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The document argues that over 1.2 billion city dwellers lack reliable access to basic services, creating an "urban services divide" that hinders economic development and climate goals. It proposes seven transformations—ranging from partnering with alternative service providers to supporting informal workers—to improve equity, prosperity, and sustainability in rapidly growing cities.

Developed countries reported mobilising US$ 35 billion in Fast-Start Finance (FSF) from 2010 to 2012, exceeding the US$ 30 billion target. However, the report finds that much of this funding was not 'new and additional', often recycling existing pledges or ODA. Mitigation received the vast majority of funding (over 70%), while adaptation received only 18%. The distribution of funds closely mirrored traditional Official Development Assistance (ODA) patterns, showing weak correlations with recipient country vulnerability or greenhouse gas emission levels. The top five contributors—Japan, USA, UK, Norway, and Germany—accounted for nearly 80% of the total, with significant divergence in how they defined and reported eligible climate finance.