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The sustainable finance market in Latin America and the Caribbean grew significantly between 2019 and 2021, with total VSS emissions reaching USD 48.6 billion by June 2021. Chile, Brazil, and Mexico dominate the market, accounting for 77% of all VSS emissions. Green bonds remain the largest segment (USD 30.2 billion), while social and sustainability bonds have seen rapid growth, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Energy is the most funded sector, though transport and land use are significant. The report also highlights the emergence of sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) and the ongoing development of national green taxonomies in countries like Chile, Colombia, and Mexico.

The Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) sustainable finance market grew significantly between 2019 and 2021, with total VSS emissions reaching USD 48.6 billion by June 2021. Chile, Brazil, and Mexico dominate the region, accounting for 77% of all VSS emissions. Green bonds are the largest segment (USD 30.2 billion), primarily driven by energy projects and sovereign issuances in Chile. The report also highlights the rise of social and sustainable bonds, the emergence of sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs), and the ongoing development of national green taxonomies in countries like Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.

The report examines the systemic biases, colonial legacies, and representational risks associated with depicting Indigenous peoples and forests in the context of climate change. It proposes a shift toward 'Indigenous Media Presence,' characterised by self-presentation, 'deep ethics' rooted in territory, and the recognition of Indigenous science and spirituality. The document highlights the risks of 'scenification,' 'audio-visual extractivism,' and the invisibility of Afro-descendant forest communities, while showcasing the work of Indigenous photographers and independent media as tools for resistance and planetary healing.

The document explains that Adaptation Communications (ADCOMs) are voluntary reports under the Paris Agreement designed to synthesize a country's climate adaptation priorities, efforts, and needs. It outlines four primary goals: enhancing the visibility of adaptation relative to mitigation, strengthening support for developing countries, providing inputs for the global stocktake, and enhancing learning. Countries have flexibility in submission, choosing to provide ADCOMs as standalone documents, in conjunction with other reports, or as components of existing documents like NDCs or NAPs. The guide emphasizes that ADCOMs are country-driven and should not create additional burdens for developing nations, suggesting that countries can synthesize existing information from their NAP processes to meet submission goals, particularly for the 2023 global stocktake.

The document explains that Adaptation Communications (ADCOMs) are voluntary reports under the Paris Agreement designed to synthesize a country's climate adaptation priorities, needs, and lessons. It outlines four primary purposes: increasing the visibility of adaptation relative to mitigation, mobilizing support for developing countries, providing data for the Global Stocktake, and enhancing learning. The text details flexible submission methods—as standalone documents, linked to other reports, or as components of existing documents like NDCs or NAPs—and emphasizes that ADCOMs should not create additional burdens for developing nations. It also provides a detailed list of optional content elements and explains how countries can leverage their ongoing NAP processes to inform their ADCOMs.

The document explains that Adaptation Communications (ADCOMs) are optional reports under the Paris Agreement used by countries to share climate adaptation priorities, needs, and lessons. It outlines four main objectives: increasing attention to adaptation, strengthening support for developing countries, contributing to the Global Stocktake, and improving knowledge of adaptation measures. Countries can submit ADCOMs as standalone documents, jointly with other reports, or as components of existing documents like NDCs or NAPs to minimize administrative burdens. The text emphasizes that ADCOMs are country-driven, flexible, and not intended for direct comparison between parties.

The 29th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (CoP-29) resulted in the adoption of 17 decisions covering financial budgets, governance policies, and scientific initiatives. Key outcomes include the approval of a new Gender Policy, a Whistleblower policy, and the establishment of a working group for a national climate assessment initiative in Latin America and the Caribbean. The meeting also addressed financial strains caused by a lack of voluntary contributions and updated the IAI Scientific Agenda.

The report details the administrative, financial, and scientific outcomes of the IAI's 29th Conference of the Parties. Key actions include the approval of the 2021-2022 operating budget, the adoption of a gender policy for projects, and the establishment of a working group for national climate assessments in Latin America and the Caribbean. The meeting also addressed the financial pressure caused by unpaid voluntary contributions and the need to combat predatory scientific publishing in the Americas.

Seven NGOs have called on the EU Commission to include leather as a key forest-risk commodity in new deforestation laws, arguing that cattle ranching is the primary driver of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon and that the EU is a major market for this high-risk leather. The statement highlights that leather is a multibillion-dollar industry, with the Brazilian sector valued at over US$50 billion, and that non-meat products can account for up to 26% of large meatpackers' incomes. The NGOs point to the Italian tanning industry's heavy reliance on Brazilian leather and the exposure of major European car manufacturers to deforestation through suppliers like JBS Couros. They argue that including leather in the legislation would reduce the EU's role in driving deforestation and encourage the industry to adopt zero-deforestation sourcing and traceability.

