Search Climate Insights Directory

The document advocates for using the US Farm Bill to transition toward a sustainable food system that achieves net zero emissions in agriculture by 2040 and halts habitat conversion. It emphasizes the link between sustainable agriculture and human health, noting that 38 million individuals lived in food-insecure households in 2020. Key recommendations include protecting Inflation Reduction Act conservation funding, scaling up regenerative agriculture, reducing the 40% of food loss and waste, and improving data collection for climate and nature outcomes.

The document argues that the Open Government Partnership (OGP) is an underutilized platform for conservationists to drive transparency, participation, and accountability in natural resource governance. It provides three specific templates for creating OGP commitments: beneficial ownership transparency to combat deforestation, openness and integrity in wildlife law enforcement, and participatory governance for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The guide emphasizes that these reforms help prevent 'open washing' by using multi-stakeholder forums and independent reporting to track government progress.

The document argues that conservationists have underutilized the Open Government Partnership (OGP) as a platform for achieving conservation priorities. It provides three specific templates for OGP commitments: beneficial ownership transparency to reduce deforestation, integrity in wildlife law enforcement, and participatory governance for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The guide explains how to identify problems, propose solutions, and define verifiable results within the OGP's multisectoral forum and independent review mechanism.

The document advocates for using internal controls—policies, procedures, and practices—to reduce corruption risks in illegal wildlife trade (IWT) enforcement. It highlights a gap where existing government internal control units often focus on financial accounting but neglect wildlife and natural resource management. Drawing on a three-country study in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, the briefing outlines a five-component framework (control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring) to move from aspirational goals to practical accountability. It provides practitioners with guidance on leveraging existing national audit systems, improving the valuation of natural resources for legal proceedings, and implementing technological solutions like smart patrol systems to close the 'implementation gap' in IWT enforcement.

The 2022 baseline assessment by WWF reveals that most asset managers fail to address seafood-related E&S risks, with an average score of 13% across 38 sub-indicators. While many acknowledge biodiversity risks generally, very few have actionable policies or specific expectations for seafood investee companies. The report recommends that asset managers formalize biodiversity risk statements into policies, regularly review seafood investments against sustainable blue economy principles, and develop SMART sustainability targets.

The report assesses gender gaps in Colombia, specifically within rural and indigenous communities, to inform the Heritage Colombia (HECO) program's efforts in climate-responsive planning and forest management. It identifies significant disparities in land tenure, labor participation, and the burden of unpaid care work, while highlighting the risks of gender-based violence against environmental leaders. The document outlines a Gender Action Plan across three project components: strengthening governance, establishing participatory monitoring systems, and improving land and forest management, with specific targets for women's participation and the integration of gender-responsive indicators.

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Biological Corridor 07 (BC-07) in Bhutan outlines the mitigation strategies for the construction of a Divisional Forest Office in Mongar and the development of a golden mahseer fly fishing ecotourism site at Yangbari. The document provides a baseline of the area's biodiversity, including 307 plant species and 276 bird species, and details the socio-economic conditions of 193 resident households. It specifies mitigation measures for waste, dust, noise, and worker safety, ensuring compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP). Implementation is managed by the BFL focal person in the Mongar Division, with a total project budget of Nu. 14,200,000.

The ESMP for Biological Corridor 06 (BC6) in Bhutan outlines the environmental and social safeguards for two primary activities: the maintenance of the Forest Beat Office at Kangpara and the extension of an eco-friendly sanitary landfill at Gurkachemma/Deythro. The document provides a baseline of the corridor's biodiversity, which includes 485 plant species and 24 mammal species, and sets out mitigation measures for construction waste and worker safety. Implementation is managed by BFL focal persons and contractors, with monitoring conducted through field visits and reports to the BFL Fund Secretariat.

The ESMP outlines the environmental and social safeguards for the Bhutan for Life (BFL) project's activities from January 2023 to June 2024. Key planned activities include the establishment of a cane and bamboo enterprise in Mongar, the creation of 51.97 hectares of new plantations, the maintenance of 39.47 hectares of existing plantations, and the creation of 36.23 hectares of habitat enrichment plantations. The plan identifies potential risks such as construction waste, noise pollution, and the introduction of invasive species, providing specific mitigation measures and monitoring arrangements. Implementation is led by Green Bhutan Corporation Limited (GBCL) under the supervision of the Department of Forest and Park Services (DoFPS).

The ESMP for Phrumsengla National Park (PNP) outlines the environmental and social safeguards for project activities between January 2023 and June 2024. The primary activity is a Nu. 400,000 bamboo plantation project in the Yumchey and Pam areas of Jaray Gewog, designed to mitigate flash floods and stabilize soil. The plan identifies minor risks, including the introduction of invasive species and occupational health and safety concerns, and prescribes mitigation measures such as using only native deep-rooted species and providing first aid and fair working conditions. Implementation is managed by the BFL focal person in PNP, with monitoring conducted through field visits and reports. The document also includes comprehensive Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards for workers, covering facility design, personal protective equipment, and accommodation.

