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A coalition of civil society organizations is urging the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to publicly release its draft Remedy and Responsible Exit Framework before finalization. The statement emphasizes that the framework, which aims to outline how the IFC delivers remedy to communities harmed by its projects, must be transparent to be credible. The organizations demand regular public reporting on the framework's pilot implementation, including lists of projects considered and evidence of successful remediation, and suggest the publication of all loan agreements to ensure stakeholder accountability.

The report finds that human-induced climate change significantly increased the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme heat globally from May 2023 to May 2024. Using the Climate Shift Index (CSI), the study determined that 6.3 billion people experienced at least 31 days of extreme heat made at least twice as likely by climate change. It identifies 76 extreme heat waves across 90 countries and highlights critical gaps in impact reporting, particularly in developing regions. The authors advocate for City Heat Action Plans and systemic adaptations to prevent heat-related fatalities.

The document presents the report of the IAI's 2024 Extraordinary Meeting held on March 26, 2024, via videoconference. The primary outcome of the meeting was the consensus approval of Panama's proposal to host the IAI Executive Directorate's headquarters. The report also details the transition process from the current headquarters in Uruguay, with the Executive Director requesting that operations remain active in Uruguay until July 2025 to ensure a smooth relocation.

This briefing document, prepared by the IAI Directorate, presents the report of the 2024 Extraordinary Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI). The primary purpose of the meeting, held via videoconference on 26 March 2024, was to review and decide upon a proposal from Panama to host the headquarters of the IAI Directorate.

The IAI is requesting an operating budget of US$ 1.68 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, an increase from US$ 1.4 million in 2023-2024. This growth is driven by the hiring of a Director of Communications, increased travel for strategic activities, and expanded outreach efforts. To fund this, the IAI proposes increasing country contributions by 20% for 2024-2025 and 5% in subsequent years, noting that delayed payments from some Parties are currently pressuring operational capacity.

The IAI's 2024-2025 work plan focuses on three main objectives: updating the IAI's Open Data Policy through participatory processes, enhancing the usability of its scientific and policy repositories, and supporting regional and global assessments, including those by the IPCC and United Nations.

The IAI Science and Open Data Committee's 2024–2025 work plan focuses on three main objectives: updating the IAI Open Data Policy through participatory processes and best practice guidelines; enhancing the usability of data platforms, including the scientific publications repository and the Harvard Dataverse catalog; and supporting regional and global assessments, such as UN common country analyses and IPCC evaluations on cities and climate change.

The Kuali Fund-GCF is a blended finance programme designed to catalyze private investment for climate mitigation and adaptation in Latin America and the Caribbean. It targets small financial service providers (FSPs) and innovative climate companies to bridge the financing gap for SMEs and smallholder farmers. The fund employs a 'Green Index 3.0' to transform FSPs into 'Super Green' institutions that offer sustainable financial products. With a total financing of 128.2 million Euros, including 32.8 million Euros from the Green Climate Fund, the programme aims to avoid 2,707,455 tons of CO2 equivalent and reach over 242,000 direct beneficiaries over a 10-12 year lifespan.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research reports that as of March 31, 2024, cash income reached 70% of approved contributions for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Total expenditures for the period from July 2023 to March 2024 were US$ 832,446, which is 10.8% lower than the budgeted US$ 933,333. The report highlights a significant loss in purchasing power for Parties maintaining contributions at the US$ 5,000 level and urges those in arrears to submit voluntary contributions to ensure the Executive Directorate can fulfill its mandate.

The 2024 Extraordinary Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held via videoconference on 26 March 2024, resulted in the consensus approval of Panama's proposal to host the IAI Directorate headquarters. The meeting included discussions on the transition from the current headquarters in Uruguay, with the IAI Executive Director requesting that operations remain active in Uruguay until July 2025 to ensure a smooth move. Panama's proposal was highlighted for its strategic location, potential for greater connectivity across the region, and increased engagement with Central America and the Caribbean.

The IAI Science Diplomacy Center (SDC) is a regional initiative designed to foster science-policy dialogue and collaboration in the Americas, particularly Latin America and the Caribbean. Between 2023 and April 2024, the SDC established three priority pillars: Capacity Building, a Knowledge Hub, and Emerging/Evolving/Innovation Issues. Key achievements include the launch of a Science Diplomacy Training Program for Policy Makers, the expansion of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) Fellowship program, and the development of a specialized science diplomacy curriculum with the University of Sao Paulo. The SDC is also building a Knowledge Hub to map experts, bibliography, and events, while engaging in strategic partnerships with organizations such as AAAS, UNESCO, and DiploCientifica to secure funding and expand regional training.

