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The World Resources Institute (WRI) supported Bogotá and Mérida in implementing mandatory energy-efficient building regulations by adapting national guidelines to the local level. In Mérida, WRI used the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and multi-stakeholder working groups to identify savings and oversee regulation adoption. In Bogotá, WRI collaborated with the Colombia Green Building Council to improve national guidance and advocate for a city-level energy-efficient building code. By 2018, both cities became the first in their respective countries to adopt such mandatory regulations, aiming to reduce energy and water consumption, lower air pollution, create green jobs, and avoid carbon-intensive infrastructure lock-in.

The iShack project in Enkanini, South Africa, provides solar home systems to households in an informal settlement, reducing reliance on hazardous energy sources and creating local employment. Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and South Africa's Green Fund, the initiative has installed 1,026 solar systems, saving 92,556 kWH per year and creating 11 jobs for residents. The project focuses on incremental upgrades to slums through green technology and skills training for community-based 'iShack Agents'.

Dan Lashof, Director of WRI US, responds to the introduction of the Green New Deal resolution by Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey, stating that the proposal has revitalized the urgent conversation on climate action in the U.S. and highlights the necessity of linking ambitious climate goals with job creation and the reduction of economic inequality.

The document argues that for climate transitions to be successful and socially acceptable, they must be both fast and fair. It emphasizes that Just Transition should be integrated into NDCs and national planning through participatory social dialogue and multi-scalar action. The brief highlights the importance of the Silesia Declaration and the role of the ILO in providing frameworks for decent work. It specifically identifies the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region as requiring greater support due to high fossil fuel dependence. Key recommendations include pre-emptive planning, skills development, and the use of targeted social protection tools like pension guarantees and retraining. The author calls for more empirical research, including quantitative evidence of net job gains, to inform decision-makers.

The document outlines a framework for effective climate communication in developing countries, emphasizing the need to link scientific data with local lived experiences. It provides guidance on audience segmentation, the use of 'demonstration effects' for adaptation solutions, and framing mitigation as an economic opportunity. The guide includes numerous case studies from regions such as India, Kenya, Peru, and Bangladesh, illustrating the use of creative tools like participatory theater, citizen mapping, and role-playing games to engage policymakers and marginalized groups.

The document outlines Senegal's commitments to biodiversity and sustainable development, highlighting a $5 million joint program with UNDP to create 100,000 green jobs. It evaluates the agroecology and fisheries sectors, noting successes in organic seed production and artisanal fisher awareness, while warning of systemic failures such as soil degradation, lack of conservation infrastructure, and persistent illegal fishing practices.

The report argues that social inclusion is core to the green economic transition and that citizen-led dialogues are an effective tool for bridging the gap between local stakeholders and national policymakers. It documents experiences from seven 'Hubs'—the Caribbean, India, Mongolia, Peru, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda—where multi-stakeholder processes were used to identify local priorities and influence policy. Key outcomes include the promotion of fly ash bricks in Bihar, India; the development of a Green-Blue Economy Strategy in the Eastern Caribbean; and the creation of a catchment management plan for the River Rwizi in Uganda. The document concludes with ten policy insights, emphasizing that inclusive transitions require embedded governance systems, robust institutional mechanisms for stakeholder voice, and a focus on 'nexus issues' that link social, economic, and environmental goals.

The report argues that early action on just energy transitions can minimize negative impacts on workers and communities while maximizing opportunities in low-carbon sectors. It outlines a 'How-To' framework consisting of four key stages: understanding the political economy context, identifying champions, making the case through inclusive communication, and implementing complementary policies such as retraining and economic diversification. The document emphasizes that a just transition is not a fixed set of rules but a negotiated process based on social dialogue and tripartism. Through case studies, it demonstrates various approaches: Canada's use of a high-level Task Force, Egypt and Indonesia's reallocation of fossil fuel subsidies into social and infrastructure programs, and Poland's use of 'golden handshakes' and regional support for mining communes. It concludes that overcoming 'carbon lock-in' requires transparent communication, tangible short-term benefits, and the mobilization of dedicated funding from sources like energy taxes or subsidy reforms.

The We Mean Business Coalition argues that vague NDCs hinder the ability of the private sector to invest in a clean energy economy. The coalition calls for the standardization of data—including base years, target years, and IPCC methodologies—and requests clarity on the domestic legislation and financial measures intended to implement these targets to ensure a just transition and a predictable regulatory environment.

The Rooftop Solar Accelerator (RSA), implemented by Peacock Solar, aims to overcome barriers to residential solar adoption in India—such as high upfront costs and operational inefficiencies—by using a solar leasing model, standardized product offerings, and advanced data analytics. The instrument targets smaller Indian cities, starting with a test phase in Kota, and seeks a mix of commercial debt, equity, and philanthropic capital to scale. If replicated, the model could potentially mobilize US$ 380 million and abate 640,000 tons of CO2 by 2022.

The document examines the transition from a linear to a circular economy, highlighting its potential to create jobs and increase GDP. It synthesizes projections from various international bodies, noting that while Europe has extensive data suggesting net job gains in recycling and services, Canada's 'environmental and clean technology' sector employs approximately 274,000 people as of 2016, though its growth lags behind the broader economy.

