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This briefing, based on research from the Aspen Global Change Institute, examines the impact of climate change on atmospheric rivers and snowpack in California and other mountainous regions. It highlights a paradoxical future where the region faces both an increased risk of catastrophic megafloods and a long-term decline in snowpack and overall precipitation frequency, emphasizing that high-emissions scenarios will accelerate these hydrologic shifts.

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 Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA) is a plurilateral WTO initiative involving over 110 members aimed at increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) through improved transparency and streamlined administration. While significant progress has been made on 'clean text' regarding publication requirements and administrative efficiency, key disputes remain over the scope of the agreement (FDI vs. portfolio investment), the establishment of a funding facility, and the legal architecture for its integration into the WTO rulebook. The agreement includes special and differential treatment for developing countries and LDCs, though some members, including India and South Africa, oppose the plurilateral process.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative provides an overview of the sustainable asset-backed securities (ABS) market in Brazil as of Q3 2022. It examines the regulatory framework, the role of various securitisation instruments like CRAs and CRIs, and the potential for these tools to scale investment in small-scale sustainable projects, particularly in agriculture and renewable energy.

This policy brief provides a state-of-play analysis of the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on Electronic Commerce as of December 2022. It examines the evolving global e-commerce governance landscape, including national regulatory trends and the rise of Digital Economy Agreements, while detailing the progress of JSI negotiations, the restructuring of the consolidated negotiating text, and the efforts to address the digital divide and development concerns.

This report provides a status update on the World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-commerce as of December 2022. It analyzes the initiative's progress during its fifth year, contrasting it with broader trends in national, regional, and multilateral digital governance. The report highlights a shift toward a potentially less ambitious agreement for the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), focusing on resolved trade facilitation issues while deferring controversial market access and data flow topics.

This report provides a status update on the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce as of December 2022. It analyzes the evolving landscape of digital trade governance at national, regional, and multilateral levels, noting a trend toward more flexible regional Digital Economy Agreements (DEAs) and an increased focus on the digital divide within the WTO's broader Work Programme. The author suggests that the JSI is likely moving toward a less ambitious agreement focusing on minor facilitation points to ensure a conclusion by the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13).

This document is a report from the IAI Directorate regarding the approval of the report from the 30th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-30) to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. It includes the proceedings of the CoP-30 meeting held in June 2022 in Montevideo and via videoconference, detailing administrative decisions, financial status, the recruitment of a new Executive Director, and updates on scientific and capacity-building initiatives.

This document is a report from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) regarding the approval of the report from the 30th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-30). It includes the proceedings of the CoP-30 meeting held in June 2022 and the provisional decisions resulting from that session.

This briefing by RMI outlines the concept of a "managed phaseout" for coal power plants, arguing that financial institutions must move beyond simple divestment to actively fund the early closure of plants and the transition to clean energy to ensure the process is just and equitable for workers and communities.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and CUTS International analyzes the progress of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Joint Initiative on Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) as of February 2023. It details the current state of the draft agreement, highlighting key pillars such as transparency, administrative streamlining, and special treatment for developing nations, while outlining the remaining challenges and the path toward the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13).

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and CUTS International analyzes the progress of negotiations for the WTO Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFD Agreement). It details the current draft's structure—focusing on transparency, administrative simplification, and sustainable investment—and outlines the roadmap toward the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), including the challenges of integrating the agreement into the WTO's legal architecture.

This report summarizes the first in-person meeting of the Science Diplomacy Center (SDC) Advisory Board, held from November 11 to 13, 2022, in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The meeting focused on co-developing an implementation plan for the SDC, defining its mission and vision, exploring sustainable funding, and strengthening partnerships to enhance the science-policy interface across the Americas.

This briefing note by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) analyzes the outcomes of the COP27 climate conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, focusing on the integration of human rights into climate policies. It highlights a major breakthrough in loss and damage finance while criticizing the failure to address fossil fuel phase-out and the restrictions placed on civil society by the host country.

The 2023 CleanAir NDC Scorecard by the Global Climate and Health Alliance analyzes 170 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to assess how governments integrate air quality and health considerations into their climate plans. The report finds that while most NDCs mention air quality, there is a significant gap in quantifying health impacts and establishing forward-looking targets, with low- and middle-income countries generally showing higher levels of integration than high-income nations.

This document consists of annexes to the 2023 Forest Declaration Assessment, detailing sustainability schemes in the mining sector, sources and estimates of forest-related finance, and the implementation of green budgeting and risk assessment tools in the public sector.

This document consists of three annexes to the 2023 Forest Declaration Assessment. It details sustainability schemes in the mining sector, provides estimates for green and 'gray' forest finance, and discusses the implementation of green budgeting and risk assessment tools in the public sector.

The 'GUIDANCE NOTES: IGF Mining Policy Framework 2023' is a comprehensive guide published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to help governments implement the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) Mining Policy Framework. The document provides detailed recommendations across six 'Pillars'—Laws, Policies, and Institutions; Financial Benefits; Socio-economic Benefits; Environmental Management; Post-Mining Transition; and Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining—to ensure the mining sector contributes to sustainable development and aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 'Cadre d´orientation des politiques minières de l'IGF' is a comprehensive guide published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in 2023. It provides a policy framework for the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) to support its 80 member countries in implementing sustainable mining laws and regulations. The guide is structured around six pillars: laws and institutions, financial benefits, socio-economic benefits, environmental management, mine closure transition, and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).