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The report examines the fragmented state of Green Public Procurement (GPP) within the EU and proposes recommendations to leverage public purchasing power for decarbonization. Focusing on the construction and road transport sectors—which each account for approximately 12% of government procurement GHG emissions globally—the study analyzes case studies from eight EU Member States to identify best practices for meeting the EU's goal of a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030.

The document examines how selecting materials with low embodied carbon or carbon-storing properties during building retrofits can prevent emissions spikes and transform buildings into carbon sinks. It analyzes exterior insulation systems and affordable multifamily housing projects in the Northeast to demonstrate that sustainable material substitutes are currently available to help meet 2030 decarbonization goals.

The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts implemented a series of energy efficiency projects, most notably replacing a 40-year-old boiler with a 92 percent efficient three-way steam system. This project was funded through a combination of a $250,000 state grant, a $16,000 utility rebate, and a $384,016 C-PACE loan. The theater also utilized the Connecticut Neighborhood Assistance Act Tax Credit Program to attract donor funding for LED lighting, air handling units, heat pumps, and roof insulation. These measures have resulted in annual energy savings of $60,000 and an annual reduction of 37.2 metric tons of carbon emissions.

The document outlines a spectrum of knowledge brokering roles—infomediary, knowledge translator, knowledge co-creator, and innovation broker—emphasizing that moving knowledge into action requires navigating power dynamics and institutional silos. It advocates for a transition toward 'innovation brokering' to achieve systemic change, highlighting a case study in Namibia where the University of Namibia combined climate impact data with capacity strengthening and partnership building to influence policy.

The report argues that the rapid deployment of renewable energy in the Global South often mirrors the destructive patterns of the fossil fuel era, leading to 'green grabbing' and 'energy colonialism'. Through case studies, it demonstrates how mega-solar projects in India and lithium mining in Argentina displace communities and deplete water resources, while political obstacles and outdated grids hinder decentralized energy access in Bangladesh and Palestine. The document advocates for a feminist energy transition centered on energy sovereignty, small-scale decentralized technology, and the protection of land and water rights.

The report argues that the rapid deployment of renewable energy in the Global South often mirrors the harms of the fossil fuel era, leading to 'green grabbing' and 'green energy colonialism'. Through case studies, it documents the displacement of rural and pastoral communities in India, the impact of Israeli occupation on energy sovereignty in Palestine, political apathy toward decentralized solar in Bangladesh, and the ecological threats posed by lithium extraction in Argentina. It emphasizes that without community control, gender equality, and rigorous environmental oversight, the energy transition risks sacrificing the rights of marginalized peoples for a perceived global collective interest.

The report argues that the rapid scale-up of renewables in the Global South often replicates 'energy colonialism' and 'green grabbing,' where land and resources are appropriated for climate goals while host communities suffer from loss of livelihoods, water scarcity, and continued energy poverty. Through case studies in India, Palestine, Bangladesh, and Argentina, it highlights systemic barriers including patriarchal structures that exclude women from decision-making, outdated grid infrastructure, and a lack of effective environmental impact assessments. It recommends a shift toward small-scale, socially controlled, and decentralized renewable energy that prioritizes human rights and ecological conservation over corporate profit.

The Kappahl pilot project aimed to increase supply chain visibility for organic cotton baby apparel by mapping suppliers from farm to retail. Using the SupplyShift platform, the project successfully mapped three tiers down to spinners or ginners for four garment lines, enabling the collection of data on greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and wages. Key opportunities identified include the ability to identify climate-related supply risks and build trust with suppliers. However, the project faced challenges with data quality and low participation from middle-tier suppliers (Tiers 2 and 3) due to technical barriers and 'information request fatigue'. The study concludes that combining top-down and bottom-up mapping, leveraging Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSSs), and using flexible technology are essential for achieving end-to-end transparency.

The document examines the gap between EU Green Public Procurement (GPP) targets and actual implementation in eight Member States. It identifies systemic barriers—including fragmented governance, lack of standardized data, and limited procurement officer capacity—while highlighting successful local and national initiatives in Sweden, France, Germany, and others. The brief argues that the EU must harmonize reporting, institute mandatory requirements for high-emitting sectors, and provide better technical support to leverage public spending for climate goals.

The Stockholm Environment Institute has developed WASH Flows, a Microsoft Excel-based tool that links household-level WASH data with watershed-scale modelling, such as WEAP. By bridging the gap between WASH services and Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), the tool allows users to estimate service levels, identify vulnerable communities, and model the impact of interventions on water balance and quality. A case study in the Tupiza watershed in Bolivia demonstrated the tool's ability to establish a service baseline—revealing significant gaps in safely managed water (25%) and sanitation (4%)—and to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed drinking water and decentralized sanitation systems in increasing drought resilience.

