With global population increasingly concentrating in urban areas, cities are driving national economic growth, while also grappling with challenges such as inequalities, affordable housing shortages, extreme weather events, pollution, and loss of green space. National Urban Policies (NUPs) can play a key role in managing these challenges and unlocking the …
The lack of global standards, guidelines and codes for geothermal energy project increases the uncertainty with the compatibility and risks associated with geothermal energy development. The joint report from IRENA, the International Geothermal Association (IGA) and the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Program (ESMAP), supported by United Nations Economic Commission …
New research reveals how traffickers are robbing the world’s most wildlife-rich region of its natural wealth. Mexico, Brazil and Colombia see the highest number of wildlife trafficking instances in aviation according to the data, often to supply countries less commonly associated with illegal wildlife trade, including the Netherlands, Germany and …
The Accomplishment Report provides an overview of the main achievements of the project “Addressing Water Security: Climate Impacts and Adaptation Responses in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean”, implemented from 2014 to 2020 by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) with the support from the Flanders Fund-in-Trust (FUST) for the …
Energy storage can bring many benefits to electricity systems, including enhanced grid reliability, efficiency, and flexibility. It will also be a key enabler of mass decarbonization and climate change mitigation, facilitating the expansion of variable renewable energy sources such as wind and solar while ensuring grid security. However, energy storage …
The COVID-19 pandemic is having far-reaching impacts on how people earn a living and meet critical needs. The Caribbean COVID-19 Food Security and Livelihoods Impact Survey was launched by CARICOM to rapidly gather data on impacts to livelihoods, food security and access to markets.
The Latin American and Caribbean region is highly vulnerable to climate change. Historically, the region has adopted an “adaptation first” posture. The regions early adoption and implementation of the Paris Agreements Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) framework also led to some ambitious decarbonization plans, as well as to considerable advances in …
Deforestation rates are significantly lower in Indigenous and Tribal territories where governments have formally recognized collective land rights, according to a new report. Jointly published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the …
The increasingly severe impacts of cyclones, floods and drought in the Eastern Caribbean necessitates a rethink in the way OECS member states prepare for disasters and build longer-term resilience. Preparedness plans are typically out of date and disaster risk management agencies have limited resources. As a result, actions taken when …
This report shows that the transformation needed to meet the Paris Agreement goals and reach net zero emissions by mid-century can be largely driven by the coupled decarbonization of the power and the transport sectors. A joint transition in both areas would not only contribute to drastically reduce emissions but …
Measuring progress compiles data and information about the environmental aspects of each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their status in Latin America and the Caribbean. The publication is based on the regional performance assessed through the 88 SDG indicators that have a direct relation with environmental issues, …
Agriculture and food systems in Latin America and the Caribbean Region (LAC) are rightfully recognized as among the most successful on the planet: they have fed a fast-growing population, facilitated economic development, enabled urbanization, generated substantial exports, and helped drive down global hunger and poverty. Yet despite these significant contributions, …
The text provides a description, analysis and perspectives of the traditional supply and marketing channels in the face of the pandemic. It identifies its main challenges, the contingency measures adopted by governments and the channels themselves. In addition, it delves into the effects and impacts of the pandemic on these …
The aim of this exploratory paper is to provide some critical perspectives and insights on the role of the private sector in disaster risk reduction, in particular with regards to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recovery process. The Caribbean countries of the Dominican Republic, Saint Lucia, and …
Agri-food production remains vital to the economies in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Food systems are rapidly changing and are driven by income growth, (urban) population growth, shifts in dietary preferences, and agricultural productivity growth. Food systems are also under threat from disrupters like climate change and distorting policies …
Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is the second most disaster-prone region in the world. Some 152 million people have been affected by 1,205 disasters (2000-2019). Although many hazards are cyclical in nature, the hazards most likely to trigger a major humanitarian response in the region are sudden onset hazards …
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) finances innovative projects to expand sustainable energy access as part of a joint initiative with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). ADFD committed USD 350 million to support renewable energy uptake in developing countries through seven annual selection and funding cycles starting in …
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) issued a report titled, ‘Children Uprooted in the Caribbean: How Stronger Hurricanes Linked to a Changing Climate are Driving Child Displacement,’ which takes stock of the links between a changing climate, extreme weather events and forced displacement of children and families in the 29 Caribbean …
Gender equality is one of the most important elements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that guide the work of all the institutions of the United Nations system. As recognized by SDG 5 (achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls), gender equality is not only a fundamental human …
The Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-Caribbean) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) have issued a handbook that provides guidance on monitoring progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal on clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) in the Caribbean region. The production of the handbook is part of the GWP’s broader …
A New World Bank report examines how marine pollution in the Caribbean threatens the region’s resilience to climate change. The report calls for urgent actions to restore damaged ecosystems and protect the Caribbean’s marine resources, a key source of food, livelihoods and jobs to millions of people dependent on tourism, …
