particularly among Indigenous groups. The author calls for a shift from a 'hard security' approach to a humanitarian framework based on 'common but differentiated responsibilities' to address the asylum and refugee needs of this population.

The project aims to transform agricultural and forest-use practices in ten buffer communities across Belize to mitigate climate risks such as unpredictable rainfall and increased storm intensity. It focuses on implementing regenerative agriculture (e.g., Inga alley cropping, silvopastoral systems), improving community water management, and developing sustainable forest-linked livelihoods, including beekeeping and non-timber forest product enterprises. The initiative seeks to benefit approximately 22,000 direct and 60,000 indirect beneficiaries, with a total indicative cost of USD 11,058,540, primarily funded by a GCF grant.

This document is a participant list for the 29th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, which took place on 22-23 June 2021. It identifies representatives from member parties, advisory committee members, and observers from government agencies and scientific organizations.

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 document argues that transport is a critical driver of development but a major source of emissions, accounting for 23% of energy-related CO2. It defines sustainable transport as safe, affordable, and efficient mobility that minimizes environmental impacts. The report details the evolution of international policy from the 1972 Stockholm Conference to the Sustainable Development Goals, and provides examples of successful interventions, such as Jakarta's BRT system and various cities' shifts toward active mobility (cycling and walking). It specifically notes the COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst for structural changes in urban transit, though it warns that 30 major economies continue to provide significant subsidies to fossil fuels over clean energy.

The IAI report for the 2020-2021 fiscal year indicates that only 57% of approved contributions were received by April 30, 2021, with 8 countries delayed by more than three years. Total expenditures from July 2020 to February 2021 were $777,655, which was 16.7% lower than the budgeted $933,333, primarily due to COVID-19 restrictions on travel and physical meetings. The report also notes that contributions remaining at $5,000 since 1992 have lost approximately 89% of their purchasing power.

The 'Investment Readiness for the Landscape Resilience Fund' project aims to bridge the gap between private investors and SMEs implementing climate-resilient practices in sustainable agriculture, forestry, and nature-based solutions. By providing technical assistance, zero-interest loans, and matchmaking services, the project seeks to make at least nine SMEs 'investment-ready,' thereby unlocking private capital for climate adaptation in developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

The joint report by the SAC and SPAC details their collaborative activities between sessions, including the revision of the IAI Scientific Agenda, the editorial process for a CRN3 special edition, and the creation of working groups focused on COVID-19, strategic plan indicators, and regional assessment models.

The document examines the role of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) in supporting smallholder farmer resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a study of six countries and commodities, it finds that VSS compliance can provide higher incomes through premiums, stronger buyer relationships, and better access to training. However, VSSs do not fully protect farmers from international price volatility or asymmetric power dynamics in supply chains. The brief recommends that governments leverage VSSs alongside social protection programs, minimum producer prices, and sustainable sourcing frameworks to enhance farmer livelihoods.