Search Climate Insights Directory

This briefing consists of two letters from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) requesting nominations from Parties to fill vacancies on the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) and the Science Advisory Committee (SAC) during the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties in June 2023.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) is requesting nominations from Parties to fill vacancies in the Science and Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) and the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties in June 2023.

This briefing from the Chair of the Committee for the Selection of the New IAI Executive Director outlines the legal framework and recruitment process for electing a new leader for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI).

This briefing provides a report from the Chair of the Selection Committee regarding the recruitment process for the Executive Director of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), outlining the legal framework for the election and the composition of the selection committee.

The Stakeholder Toolkit, updated in March 2023 by the Forest Declaration Assessment, is a curated directory of resources, training modules, and organizational platforms designed to support Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, and those working with them in the context of forest protection and climate governance.

This SEI discussion brief examines the relationship between tropical deforestation and water use in agricultural commodity supply chains, specifically focusing on imports into the European Union. It argues that while current policy focuses on deforestation, overlooking water use may shift environmental burdens to water-scarce regions. The brief identifies critical data gaps for beef and wood products and suggests that a comprehensive definition of sustainable supply chains must integrate both land and water stewardship.

This report examines the critical role of sustainable cooling and cold chains in reducing global food loss, improving nutrition, and supporting agricultural economies, particularly in low-income and high-impact countries.

This briefing by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) proposes a methodology to track incremental energy efficiency investments in certified green buildings. Using a global database of over 16,000 certifications from 2019-2020, the report argues that current green certifications are often inconsistent indicators of actual energy performance and that energy efficiency investments represent only a small fraction of total building construction costs.

This report details the achievements of the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) from 2018 to 2021, focusing on its 'knowledge-into-action' services. The program shifted leadership to an alliance of non-profit organisations based in the global South to provide tailored climate knowledge and support for policy design and implementation in developing countries.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on green finance and development, contrasting the robust recovery packages in the global North with the funding gaps and systemic challenges in the global South. It highlights the risk that urgent health-sector spending may undermine environmental sustainability and advocates for institutional reforms, increased South-South cooperation, and coordinated global efforts to bridge the climate finance gap.

This working paper examines the experiences and challenges of climate change practitioners in the global South as they transitioned to online engagement during the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on a 2020 CDKN survey and interviews across Africa, Asia, and South America, the document analyzes the impact of the digital divide, evaluates various communication platforms, and provides lessons for organizing inclusive virtual events for marginalized and remote populations.

This case study examines mine closure policies in South America, focusing on the transition from relying on international best practices to establishing national legislation. It details the frameworks of Chile and Peru, highlighting the critical role of financial assurance in preventing the state from inheriting liabilities for abandoned mines.

This case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines mine closure policies in South America, with a detailed focus on the legislative frameworks of Chile and Peru. It outlines international best practices for mine closure, emphasizing the critical role of financial guarantees to prevent abandoned sites and protect the public interest. The document compares the national approaches of Chile and Peru, highlighting their use of mandatory financial assurances and periodic plan updates, while noting a general lack of emphasis on social transition and post-closure land use in both jurisdictions.

This policy brief, based on a report by the Stockholm Environment Institute, examines transboundary climate risks to global food security through the trade of six key agricultural commodities. It argues that traditional risk management strategies like diversification are becoming ineffective due to the systemic nature of climate change, necessitating a shift toward multilateral cooperation and a global systemic view of adaptation to prevent geopolitical tension and protect import-dependent, low-income countries.

This fact sheet details a green bond issuance by Atlantica Yield (now Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure), a UK-headquartered sustainable infrastructure company. The bond, issued on April 3, 2020, raised EUR 290 million (USD 320 million) via private placement to finance renewable energy projects and transmission lines.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) estimates the public funding required by 2030 to end hunger, double the incomes of smallholder farmers, and maintain agricultural greenhouse gas emissions within the limits of the Paris Agreement. Using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, the authors determine that donors must nearly double their current annual contributions to food security, supplemented by increased domestic tax revenue in low- and middle-income countries.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) estimates the public spending required to end hunger, double the incomes of small-scale producers, and maintain agricultural greenhouse gas emissions within Paris Agreement limits by 2030. It identifies a significant funding gap, requiring both an increase in official development assistance (ODA) and higher domestic taxation in low- and middle-income countries.

Host Hotels & Resorts issued a USD 650 million green bond on 26 September 2019, becoming the first US lodging REIT to do so. The funds are used for the acquisition and development of LEED-certified hotels (Silver, Gold, or Platinum) and energy/water efficiency refurbishments, specifically refinancing the LEED Silver-certified Andaz Maui and 1 Hotel South Beach.

This technical annex assesses progress toward the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF) Goal 2, which aims to eliminate deforestation from agricultural commodity production (palm oil, soy, paper, and beef) by 2020. The report finds that current efforts by governments and companies are insufficient to meet this target, noting a stagnation in new corporate commitments and significant gaps in reporting, transparency, and the inclusion of indirect suppliers.

This policy brief summarizes the IPCC's SRCCL report, detailing how human activity affects 75% of Earth's land surface and contributes to climate change. It highlights that while land currently acts as a net carbon sink, climate change and degradation (driven largely by agriculture and logging) threaten this capacity. The brief emphasizes that sustainable land management, incorporating indigenous knowledge and gender-proofing, is essential for limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C and ensuring future food security.