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WRI implemented over 30 nature-based projects in Mumbai, Kochi, and Jaipur, including urban farming and water-body restoration, to combat climate risks like urban flooding and extreme heat. These initiatives, which included a school-based gardening project in Mumbai scaling to 250 schools and an urban farm at Jaipur Central Jail, led to the establishment of India's first national-level forum on urban nature-based solutions to share best practices and scale these approaches across Indian cities.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) supported forest conservation in Madagascar through the deployment of the Forest Watcher app and research leading to the UNESCO World Heritage designation of the Andrefana Dry Forests. The app enabled park rangers to respond to satellite-based alerts, contributing to a significant reduction in fire points in Kirindy Mité National Park. Additionally, WRI's data analysis and nomination dossier led to the official UNESCO designation of the Andrefana Dry Forests in September 2023.

The 'Sharing the Power' project, supported by the Dutch Postcode Lottery and implemented by RMI and Nayo Tropical Technology Ltd., has upgraded a solar minigrid in Mokoloki, Ogun State, Nigeria. The project addresses capacity shortfalls caused by a 60 percent population increase and rising diesel costs by increasing battery capacity from 190 kWh to 316 kWh and switching to a DC coupled system. Central to the model is 'inclusive energy governance,' where the Mokoloki community holds an 11 percent stake in the project, granting them voting rights through a Community Power Association (CPA) and 11 percent of net revenues to fund communal projects such as roads, schools, and health centers.

The document examines the integration of locally-led adaptation (LLA) into Senegal's climate strategy, specifically focusing on the alignment between community-driven initiatives and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Through case studies in agriculture, coastal zones, and health, the research demonstrates that while local actions are often consistent with national priorities, they are hindered by a lack of government recognition, limited technical capacity, and poor access to climate finance. The paper argues for a shift from top-down approaches to a model that empowers local communities to ensure sustainable and effective climate resilience.

The document examines the disconnect between Nigeria's top-down climate adaptation frameworks and the bottom-up initiatives already being implemented by local communities. It highlights that while national policies like the NDC and NAPF are comprehensive, they often exclude frontline stakeholders and lack clear implementation plans. Through case studies in Ogun and Anambra states and Lagos, the brief demonstrates how local actors use indigenous knowledge and nature-based solutions to combat deforestation, fisheries collapse, and gully erosion. It concludes that scaling up LLA can enhance national resilience if the government addresses critical gaps in finance, capacity building, and technology access.

The document examines the gap between Ghana's national climate policies and the implementation of adaptation actions at the community level. It argues that transitioning from top-down dynamics to locally-led adaptation (LLA)—which empowers local actors to define and lead their own resilience strategies—can improve the effectiveness and sustainability of climate actions. Through three case studies in the Savannah, Upper East, and coastal regions, the brief demonstrates how LLA initiatives, such as organic shea processing, climate-smart agriculture, and nature-based coastal defenses, align with Ghana's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) while addressing local vulnerabilities. It highlights significant funding gaps, noting that Ghana's NDCs estimate adaptation costs between US $9.3 billion and US $15.5 billion by 2030, with the government able to provide only a quarter of this amount. The brief recommends that the Ghanaian government and international partners prioritize LLA to unlock climate finance and leverage local knowledge for more sustainable development.

Danone has pledged to reduce methane emissions from its fresh milk supply by 30 percent by 2030. To achieve this, the company employs a systems approach involving farmer training, research funding for feed additives, and policy advocacy. Danone is a member of the Dairy Methane Action Alliance and the First Movers Coalition for Food to drive industry-wide reporting and demand for low-emissions agricultural solutions.

The 2023 update shows minimal progress in climate commitments among the 70 largest PFIs, with only two institutions setting new targets. However, an analysis of smaller PFIs in emerging markets and developing economies reveals that institutional size is not a primary barrier to climate ambition; instead, government prioritization and national climate goals are the strongest drivers of engagement. The report highlights that banks with general development mandates tend to be more climate-ambitious than those with narrow sectoral mandates, though successful examples exist in infrastructure and agriculture.

The report analyzes deforestation mitigation strategies in five Global South countries, highlighting the effectiveness of combining financial incentives, land tenure reform, national certification, and landscape restoration. It emphasizes that success requires a combination of context-specific measures, targeting high-risk areas, and leveraging both digital and physical monitoring systems, often complemented by voluntary sustainability standards.

The document evaluates the effectiveness of storage infrastructure, digital pest surveillance tools, and terracing for erosion control in Rwanda. While these initiatives have improved food security and pest management, the report identifies significant gaps, including the underutilization of cold storage, limited digital literacy among rural farmers, and an increase in high-risk erosion areas between 2020 and 2022.

