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The report argues that the cost of the low-carbon energy transition can be minimized by correctly allocating investment risks—such as construction, price, and curtailment—between private investors, public entities, and consumers. It introduces a framework to identify key risks based on technology and country context, select an appropriate ownership model, and use specific instruments (like guarantees or Feed-in Tariffs) to fill risk gaps. Case studies suggest that optimizing risk allocation could reduce levelized costs by 10% for onshore wind in New York and 30-40% for solar in India.

The document argues that gender-responsive National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes are essential for effective and sustainable climate adaptation, as women often face unique barriers to resources and information. It defines gender-responsive approaches as those that actively challenge unfair norms and structures to promote equality, rather than merely acknowledging differences. The provided framework outlines specific actions across the NAP cycle—planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E)—as well as enabling factors like institutional arrangements and capacity building. A pilot review of NAP documents from 15 countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas found that while gender is often recognized as a vulnerability factor or cross-cutting theme, there is a lack of detailed implementation steps and resource allocation strategies.

The document argues that gender equality is a human right and a prerequisite for sustainable climate adaptation, as women and men experience climate impacts differently and face distinct barriers to resources. It defines 'gender-responsive' approaches as those that actively challenge gender norms and inequalities rather than just acknowledging differences. The briefing provides a detailed framework for NAP teams, covering planning (e.g., using sex-disaggregated data), implementation (e.g., gender-responsive budgeting), and monitoring and evaluation (e.g., tracking women's empowerment). A pilot study of NAP documents from 15 countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas found that while gender is often recognized as a cross-cutting issue, there is a lack of specific detail on implementation and resource allocation.

The document argues that closing the gap between climate ambitions and implementation requires a shift from general capacity building to targeted 'capability development'. CDKN defines capability as the ability to apply tools, skills, and knowledge effectively combined with the willingness to act. The paper identifies four essential types of capability: technical, relational, strategic, and institutional. It proposes a seven-step iterative process for development, emphasizing context analysis, co-owned agendas, and adaptive programming. Case studies from Rwanda and India are used to illustrate how these capabilities enable governments to secure climate funding and implement action plans.

The authors develop a comprehensive checklist to guide the creation of climate change adaptation plans, addressing the lack of consistent metrics in adaptation tracking. The framework is organized into three major areas: Policy and Economy, Science and Learning, and Legitimacy. Within these, it evaluates components such as funding, institutional reliability, usable knowledge, monitoring, evaluation and reporting (MER), adaptive management, and equity. The goal is to move beyond simply documenting the existence of policies toward assessing their credibility and potential for successful implementation.

The document argues that NAPs, NDCs, and SDGs are mutually reinforcing frameworks for climate-resilient development. It provides a four-quadrant framework to help countries align their NDC adaptation components with their NAP processes, depending on the progress of each. Furthermore, it positions the NAP process as an operational bridge to the SDGs, specifically targets 13.1 and 13.2, and demonstrates how sector-specific adaptation in agriculture, infrastructure, and marine resources aligns with various SDG goals. The authors emphasize the need for operational alignment through cross-referencing priorities, harmonizing indicators, and coordinating reporting structures to maximize resources and political support.

The document details the development of a qualitative M&E framework for South-South cooperation (SSC), resulting from a 20-month process of consultations and field tests. It proposes 20 indicators across five dimensions—inclusive national ownership, horizontality, self-reliance and sustainability, accountability and transparency, and development efficiency—as an alternative to OECD-DAC standards, which the authors argue are not suited for Southern partnerships.

The document proposes a framework for measuring agricultural resilience in eastern Ontario, Canada, moving beyond traditional risk-reduction to a holistic, system-based approach. It identifies 36 indicators across six themes—climate change, population, farmland production, market and economy, rural infrastructure, and natural environment—to track the capacity of rural systems to absorb shocks and adapt. The authors emphasize that while some data is readily available, significant gaps exist in detailed farm economic data. The briefing argues for cross-sectoral collaboration to break down government 'silos' and suggests that these indicators are transferable to other agricultural regions across Canada.

The paper presents the Transnational Climate Impacts Index, a tool designed to shift the perspective of climate adaptation from a purely local or regional focus to an international one. It identifies nine specific indicators to measure how globalized economies and interconnections expose countries to climate impacts originating elsewhere.

The document outlines a methodology for FSD programmes to move beyond traditional project-level monitoring toward an Impact-Oriented Measurement (IOM) system. It emphasizes the need to bridge the evidence gap between direct project outputs and long-term market changes by tracking intermediate progress indicators, systemic changes (such as adoption, scaling, and replication), and top-down sector trends. The guide advocates for a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from sources like FinScope with qualitative narrative reporting to capture complex market dynamics and resilience.

