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The document highlights the effectiveness of community-based organisations (CBOs) in implementing sustainable agricultural practices through local trust and social proofing. It uses the example of Itanya Africa Group's vertical garden project to show how leveraging community influencers can overcome resistance to new methods. However, it notes that CBOs face a significant funding gap as major institutions often prefer larger NGOs, which limits the scale and speed of local interventions. The text calls for prioritising financial support for CBOs to scale models for food security and regenerative agriculture.

The project transformed Terminal Binjai from an inefficient, inaccessible transit hub into a safe, inclusive node for green mobility through a participatory process. Key interventions included a design competition involving university students and residents, 'transect walks' to identify pain points, and the implementation of low-cost 'tactical urbanism' upgrades. These changes resulted in improved lighting, accessible pathways, and weather-protected shelters, complemented by the addition of 30 new buses to the bus rapid transit (BRT) system. The project's methodology has been codified into a Digital Mapping Toolkit to support equitable urban transport planning in other cities globally.

The 'Cities in Transition' research argues that meeting emissions targets requires more than transitioning to renewables; it necessitates a reduction in total energy demand through urban planning. Using the city of Winnipeg as a focus, the study employs the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology to show that compact, walkable, and mixed-use infill development reduces emissions and municipal infrastructure costs compared to car-oriented sprawl. The research identifies three primary barriers to this transition: NIMBY opposition to infill, outdated governance models, and the high financial costs associated with urban sprawl.

SoffitDuct is a lightweight, prefabricated HVAC ductwork system designed to replace invasive site-built soffits in multifamily retrofits. Demonstrated at the Corona Del Rey apartments in California, the system uses foil-faced foam to provide a 'finish-ready' exterior that can be painted, reducing contractor time and duct leakage. While the project identified challenges in passing through structural wall framing, it estimates that the solution is applicable to 6.3 million residential units (45%) in California, excluding studios, one-bedroom units, and single-story homes with attics.

The Natur'ELLES project in Senegal addresses fisheries challenges like overfishing and habitat loss by empowering women through data access, education, and leadership training. The project utilizes tools such as the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) analysis tool and a Google Earth Engine Mangrove Mapping app to monitor mangrove health and support nature-based infrastructure. Specific initiatives include 'mangrove platforms' for stakeholder dialogue, literacy classes for women, and a feminist leadership program to increase women's participation in natural resource decision-making, particularly in the Sine Saloum and Casamance deltas.

ACT Climate Labs partnered with Climate Catalyst and Walnut Unlimited to conduct research on communication strategies for aviation's climate impact. The project aimed to identify specific narratives and frames that would resonate with the general public and 'hard-to-reach audiences' to build support for climate action policies targeting the aviation sector.

Die Linke conducted over 600,000 doorstep conversations before a snap election using deep canvassing techniques, such as the "70% listening / 30% talking rule," to engage voters who feel alienated from the political system. The campaign relied heavily on volunteers from climate, housing, and anti-fascist movements, who brought "structure based organising" skills to the party. The author argues that these "beyond the bubble" tactics are essential for addressing the cost of living and supporting the green transition by engaging people who are not traditional activists and may be considering the extreme right.

The report examines over 100 trade and investment agreements and MOUs to determine if they support sustainable critical mineral supply chains. It highlights a shift toward incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) provisions in new treaties and suggests that exporting countries can use critical minerals as leverage in negotiations to secure concessions and align policies with sustainable governance goals. The analysis specifically focuses on case studies from Indonesia, Chile, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The document argues that virtual power plants (VPPs), which aggregate decentralized energy resources (DERs) like rooftop solar and battery storage, can reduce the Caribbean's dependence on expensive imported fossil fuels and improve grid stability against climate-driven threats like hurricanes. Using the US Virgin Islands as a case study, the report evaluates the scalability of VPPs to provide energy, capacity, and ancillary services, offering recommendations for policymakers and utilities to transition toward cleaner, more resilient energy systems.

The Alliance for Rural Electrification's 'Renewables for Impact' campaign showcases the role of distributed renewable energy (DRE) in Sub-Saharan Africa through a photo contest and impact stories. The campaign highlights projects supported by Team Europe that contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 7, 8, and 12, focusing on productive use, women's empowerment, industrial power, manufacturing, and green job creation. Specific examples include hydro-powered irrigation in Malawi, solar cooling for herbal farms in Kenya, solar-powered water infrastructure in Mali, mini-grids in Senegal, and mini-grid construction in Benin.

