Climatelinks January 2022 Newsletter Recap
Did you miss the Climatelinks January newsletter? We’ve got you covered. Please find a recap of the January 2022 ‘Regional Approaches to Climate & Development’ theme below. You won’t want to miss this short list of top programs, resources, and blogs from the month. Do you want to contribute to the Climatelinks community? Send us a resource, blog, or event.
Climate change impacts each region of the world in unique ways and, as such, requires tailored programs and solutions for adapting to and mitigating the challenges of a changing climate. USAID leads many efforts that aim to find solutions to difficulties faced by local climate and development practitioners. While the threats posed by climate change may be daunting, USAID programs are rising to the challenge. In this newsletter, explore and learn from USAID’s efforts to address regional impacts of climate change, which can help inform global climate solutions.
Fresh Blogs:
Editor’s Pick: Regional Approaches to Climate Change - Part 1
This blog is the first part in an Editor’s Pick Series highlighting USAID’s regional approaches to climate and development. The first part of the series features Climatelinks blogs that reflect regional successes, and the second part will feature resources and projects with a regional focus. In this blog, explore how USAID’s programs are rising to the challenge of regional climate threats through a number of activities and initiatives.
Renewable Energy Auctions Support Colombia’s Climate Targets
A circular economy for renewable energy can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pressure on natural resources, chart innovative pathways to net-zero economies, create much-needed sustainable economic growth and jobs, and reduce supply chain risk. USAID’s Scaling Up Renewable Energy (SURE) program produced an opportunities assessment to better understand the applications of the circular economy framework in renewable energy.
A Catalyst for Climate Finance and Action in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean
USAID investments in reducing the risks and impacts of climate change—through increasing community resilience, building regional climate science capacity, or providing meteorological equipment—are vital for the countries of the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Ideally these investments, including the Climate Change Adaptation Program, can also have tremendous knock-on effects, encouraging the formation of additional partnerships with the private sector and other donors, and therefore increasing overall investment.
New Resources:
Clean Energy and the Circular Economy: Opportunities for Increasing the Sustainability of Renewable Energy Value Chains
Transforming how we produce, transport, and consume energy is imperative to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by 2050. For renewable energy to be a truly clean power source, solar, wind, and battery equipment must be manufactured, deployed, and decommissioned in a responsible, safe, and sustainable way. A circular economy for renewable equipment can create a lower-emission supply chain for materials, reduce waste, and ensure that communities optimally benefit from the transition to a clean energy economy.
Agriculture's Footprint: Designing Investment in Agricultural Landscapes to Mitigate Tropical Forest Impacts
This working paper summarizes current knowledge concerning the relationship between investment in agriculture and the conversion of forest lands. It describes approaches to agricultural production that can reduce the likelihood of agricultural investment resulting in the conversion of forest land. It presents the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of these approaches in different contexts and under different conditions while also describing actions to strengthen systems of governance to reduce the likelihood of deforestation.
An Evaluation of Evidence for Efficacy and Applicability of Methane Inhibiting Feed Additives for Livestock
The inclusion of feed additives in livestock diets or supplements is a routine global nutritional management practice. Consequently, the existing commercial feed additive marketing and delivery pathways will be able to deliver rapid market penetration of feed additives specifically developed to reduce enteric methane emissions. So, the delivery path is clear, but are the methane mitigating additives available, effective, and are there any constraints or risks associated with their use? To answer these questions an assessment of the ten leading classes of compounds being studied for methane mitigation efficacy in ruminants was made. The assessment is provided as a concise resource that can serve as an evidence base to guide investment and management decisions by all actors in the livestock additive supply chain.
Climate Risk Management Spotlight:
How You Can Build Your Skills to Combat Climate Change
The scale of the climate crisis can feel overwhelming. Wondering how you can help? We pulled together our top tools and trainings for addressing climate change through development work.
Sophie Schrader
Sophie Schrader is a communications coordinator for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s International Partnerships. Previously, Sophie supported USAID communications through the Sharing Environment and Energy Knowledge (SEEK) and Advancing Capacity for the Environment (ACE) programs, including as the Content and Social Media Manager for Climatelinks under SEEK. Sophie holds a B.A. in Sociology and Studio Art from The College of Wooster and completed a thesis focused on the real life impact of hashtags utilized in digital movements.