The document argues that South Africa's informal economy, which employs 4.5 million people, is characterized by low incomes and poor security. It criticizes state-led repression and the narrow focus of micro-enterprise support, proposing instead a transition toward formalization through the implementation of ILO Recommendation 204. Key recommendations include amending the Labour Relations Act and Basic Conditions of Employment Act to recognize own-account workers as workers, enhancing labour inspectorate capacity, and providing basic infrastructure for those working in public spaces. The brief specifically highlights the need for inclusive policies in informal retail and waste recycling, suggesting that corporate responsibility and innovative financing, such as Extended Producer Responsibility levies, be leveraged to support these sectors.

The analysis finds that renewable energy growth is positively associated with India's GDP, employment, and energy security, while helping to reduce the fiscal deficit and net energy imports. Despite these benefits, the report projects that India will likely miss its 175 GW renewable energy target by 2022, instead reaching it between 2027 and 2033 depending on the scenario. Under an optimistic scenario, renewable energy could add up to 4.52 million domestic jobs by 2042.

The 2018 Green Economy Barometer for Mongolia highlights a significant gap between the country's international commitments and domestic implementation. While Mongolia has adopted the Green Development Policy and the Sustainable Development Vision 2030, it ranked 79th out of 80 countries in the 2016 Global Green Economy Index. The report identifies severe environmental challenges, including air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, desertification affecting 77.8% of the territory, and water scarcity. Economically, the report argues that investing 4% of GDP annually into green development could reduce poverty to 10% and unemployment by 2% by 2030. Current green employment accounts for 9.9% of total jobs. Financial needs for energy efficiency, renewables, and pollution control are estimated at over 11 billion USD, though green financing remains limited.

The 2018 Green Economy Barometer for Mongolia highlights a significant gap between the country's legislative commitments and actual implementation. While the government has adopted the National Green Development Policy and Sustainable Development Vision 2030, Mongolia ranked 79th out of 80 countries in the 2016 Global Green Economy Index. The report argues that investing 4% of GDP into green development could reduce poverty to 10% and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 17% by 2030. Current challenges include severe air pollution in Ulaanbaatar, land degradation affecting 77.8% of land, and a precarious economic dependence on volatile mineral exports.

The report argues that targeting rental properties for energy efficiency is a high-impact strategy for cities to meet climate goals, as rentals often suffer from a 'split incentive' where owners do not pay utility bills. Using Boulder's 'SmartRegs' program as a model, the document outlines a seven-step roadmap for other cities: determining fit, analyzing impact, consulting stakeholders, developing financing, implementing measurement tools, establishing compliance, and creating disclosure frameworks. RMI's analysis of five US cities suggests that MESR policies could significantly reduce carbon emissions at a relatively low cost to municipal governments.

The Uganda Green Economy Barometer 2018 argues that while Uganda has a conducive policy environment and significant natural capital, the transition to a green economy is hindered by poor policy implementation, high initial costs, and a financing gap. It highlights the potential for green growth to create 4 million jobs and boost GDP by 10%, provided there is political commitment, economic reform, and increased private sector investment in sectors like agriculture, renewable energy, and sustainable transport.

The Senegal Green Economy Barometer 2018 examines the country's shift toward a green economy, highlighting the tension between steady GDP growth (over 6.5% since 2015) and rising absolute poverty. It identifies key sectors for greening—specifically agriculture, energy, and SMEs—and evaluates the government's efforts to integrate environmental norms into the Emerging Senegal Plan (PSE) 2035. The report emphasizes that for the transition to be successful, it must address social inequalities and provide financial incentives for the private sector to adopt sustainable practices.

The South Africa Green Economy Barometer 2018 evaluates the country's transition to a sustainable economy, awarding it a '5 out of 10'. While South Africa has strong policy foundations like the National Development Plan and the Green Economy Accord, the report finds that the economy remains locked into 'brown' energy systems, with 90% of electricity still generated from coal. Progress in renewable energy has been stalled by a gridlock between the national utility Eskom and independent power producers. The report highlights a critical gap in supporting the informal sector and small enterprises, noting that 'green jobs' created through public works programmes often lack security and decent wages. Environmentally, the country's ecological footprint continues to exceed its biocapacity, and biodiversity hotspots remain in a dire state. Financially, while green bonds and sustainable finance innovations have emerged, fossil fuel subsidies persist. The document concludes that national plans remain too focused on economic growth rather than social development and the integration of natural capital into decision-making.

The paper positions gender equality as a cornerstone of the green economy, asserting that without it, sustainable development and poverty eradication cannot be achieved. It defines a green economy as one that is low carbon, resource efficient, and socially inclusive, and argues that existing gender disparities in economic, political, legal, and environmental spheres must be addressed to prevent the 'brown economy's' inequalities from persisting. The author proposes gender mainstreaming and women's empowerment as key strategies to ensure women are active agents of change rather than marginalized victims. However, the paper warns that without gender-responsive policies and budgeting, the transition to green jobs—estimated at 15–60 million globally—may fail to benefit women, particularly in developing countries where they are often trapped in informal, low-wage agricultural work.