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The report provides a detailed inventory of 11 nature-based solutions (NbS) projects in Namibia, focusing on ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) to combat drought, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. It highlights the central role of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) and the integration of traditional knowledge with modern conservation. Key interventions include agroforestry, sustainable rangeland management, and the development of biodiversity-based livelihoods such as beekeeping and eco-tourism. The document details project locations across nine regions, their intended beneficiaries, and the specific climate and biodiversity risks they address, serving as a resource for government officials and practitioners to identify synergies and gaps in NbS implementation.

The inventory identifies a diverse range of NbS in Uganda, primarily focused on wetland and catchment restoration, forest management, and agroforestry. These interventions address coupled challenges of food insecurity, water stress, and disaster risk. Key projects include the GCF FP034 wetland restoration and the CAPA Initiative in the Greater Virunga Landscape. While social inclusion is present, it is unevenly documented across the portfolio.

The report provides a detailed inventory of 13 nature-based solutions (NbS) projects across Zambia, focusing on their approaches, targeted ecosystems, and the climate and biodiversity risks they address. It highlights the high dependency of Zambia's economy on natural resources, with agriculture employing about 70% of the population, and the resulting vulnerability to temperature extremes, erratic rainfall, and floods. Key interventions across the documented projects include the restoration of wetlands and forests, the implementation of agroforestry and conservation farming, and the development of sustainable livelihoods such as beekeeping and non-timber forest product harvesting. The inventory notes that projects are heavily concentrated in ecologically vital landscapes, including national parks and major basins like the Barotse and Lake Tanganyika. Many initiatives emphasize gender-responsive approaches and participatory governance to ensure inclusive adaptation.

The document analyzes the 2026 review of the IMF and World Bank's Low-Income Country Debt Sustainability Framework (LIC-DSF). While acknowledging improvements in domestic debt treatment and country heterogeneity, it argues that the framework fails to conceptually separate public debt sustainability from external sustainability. The authors recommend a 'two-instrument approach' where the LIC-DSF serves as a public DSA and is complemented by a dedicated external DSA to better inform borrowing, fiscal rules, and debt restructuring decisions.

The report argues that India's rural electrification must shift from simple access to improving reliability and quality through distributed renewable energy (DRE). While centralized projects are essential for national targets, DRE can address last-mile constraints. The authors develop a 'Model DRE Village Framework' that uses load typologies—such as agriculture-dominant versus residential-dominant—to determine system sizing, storage needs, and grid integration. Through techno-economic modelling in Hiware Bazar (Maharashtra) and Bamun Sualkuchi (Assam), the study demonstrates that solarization is generally cost-competitive compared to average power purchase costs (APPC), though battery energy storage systems (BESS) require careful sizing to remain affordable. The framework emphasizes a co-implementation model where distribution companies (DISCOMs) lead technical planning and ownership, while Gram Panchayats manage community governance and onboarding.

The report examines how natural infrastructure, such as wetlands and small naturalized dams, can be optimized to improve water quality in the Canadian Prairies. Using data from the De Salaberry project (2019-2023), the authors demonstrate that hydraulic retention time is the primary driver of phosphorus reduction. They argue that standard design practices, which prioritize flood mitigation, often overlook quantifiable water quality benefits. The document recommends integrating dynamic treatment models into planning to target phosphorus hotspots and optimize outlet structures to increase the time water remains stored before release.

The report analyzes three carbon price scenarios for Canada's industrial sector: a flat price (CAD 130/t), a low price (rising to CAD 230/t), and a high price (rising to CAD 380/t by 2040). It finds that a high-price trajectory significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and stimulates clean investment with minimal impact on GDP growth. The authors recommend adopting a strong national price trajectory, differentiating performance standard tightening rates based on sectoral competitiveness risks—specifically tightening faster for oil and gas—and implementing complementary policies such as a green industrial strategy and the removal of fossil fuel subsidies.

The document details the global lithium landscape, highlighting the dominance of Australia, Chile, and China in mining and refining. It analyzes the shift in demand toward battery manufacturing, which now accounts for 87% of total lithium use, and examines the technical pathways for extraction, including brine-based, hard-rock, and emerging clay-based methods. The report also addresses geopolitical risks, such as export bans in Zimbabwe, and environmental concerns, specifically water scarcity in producing regions and the GHG emissions intensity of different processing routes.

Chile's mining sector, dominated by copper and lithium, contributes up to 14% of the national GDP and 58% of total exports. While the country is a global leader in copper production via the state-owned Codelco, it faces significant environmental challenges, particularly extreme water scarcity in the Antofagasta region where mining accounts for 50%–65% of regional water withdrawals. The sector is increasingly relying on desalination to meet demand. Socially, women's participation in the mining workforce remains low at 10%. Economically, Chile is pursuing a National Lithium Strategy to increase domestic value addition and public partnerships, while maintaining strong export ties, particularly with China.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo's economy is heavily reliant on mining, particularly copper and cobalt, which generate over 90% of mining revenues. While the country possesses vast hydropower potential, electricity access remains limited to 19% of the population. The sector is characterized by a mix of large-scale mining and significant artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), the latter of which is linked to conflict minerals (3TG) in the east. Infrastructure development is currently focused on strategic corridors like the Lobito Corridor and the TAZARA rehabilitation to improve export logistics.