The TNRC project provided a comprehensive framework for integrating anti-corruption measures into conservation, producing over 170 knowledge resources and training 1,200+ NGO staff. It emphasizes a three-step approach: learning basics, conducting corruption-aware situation analysis, and adapting programming through six thematic pillars. Key achievements include the creation of the Countering Environmental Corruption Practitioners Forum and the institutionalization of anti-corruption strategies within WWF and TRAFFIC.

The proposal seeks EUR 742,209 over 18 months to address four primary barriers to climate action in Guatemala: lack of integrated governance, an unfinished GCF Country Programme, the absence of an integrated monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for adaptation and finance, and a lack of a common sustainable finance taxonomy. Implemented by GIZ and led by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MARN), the project will establish a national coordination mechanism, train public and private stakeholders, finalize a project pipeline aligned with the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and develop a sustainable finance taxonomy to attract private investment.

The document explores the potential of superhot rock energy in North America, estimating that 13% of the land area has potential at depths below 12.5 km. It argues that this resource could provide massive amounts of carbon-free electricity, leverage existing oil and gas expertise, and require significantly less land than other energy sources, with mature costs potentially as low as $25-40 per MWh.

The report outlines a framework for improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Guatemala, emphasizing the connection between these services and integrated watershed management. It aims to align Guatemala's public policy on drinking water and sanitation with the K’atun 2032 National Development Plan, specifically under the 'Natural resources today and for the future' axis. The document analyzes current policy challenges, identifies areas where Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) tools can be applied based on consultations with health and environment officials, and provides recommendations for strategic partnerships and capacity building to enhance climate resilience and public health.

The Kuali Fund-GCF Gender Assessment analyzes gender disparities in the financial and agricultural sectors across Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Panama. It identifies systemic barriers—including limited access to credit, land ownership gaps, and the burden of unpaid care work—that hinder women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and female smallholder farmers. The report argues that women are more vulnerable to climate change and face a significant financing gap, which the fund aims to address through a Gender Action Plan (GAP) involving technical assistance, gender-responsive financial products, and capacity building for financial service providers (FSPs).

The report outlines a strategic collaboration between the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and Guatemala's Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) to integrate WASH services with integrated watershed management. It identifies critical gaps in service coverage—estimated at 89% for drinking water and 63% for sanitation—and proposes the adaptation of SEI tools (WASH-Flows, EWI, and WEAP) to enhance data collection, gender equity, and decision-making. The document aligns these efforts with the National Development Plan K’atun 2032 and recommends increased inter-institutional coordination, investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, and the adoption of a gender-sensitive approach to water governance.

The Targeting Natural Resource Corruption (TNRC) project, implemented from 2018 to 2024 by WWF and a consortium of partners, focused on mitigating the impact of corruption on biodiversity, fisheries, and forests. With a $10 million knowledge project and $20 million in country-based investments, the initiative developed over 150 resources via a Knowledge Hub and trained more than 1,200 NGO staff. The project field-tested anti-corruption interventions in six countries and co-founded the Countering Environmental Practitioners Forum, which now includes over 600 global members.

The Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission (SEITC) is seeking relief from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights due to the impacts of hard-rock mining in British Columbia, Canada. The document argues that mining projects in the Taku, Stikine, and Unuk watersheds threaten the subsistence and cultural rights of Southeast Alaska Native communities through heavy metal pollution and habitat destruction. SEITC alleges that Canada and B.C. have failed to conduct comprehensive transboundary environmental assessments, have ignored the need for free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC), and have used a flawed amendment process to expand mine operations without adequate scrutiny. The submission introduces a new claim regarding the violation of the right to a healthy environment and requests that the Commission investigate these claims and recommend the suspension of mine authorizations until transboundary harms are addressed.

The document analyzes the primary points of contention and potential areas of progress for the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13). It highlights the critical need to restore the dispute settlement system, the tension between multilateral and plurilateral negotiating approaches—particularly regarding environmental and industrial policies—and the ongoing debate over special and differential treatment (SDT) for developing countries. It also examines efforts to improve committee transparency and notification compliance.