Blended finance is a strategic approach that combines public and private funding to mobilize private capital flows towards emerging and frontier markets. It aims to attract commercial capital to projects that benefit society while providing financial returns to investors. This approach is particularly useful in situations where private investments are not commercially viable due to high risks or n...

The air quality in Upper Northern Thailand (UNT) deteriorates during seasonal vegetation fire events, causing adverse effects especially on respiratory health outcomes. This study aimed to quantitatively estimate respiratory morbidity from vegetation fire smoke exposure, and to assess the impact of a burning ban enforced in 2016 on morbidity burden in UNT. We computed daily population exposure to ...

Steps and tools provided in the Program Design and Performance Management (PD/PM) Toolkit can be applied to new and ongoing State Department programs, projects, and processes across diplomatic engagement, administration, and foreign assistance. This Toolkit is designed to be applicable to all bureaus, offices, and posts and the templates can be customized to fit your needs.The PD/PM Toolkit will h...

Throughout Belize, Indigenous Maya farmers commonly practise a form of agriculture referred to as milpa in which fire is used to clear fields and fertilize the soil. Within this system, small areas of forest are chopped down, burned, and planted with maize, beans, squash and other crops. After being cultivated for a year or two, the field is then left fallow and allowed to regenerate back to fores...

This toolkit provides practical guidance for the development and continuous improvement of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems for national adaptation plan (NAP) processes.It is informed by lessons learned from countries around the globe that either already implement or are developing MEL systems as part of their NAP processes. Illustrative practical examples are embedded throughout...

Blended finance is an innovative approach to development financing that strategically combines public, philanthropic, and private capital to fund sustainable development initiatives, particularly in low income and developing countries. The OECD defines it as "the strategic use of development finance for the mobilisation of additional finance towards sustainable development in developing countries....

The harmonization of energy standards is an endeavour that aims to ensure consistent and high-quality energy production, transmission and use across different regions. As the demand for biofuels continues to grow, it becomes increasingly possible to establish internationally compatible standards to facilitate trade and promote high-quality and sustainable energy.Efforts to harmonize biofuel qualit...

Capacity development and environmental sustainability are both central to UNDP’s mandate and programming.The purpose of this Practitioner’s Guide is to provide practical guidance to UNDP staff, partner countriesand other development partners on the nature of environmental capacity and how to support capacitydevelopment for environmental sustainability (CDES). ...

The Federal Renewable Energy Certificate Guide provides basic information for Federal staff who are new to the concept of renewable energy and renewable energy certificates (RECs), and are seeking to better understand the options for using RECs to meet Federal renewable energy targets. Section 3(c) of Executive Order (E.O.) 13693 calls for agencies to obtain at least 30 percent of their electricit...

Air pollution is a major cause of premature mortality globally and the problem is particularly acute in rapidly developing countries like India. Crop residue burning contributes substantially to this problem. Currently, 80 percent of agriculture in Northwest India uses a rice-wheat production system dependent on burning rice residue. New crop residue management systems are needed to drive a profit...