CDKN at COP30 As the world’s climate-leadership gathers in Belém, Brazil for COP30, the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and its partners are shaping conversations on adaptation and resilience, placing the knowledge and leadership of the Global South at the centre of resilient solutions to climate adaptation challenges.  This year, CDKN’s in-person participation will be limited, however our partners will be leading and contributing to a range of sessions that highlight how evidence, equity and collaboration can drive global progress on adaptation, resilience and inclusion.

Rethinking climate and biodiversity finance through a rights-based lens When we talk about financing the response to climate change and biodiversity loss, the discussion often turns to numbers; how much is being pledged, how much is being spent, how big the gap remains. But as became clear during a recent Paris Committee on Capacity-building Network (PCCB) webinar, finance is never just about figures. It reflects the choices we make about what, who and, how we value.

FFLA hosts dialogue to reflect on ethics and climate action ahead of COP30 On 16 September, Fundación Futuro Latinoamericano (FFLA), a CDKN partner, convened women leaders, community representatives, activists and conservation groups from across Ecuador to reflect on the ethics of the climate crisis. The dialogue formed part of the Global Ethical Stocktake, contributing to efforts to identify the root causes of the crisis and propose ethical, collaborative solutions ahead of COP30 in Brazil.

Beyond the mitigation-adaptation binary: How funders can embrace the Resilience Continuum For far too long, philanthropy has been approaching intervention on the climate crisis from a series of binaries – adaptation vs mitigation, immediate vs long-term, etc. As we hurtle toward static solutions in the midst of climate devastation and polycrisis, we should be considering what it means to work along Resilience Continuum. This is an abridged version of an article originally published in Alliance Magazine. 

CDKN in Panama for CBD SBSTTA-27 and SB8j-1 meetings CDKN’s Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Thematic Lead, Nadia Sitas, will represent CDKN at multiple events during CBD SBSTTA‑27 and SB‑8j1 in Panama. 

Measuring impact: Kenya’s innovative approach to tracking and reporting climate action impact The following blog by Esperanza Karaho explores Kenya’s new standardised indicator handbook and digital MERL tool to track climate action impact. This collaboration promises stronger transparency, data integration, and more measurable benefits at national and county levels.

Devolving climate finance: Lessons from a Kenya-Nepal peer exchange on locally-led adaptation The following blog by Rahul Singh, Esperanza Karaho and Megh Dhoj Adhikari, explores Kenya’s devolved climate finance model, which empowers local communities to lead climate adaptation planning and implementation. A peer‑exchange led by CDKN enabled Nepalese municipal and provincial representatives to observe Kenya’s approach firsthand, which, if implemented in Nepal could help bridge its local funding gaps.

Gender and social inclusion: Time to stop outsourcing? Gender and social inclusion aren’t optional; they’re the backbone of lasting change. Yet, too often this work is outsourced to external parties. The following blog, by Patricia Bamanyaki and Mairi Dupar, explores how to overcome this challenge. It forms part of a series sharing insights from CDKN’s recent Locally led adaptation learning and reflection workshop.

From flood maps to mind maps: Participatory systems modelling of floods in Limbe, Cameroon  In Limbe, Cameroon, flooding is not just caused by heavy rainfall. Rather from a complex interplay of land-use decisions, poor waste management, weak governance and a lack of infrastructure. Tackling this requires a systems‑thinking approach. The following blog by Dr Lum Sonita Awah, a postdoctoral Fellow at the University of the Free State and an early career research fellow with CDKN, shares how participatory systems modelling can be used to create holistic approaches to flood mitigation and management.

Brokering justice in a changing climate: Amplifying African youth voices as pathways for transformation On this International Youth Day, we celebrate African youth across the continent that are stepping forward to advocate for transformative climate justice through storytelling, creative media, and community-led projects. From mental health awareness in Ghana to Indigenous gardening in South Africa and eco-feminist art in Uganda, these 12 young leaders are helping reshape policy, culture, and practice. The following blog, authored by Zizipho Royi and Nadia Sitas, demonstrates that resilient and equitable climate futures become possible when youth are treated as active agents of change.

Challenges of climate change adaptation: Insights from vulnerability assessments of Dhulikhel and Karjanha Municipalities in Nepal The following blog, by Manju Adhikari and Rahul Singh of CDKN Asia, highlights Nepal’s significant vulnerability to climate change.Vulnerability assessments highlight that impact is disproportionately felt by those facing marginalisation. As a result, localised adaptation plans need to address both climate hazards and the needs of marginalised groups.

Integrating Indigenous knowledge into environmental policies for sustainable forest management in Benin This blog, written by Ferdinand Ayimasse, Esdras Obossou and Edmond Totin, highlights SURVIE NGO’s collaborative project in southern Benin, where Indigenous knowledge from sacred forest traditions is being integrated into national biodiversity policy through multi‑stakeholder co‑production dialogues. By engaging traditional leaders, government bodies, NGOs, and local communities, the initiative aims to bridge cultural and institutional gaps, advocating for legal frameworks, public awareness, and co-governance models to sustainably protect forests and cultural heritage.