Climate : Divergent views over fulfilment of USD 100 billion finance target (PRIV)
(TWN, Penang)
A rich exchange, with diverging views over climate finance, took place at an informal heads of delegation event held on 2 December, as part of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change initiated "Climate Dialogues", convened virtually from 23 November-4 December.

Environment : Nature-based solutions or nature-based seductions? (PRIV)
(Doreen Stabinsky, Bar Harbor)
"Nature-based solutions" (NbS) is a widely used but vaguely defined term. It means a range of things to different people, including many positive actions and approaches, such as agroecology and ecosystem restoration.

United Nations : A UN power monopoly that cries out for a break (PRIV)
(IPS, New York)
Will the four strong contenders for permanent seats in the UN Security Council (UNSC) - Germany, India, Japan and Brazil - help break the monopoly now being held by the big five, namely the US, UK, France, China and Russia?