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The Global Climate and Health Alliance rejects the idea that emissions reductions are secondary to health and development, stating that unchecked emissions will overwhelm adaptation efforts and lead to humanitarian crises.

The briefing reveals that twenty major private equity firms are linked to nearly 60 GW of operating gas-fired power capacity globally, emitting 82 million metric tons of CO2e annually. It highlights a growing trend where private equity firms invest in both AI data centers and the fossil fuel power plants required to run them, deepening carbon lock-in. While the US holds the largest share of this capacity, private equity ownership is highly concentrated in countries like Togo and Panama.

The report reveals that twenty major private equity firms are linked to nearly 60 gigawatts of operating gas-fired power capacity globally, emitting an estimated 82 million metric tons of CO2e annually. This fleet spans 27 countries, with significant concentrations in the United States, Togo, Panama, Jamaica, and the Philippines. The document highlights a growing financial convergence where private equity firms are investing in both AI data centers and the fossil fuel power plants required to run them, potentially deepening carbon lock-in. Specific examples include BlackRock's pursuit of AES Corp and Blackstone's acquisition of TXNM.

The report details a workshop series organized by the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), the Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering (DSG), and The Degrees Initiative. The program focused on solar radiation modification (SRM) as a case study for emerging climate intervention techniques. Through expert presentations and a multilateral negotiation simulation in Bogotá, Colombia, the initiative aimed to bridge the gap between science and policy for officials from Latin America and the Caribbean. Key outcomes include a consensus on the need for regional research to ensure equitable participation in global forums, concerns over 'moral hazard' regarding climate mitigation, and the importance of including Indigenous Peoples and local communities in research governance.

The report argues that non-metallic minerals—such as sand, gravel, and potash—differ from metallic minerals due to lower revenue potential, stronger domestic economic linkages, and a lack of benchmark prices for many varieties. It proposes a typology for royalties and transfer pricing based on a mineral's export propensity, price volatility, and the availability of benchmark prices. Key recommendations include using unit-based royalties for low-value construction materials to minimize administration costs, and ad-valorem royalties for high-value exports like graphite and potash to maximize revenue. The document also addresses cross-cutting issues such as environmental taxation, the formalization of artisanal mining through lower tax burdens, and the risks associated with tax incentives and export restrictions.

The Gender Action Plan (GAP) for the IUS programme in Barbados, Belize, and Jamaica aims to support a 'Just Transition' by integrating gender-responsive financing and services. The plan includes foundational activities such as developing Codes of Conduct and GBV checklists, as well as targeted interventions like free energy audits for 300 low-income customers and the creation of Indigenous Peoples Plans for Belize and Jamaica. With a total budget of USD 1,476,000, the GAP focuses on capacity building for utilities and technical service providers (TSPs), policy reform, and the deployment of inclusive energy products to benefit marginalised groups, including women, persons with disabilities, and the LGBTQIA community.

The assessment examines the adoption of solar water heaters, rooftop solar PV, efficient cooling/HVAC, and LED lighting across three Caribbean nations. It finds that while there is demand for these technologies, significant economic, institutional, and social barriers—particularly gender-blind policies and limited access to finance—hinder a 'Just Transition'. The report recommends capacity building for government stakeholders, gender-sensitive financial tools, and inclusive engagement strategies to ensure vulnerable populations benefit from the energy transition.

The report examines the limitations of rigid debt rules in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), proposing a transition to a 'constrained discretion regime'. It argues that current rules-based approaches often lead to complexity and unenforceability, particularly when multiple fiscal rules are layered incrementally. The authors recommend replacing rigid ceilings with flexible 'debt anchors' embedded in a broader institutional framework featuring independent fiscal councils, transparent disclosure rules, and a clear distinction between long-term sustainability goals and short-term budgetary instruments.

This briefing, prepared by the permanent representative of Paraguay for the thirty-third meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), proposes that the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) be invited to become an Associate of the Institute. The document outlines the WMO's regional and global roles in climate cooperation and details its existing collaborative activities with the IAI since 2022.

The document, prepared by Paraguay for the 33rd meeting of the Conference of the Parties in Asunción, argues that the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) meets the criteria under Article XI of the IAI Agreement to become an Associate. It highlights the WMO's regional presence in the Americas, its global leadership in climate cooperation through the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), and a history of collaboration with the IAI since 2022, including joint research on health, climate, and drought management.

The Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), the operational arm of the IMF's Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST), provides long-term concessional loans to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to implement macro-critical climate reforms. While the RSF creates fiscal space and improves investment conditions, its impact is often hindered by limited engagement with sectoral ministries, overlapping climate initiatives, and inconsistent coordination with development partners like the World Bank and regional development banks. The document recommends institutionalizing inter-ministry platforms, aligning RSF reforms with national climate plans, and utilizing joint diagnostic tools. It also highlights the role of IMF Climate Finance Roundtables in aligning investments with national priorities, though these have yet to mobilize significant private capital. Case studies from Bangladesh, Barbados, and Senegal illustrate both the potential and the challenges of these coordination mechanisms.

The document examines the 'climate-debt trap' facing low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where escalating external debt—reaching nearly US$6.5 trillion in 2023—crowds out climate investment. It analyzes existing financial mechanisms such as Climate Resilient Debt Clauses (CRDCs), Catastrophe (CAT) bonds, and debt swaps, while critiquing the G20 Common Framework for its inadequacy. The authors advocate for the cancellation of 'odious debt' linked to fossil fuel projects and propose that a Fossil Fuel Treaty could establish a Debt Resolution Facility to help member nations renegotiate debts in exchange for phasing out fossil fuels.

The document details the career trajectory of Melissa Le Blanc, who transitioned from a student to a leader at FortisTCI through the support of the Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) Network and academic mentors. It highlights the role of the WIRE Network, coordinated by RMI, in providing mentorship, technical training, and job opportunities for women in the Caribbean's clean energy sector. Le Blanc's current work includes overseeing the installation of a 1.2 MW solar and battery microgrid in the Turks and Caicos Islands, which meets 30 percent of the electricity demand in North and Middle Caicos.

The document reports that as of March 31, 2025, the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research had received 78% of the approved contributions for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. While overall expenses were 10% lower than budgeted, the Executive Directorate warns that delays in voluntary contributions significantly limit its operational capacity. The report also outlines projected voluntary contributions for the next three fiscal years, with the USA providing the largest share.

The IAI is requesting an operating budget of US$ 1.68 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, which remains unchanged from the previous year. Preliminary requests for subsequent years show a gradual increase, reaching US$ 1.8522 million by 2027-2028. The budget is funded by contributions from member countries, with the USA providing the largest share. The IAI reports administrative adjustments to optimize spending and a reduction in IT costs following its move to Panama.

The report finds that human-caused climate change significantly increased extreme heat and health risks globally from December 2024 to February 2025. At least 1.8 billion people experienced temperatures at least twice as likely due to climate change every day of the period, with exposure peaking at 3 billion people on February 28, 2025. Africa was particularly affected, with 293 million people experiencing 30 or more 'risky heat days' added by climate change. The analysis also highlights that 110 out of 220 analyzed countries and 287 out of 940 cities saw the average person experience strong climate influence for at least one-third of the season.

The report identifies a critical need to accelerate the integration of health and climate policies in the Caribbean to address climatic vulnerability and a dual burden of non-communicable and infectious diseases. While there is general support for this integration, current links remain nascent and tenuous. Key barriers include siloed government operations, a rigid top-down policymaking process, inadequate financial and technical resources, and significant data gaps. Opportunities for progress lie in national development plans, international climate commitments, and the health co-benefits of renewable energy. The authors advocate for a 'climate in all policies' approach, enhanced multi-sectoral communication, and the use of analytical risk assessment tools to move from awareness to decisive policy action.

The research examines how colonial legacies and neoliberal restructuring have created a 'disabling environment' for Jamaican coffee smallholders, characterized by low farm gate prices and limited support. It argues that climate change exacerbates these structural injustices, as industry leaders prioritize profit and privilege over the adaptation needs of farmers, leading to asymmetrical power structures that stifle smallholder agency.

Based on 225 interviews with high-level stakeholders, the report finds that while climate and health policies are currently largely siloed across the six studied regions, there is a strong consensus that further integration is necessary to maximize co-benefits and address complex challenges. Common barriers include funding shortages, data gaps, and institutional silos, while opportunities include upcoming policy deliberations and rising public awareness. The report suggests strategies such as adopting 'health in all policies' approaches, increasing the use of scientific evidence, and enhancing cross-sectoral collaboration.

The report synthesizes 225 interviews with stakeholders to assess how climate and health policies are integrated. It finds that while these policies are currently siloed, there is a strong consensus that integration is necessary to maximize co-benefits and address complex health threats. The document identifies systemic barriers such as funding shortages and institutional silos, while proposing strategies like 'health in all policies' and the use of trusted health professionals as climate advocates.