The ESMP outlines the environmental and social safeguards for the installation of two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Bhutan. It identifies potential risks such as construction waste, noise pollution, and worker safety, and provides specific mitigation measures and monitoring arrangements to ensure compliance with both Bhutanese law and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP).

The ESMP outlines mitigation strategies for three primary activities in the Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve: alpine meadow restoration, the construction of two reservoir tanks in the Thangdokha Watershed, and bio-engineering works at water sources. It identifies potential risks such as forest fires, masonry waste, and occupational health and safety hazards, providing specific mitigation measures and monitoring arrangements to ensure compliance with Bhutanese law and WWF safeguards.

The ESMP for Royal Manas National Park outlines mitigation strategies for seven planned activities, including staff quarter maintenance, river bank protection, and grassland management. It focuses on minimizing waste, ensuring worker health and safety, and preventing wildfires during prescribed burning, while adhering to both Bhutanese law and WWF safeguards.

The ESMP outlines the environmental and social safeguards for constructing a Flood Warning and Cryosphere Research Facility in Lunana, Bhutan, with a budget of Nu. 18,230,000. It identifies minor risks including noise, dust, and waste, and mandates mitigation measures such as site watering and restricted working hours (0700 to 1900). The plan emphasizes compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures, particularly regarding land user compensation and community consultation. It also provides detailed occupational health and safety (OHS) standards for workers, including facility design, personal protective equipment, and accommodation requirements.

The ESMP outlines the implementation of human-wildlife conflict (HWC) mitigation technologies, specifically portable electric fencing and bioacoustics devices, across six districts in Bhutan. It identifies potential environmental risks, such as e-waste and soil disturbance, and social risks related to occupational health and safety. The plan mandates adherence to both Royal Government of Bhutan laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures, with the latter prevailing in cases of discrepancy. Implementation is led by district administrations in collaboration with the National Plant Protection Centre, with a total budget of Nu. 1,598,000 for the specified activities.

The ESMP for Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park (JSWNP) outlines mitigation strategies for four planned activities: improving alpine meadows, maintaining water supply at the Nabji Park Range Office, planting bamboo in landslide-prone areas of Korphu Damde, and constructing a river bank protection wall at Tongtong Maed. The plan integrates Bhutanese national laws with WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP), prioritizing the more stringent WWF standards in cases of discrepancy, particularly regarding compensation for non-title land users and community consultation. The document details specific environmental risks, such as construction waste and invasive species, and social risks, primarily occupational health and safety for workers. It provides a comprehensive framework for implementation, monitoring, and worker welfare standards, with a total activity budget of Nu. 1,450,000.

The ESMP for Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary outlines mitigation strategies for five key activities: restoring alpine meadows, improving lowland grasslands, implementing bioengineering for watershed management, restoring natural saltlicks, and maintaining the Joenkhar Range Office. It integrates Bhutanese national laws with WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP), prioritizing the latter in cases of discrepancy, particularly regarding compensation for non-title land users and community consultation. The plan details specific environmental risks, such as the spread of invasive alien species and waste generation, and mandates strict occupational health and safety (OHS) standards for workers, including the provision of safety gear and standardized living facilities.

WWF-Singapore's 2022 baseline assessment of 41 banks reveals that while over half recognize E&S risks in the seafood sector, only 20% have disclosed specific sector policies. The average score across 34 sub-indicators was 17%, with European banks showing the most robust policies and Asian and North American banks lagging. The report finds that expectations for wild-catch production are the most developed, while aquaculture and downstream requirements are lacking. WWF recommends that banks align policies with UNEP FI Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative guidance, integrate seafood risks into broader thematic policies, and develop targeted 'blue' financial products.

The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS) outlines a series of conservation and infrastructure activities scheduled for 2023-2024. Key initiatives include the restoration of 70 hectares of lowland grasslands through invasive species removal and prescribed burning, the maintenance of a 25 km patrol route, the construction of four water reservoir tanks in Nichula Gewog, and the installation of solar pumps to support wildlife water access. The plan identifies potential risks such as forest fires, waste generation, and occupational health and safety hazards, providing specific mitigation measures and monitoring arrangements to ensure compliance with both Royal Government of Bhutan laws and WWF's Social Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures.

The ESMP focuses on the production of highland honey in Thangza village, Lunana Gewog, between January 2023 and June 2024. While the project anticipates no negative environmental impacts and expects positive biodiversity gains through pollination, it identifies occupational health and safety for bee handlers as a minor social risk. To mitigate this, the plan mandates compliance with BFL health and safety guidelines, regular health screenings, and fair employment practices. Due to the arduous 9-day journey by pony to the site, the program proposes transporting bee colonies by helicopter to ensure bee health and performance. The project is budgeted at Nu. 1,635,000, with monitoring conducted by BFL focal persons and the ESS Focal officer.