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The COVID-19 pandemic is having a major impact on conservation policies and practice at multiple scales, including protected and conserved areas (PCAs). There is a need to understand the implications for PCAs of recent actions, enacted or promoted in the wake of COVID-19. To fill this knowledge gap, we reviewed economic stimulus packages and other government policies that were implemented or advanced between January and October 2020. We identified positive examples of support for PCAs in economic recovery packages (in 17 countries) and instances where commitments made before 2020 to scale up environmental protections were advanced (in 22 countries), but also rollbacks of protection measures (64 cases in 22 countries).

Comprehensive, spatially explicit data that include regulatory information are essential for evaluating the level of protection that marine protected areas (MPAs) and other marine managed areas (MMAs) provide to marine life, and to inform progress towards ocean protection targets

Currently, reduction of environmental e ects of the cement industry is an issue of global interest and one of the alternatives is to replace clinker with additions such as volcanic powder. The purpose of this work is to study the influence of up to 400 hardening days of volcanic powder, obtained from the last eruption of the Calbuco volcano (Chile), on the pore structure, mechanical performance, and durability-related properties of mortars which incorporate up to 20% volcanic powder as a substitution for clinker. In addition, an evaluation of greenhouse gases emissions was performed in order to quantify the possible environmental benefits of incorporating the volcanic powder in the mortars. The results obtained indicated that mortars with contents of 10% and 20% of volcanic powder had adequate service properties and improved all durability-related properties overall as compared with those noted for ordinary Portland cement. Additionally, the use of up to 20% volcanic powder makes it possible to reduce the CO2 emissions of mortars by almost 20%, demonstrating the advantages of incorporating this addition in mortars.

For the Pacific islands, communtiy-based adaptation activities are crucial and yet it remains uncertain whether they are effectively promoting long-term adaptive capacity.

A major driver of global biodiversity loss is disease. One of the most devastating wildlife diseases known is chytridimycosis, which is caused by amphibian chytrid fungus.

Formal and semi-formal networks are emerging as effective, collaborative, and adaptable approaches for addressing complex, rapidly evolving ocean governance issues. One such group of networks, which we refer to as marine-related learning networks, play multifaceted roles within ocean governance systems by facilitating knowledge creation, exchange, and dissemination, and by building the capacity of individuals and institutions to address problems and improve coastal and ocean governance.

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a global problem that requires cooperation from a wide range of groups (e.g., governments, producers, consumers, researchers, civil society). However, by virtue of their core regulatory powers, governments have a critical role to play in helping to solve this problem. This study aims to synthesize the policy response of governments to the global plastic pollution problem, as a basis for more rigorous monitoring of progress (as called for in Resolution 4/6 of the 2019 United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) meeting) and to inform future public policies.

Asian Development Bank. ADB supports the Federated States of Micronesia’s Action Plan 2023 by prioritizing investments in energy, water supply and sanitation, and basic education; and providing technical assistance that supports public administration reforms.

Asian Development Bank member fact sheet. ADB assistance to the Cook Islands focuses on increasing electricity generation from renewable energy sources, improving internet connectivity, enhancing information and communication technology, and strengthening resilience to natural disasters

Asian Development Bank member fact sheet. ADB is working to promote renewable energy sources, shore up energy security, raise educational standards, strengthen public financial management, and improve governance in the Marshall Islands.