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The project aims to transition Vientiane Capital's new BRT system from diesel EURO IV buses to low carbon electric vehicles. With a total cost of USD 39.5 million, the initiative includes the procurement of a base fleet of 97 electric buses, the installation of charging equipment, and the creation of a battery management plan for sound disposal and recycling. The project is expected to reduce emissions by 93,070 tCO2eq over its 16-year lifespan and serve as a national flagship for e-mobility in Lao PDR.

The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) investigates the drivers of disaster displacement, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, where the majority of such displacement occurs. SEI's work focuses on the vulnerabilities of poor populations, the impacts of both slow and rapid-onset risks, and the evaluation of displacement policies like planned relocations. Key projects include studying the effects of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, analyzing flood-induced mobility in Southeast Asia, and researching the specific challenges faced by people with disabilities during displacement. SEI also collaborates with international bodies such as the IOM and UNCCD to address the links between land degradation, desertification, and forced migration.

The report confirms that the Lao PDR Emissions Reduction Programme, managed by GIZ, is classified as an Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Category B project. It documents the public disclosure of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), and other critical frameworks including the Indigenous Peoples Plan (IPP), Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF), and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP). These documents were made available in English and Lao on various websites and as hard copies at the Lao Women’s Union offices in Houaphan, Luang Prabang, and Sayabouri provinces, as well as the GIZ office in Vientiane.

The assessment finds that the world is not on track to meet the 2020 restoration goal, with only 18% of the target documented as restored since 2000. While political will is evident through Bonn Challenge pledges totaling 170.6 million hectares, actual biophysical progress is limited and difficult to quantify due to data gaps. A pilot study in the Mekong region reveals that most tree cover gain occurs outside of forests on croplands and shrublands, while natural forests in the region have seen a net loss. The report emphasizes that monoculture plantations, which make up 45% of planned commitments, provide significantly less carbon storage than natural forests. It highlights the need for coherent policies, multidisciplinary technical planning, and increased financial flows to scale up effective forest landscape restoration.

The assessment finds that green finance for forests is severely insufficient, totaling under USD 22 billion since 2010, and represents only 1.5% of total climate mitigation commitments from developed countries and multilateral institutions. While some domestic initiatives and Green Climate Fund projects show progress, private sector investment remains dominated by traditional 'grey finance' with few mandatory safeguards to prevent deforestation in commodity supply chains.

The report examines the Hévécam rubber plantation in southern Cameroon, owned by Halcyon Agri. It details extensive deforestation, including 3,196 hectares of virgin forest cleared since 2008, and severe biodiversity loss. Socially, it documents the dispossession of ancestral lands from the indigenous Bagyeli people, water pollution causing health issues, and a lack of access to basic services like education and healthcare. While noting recent improvements in company-community dialogue and the adoption of a sustainable supply chain policy by Halcyon, the report argues that significant reparations and restoration are still required. It recommends establishing a legitimate Cameroon Sustainability Council, implementing neutral dispute resolution mechanisms, and ensuring the rights and citizenship of indigenous populations.

The document outlines a strategic roadmap for the Green Climate Fund's Private Sector Facility (PSF), based on demand and supply analyses of climate finance. It identifies significant barriers to private investment in developing countries, particularly for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and in least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing States (SIDS). To address these, the Secretariat proposes five new modalities: targeted endowments for adaptation, local currency funding pilots, climate-focused centres of excellence for early-stage innovation, co-investment solutions for institutional investors, and a direct investment approach to bypass accreditation bottlenecks.

The GCF Secretariat report for early 2019 details progress across six strategic goals. Key achievements include the launch of the first formal replenishment process, the development of a Theory of Change to drive paradigm shifts, and the expansion of the Readiness Programme. While the number of projects under implementation rose to 51 by 30 April 2019, the Secretariat noted bottlenecks in signing agreements due to the immediate effectiveness of new Board policies. The report also highlights the operationalization of a 'community of practice' with 28 expert organizations and the refinement of second-level due diligence processes.

The document evaluates forest governance in nine tropical countries, noting improvements in legal frameworks and multi-stakeholder engagement driven by Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) and REDD+. However, it highlights critical failures in cross-sectoral policy coherence, the rule of law, and the implementation of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC). While transparency has increased through digital tools, accountability remains limited by corruption and insufficient resources for law enforcement.

The report details how developing countries approach investment treaty negotiations, highlighting a trend toward renegotiating outdated agreements and the use of model treaties. It identifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and investment authorities as the primary leads in negotiations and provides a detailed mapping of ratification processes across various nations.

