Category: Uncategorized

The recent horizon scan led by William J. Sutherland highlights emerging developments that could shape biodiversity outcomes over the next decade, focusing on issues spanning technology, climate, biology, and finance. The scan aims to improve preparedness before change becomes costly, addressing the imbalance of focusing on visible damage in conservation debates. It discusses various emerging threats and shifts related to climate change, such as the environmental impacts of fiber-optic drones and climate-driven changes in global soils and ocean productivity. By drawing attention to potential shifts and issues before they become visible and costly, conservation can move away from reactive responses, ultimately saving time and resources in the field of conservation.

https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/15-forces-that-could-reshape-conservation-in-the-next-10-years/

Kristina Maria Gjerde, a dedicated advocate for ocean protection, played a crucial role in the negotiation and adoption of the 2023 UN Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (the High Seas Treaty). Over the course of two decades, she worked tirelessly to build coalitions and alliances to address the protection of biodiversity on the high seas. Gjerde's focus sharpened as industrial activities threatened deep-sea ecosystems, emphasizing the need for monitoring and evaluation to avoid significant harm. Her fluency across different domains and enduring commitment to ocean conservation made her a respected figure in the field, reflecting a long-term commitment to climate solutions and governance improvements in the international marine law arena.

https://news.mongabay.com/2025/12/kristina-maria-gjerde/

The biggest roadblock to the energy transition is uncertainty, not technology or finance. Traditional forecasting tools are no longer sufficient in the dynamic energy sector. Scenario modeling is crucial for exploring different future outcomes and making strategic decisions. It helps identify blind spots, biases, and dealbreakers in investments. Scenario models reveal what might happen and how we can respond, moving us from forecasts to foresight in the energy transition. Scenario modeling and forecasting are essential tools for governments, utilities, and investors to plan for the clean energy transition. By using these models, stakeholders can simulate different scenarios to identify optimal strategies for integrating renewable projects, managing demand, and ensuring reliability. While these models have limitations, they provide a framework for aligning stakeholders and shaping a just and equitable future. The focus is on asking better questions and exploring multiple futures before committing to one, rather than chasing correct answers. Ultimately, foresight and scenario planning empower communities to take ownership of their future and drive a clean, fair, and equitable transition. The key to addressing climate change is to shift from autopilot mode to collective, proactive action. This involves shaping a clean, fair, and equitable transition towards sustainable solutions. By working together and taking deliberate steps, we can make a positive impact on the environment. It is essential to focus on implementing climate solutions to combat the challenges we face.

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/scenario-modeling-clean-energy-transition/805749/

A new study published in Nature Climate Change by researchers from UC San Diego and Princeton University shows that a combination of subsidies for clean energy and taxes on pollution can effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The study's economic models demonstrate that these policies can drive rapid adoption of cleaner technologies in the near term. The research emphasizes the importance of both financial incentives and penalties for polluters in combating climate change, shedding light on effective climate policy discussions. This highlights the need for comprehensive approaches to address the issue and underscores the significance of implementing a mix of policies to achieve significant emissions reductions.

https://www.enn.com/articles/77616-how-climate-policies-that-incentivize-and-penalize-can-drive-the-clean-energy-transition

In 2025, the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) made significant progress in promoting climate-resilient infrastructure design, elevating local leadership, and engaging youth in climate adaptation action globally. The GCA focused on scaling political momentum, finance, and practical solutions to build resilient economies, with a particular emphasis on food security and rural well-being. The year ended with political momentum, financial commitments, and technical innovations to expand adaptation solutions, setting the stage for accelerated implementation in 2026. The focus for the future is to support resilient food systems, urban infrastructure, and bring adaptation to every community in need, emphasizing that resilience is a choice built day by day, investment by investment, and community by community.

https://gca.org/how-adaptation-moved-from-vision-to-delivery-in-2025/

Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President, emphasizes the urgency of accelerating climate action and introduces the Baku Finance Goal to increase support for developing countries. The Baku-to-Belém Roadmap, aiming for $1.3 trillion, engages non-traditional actors and offers practical steps for implementation, addressing challenges like data gaps and continuity in climate efforts. Countries have embraced this collaborative approach, signaling a shift towards more innovative solutions in climate finance. Donors, especially developed nations, are urged to meet financial commitments, with a focus on accountability and innovative strategies to secure $300 billion annually by 2035 for climate finance. The Roadmap is seen as a potential model for enhancing the COP process and driving tangible progress in addressing climate change.

https://www.climatechangenews.com/2025/12/16/from-baku-to-belem-and-beyond-how-we-turn-a-climate-finance-roadmap-into-reality/

The Global South House was formed to address the imbalance in global financial flows towards climate action, nature, and people in the global South. It aims to ensure that more resources reach local actors, especially Indigenous Peoples, traditional communities, youth-led initiatives, and gender-focused agendas. The members of the Global South House are locally rooted funds that operate from the ground up, with democratic, accessible, and transparent funding mechanisms. These funds prioritize proximity to communities, allowing for rapid response mechanisms and building trust with marginalized groups most affected by climate impacts. The funds prioritize community involvement and decision-making in resource allocation, with transparent governance models to reduce risks and costs for funders. They focus on intersectional and community-driven monitoring and learning systems, aiming to redistribute power to communities and strengthen autonomy for systemic change.

https://www.iied.org/interview-putting-global-south-communities-centre-climate-nature-funding-conversations

The En-ROADS Climate Ambassador Camp 2025 brought together over 1,300 participants from 130 countries to learn about effective climate action. Participants dedicated 13,800 hours to building expertise with the En-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator, exploring topics like climate dynamics and different climate solutions. The camp included interactive sessions, roleplaying experiences, and breakout rooms for discussion and idea exchange. Many participants are already leading climate events in their communities and working towards becoming certified Climate Ambassadors. The training was described as energizing and eye-opening, expanding understanding of climate solutions and boosting confidence in using the En-ROADS Simulator.

https://www.climateinteractive.org/blog/en-roads-climate-ambassador-camp-2025-a-month-of-learning-and-leadership/