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The document argues that transport is a critical driver of development but a major source of emissions, accounting for 23% of energy-related CO2. It defines sustainable transport as safe, affordable, and efficient mobility that minimizes environmental impacts. The report details the evolution of international policy from the 1972 Stockholm Conference to the Sustainable Development Goals, and provides examples of successful interventions, such as Jakarta's BRT system and various cities' shifts toward active mobility (cycling and walking). It specifically notes the COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst for structural changes in urban transit, though it warns that 30 major economies continue to provide significant subsidies to fossil fuels over clean energy.

The IAI report for the 2020-2021 fiscal year indicates that only 57% of approved contributions were received by April 30, 2021, with 8 countries delayed by more than three years. Total expenditures from July 2020 to February 2021 were $777,655, which was 16.7% lower than the budgeted $933,333, primarily due to COVID-19 restrictions on travel and physical meetings. The report also notes that contributions remaining at $5,000 since 1992 have lost approximately 89% of their purchasing power.

The document examines the disparity in green finance between developed and developing nations, noting that while the EU and other developed markets have integrated substantial green recovery measures into their COVID-19 stimulus packages, developing countries often lack explicit green budgets and remain heavily dependent on North-South financial flows. It highlights challenges in the global South, including infrastructure deficits, governance issues, and a 'dependency syndrome' regarding international aid. The brief recommends institutional reforms to enhance capital markets, increased South-South cooperation, and globally coordinated efforts to improve the design and monitoring of green projects.

Friends of the Earth International and 81 other organizations condemn the Colombian government's use of military and police force against peaceful protesters. The statement links social unrest to economic inequality, the failure to implement FARC-EP peace accords, and an extractive development model that prioritizes capital accumulation over nature and human rights. It calls for an end to human rights violations, the cessation of aerial glyphosate spraying, and the implementation of comprehensive agrarian reform.

Friends of the Earth International and 81 other organizations condemn the Colombian government's violent response to the 2021 National Strike. The statement links the social unrest to a tax reform proposal, rising poverty, and a development model that prioritizes extractive industries and monetary accumulation over human rights and nature. It calls for an immediate end to military repression, the protection of the right to protest, and the implementation of comprehensive agrarian reform and food sovereignty.

Following a 2010 tragedy, Tecnológico de Monterrey (Tec) launched DistritoTec in 2014, a district-scale regeneration project in Monterrey, Mexico. The initiative focused on co-creating a shared vision with local residents and business owners to reverse decades of urban sprawl and population decline. By implementing mixed-use development, affordable housing, and 'complete streets'—including over three kilometers of improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure—the project increased the district's population by 56% and reduced uninhabited homes by 27% between 2010 and 2020. The model, which emphasizes low-carbon mobility and community-led governance through the Neighborhood Council of DistritoTec, is now being replicated in three other districts within the city.

The document provides technical and legal arguments to support the suspension of the Granja Porcícola Homun, a large-scale swine operation in the Yucatan Peninsula. It asserts that such 'mega-farms' pose severe risks to water quality, air quality, and public health, specifically through the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The authors argue that under the precautionary principle and international law, the burden of proof should shift to the state and operator to prove the absence of danger, rather than requiring affected citizens—including indigenous Maya children—to prove certain harm before preventative measures are taken.

The Climate Action Tracker estimates global warming by 2100 at 2.4°C, a 0.2°C improvement driven by recent announcements including those from the US Leaders Summit on Climate. While 131 countries covering 73% of global emissions have adopted or are considering net zero targets, the 2030 emissions gap remains significant, and current policies lead to a projected warming of 2.9°C.

The report examines Results-Based Financing (RBF) as a mechanism to link financial rewards to verified climate outcomes, reducing risk for public funders and attracting private investment. It identifies key opportunities in urban development and transition sectors, such as energy and transport, while highlighting implementation challenges like high upfront costs and the risk of perverse incentives. The document provides a blueprint for RBF preparation and execution, supported by case studies from Peru and the United States.