The document details how GHE leverages tourism and corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding to install decentralized solar micro-grids in remote Himalayan villages in Ladakh. These projects provide clean energy to homes, schools, and health centers, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving living standards. Key outcomes include the electrification of 94 villages in Ladakh, the training of over 200 women as entrepreneurs and solar technicians, and the mitigation of over 230,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The model emphasizes community ownership, where households eventually take over operations and maintenance, and integrates livelihood support through homestays and traditional handicrafts.

The document examines the legal framework and compliance risks for soy and cattle in Brazil under the EUDR. It highlights systemic issues including land grabbing, illegal deforestation, and labour violations, while warning EU companies that official records and third-party certifications are often insufficient for due diligence.

The document analyzes the EUDR's legality requirement, arguing that it encompasses all laws affecting the legal status of production areas, including human rights and customary laws. It highlights systemic risks such as land grabbing, corruption, and weak enforcement in Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Indonesia, and recommends that EU companies move beyond official records to consult local experts and stakeholders to verify compliance.

The document examines the legal framework for cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire to guide EU companies in conducting due diligence under the EUDR. It highlights a significant gap between formal laws and the informal reality of smallholder farming, where 90% of cocoa is produced. Key risks include the widespread production of cocoa in protected "classified" forests, the use of unregistered pesticides, and high levels of child labour. The report notes that while trade and export are well-regulated by the Conseil Café-Cacao, production-level compliance is difficult to verify due to a lack of centralized land-use maps and the informality of land tenure and labour contracts.

The document examines the legal framework governing cocoa production in Ghana to guide EU companies in conducting due diligence under the EUDR. It highlights a pluralist legal system where statutory law overlaps with unwritten customary law, particularly regarding land tenure. Key risks identified include the encroachment of cocoa farms into forest reserves, the use of unregistered pesticides, and the prevalence of child labour. The report notes that while the trade and export of cocoa are well-regulated by the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), production remains largely informal, making traceability to the farm of origin difficult. It recommends that companies consult local experts and stakeholders rather than relying solely on official records to verify legal compliance.

The document examines the application of the EU Deforestation Regulation's (EUDR) legality requirement to the Indonesian palm oil sector. It highlights a complex, decentralized legal framework where national laws are often poorly enforced at sub-national levels. Key systemic risks include widespread failure to obtain mandatory Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification, pervasive corruption in permitting, illegal plantation establishment in forest zones, and significant violations of Indigenous land rights and labour standards. The report concludes that EU companies cannot rely solely on official documentation or third-party certificates for due diligence due to these systemic irregularities.

The document outlines the challenges of verifying legal compliance in global agricultural supply chains under the EUDR. It argues that official documentation and third-party certifications are often insufficient due to systemic corruption, land-grabbing, and informality. Through case studies of Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Indonesia, it highlights specific risks such as illegal deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado, child labour in cocoa production, and the widespread lack of mandatory ISPO certification in Indonesia's palm oil sector. It recommends that EU operators consult local experts and civil society to verify the 'reality on the ground'.

The Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), the operational arm of the IMF's Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST), provides long-term concessional loans to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to implement macro-critical climate reforms. While the RSF creates fiscal space and improves investment conditions, its impact is often hindered by limited engagement with sectoral ministries, overlapping climate initiatives, and inconsistent coordination with development partners like the World Bank and regional development banks. The document recommends institutionalizing inter-ministry platforms, aligning RSF reforms with national climate plans, and utilizing joint diagnostic tools. It also highlights the role of IMF Climate Finance Roundtables in aligning investments with national priorities, though these have yet to mobilize significant private capital. Case studies from Bangladesh, Barbados, and Senegal illustrate both the potential and the challenges of these coordination mechanisms.

The policy brief argues that meeting Paris Agreement goals requires a fivefold increase in urban climate finance to USD 4.3 trillion per year by 2030. It identifies critical barriers to subnational integration, including political misalignment, capacity gaps, and creditworthiness constraints. To address these, the authors present a five-stage 'Urban-inclusive Country Platform Framework' moving from initial engagement to implementation. The brief applies this framework to case studies in Egypt, Brazil, and India, highlighting opportunities to shift from fragmented project-based funding to strategic, programmatic approaches that empower cities as active partners in climate action.

The document proposes an "energy park" model that co-locates renewable generation with flexible industrial loads and long-duration storage to replace retiring coal capacity. Using Pueblo, Colorado, as a case study, the authors model a system combining 2,000 MW of solar, 1,600 MW of wind, short-duration batteries, and flexible loads (thermal batteries and electrolyzers). The findings indicate that such a park can achieve 99% reliability in mimicking the dispatch of the Comanche Unit 3 plant while providing significant local economic benefits, including over $40 million in annual property taxes and 350 permanent jobs. Financially, the energy park is estimated to be at least 50% cheaper for electricity ratepayers than a comparable small modular nuclear reactor.