The study finds that Canadian municipalities spend millions annually managing single-use plastic (SUP) waste, though specific costs are often undertracked. Plastics comprise approximately 15% of both garbage and recycling streams by weight. The report highlights significant data gaps for items like vaping devices and tampon applicators, which are frequently found in wastewater screenings but rarely in solid waste audits. Environmental analysis shows cigarette butts are the most abundant SUP by count, while bottles and cups dominate by mass. A critical economic finding is the potential risk to Canadian agriculture, where microplastic pollution could lead to annual crop production value losses between CAD 0.5 and 2.16 billion. To address these issues, the authors developed a Plastic Waste Cost Calculator for local authorities and recommend transitioning to volumetric waste measurements and establishing a universal flushability standard for wipes.

The study evaluates the financial and environmental burden of eight common single-use plastics in Canada. It finds a significant lack of consistent data across municipalities, with costs often underestimated because they are based on weight rather than the high volume these plastics occupy. The report highlights that cigarette butts are the most frequent litter item, while plastic bottles and cups generate substantial management costs. It also estimates that microplastic pollution could risk between 0.5 and 2.16 billion CAD annually in Canadian agricultural production for wheat and corn. To address these gaps, the authors developed a 'Plastic Waste Cost Calculator' tool for local authorities and recommend shifting toward volumetric waste measurement and standardized data collection.

The paper proposes a six-step intersectional framework for climate risk assessments (CRAs) to move beyond general geographic or sectoral analysis. It emphasizes identifying 'intersecting systems of inequity'—such as racism, ableism, and patriarchy—to understand why specific groups face disproportionate or unique climate impacts. The framework is currently being tested through action research in Nepal and South Africa.

The Nature-Based Solutions Inventory for Zimbabwe documents 10 NbS for adaptation projects across five regions, focusing on ecological restoration, livelihood resilience, and inclusive governance. Key interventions include reforestation, wetland rehabilitation, and climate-smart agriculture to combat risks such as prolonged droughts, flooding, and habitat loss. The inventory highlights a strong concentration of projects in the Southern region and emphasizes the integration of traditional knowledge and gender-responsive approaches to ensure equitable benefits for vulnerable populations.

The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) transitioned from a reporting-only phase to a definitive period on January 1, 2026, introducing financial liabilities for importers of iron, steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, electricity, and hydrogen. Exporters must now provide verified actual emissions data to avoid high default values, which include annual markups of +10% in 2026, +20% in 2027, and +30% from 2028 onward. Financial liability is calculated based on embedded emissions, adjusted by a Free Allocation Adjustment (FAA) that phases out by 2034, and monetized through CBAM certificates linked to EU ETS prices. The guide emphasizes that verified actual emissions and documentation of carbon prices paid in the country of origin are critical for maintaining competitiveness and reducing costs.

The report argues that while mining companies are increasingly adopting renewable energy for operational decarbonization, these investments should be leveraged through policy to benefit host communities. It provides a framework for integrating renewable energy into local content policies, emphasizing shared infrastructure, skills development, and long-term planning for post-closure transitions to ensure sustainable local development.

The report analyzes the transition from traditional input subsidies to sustainable public support for agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa. It argues that while inorganic fertilizer subsidies provide short-term yield gains, they often lead to soil degradation, fiscal strain, and inequitable access. Through case studies in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia, the document demonstrates that integrating soil health management, utilizing digital eVoucher systems for better targeting, and aligning subsidies with broader land tenure and market reforms are essential for long-term food system resilience.

The document provides a framework for education ministries to integrate their sector into the national adaptation plan (NAP) process. It argues that because the education sector is both highly vulnerable to climate change and essential for community resilience, it must coordinate with climate actors to align sector plans with national commitments and secure adaptation financing.

The report analyzes the use of local content requirements (LCRs) in EU public procurement, which accounts for approximately 15% of GDP and 11% of greenhouse gas emissions. It argues that while LCRs can create lead markets for low-carbon products in sectors like steel and cement, they risk increasing costs and trade tensions if not paired with ambitious environmental standards. The document evaluates LCR applications in India, Canada, and China to provide recommendations for the Industrial Accelerator Act and the future EU Public Procurement Act.

The report assesses the ESG practices of Chinese companies in the critical minerals sector, noting that while there has been progress in risk management and due diligence, significant gaps persist when compared to international benchmarks. Using Indonesia's nickel industry as a case study, it argues that aligning Chinese standards with global frameworks is essential for supply chain credibility and market access. The document recommends that the Chinese government accelerate the alignment of mining ESG standards with global benchmarks, introduce financial incentives for verifiable ESG performance, and establish bilateral technical cooperation and research centres in resource-rich countries.