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The SOO Green HVDC Link is a 350-mile, 2,100-MW underground transmission line connecting wind energy from MISO jurisdiction states to the PJM market. By co-locating the line within existing railroad rights of way and utilizing undergrounding, the project has significantly reduced community opposition and simplified siting. The developer has implemented a variety of benefits, including 'good neighbor payments' to adjacent landowners, municipal franchise agreements that fund local infrastructure like broadband expansion, and apprenticeship programs for underserved youth. While the project faces skepticism regarding the higher upfront costs of undergrounding compared to overhead lines, the developer argues that lifecycle costs are competitive, particularly when accounting for extreme weather resilience and reduced siting delays.

The document outlines a bottom-up approach to managing the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus in South Africa through 'knowledge festivals' and 'community champions'. It details a March 2024 case study in Matatiele where over 200 participants used art, science, and traditional knowledge to address resource challenges. The text advocates for the 'Ecochamps' model—upskilling local youth to bridge communication between traditional leadership and NGOs—and provides a set of practical guidelines for scaling these inclusive engagement methods globally to improve natural resource management and social justice.

The report finds a significant gap between renewable energy targets and actual projects in development across the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) region. While six CCA countries have targets totaling 43 GW of renewable additions by 2030–2040, only 30 GW are in development, leaving a 13 GW deficit. Fossil fuel expansion remains dominant, with more than three times as much fossil capacity under construction (11.8 GW of oil and gas plus coal) as wind and utility-scale solar (3.5 GW). Azerbaijan, the COP29 host, is highlighted for limited ambition, with no wind or solar projects in development beyond 2027, calling into question its commitment to a 30% renewable share by 2030.

The document examines the governance gaps surrounding solar radiation modification (SRM), warning that the current dominance of Global North institutions and private entities creates a risk of unilateral deployment. It advocates for the UNFCCC to formally engage with SRM to democratize decision-making and prevent the exacerbation of global inequalities.

The We Mean Business Coalition states that U.S. businesses will continue to pursue clean energy and climate resilience because climate-related factors present concrete operational risks and the global market for clean technologies is expanding. The coalition emphasizes that non-federal actors in the U.S. remain committed to climate goals and urges that COP29 negotiations maintain momentum to deliver global finance for national climate plans.

The author contends that hosting COP29 in Azerbaijan—a country with an authoritarian regime and a growing fossil fuel industry—threatens the summit's potential for real change. The text highlights Azerbaijan's lack of net-zero targets, its expansion of gas production, and its poor human rights record, including the detention of environmental activists. It also criticizes the European Union for increasing gas imports from Azerbaijan, which the author claims bolsters the regime's power. Finally, the document calls for the UN to reform the COP host selection process by introducing mandatory climate action and human rights requirements.

The paper evaluates Detroit's first-of-its-kind Community Benefits Ordinance (CBO), which requires developers of projects valued at $75 million or more receiving significant city subsidies to negotiate benefits with local communities. While the CBO has provided communities a 'seat at the table,' the authors identify significant flaws in the selection of Neighborhood Advisory Councils (NACs), insufficient resources for community negotiators, and weak enforcement of agreements. The report recommends lowering the investment threshold to trigger the CBO, increasing community-elected NAC membership, and adopting environmental justice frameworks to ensure a just energy transition.

The report examines how 13 global cities are evolving their climate adaptation measurement strategies, moving from simple output tracking to outcome-based evaluations. It highlights the importance of collaborative governance, the need for structured internal knowledge management to prevent the loss of institutional memory, and the integration of community-centric approaches to ensure equity and inclusivity. The document identifies systemic challenges such as data silos, resource constraints, and legal restrictions like GDPR, while proposing strategies to strengthen data infrastructure and foster a culture of continuous learning.

Climate Strategies recommends that the UAE Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) adopt a multi-sectoral approach, align international dialogues with the priorities of affected local communities, and ensure the participation of marginalized voices and practitioners to overcome barriers to international cooperation.

The report analyzes a failed government-led project to plant vetiver grass for erosion control in Fiji, identifying six behavioural drivers—salience of loss, choice uncertainty, outcome efficacy, collective efficacy, self-efficacy, and material access—that influence adoption. It argues that top-down interventions often fail because they overlook psychological and socio-cultural drivers, recommending that future climate adaptation projects integrate behavioural science and deep community engagement during the design phase.

