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This research paper examines the implementation of just transition policies across European regions, focusing on the EU's territorial approach to supporting areas most affected by the shift to a climate-neutral economy. It provides guidance for subnational decision-makers through case studies centered on economic restructuring, worker support, environmental restoration, and governance.

This executive summary from the Climate Policy Initiative proposes a framework for 'urban-inclusive country platforms' to bridge the financing gap for urban climate action. It argues that national governments should integrate subnational and urban priorities into the design and governance of country platforms to better align development finance with local mitigation and resilience needs.

This briefing examines the challenges of implementing just transition policies in South Africa, highlighting the gap between national ambitions and local priorities, institutional capacity deficits at the subnational level, and the limitations of current financial mechanisms. It specifically analyzes the role of green hydrogen as a potential new value chain and emphasizes the need for transparent decision-making to maintain public legitimacy.

The 'Assessing National Enabling Framework Conditions for Urban Climate Finance' is a guide and tool developed by the Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). It provides a standardized framework for national governments to evaluate and improve the regulatory, institutional, and financial conditions—referred to as Enabling Framework Conditions (EFCs)—that facilitate subnational governments' access to climate finance.

The 'Assessing Subnational Enabling Framework Conditions for Urban Climate Finance' guide, developed by the Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), provides a tool for subnational governments to evaluate and improve the regulatory, institutional, and financial environments necessary to scale urban climate finance.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative examines India's climate adaptation financing, highlighting the significant funding gaps at the subnational level and proposing strategic interventions to mobilize public and private finance.

The Subnational Climate Fund (SnCF) is a financial instrument designed to overcome barriers to private capital mobilization for climate-resilient infrastructure at the subnational level, combining a Technical Assistance Facility with a private equity fund.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines trends in climate change adaptation planning based on a standardized review of 15 African and Asian countries conducted for the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA). The review examines vulnerability profiles, national priorities, policy responses, and the nature of adaptation programming, highlighting a strong focus on agriculture but significant gaps in subnational planning and monitoring systems.

This policy briefing argues that subnational governments and cities are essential for implementing international climate agreements but are often excluded from the formal negotiating tables of the UNFCCC. It highlights the role of transnational actors like ICLEI in bridging this gap and recommends a shift toward 'co-production' between national and local governments to ensure climate targets are implementable at the local scale.

This case study describes a project to assess the carbon and water footprints of the capital cities of Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru to support urban planning and climate compatible development.

This research paper, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in April 2014, examines strategies for implementing climate compatible development at the subnational level (cities, districts, and provinces) across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It identifies specific challenges, such as scientific uncertainty and limited resources, and highlights opportunities for local innovation and the use of indigenous knowledge. The paper provides a framework of effective strategies, including the use of knowledge partnerships and participatory processes, and discusses the necessity of scaling these local successes up to national levels and out to other jurisdictions to achieve global transformational change.