The report analyzes government energy-related spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that a significant portion of recovery funds still supports fossil fuel-intensive sectors. It proposes five core principles for a 'fossil-free recovery': ending public funding for fossil fuel production, reforming fossil fuel subsidies and taxes to raise revenue, 'swapping' those funds into clean energy (access, efficiency, transport, and power), incentivizing private investment in clean electricity, and ensuring a just transition for affected workers and communities.

Indonesia's LPG subsidies are regressive, primarily benefiting wealthier households and straining the national budget. The report analyzes proposed targeting mechanisms, such as facial biometrics, and evaluates the climate impact of switching to electric induction stoves. By examining how India and Mexico implemented fuel tax increases and targeted social protections during economic crises, the report argues that Indonesia can leverage low oil prices to reform subsidies and redirect funds toward vulnerable populations.

The document argues that Indonesia's current LPG subsidy system is regressive, benefiting wealthy households more than the poor, and places a significant burden on the state budget. It proposes a shift to targeted subsidies using biometric verification and direct benefit transfers. The report analyzes how India and Mexico used economic crises as opportunities to reform fuel pricing and strengthen social safety nets. It also warns that shifting from LPG to electric induction stoves could increase greenhouse gas emissions due to Indonesia's coal-heavy energy mix.

The document identifies significant value gaps between Peruvian export data and the import data of its primary trading partners, suggesting patterns of under-invoicing and over-invoicing. These discrepancies serve as red flags for tax evasion, money laundering, and the abuse of export subsidies, all of which facilitate the illegal timber trade and deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon.

The document argues that agroecology, a science-based set of practices and social movement, offers a sustainable alternative to industrial agriculture, which accounts for up to 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights that approximately 30% of global farms have already adopted agroecological principles, leading to increased crop yields, higher farmer incomes, and improved biodiversity. However, the briefing notes that scaling up these practices is hindered by governance and finance systems that heavily subsidize industrial agriculture, with only 1%-1.5% of agricultural and aid budgets currently supporting agroecological approaches. To overcome these barriers, the document recommends reorienting public funding, integrating agroecology into research and education, and increasing the participation of small-scale producers in food governance.

A February 2021 international survey of Facebook users across more than 30 countries and territories reveals overwhelming public support for the Paris Climate Agreement and a widespread desire for governments to prioritize climate action, with the strongest support found in Central and South America.

Reclaim Finance asserts that the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) is failing to drive a real movement away from coal despite growing membership. The organization highlights that most financial institution members continue to fund coal development, and co-chairs Canada and the United Kingdom, along with members like Mexico and Germany, exhibit contradictory behaviors such as planning new mines or power plants. The document calls for the PPCA to reform its criteria to include the entire coal sector and align with Paris Agreement timetables ahead of COP26.

Reclaim Finance asserts that the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) has failed to translate its membership growth into a real coal phase-out. The organization highlights that most financial members continue to fund coal, and several member states, including Canada and the UK, are pursuing new coal projects or exports. It calls for a reform of PPCA principles to include mines and infrastructure and demands that financial institutions adopt policies based on the Coal Policy Tool to meet Paris Agreement timelines.

The document argues that women's political representation is vital for the durability of peace, as it can lead to increased social welfare spending and improved perceptions of governance. It highlights that while global representation in national parliaments slightly increased to 25.5% by January 2021, women still face systemic barriers including poverty, patriarchal stereotypes, and violence. The briefing suggests that international bodies should implement gender quotas, establish participation benchmarks for 'free and fair' elections, and ensure women's rights are guaranteed in peace agreements.

This briefing, prepared by the Executive Directorate of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), presents a proposed Gender Policy for IAI scientific projects and activities. The policy aims to ensure gender equality in research and capacity building, recognizing that gender is a social construct and not binary. It establishes five primary objectives to promote regional leadership in gender equality, integrate gender dimensions into science, eliminate selection biases, create inclusive research environments, and develop gender-focused training.

The briefing argues that the Leaders Summit on Climate should be used to secure a 50% emissions reduction target from the US by 2030, align the 2030 targets of major economies like China and Japan with net-zero trajectories, increase climate finance for developing nations while ending public coal funding, and ensure COVID-19 recovery packages prioritize green infrastructure over fossil fuels.