In July 2023, SEforALL partnered with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) to provide specialized training to energy planners from nine African countries. The program focused on geospatial data collection, curation, management, and governance to improve the planning of electrification and clean cooking access. Participants from countries including Madagascar, Malawi, and Rwanda are now applying these skills to develop national data governance plans and clean cooking models, utilizing tools such as OnStove.

The document argues for a rights-based approach to communication, distinguishing between the 'right to communicate' (the ability to speak) and the 'right to communication' (equitable access to infrastructure). It examines how alternative and community media serve as tools for resistance and identity formation for marginalized groups, including indigenous peoples in Colombia and Mexico and Palestinians facing communication blackouts. The text also analyzes the impact of digital platforms, algorithmic censorship, and state control on freedom of expression, while advocating for 'communicative justice' and structural media reforms to dismantle corporate and state monopolies.

The report examines the integration of community benefits into the US DOE's Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, emphasizing the shift from one-way notification to meaningful two-way engagement. It highlights the role of Community Benefits Plans (CBPs) and Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) in mitigating social opposition and ensuring that 40% of benefits flow to disadvantaged communities under the Justice40 Initiative. Through case studies of failed projects in Wisconsin and the Midwest, the document illustrates how a lack of transparency, misalignment with local visions, and insufficient engagement can lead to project cancellation or significant delays.

Aramark, a signatory of the Pacific Coast Food Waste Commitment, piloted a consumer messaging strategy to reduce post-consumer plate waste at the Asilomar Conference Center. While the specific messaging pilot did not result in a measurable decrease in waste per meal, it prompted the facility to transition from a century-old family-style service model to more controlled portioning methods, such as pre-portioned salads and centralized stations for pastries and fruit.

Hamara Grid is implementing a PPPP model in Mon district, Nagaland, to deploy solar mini-grids (30 kWp to 45 kWp) as a solution to the poor reliability of the national grid. The project integrates energy access with livelihoods, health, and education, utilizing a blended finance structure of grants, debt, and equity. As of August 2023, six mini-grids are operational, with a target of 50 villages by June 2025. Key findings highlight the importance of incubating energy-based livelihoods to accelerate energy utilization and the strategic prioritization of larger villages to reach commercial viability faster.

The research examines whether sub-national governments can effectively manage transboundary climate risks, as opposed to the traditional focus on nation-states. Through case studies in Paris, Klepp, and the Upper Rhine region, the authors find that while local authorities are interested in these risks, their capacity to lead is uncertain. However, the paper warns that leaving transboundary risk management solely to national governments may create conflicts with local adaptation measures. Consequently, the authors advocate for strong partnerships between public and private stakeholders across all levels of governance and call for national governments to explicitly define the role of sub-national authorities in managing these risks.

The City of San Antonio has approved a deal with Big Sun Solar to install approximately 13 MW of solar capacity across 42 city-owned facilities and parking lots. This project is notable for being among the first to use the 'direct pay' (Elective Pay) mechanism established by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of August 2022, which allows tax-exempt entities to receive tax credits to reduce upfront costs. The project is expected to offset about 11 percent of electricity consumption for City operations and generate net savings of $7–$11 million over 25 years. The guide outlines four lessons for other cities: aggregating small projects for economies of scale, leveraging tax credit bonuses for low-income or energy communities, planning for the time lag in receiving direct pay refunds, and maintaining flexibility in procurement to compare different financial structures using net present value.

The project supported 885 people in lower eastern Kenya, focusing on regenerative farming, syntropic agroforestry, and water infrastructure to improve biodiversity, soil health, and economic output for female smallholder farmers. Key achievements include the rehabilitation of 1.01 hectares for a demonstration farm, the installation of 43 household vertical gardens, and the construction of 3 water pans, alongside the training of 177 people in sustainable agriculture and 17 young men in water infrastructure maintenance.

OK Produce has transitioned from diesel-powered transport to a fleet that currently includes 10 electric trucks, three electric terminal tractors, and 12 electric cars, with seven more electric trucks planned. To ensure these vehicles are fully zero emissions, the company expanded its solar capacity from an initial 231 kW system in 2001 to 3.8 MW, which now powers 90 percent of its facilities. After two decades of incremental pollution reduction via biodiesel and efficiency upgrades, the company began experimenting with electric trucks in 2020. OK Produce also participated in the late 2023 Run on Less – Electric Depot event to share data on charging infrastructure, truck performance, and total cost of ownership to accelerate industry-wide electrification.

The report analyzes how the energy and transportation sectors drive air pollution in the U.S., noting that while the Clean Air Act has significantly reduced overall emissions since 1970, severe exposure disparities persist. It highlights that people of color and low-income populations are more likely to live in areas exceeding health standards, often near 'pollution hot spots' that current monitoring networks may miss. Through case studies in California, New Jersey, and Indiana, the document illustrates the specific health burdens—including asthma and cancer—borne by marginalized communities living near ports, incinerators, and coal plants.