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An open letter from a coalition of social movements, NGOs, and activists to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, urging a revision of the official definition of 'forests' to better reflect the biological diversity and the needs of forest-dependent communities.

This briefing describes the transition for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) from National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs), which address short-term urgent needs, to National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), which focus on medium- and long-term adaptation. It outlines the objectives of the NAP process, the use of 'no-regret' strategies, the integration of climate planning into national development, and the financial and monitoring challenges facing LDCs.

This report by Meister Consultants Group, Inc. (MCG) for the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines public-private collaborations (PPCs) designed to build climate and disaster resilience in developing countries. Through an analysis of nine case studies, the report identifies how formal and informal partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society can overcome market barriers to deliver adaptation and disaster risk management solutions.

This research paper analyzes the evolution of Senegal's foreign policy from 2000 to 2013, focusing on the transition from the administration of President Abdoulaye Wade to that of President Macky Sall. It examines the shift toward 'technicization' and economic diplomacy, the concentration of power within the executive branch, and the influence of pan-Africanism.

This research paper analyzes the foreign policy of Senegal from 2000 to 2013, highlighting a shift from traditional diplomacy to a technical, economy-driven approach under President Abdoulaye Wade. It details the concentration of diplomatic power in the presidency, the marginalization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the legislature, and the pursuit of South-South cooperation with emerging powers like China and Dubai. The paper concludes that the 2012 election of President Macky Sall marked a return to more classical diplomacy, prioritizing relations with France and neighboring states.

This policy brief describes Grenada's 2011 Strategic Program for Climate Resilience (SPCR), a national strategy developed under the Pilot Program for Climate Change Resilience (PPCR) to transition the country toward low-carbon and climate-resilient development. The document outlines the SPCR's focus on physical infrastructure and forestry, its funding through the Climate Investment Funds, and the lessons learned from its participatory design process.

This report synthesizes key findings from the IPCC's Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters (SREX), specifically focusing on the implications for Latin America and the Caribbean. It examines the interaction between climate change, human factors, and the natural environment to assess disaster risk and provides guidance on integrating disaster risk management (DRM) with climate change adaptation and sustainable development.

This report synthesizes findings from the IPCC Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Promote Adaptation to Climate Change (SREX), specifically focusing on the implications for Latin America and the Caribbean. It examines the interaction between climate extremes, human factors, and the environment, emphasizing that disaster risk is increasing due to rising vulnerability and exposure, even independent of climate change.

This report synthesizes findings from the IPCC Special Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX), specifically applying them to Latin America and the Caribbean. It examines the interaction between climate extremes, human vulnerability, and exposure, arguing that disaster risk is increasing not only due to climate change but also because of skewed development processes. The document provides observed and projected trends for temperature and precipitation extremes across various sub-regions and offers a framework for integrating disaster risk management (DRM) with climate change adaptation (CCA) to build long-term resilience.

The 2011 Scientific Program Report by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details the achievements of four scientific programs between May 2010 and April 2011. It focuses on the Cooperative Research Networks (CRN II), the Small Grants Program for Human Dimensions (SGP-HD), and an IDRC-funded project on land use in the Río de la Plata basin. The report emphasizes the integration of natural and social sciences to inform policy decisions regarding climate change, biodiversity, and water security across the Americas.

The 2011 Report on Science Program by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details the achievements of four scientific programs between May 2010 and April 2011. These include the Second Collaborative Research Network (CRNII), the Small Grants Program for the Human Dimensions (SGP-HD), and a project on land use and biofuels in the La Plata Basin. The report emphasizes the integration of social and economic research into natural science to bridge the science-policy divide, highlighting impacts on urban pollution management, forest conservation, and agricultural risk reduction across the Americas.

This briefing summarizes the outcomes of a February 2011 workshop in Trinidad regarding the transition to a green and resilient economic pathway for the Caribbean. It outlines the region's current vulnerabilities, the systemic obstacles preventing a paradigm shift, and the necessary foundations and characteristics of a green economy designed to enhance resilience and social equity.

This fact sheet summarizes the 'Reefs at Risk Revisited' report, a global map-based analysis of threats to coral reefs led by the World Resources Institute. It details the prevalence of local and global pressures, the socioeconomic vulnerability of coastal communities, and the effectiveness of current marine protected areas.

This briefing examines the implications of the Advisory Group on Climate Finance (AGF) recommendations for the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. It details the region's specific climate vulnerabilities, its unique emissions profile dominated by land-use change, and the significant funding gaps for both mitigation and adaptation. The document argues that while the AGF's proposed public and private funding mechanisms offer opportunities, the LAC region must actively ensure it receives an equitable share of resources, particularly for adaptation grants, to avoid being overlooked by existing official development assistance patterns.

This briefing, written by Vivid Economics and funded by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), analyzes the implications of the Advisory Group on Climate Finance (AGF) recommendations for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). It evaluates the investment needs for adaptation and mitigation in SIDS, the potential for public and private funding sources, and the specific risks and opportunities these financial mechanisms present for island nations.

This case study by Amory B. Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute examines Cuba's transition from a fragile, centralized electricity system to a more resilient model based on energy efficiency and distributed micropower. Following severe blackouts in 2004 and 2005, the Cuban government launched 'La Revolución Energética' in 2006, which combined mass deployment of efficient appliances, inverted electricity tariffs, and the installation of thousands of microgenerators to eliminate blackouts by 2007 and improve grid resilience against natural disasters.

This research paper by Molly Hellmuth explores the specific information requirements for climate risk management, categorizing decision-making into responsive, proactive, and robust frameworks. It argues that while these approaches have different horizons, they all rely on identifying vulnerabilities, hazards, and risks to improve development outcomes and resilience.

This policy briefing analyzes Brazil's transition toward becoming a regional and global power since 2000, driven by economic growth and a more assertive foreign policy. While Brazil has expanded its diplomatic reach and regional leadership, the author argues that its emergence remains 'open-ended' due to internal social inequalities, a risk-averse public, and a lack of a long-term strategic vision for global management.

This policy briefing evaluates the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Forum six years after its 2003 launch. It argues that while the forum has a mixed record regarding commercial outcomes and market integration, it has successfully fostered political coordination and development cooperation. The author recommends that IBSA prioritize development efforts and the expansion of its development fund to distinguish itself from economic-centric groupings like BRIC.

This report summarizes a seminar held on October 28, 2009, in Addis Ababa, which discussed the development and enhancement of the African Union (AU) sanctions regime. The seminar focused on leveraging United Nations (UN) experience to build a robust AU framework, including the role of the AU's Sanctions Committee and the necessity of combining sanctions with diplomacy and monitoring mechanisms.