The document examines gender imbalances in the energy sector of the Lower Mekong Region, noting that women are under-represented in technical roles and often excluded from energy decision-making. It highlights how gender norms, limited access to education, and siloed policy environments hinder women's participation in the transition to renewable energy. The briefing recommends promoting equal workforce opportunities, exploring community energy models, and developing gender-responsive national policies to ensure a just transition.

The document examines the gendered dimensions of water insecurity in the Lower Mekong Region, noting that women bear heavier caring burdens and are largely excluded from water governance, which remains a masculine technical domain. It highlights a disconnect between national gender policies and water policies, and argues that current gender mainstreaming is often tokenistic. The brief recommends involving women leaders in decision-making, integrating gender into water governance curricula, and creating partnerships between water and gender-mandated institutions.

The guide provides a comprehensive overview of green financing in the ASEAN region, detailing available debt and equity instruments, credit enhancement tools, and a step-by-step process for issuing green bonds, sukuk, and loans. It highlights the role of governments, banks, and development finance institutions in scaling up private capital to meet an estimated USD3tn green investment need by 2030.

The report advocates for a shift in the role of hydropower within global energy grids, moving away from high-impact dams toward a mix of wind, solar, storage, and low-impact hydropower. It demonstrates through modeling in Chile and Uganda that protecting free-flowing rivers and national parks has minimal impact on system costs. The document highlights the Mekong River basin as a critical area where strategic planning could prevent the loss of migratory fish biomass and delta sediment. It concludes that achieving this vision requires system-scale planning, regulatory reform, and redirected financial flows from multilateral development banks and institutional investors.

The document finds that while some countries have improved their legal frameworks to combat deforestation, implementation remains weak due to corruption, lack of resources, and a failure to recognize the land rights of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs). It highlights a strong correlation between high corruption and forest loss, and notes that illegal conversion for commercial agriculture—specifically palm oil, soy, paper/timber, and cattle—drives much tropical deforestation. While demand-side measures for timber are increasing in the EU, US, and Asia, similar measures for other commodities remain largely voluntary. The report also emphasizes the critical role of IPLCs in carbon storage, noting they manage 17% of total carbon in 64 assessed countries, yet face increasing violence and land grabbing due to insecure tenure.

The report finds that while some countries have strengthened forest laws, overall governance remains weak, particularly in poor nations. Illegal deforestation is endemic, driven by commercial agriculture for palm oil, soy, and beef. Progress in recognizing the land rights of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) is slow, and the lack of secure tenure contributes to increased violence and land grabbing. The report emphasizes that strong governance and the empowerment of IPLCs are essential for effective forest protection.

The briefing examines the risks associated with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Southeast Asia, particularly regarding carbon-intensive energy projects and hydropower dams. It argues that current investment patterns may lead to carbon lock-in and ecological damage. To mitigate these risks, the authors propose a decision-making framework based on transparency, stakeholder participation, and adherence to international sustainable finance standards.

The research assesses how smallholder rural households in four Asian countries adapt to climate pressures such as changing rainfall, droughts, and floods. Based on interviews with nearly 600 people, the authors identified 36 key indicators of adaptive capacity to determine why some households are better equipped to secure their livelihoods than others.

The report identifies a growing "restoration economy" where businesses generate financial returns by improving the ecological function of degraded landscapes. It categorizes these opportunities into four main investment themes: technology, consumer products, project management, and commercial forestry. Through case studies of 14 companies across eight countries, the authors illustrate how various models—from drone-based reforestation and climate-smart credit for smallholders to sustainable timber and bamboo plantations—can scale. The document highlights that while significant market opportunities exist due to government pledges and rising resource demand, investors face hurdles such as high transaction costs, low liquidity, and insecure land tenure in developing regions.

The Greater Mekong region, comprising Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, has lost a third of its tree cover since the 1970s and faces further loss due to industrial agriculture and infrastructure. The report highlights the critical role of forests in providing ecosystem services, such as water filtration and climate regulation, and their importance for biodiversity, including tigers and elephants. WWF advocates for a 'landscape model' that balances economic development with conservation. Key solutions include establishing Community Protected Areas (CPAs), promoting FSC-certified sustainable products like rattan and acacia, and transitioning to deforestation-free rubber supply chains. The report emphasizes that empowering local communities and integrating natural capital into government policy are essential for long-term forest stability.