The report examines the intersection of digitalization and sustainability at Urban Deli, a Swedish food retailer. Despite a strong organizational sustainability vision, the study finds that digital tools are currently used primarily for operational efficiency and cost reduction rather than for sustainability decision-making. Key barriers include a lack of standardized environmental data, supplier reluctance to share detailed information, and internal challenges regarding the capability to interpret and act on sustainability data. The findings suggest that increased information alone is insufficient without organizational prioritization and a supportive regulatory framework.

The report finds that Green Public Procurement (GPP) in the EU is characterized by a fragmented approach with few binding requirements and significant gaps between national climate targets and actual procurement practices. While some regions like Catalonia and cities like Berlin show high ambition, most Member States rely on voluntary guidelines. The construction and road transport sectors are highlighted as high-impact areas where GPP could drive decarbonization, yet implementation is hindered by a lack of standardized data, insufficient capacity and time for procurement officers, and a lack of mandatory EU-level criteria. The report recommends harmonizing GPP definitions, introducing mandatory carbon criteria, and expanding the scope of EU Directives to include embedded emissions.

The LUCI tool provides a five-step analytical framework to identify unintended consequences of development interventions by mapping the overlap between identity groups and impact groups. It emphasizes 'horizontal inequalities'—group-based disparities related to gender, ethnicity, or class—and how these can be exacerbated by poorly planned projects, leading to 'maladaptation' or increased conflict potential. The guide demonstrates the tool's application through a case study of solar hybrid mini-grid projects in Turkana County, Kenya, illustrating how access to electricity can create differential benefits and losses across various social and economic groups.

The document advocates for using internal controls—policies, procedures, and practices—to reduce corruption risks in illegal wildlife trade (IWT) enforcement. It highlights a gap where existing government internal control units often focus on financial accounting but neglect wildlife and natural resource management. Drawing on a three-country study in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, the briefing outlines a five-component framework (control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring) to move from aspirational goals to practical accountability. It provides practitioners with guidance on leveraging existing national audit systems, improving the valuation of natural resources for legal proceedings, and implementing technological solutions like smart patrol systems to close the 'implementation gap' in IWT enforcement.

The briefing examines the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on utility integrated resource plans (IRPs), highlighting how DTE, Michigan's largest investor-owned utility, projected $500 million in customer savings over 20 years by incorporating IRA tax credits. The document outlines how IRA incentives can lower renewable costs, accelerate coal retirements, and increase battery storage deployment, while urging other utilities and regulators to leverage these tools for a faster energy transition.

Paris has implemented a '15-Minute City' strategy to reduce car dependency and air pollution by ensuring residents can access essential services within 15 minutes via walking, cycling, or public transport. Key initiatives include converting the Seine's riverbanks into a car-free park, expanding cycling infrastructure to over 1,000 kilometers, and opening school yards as community hubs. The program also emphasizes participatory governance, including a 75 million euro participatory budget. This model of 'chrono-urbanism' has since been adopted by other global cities such as Melbourne, Ottawa, and Shanghai.

Climate Outreach and Hope for the Future (HFTF) tested different messaging frames on Facebook to encourage 'Loyal Nationals'—a UK segment characterized by high climate concern but deep distrust of elites—to attend in-person political events. While tailored messaging significantly increased initial ad engagement, it failed to drive significant event registrations. In North Kensington, a frame focusing on specific local economic benefits outperformed a nature frame. In West Bromwich, messaging targeting local councils was more popular than messaging targeting the national government. The results suggest that while messaging can improve initial interest, the 'ask' (the specific action requested) may be too strong or incongruent with the values of this segment to secure attendance.

ENGIE Equatorial piloted 15 electric outboards powered by Li-ion batteries for fishing on Lake Victoria, Uganda. The project demonstrated that while equipment costs are high, economic viability is possible, with fishermen seeing operation cost reductions of 20-60% and gasoline savings of 1,628 to 2,750 litres per boat annually. Technical challenges included equipment damage from heavy use and difficulties with battery-swapping logistics, leading to recommendations for more robust hardware and battery modules weighing no more than 30 kg.

The Power-Blox project in Vanuatu utilizes a decentralized, self-regulating nano-grid system to overcome the high costs and fragility of traditional mini-grids. By deploying modular solar battery cubes, the project provides electricity to households and critical infrastructure on Lelepa Island, utilizing a prepaid business model operated primarily by women. The initiative aims to scale across 60 islands to support productive uses in fishing and tourism while reducing CO2 emissions.

The document details the installation of a 15 kWp vortex turbine at the Green School in Bali to replace an unstable national grid. The system provides continuous electricity for 500 students and four houses, reducing electricity costs by 60-80% and avoiding 62 tonnes of CO2e emissions.