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The Council on Strategic Risks asserts that USAID's investments in climate adaptation and resilience are essential for US national security, citing their role in countering Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific, preventing terrorism in the Sahel, and reducing irregular migration from Honduras.

The Council on Strategic Risks advocates for the restoration of Feed the Future and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), asserting that these programs mitigate national security risks by building food system resilience and providing critical forecasting for humanitarian responses. The text highlights that Feed the Future reduces migration intent in Honduras and that FEWS NET lowers the cost of humanitarian interventions. It references endorsements from former military commanders and bipartisan political support to emphasize that food security is an investment that prevents future conflict and reduces the need for costly US military or humanitarian spending.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) examines the complex nexus of climate change, migration, and justice. It argues that climate change acts as a risk multiplier that interacts with socio-economic and political factors rather than being a sole driver of migration. The document identifies eight key challenges—including the oversimplification of the climate-conflict-migration link, the risks of instrumentalizing migration as adaptation, and the impacts of slow-onset events—and proposes interdisciplinary, rights-based solutions. SEI highlights its strengths in analyzing transboundary climate impacts, conducting grounded comparative research to shift power dynamics, and fostering global cooperation for sustainable livelihoods through tools like AidAtlas and Trase.

The NAP Global Network's 2024 report details its progress in supporting developing countries with National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes through technical assistance, South-South peer learning, and knowledge production. The Network has supported 70 countries to date, with over 60% of technical assistance directed toward Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Key 2024 achievements include the launch of a new peer learning strategy, the publication of over 180 knowledge products, and the implementation of a monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework. The report highlights specific 'stories of change' in countries like Costa Rica, Rwanda, and Côte d’Ivoire, demonstrating the transition from planning to implementation and the integration of gender and social inclusion.

Nature-based solutions (NbS) are being integrated into climate strategies across Latin America and the Caribbean to address biodiversity loss and climate change. While they offer significant economic and ecological potential—such as protecting coastal resilience and sequestering carbon—they cannot replace the need for deep emissions reductions from fossil fuels. The document warns that vague definitions of NbS can lead to 'greenwashing' by polluting corporations and risk the displacement of Indigenous and local communities through land grabs and monoculture plantations. For NbS to be sustainable, the author argues they must be based on local knowledge, ensure Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), and be supported by diverse financing mechanisms beyond voluntary safeguards.

The document examines the impacts of climate variability and economic fluctuations on coffee farmers in Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Costa Rica. It identifies that while climate change can push crops out of optimum ranges, farmers often perceive market volatility as a more immediate threat. Adaptation strategies include crop diversification, income diversification, and migration. The research emphasizes that effective adaptation requires better access to information, insurance, credit, and the capacity to organize into cooperatives. It also warns that removing shade trees for other crops increases risks of erosion and biodiversity loss. Finally, it argues that policy prescriptions must be tailored to local contexts, as slow-onset processes like climate change are often overlooked in favor of medium-term drivers.

The document examines the impacts of economic and climatic variability on coffee farmers in Mesoamerica. It finds that while climate change can push crops out of their optimal range, producers often perceive market volatility as a greater threat. Adaptation strategies include crop diversification and migration, while systemic improvements require better access to information, credit, insurance, and local organization. The text also warns that deforestation for alternative crops increases erosion and reduces carbon sinks, and notes that slow-onset processes like climate change are often neglected in political agendas compared to medium-term drivers.

In 2023, Global Witness documented 196 murders of land and environmental defenders, contributing to a total of 2,106 since 2012. Latin America remains the most dangerous region, accounting for 85% of 2023 cases, with Colombia recording the highest number of killings (79). The report highlights a systemic pattern of violence including forced disappearances in Mexico and judicial harassment in Asia. Mining is identified as the primary industrial driver of these killings. The document argues that indigenous peoples, who protect 80% of the world's remaining biodiversity, are disproportionately targeted. It calls for the implementation of the Escazú Agreement and greater inclusion of indigenous knowledge in global climate negotiations.

The NAP Global Network Peer Learning Strategy establishes a framework for South-South knowledge exchange to enhance the development and implementation of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) in developing countries. Moving away from one-off events, the strategy prioritizes sustained, continuous learning through four primary activity types: Peer Learning Forums, Peer Exchanges, Peer Learning Cohorts, and 1:1 Peer Learning Partnerships. The approach integrates technical, relational, reflexive, and experiential components, while emphasizing gender equality and social inclusion (GESI). The strategy also links peer learning with national-level action and knowledge generation to create a 'value chain' of support for adaptation practitioners.

The report identifies six distinct climate audiences—Alarmed, Concerned, Cautious, Disengaged, Doubtful, and Dismissive—across a global survey of 139,136 Facebook users. It finds that the 'Alarmed' group is the largest in approximately 77% of the surveyed areas, with the highest concentrations in Puerto Rico and other Latin American countries. Conversely, the 'Doubtful' and 'Dismissive' groups are most prevalent in the Netherlands, Norway, and Libya. The analysis highlights a correlation between lower per-capita emissions and income and higher levels of climate alarm, while noting that the United States has a lower proportion of 'Alarmed' respondents compared to other top carbon-emitting nations.

The independent evaluation finds that while the GCF Investment Framework effectively translates strategic goals into portfolio targets and project criteria, it suffers from operational complexities and a lack of alignment with results and risk management frameworks. Key issues include the high resource burden on Direct Access Entities (DAEs) compared to International Accredited Entities (IAEs), subjective interpretations of investment criteria like 'country ownership', and a disconnect between ex-ante investment decisions and ex-post results monitoring. The report recommends simplifying the Investment Criteria Scorecard (ICS), improving the predictability of funding for recipient countries, and explicitly integrating risk-reward assessments into the framework.

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 analyzes environmental mobilization in the Balkans, specifically focusing on the protection of the Vjosa River in Albania and the Jadar Valley in Serbia. It compares the grassroots, campaign-led approach in Albania, which led to the creation of a national park, with the mass protests and political integration seen in Serbia, which forced the withdrawal of mining permits. The text also highlights the European Union's inconsistent support, noting its strong backing for river conservation versus its more cautious approach to lithium mining due to the EU's energy transition needs.

The document examines the three mechanisms of Article 6 (A6.2, A6.4, and A6.8) of the Paris Agreement, highlighting the tension between rapid operationalisation and the need for high-integrity standards to prevent greenwashing and human rights abuses. It details the specific sticking points for COP29, including transparency in bilateral trading (A6.2), the role of the Supervisory Body in the global market (A6.4), and the potential for non-market approaches (A6.8) to provide alternative climate finance. The briefing also analyzes the influence of these UN rules on the voluntary carbon market (VCM) and the controversies surrounding REDD+ credits and land-use offsets.

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 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 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 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 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.

This briefing by Somos El Cambio explains the necessity of the energy transition, defined as phasing out fossil fuels in favor of renewable sources and more efficient energy use to mitigate global warming. It highlights the economic and environmental benefits of this shift, particularly for Latin America and the Caribbean, while emphasizing the need for fairness and equity to avoid repeating the extractivist patterns of the fossil fuel era.