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The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis suggests that the Clean Power Plan (CPP) can reduce nationwide power plant carbon pollution by approximately 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The proposed 'CPP National Trading Case' emphasizes a combination of wind, solar, and energy efficiency, supported by a national carbon emissions trading program. This approach is projected to generate $103 billion in public health and climate benefits through 2030 and create an average annual revenue of $17.8 billion from carbon allowance auctions between 2022 and 2030. While it may cause a modest near-term increase in household electricity bills, the analysis predicts net savings for consumers by 2030 due to lower operating costs of renewables and efficiency gains.

The synthesis identifies significant data availability and quality gaps as primary constraints in analyzing climate-resilient economic development, particularly regarding high-resolution geographical data and disaggregated household information.

The paper examines the 'wicked problem' of aligning poverty eradication with climate mitigation and adaptation. It proposes 'climate compatible development' as an analytical framework that integrates mitigation, adaptation, and economic transformation. The author emphasizes that achieving 'zero poverty, zero emissions' requires strong policy leadership, careful design to manage winners and losers, and cross-government implementation to avoid 'pilot phase syndrome'.

The FY 2017 budget proposal seeks to increase clean energy R&D funding to $12.8 billion by 2021, featuring a $10.25-per-barrel crude oil tax to fund sustainable transportation and significant increases for the Department of Energy's renewable energy and efficiency programs. It also includes $1.3 billion for the Global Climate Change Initiative and $291 million for Power Africa, while targeting a 83 percent reduction in domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The World Resources Institute proposes six domestic actions for the Obama administration in 2016: implementing the Clean Power Plan, reducing methane emissions from existing gas infrastructure, banning more potent hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), preparing industrial emission standards, finalizing fuel efficiency for heavy-duty trucks and aircraft, and increasing local climate resilience support. It also urges the U.S. to sign the Paris Agreement, meet Green Climate Fund commitments, and mobilize resources for Mission Innovation to sustain global momentum.

The document details a 'future proofing' initiative in Madurai, India, supported by the Madurai Corporation, University College London (UCL), and DFID. It emphasizes the integration of 'blue-green infrastructure'—such as the restoration of the Vaigai and Kruthumal rivers—to mitigate climate risks. The approach highlights the need for social inclusivity, specifically addressing the vulnerabilities of slum dwellers and marginalized groups. It also discusses the city's transition toward becoming a 'Smart City' and the role of community-led technical advisory groups in urban planning.

The assembly brought together approximately 55 representatives from ministries, donors, and civil society to discuss the PNACC, which was slated for finalization in early 2017. The event focused on transitioning from sector-specific to multi-sectoral climate approaches and mapping current and future activities of technical and financial partners (PTFs) across six priority vulnerable sectors: energy, agriculture, human settlements and health, water resources, coastal erosion, and land use/forestry. Participants agreed on the need to finalize activity mapping to revise the PNACC budget and ensure its integration into the National Development Plan (2018-2022).

The document argues that the Sendai Framework's emphasis on multi-level collaboration, learning, and innovation aligns with adaptive governance, which can help manage the complexity of social-ecological systems. While the Framework provides a window for transformative change, its implementation faces hurdles including high operational costs, power imbalances, and the lack of a dedicated funding mechanism.

The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) provides scientific research and technical support to reduce human vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change. Through its Initiative on Transforming Development and Disaster Risk, SEI works to ensure development does not create new risks but instead enhances resilience. The institute supports global frameworks like the Sendai Framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, while providing regional support to ASEAN in Southeast Asia and IGAD in Eastern Africa. SEI's capacity-building efforts include developing analytical tools (such as the BalticClimate Toolkit and RISC-KIT), hosting knowledge platforms like weADAPT.org, and sponsoring 'writeshops' for early-career scientists from developing countries.

The briefing argues that cultural differences between international disaster risk reduction (DRR) actors and local communities can increase social vulnerability. It highlights a clash between the 'expert'-driven, scientific culture of aid organizations and the culturally embedded, place-specific risk perceptions of local populations. To resolve this, the authors advocate for 'place-based research' that explores emotional attachments and social memories linked to specific biophysical locations, allowing for the co-creation of risk reduction strategies aligned with local sociocultural priorities.

The Paris Agreement establishes a global mandate to hold warming well below 2C and reach net zero emissions in the second half of the century. For businesses, this creates a structural shift in energy, land use, and urban systems, offering trillions of dollars in investment opportunities in renewables and energy efficiency. The report emphasizes the importance of internal carbon pricing for risk management and highlights specific vulnerabilities in sectors like textiles in Bangladesh and agriculture in Ethiopia. It argues that the agreement provides long-term policy certainty, making the transition to a clean economy inevitable and irresistible for the private sector.

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 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 2016 Orinoco River Basin Report Card evaluates the health of various sub-basins in Colombia, assigning an overall grade of B- (63%). The assessment reveals a strong west-east gradient, with Andean headwaters in the west facing severe degradation from mining, oil and gas, and agro-industry, while eastern sub-basins like the Matavén (Grade A) remain more intact. Key concerns include poor human nutrition in the Inírida basin and significant data gaps in water quality monitoring and biodiversity surveys across several tributaries.

The Global Resilience Partnership aims to shift the global approach to development and humanitarian assistance by focusing on root causes and long-term impacts to prevent disasters from trapping vulnerable populations in poverty. The organization emphasizes the necessity of 'smart partnerships' between governments, civil society, and the private sector to build resilience against interrelated challenges including climate change and food insecurity.

The document argues that the Paris Agreement should establish a long-term global goal for climate adaptation to complement mitigation efforts. It proposes a structured cycle of action consisting of regular national adaptation communications, a global stocktake every five years to assess progress and gaps, and high-level sessions to share best practices. The author emphasizes that this process must be streamlined to minimize the reporting burden on developing countries, leveraging existing tools like National Adaptation Plans.

The document addresses the challenge of communicating climate change during the aftermath of Storm Desmond in the UK. It argues that while immediate human tragedy takes priority, it is scientifically appropriate and necessary to link extreme rainfall to climate change to avoid 'starting from scratch' after every disaster. Based on a workshop with experts from Cardiff University and the ESRC, the text suggests that 'trusted peers' are the most effective messengers for affected communities and emphasizes the need to invest in 'social infrastructure' and climate literacy before disasters occur to build long-term resilience.

The briefing advocates for the Paris agreement to establish a global goal for adaptation to strengthen international cooperation and resilience. It proposes an 'adaptation cycle' consisting of regular national adaptation communications and a global stock-take every five years to identify gaps and mobilize support. The author emphasizes that this process should minimize the burden on developing countries by utilizing existing planning frameworks like National Adaptation Plans.

The document outlines a diverse landscape of climate financing for cities, categorised into local internal revenues, external third-party sources, and international funds. Local options include property and land taxes, user fees, development charges, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF), as well as 'intracting' for energy retrofits. External sources feature Energy Performance Contracting (EPC), green bonds, and crowdfunding. International support is available through climate funds like the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Global Environment Facility (GEF), Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), and philanthropic organisations, though the authors note that most international funds require cooperation with national governments due to strict fiduciary and creditworthiness standards. The guide emphasizes that while international funds are necessary for large-scale projects, local sources foster greater municipal autonomy and sustainability.

The document examines climate information services in BRACED countries, noting that while access is increasing, end-users struggle with data quality, inappropriate spatial scales, and poor communication. It details regional weather drivers like the ITCZ in Africa and the monsoon in Asia, and argues for a service-oriented approach that integrates localized, two-way communication into resilience programming to improve decision-making at the community level.