The Espejo de Tarapacá project, designed to combine a 300 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric (PSH) plant and a 561 MW-AC photovoltaic (PV) solar plant in Chile, was formally closed in October 2022 before construction began. Despite initial alignment with Chile's decarbonization goals, the project failed because the Project Company could not secure a power-purchase agreement (PPA) or private investors. The evaluation found that the project's relevance declined as the Chilean government prioritized market competition and lithium-based storage over the preferential treatment requested for PSH. While the project failed its primary energy goals, it achieved some positive social outcomes through community engagement in San Marcos and Rio Seco, including women's empowerment and the establishment of a community office. The report concludes that the GCF lacked sufficient risk analysis during formulation, was too slow in reviewing restructuring proposals, and failed to provide the promised high-level policy advocacy to the Chilean government.

The Stockholm Environment Institute criticizes the initial all-male composition of the COP29 organizing committee in Azerbaijan, arguing that gender diversity is essential for effective climate governance and sustainable solutions. While noting a subsequent update where the Azerbaijani government added women to the committee, the text highlights a broader trend of declining female representation among national Party delegates since COP24 and emphasizes that inclusive leadership leads to better environmental disclosure and innovation.

New England's energy transition requires a massive shift from fossil fuel reliance to a decarbonized grid, with peak electricity demand projected to double to 55 GW by 2050. The report argues for a 'clean energy portfolio approach' combining solar, offshore wind, energy storage, and interregional transmission to ensure reliability and affordability. It highlights significant sociopolitical barriers, including community opposition and outdated permitting processes, and recommends comprehensive state-level reforms and proactive community engagement to accelerate deployment.

The report outlines the necessity of community-led climate action, innovative financing, and the democratisation of technology to build resilient communities. It emphasizes that effective adaptation requires integrating local and Indigenous knowledge, leveraging private sector capital through blended finance, and breaking down infrastructure management silos. The document advocates for a collaborative ecosystem involving governments, NGOs, and the private sector to bridge gaps in funding and technical capacity ahead of COP29 and COP30.

The fact sheet defines nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation as actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use, and manage the natural environment. It emphasizes that because climate change impacts people differently based on identity—such as gender, age, and disability—NbS must be designed through inclusive local engagement. The document provides practical examples for inclusivity, such as ensuring mangrove restoration training considers women's childcare duties and that forest management meetings are held in local languages and accessible locations for Indigenous Peoples. It outlines a framework for inclusive engagement that involves listening to unique relationships with nature, consulting those most at risk, and involving community members in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of adaptation activities.

The document outlines a management plan for a 10-acre recreational park development within the 65.10-acre Changkhaphu Ornamental Conifer Tree Nursery Centre in Thimphu, Bhutan. It identifies potential environmental and social risks—specifically related to the 2024 construction of 3 km of fencing—and establishes mitigation measures, occupational health and safety (OHS) standards, and grievance redressal mechanisms. The project aims to provide urban green space, foster biodiversity, and support local communities through employment and eco-tourism.

The report examines Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) as legally binding contracts between developers and communities to ensure equitable outcomes in energy transitions. Through nine case studies and an analysis of DOE, DOT, and EPA guidelines, it identifies critical failure points—such as lack of representative stakeholders and poor enforceability—and proposes best practices for planning, negotiation, and monitoring to better align project development with community needs.

The report examines the DOE's Community Benefits Plan (CBP) process, which requires grant applicants to commit to equitable community and workforce strategies. While the CBP is credited with forcing developers to prioritize equity and job quality, the report identifies significant challenges, including limited DOE capacity, rushed timelines, and growing stakeholder fatigue. Community surveys reveal deep skepticism due to unfulfilled past promises and a preference for environmental quality improvements over clean energy funding. The report recommends that the DOE improve accountability, provide seed funding for commitments, and leverage other federal agencies to support under-resourced community groups.

The document combines findings from community surveys in New Jersey, Louisiana, and the Navajo Nation with stakeholder interviews to evaluate the Community Benefits Plan (CBP) required for most U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding. While the CBP is seen as a tool to improve worker and community outcomes, survey data reveals deep skepticism due to unfulfilled past promises and a preference for environmental quality improvements over clean energy expansion. Implementation challenges include limited DOE capacity, stakeholder fatigue, and a need for greater accountability and resources for under-resourced community groups.

The report examines the intersection of gender equality and mine closure, noting that women often face disproportionate negative impacts during the post-mining transition, including increased gender-based violence and economic vulnerability. It argues that conventional environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) often lack gender responsiveness. The document provides a framework for integrating gender-based analysis (GBA) and inclusive community engagement across the mine life cycle—from pre-mining planning and land-use decisions to the transition of workers in the service and supply sectors. It concludes with specific recommendations for governments to develop gender mining strategies and mandate the use of GBA in regulatory processes.