The document consists of two appendices: a comprehensive household survey questionnaire and a matrix of potential citizen participation avenues. The survey collects detailed data on household characteristics, the use of various energy sources (including grid electricity, solar PV, kerosene, and biomass), and the impact of energy access on health and education. The participation framework identifies the roles of women's groups, youth groups, community leaders, and administration in mobilizing resources, advocating for services, and implementing energy projects in Migori County.

The document outlines the challenges of rapid urbanization in the Global South, where a growing proportion of the poor live in cities with limited financial resources. It proposes a framework to categorize cities by economic productivity and population growth, focusing on 'struggling' and 'emerging' cities. The authors argue that prioritizing equitable access to core services—housing, water, sanitation, energy, and transportation—is a critical entry point for transformative urban change, citing the examples of Medellín and Surat as cities that achieved broad transformation through targeted reforms and strong political coalitions.

The report examines 13 watershed investment programs in the U.S., focusing on how natural infrastructure—specifically forests—can be used to protect drinking water quality and quantity. It provides a framework for program development across three phases: building momentum, designing the program, and implementing the action plan. Key findings emphasize the importance of collaborative partnerships, scientifically informed planning, and diverse financing mechanisms, such as municipal bonds and water rate surcharges, to overcome barriers like insufficient funding and lack of outcome data.

The document argues that the current trajectory of urbanization in the Global South—characterized by rapid population growth outpacing economic growth and the 'urbanization of poverty'—risks locking cities into unsustainable patterns. It proposes a new categorization of cities based on economic productivity and population growth, focusing on 'struggling' and 'emerging' cities. The authors contend that providing equitable access to core services (housing, water, sanitation, energy, and transport) is the essential entry point for broader transformative urban change. Using case studies from Medellín and Surat, the paper illustrates how solving a 'seminal problem' can trigger a virtuous cycle of improvement across governance, finance, and planning, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

The report outlines a systematic approach to identifying and addressing financial barriers to low-carbon investment. It proposes an analysis matrix that intersects various financial stakeholders with specific barriers—such as high cost of capital, perceived risk, and split incentives—to determine where public intervention is most effective. The authors argue that dedicated institutions like green banks can be advantageous by co-housing policies to allow for flexible funding, creating a 'brain trust' of expertise, and simplifying access for consumers. The document also provides a table of existing public green infrastructure banks in the OECD, including examples from Australia, the UK, Korea, Canada, and the USA.

The report establishes a monitoring framework for the New York Declaration on Forests (NYDF), assessing ten goals related to halting deforestation, restoring landscapes, and improving governance. While it notes that 'overall progress remains slow', it identifies positive trends such as the inclusion of a deforestation target in the Sustainable Development Goals and an increase in clean cookstove distribution. The document highlights significant data gaps, particularly regarding non-agricultural drivers of deforestation and domestic public spending on forests, while noting that 'data are mostly trending in the right direction'.

The document outlines a framework for sustainable finance based on five transaction elements: financier, principal, expenditure, agreement (source of capital), and agreement (use of capital). It identifies three primary barriers to capital flow—risk/return, information, and scale—and suggests that these can be addressed through both policy and non-policy strategies. Applying this framework to case studies, the report finds that residential solar in the U.S. is primarily hindered by consumer-side barriers and lack of standardization, whereas electric vehicle (EV) adoption is stymied by limited financier demand for infrastructure-appropriate financial instruments.

The report details the development of the WEFsat-Mining tool, designed to help decision-makers in Suriname assess how mining impacts community access to water, energy, and food. It highlights the critical role of the mining sector in Suriname's economy, while noting severe environmental risks such as mercury pollution from artisanal gold mining. The project included capacity-building workshops and the proposal of a hydrologic monitoring framework to track water quality and quantity. Key recommendations emphasize the need for integrated WEF planning, diversified renewable energy, and improved local hiring and procurement policies to enhance community well-being.

The document introduces the WEF security concept to operationalize sustainable development in mining. It details a conceptual framework based on availability, access, supporting infrastructure, and supporting institutions/policies. The guide provides a review of existing sustainability indicators and introduces WEFsat-Mining, an Excel-based tool for stakeholders to assess current WEF status, identify mining influences, and determine mitigation or enhancement actions. It also outlines stakeholder engagement practices and a four-stage participatory scenario planning process for regional landscape investment.

The document argues that while public and private sectors have inherently different goals and cultural perspectives, these differences can be leveraged through specific procurement and implementation mechanisms. It highlights 'best value' bid evaluation and performance-linked payment systems as critical tools for aligning interests. Additionally, it suggests informal collaboration methods, such as partnering sessions and joint offices, to reduce conflict and build trust during the long-term lifecycle of infrastructure projects.