The report analyzes the integration of climate and disaster risk financing and insurance (CDRFI) within National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), finding that while insurance is widely recognized—particularly in agriculture—there are significant opportunities to improve risk modeling, social protection, and cross-sectoral dialogue between finance ministries and private providers.

The analysis reveals that while many countries link adaptation to disaster risk management and prioritize insurance—particularly for agriculture—there is a need for better risk analysis, adaptive social protection, and stronger dialogue between finance ministries and private CDRFI providers.

This document is a participant list for the 29th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research, which took place on 22-23 June 2021. It identifies representatives from member parties, advisory committee members, and observers from government agencies and scientific organizations.

The GCF's Independent Evaluation Unit (IEU) assessed four pilot RFP programmes: Enhanced Direct Access (EDA), Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSME), Mobilizing Funds at Scale (MFS), and REDD+ Results-based Payments (REDD+). The assessment concludes that while the RFPs are relevant to the GCF mandate and country needs, they have not been used effectively as a modality. Key failures include a lack of incentives for proponents, an inability to attract new accredited entities, and a project cycle that remains as complex and lengthy as the regular Proposal Appraisal Process (PAP). The REDD+ RFP was the most successful due to its tailored process and specialized expertise. The IEU recommends establishing the RFP as a formal institutional modality with standardized processes, transparent topic selection based on portfolio gap analysis, and incentives such as simplified accreditation.

The briefing argues that the EU-Mercosur trade deal was concluded without a complete sustainability impact assessment (SIA), which the European Ombudsman identified as maladministration. It highlights concerns that the agreement could increase deforestation in Mercosur countries, particularly Brazil, and criticizes the European Commission's attempt to seek pre-ratification commitments rather than renegotiating the text. Furthermore, the document opposes any effort by the Commission to 'split' the trade and political components of the agreement to bypass the requirement for unanimity in the Council and ratification by the 27 EU Member State parliaments, asserting that such a move would violate the original 1999 mandate and principles of sincere cooperation.

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 IAI Directorate reported progress in aligning its Scientific Agenda with its Strategic Plan, incorporating revisions from Canada, Argentina, and Colombia. Key scientific initiatives included transdisciplinary projects on vector-borne diseases in Jamaica and St. Lucia, and the development of a COVID-19 working group. The Directorate launched the Science, Technology and Policy (STeP) fellowship program, implemented in two countries, and established partnerships with Mitacs in Canada and the PAGES program. Efforts to bridge science and policy included a virtual workshop on drought policies for Southern South America and the creation of a fire monitoring platform for the triborder Amazon region (Brazil, Bolivia, Peru). The IAI also collaborated with the Belmont Forum on several Collaborative Research Actions (CRA) and published a special issue in the Journal Environmental Development on CRN3 results.

The IAI Executive Directorate reported progress in its strategic plan during 2020-2021 despite COVID-19 challenges. Key achievements include the launch of the Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) fellowship program, the development of a revised scientific agenda incorporating feedback from Canada, Argentina, and Colombia, and the execution of transdisciplinary projects on climate-driven vector-borne diseases in Jamaica and Saint Lucia. The IAI also expanded its partnerships with the Belmont Forum, Wellcome Trust, and Mitacs Canada, while contributing to the IPCC's chapter on Central and South America.

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 document examines the cassava value network in Colombia, highlighting its current use in food and industrial sectors and its potential for bioplastics and animal feed. It identifies low productivity, limited technology transfer, and financial barriers for smallholders as key challenges. The paper suggests transitioning toward biorefineries and inclusive supply chains to enhance Colombia's bioeconomy.

The document establishes a two-component eligibility framework for hydropower certification: a Mitigation Component and an Adaptation & Resilience (A&R) Component. The Mitigation Component uses a 'predictive screen' based on power density to identify low-risk assets, while others must undergo a GHG assessment using the G-res tool or on-site studies to meet emissions intensity thresholds of 100g CO2e/kWh (pre-2020) or 50g CO2e/kWh (post-2020). The A&R Component requires assets to be assessed via the ESG Gap Analysis Tool, with strict limits on the number of 'significant gaps' allowed and a requirement for an Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) to close those gaps within 24 months. Additionally, the criteria mandate Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for indigenous peoples and public disclosure of compliance data.