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The 'Global Landscape of Climate Finance 2023' executive summary reports that average annual climate finance flows reached nearly USD 1.3 trillion in 2021/2022, nearly doubling from 2019/2020 levels. Despite this growth, current flows represent only about 1% of global GDP and remain heavily concentrated in a few geographies and sectors, primarily mitigation in energy and transport. The report emphasizes a massive gap between current flows and the estimated annual needs, which are projected to rise from USD 8.1 trillion to over USD 10 trillion by 2031-2050 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

This fact sheet by the Institute for Economic Justice argues that a Guaranteed Universal Basic Income (UBIG) is more effective than targeted grants for poverty alleviation, particularly in South Africa. It contends that targeting systems are administratively complex, expensive, and frequently exclude the very people they intend to help, whereas a universal system ensures broader coverage and reduces administrative burdens.

A briefing on the High-Level Symposium held on October 24, 2023, in Panama City, which focused on strengthening collaboration between National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), Ministries of Environment, and Disaster Risk Management Offices to improve climate information and early warning systems in Latin America and the Caribbean.

This briefing from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) provides a financial update for the first three months of the 2023-2024 fiscal year (July to September 2023), detailing party contributions and operational expenditures.

This report details the activities of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Directorate from 1 July 2023 to 13 October 2023. It focuses on the implementation of decisions from the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-31), specifically regarding research programs on climate-health and ocean systems, science diplomacy, and the expansion of institutional associations.

The Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) proposes the establishment of a Global Credit Guarantee Facility (GCGF) to reduce the cost of capital for renewable energy investments in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). The facility would primarily mitigate credit risk—including sovereign, off-taker, and average foreign exchange risk—through partial guarantees, while transferring political and residual FX risks to existing institutions like MIGA and TCX.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the economic viability of forest restoration in the Brazilian Amazon compared to cattle ranching. It proposes that a carbon price of US$ 20 per ton of CO2 captured via natural regeneration would make restoration more profitable than ranching, potentially capturing 16 Gt CO2 and avoiding another 32 Gt CO2 over 30 years.

This report by Ember analyses Chinese customs data from the first half of 2023, detailing a 34% increase in solar module exports. It highlights that while global manufacturing capacity is sufficient to meet 1.5C climate pathways, bottlenecks in installation and grid integration are leading to an accumulation of solar panel stocks in warehouses, particularly in Europe.

The Green Economy Coalition (GEC) Steering Group minutes from September 2023 outline a new strategic phase (2023-2027) focused on 'eco-social contracts' and a shared global green deal. Key activities include a partnership with UNRISD to build a 350+ member network and efforts to influence G20 processes in Brazil. The group noted urgent funding needs for its hubs, particularly the Amazon hub, and is planning to diversify its Steering Group membership.

This report examines the integration of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) into trade policies between developing countries (South-South trade) to enhance the trade of sustainable products and improve market access for small-scale producers and small and medium-sized enterprises.

This report examines market trends in the sugar cane sector, focusing on the impact of sustainability standards on producer incomes in developing countries and the challenges faced by smallholder farmers.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the economic viability of replacing extensive cattle ranching with large-scale forest restoration in the Brazilian Amazon through carbon credits. It proposes that a carbon price of US$ 20 per ton of CO2 captured via natural regeneration would make restoration more profitable than ranching across most of the region, potentially capturing 16 Gt of CO2 and avoiding 32 Gt of emissions over 30 years.

The Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights 2023 report by Ember analyses global electricity generation from January to June 2023. It finds that global power sector emissions plateaued, increasing by only 0.2%, as significant growth in wind and solar was offset by a historic decline in hydropower generation caused by droughts.

This report by the Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA) examines the intersection of methane emissions from the agri-food sector and human health. It identifies primary emission sources—including livestock, rice cultivation, and land-use change—and proposes systemic solutions that offer co-benefits for public health, such as reduced respiratory illness and improved nutrition.

This report by the Global Climate and Health Alliance examines the sources of methane emissions within food and agriculture systems and outlines the human health co-benefits of mitigation strategies. It advocates for systemic changes to food production and consumption, including the adoption of plant-rich diets and improved agricultural techniques, to reduce global warming and improve public health outcomes.

This policy brief examines how the BRICS bloc can support the digitisation of African agriculture to drive economic growth. It highlights the potential for investment through the New Development Bank, knowledge transfer from BRICS members' digital agricultural reforms, and the role of South Africa's 2023 BRICS chair to advance continental goals like Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA.

The report documents the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-31) to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Panama City from 21-22 June 2023. The meeting focused on financial sustainability, the establishment of new science-policy initiatives, and the strengthening of equity and diversity within the organization's research and training frameworks.

The report details the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-31) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held in Panama City from June 21-22, 2023. The meeting focused on administrative approvals, the establishment of new scientific and diplomatic initiatives, and the strengthening of the science-policy interface in the Americas.

The July 2023 report 'Pedal to the Metal' by Global Energy Monitor assesses the global iron and steel plant fleet, highlighting a critical gap between current capacity developments and the decarbonization targets required for net-zero emissions by 2050. While there is a growing shift toward Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technology, the continued expansion of coal-based Blast Furnace-Basic Oxygen Furnace (BF-BOF) capacity, particularly in Asia, threatens to lock in high emissions and create significant stranded asset risks.

This research paper examines illicit financial flows (IFFs) stemming from migrant smuggling in Senegal and Sierra Leone. It analyzes how smuggling proceeds are generated, moved through formal and informal channels, and laundered into legitimate sectors. The report highlights a significant gap between the existence of anti-money laundering policies and their practical implementation, noting that financial intelligence units in both countries lack the resources and expertise to effectively 'follow the money' in smuggling cases.