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In 2019, the global green bond market reached a record USD258.9 billion in issuance, a 51% increase over 2018. The market saw significant growth in non-financial corporate issuance and the entry of eight new countries. Europe led in cumulative volume, while the USA, China, and France remained the top individual countries by amount issued. Energy, buildings, and transport dominated the use of proceeds, accounting for 82% of the total. The report also notes a rise in green sukuk and the increasing importance of external reviews and Climate Bonds Standard certification.

The document describes the outcomes of the Bangalore Urban Mobility Lab, a collaborative effort by RMI, RMI India, Micelio, and the Government of Karnataka. During a workshop on 19–20 February 2020, over 150 stakeholders from government, the private sector, and civil society identified and prioritized more than ten actionable solutions to address the city's mobility challenges. The report intends to share these insights to accelerate the scaling of sustainable, clean, and citizen-centric transportation in Bangalore, while noting that the COVID-19 pandemic may require adaptations to the implementation process.

The document establishes the framework for a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of Estonia's Transport and Mobility Development Plan for 2021-2030. It defines the SEA's purpose as identifying significant environmental effects, exploring alternatives, and finding mitigation measures to ensure the transport plan aligns with EU and Estonian environmental policies. The assessment covers a 10-to-15-year horizon and focuses on key environmental elements including greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, water quality, and human health. The methodology involves a compliance analysis, an external effects analysis, and the proposal of mitigation measures. The document also lists the stakeholders involved and provides a timeline for the SEA process, which includes public consultation and inter-agency coordination.

The report evaluates a planned public bicycle sharing (PBS) system in Dwarka, New Delhi, using the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology. While a conventional cost-benefit analysis shows the system is financially deficient, the integrated SAVi analysis reveals positive net values across all demand scenarios. The most significant benefits are derived from time saved, reduced air pollution costs, and increased retail and property values. Over a 20-year period, discounted net benefits are estimated between INR 3.14 billion (~USD 44.4 million) under conservative assumptions and INR 12.19 billion (~USD 172.3 million) in a high-demand scenario. The findings suggest the PBS system supports the Delhi Master Plan 2021 and justifies investment in bicycle and road safety infrastructure.

The report assesses a proposed Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) system in Dwarka, New Delhi, using the SAVi methodology to value nine externalities. While a conventional cost-benefit analysis shows the project is financially deficient due to high capital and operational costs relative to user fees, the integrated SAVi analysis reveals significant societal net benefits across three demand scenarios. These benefits include improved public health, reduced air and noise pollution, lower CO2 emissions, and increased retail and property values. The findings suggest that the PBS system is a worthwhile investment from a societal perspective and provides benchmark values for the municipality to invest in supporting bicycle and safety infrastructure.

The document details how District Watch Group, a Cape Town-based security company, integrated eight BMW i3 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) into its 60-vehicle fleet. The transition resulted in an overall cost reduction of approximately 80% over the vehicle's life, primarily driven by significantly lower maintenance and fuel costs, despite higher upfront capital, insurance, and tyre expenses. The case study highlights the role of green innovation in enhancing the resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) against acute shocks and chronic stresses.

The document identifies key obstacles to the growth of Indonesia's green bond market, including currency hedging costs, market illiquidity, and a lack of bankable green projects. It provides a roadmap of solutions involving government subsidies, MDB credit enhancements, and regulatory reforms to attract international investors.

The report examines the 'concern-action gap' within the scientific and engineering communities regarding the climate crisis. It argues that the credibility of climate research is undermined when researchers maintain high-carbon lifestyles, such as frequent air travel for conferences. Through a straw poll of 153 respondents, the document finds that while many scientists are adopting plant-based diets and reducing car use, a significant number still struggle to align their lives with the 1.5°C pathway. It also discusses the role of civil disobedience and activism as a means for scientists to 'walk the talk' and counter the influence of fossil fuel interests.

The document outlines the mandatory administrative, financial, and legal framework for NGOs receiving grants from the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment (MCE). It details requirements for implementation plans, progress and financial reporting, and mandatory audits. It establishes a 'zero tolerance' policy for corruption and financial irregularities, and mandates transparency through the public disclosure of grant agreements and large contracts. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive procurement regime based on fair competition and transparency, specifying different tender procedures based on contract value thresholds (e.g., NOK 500,000). The document includes an annex for a specific project in Ethiopia focused on integrating climate resilience and green growth into national development planning.

The report evaluates the Dakar BRT project, finding that while it is not financially viable under traditional accounting, it generates massive net benefits when externalities like time savings and reduced transport costs are included. The project is expected to reduce GHG emissions and accidents, though it may cause net job losses in traditional transport sectors.

The SAVi evaluation of the Dakar BRT project reveals that while the project is not financially viable under conventional accounting—showing negative Net Present Value (NPV) across most scenarios—it generates substantial positive externalities. These include significant avoided transport costs, time savings, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and traffic accidents. When these externalities are integrated into the financial analysis, the project's Internal Rate of Return (IRR) increases from 2.17% to 37.69% in the default demand scenario, demonstrating strong socio-economic profitability despite operational financial losses.

In Q1 2019, global green bond issuance reached USD 47.9 billion, a 42% increase over Q1 2018. The market was driven by non-financial corporates, particularly in the energy sector, and dominated by developed markets in the USA, France, and Canada. Energy, buildings, and transport accounted for 81% of the use of proceeds. The report also highlights that while post-issuance reporting is common among larger issuers and those with external reviews, there is a lack of consistency in the metrics used to report environmental impacts.

The document details the transformation of Eskişehir, Turkey, following a 1999 earthquake and the subsequent launch of the Eskişehir Urban Development Project. Led by Mayor Yılmaz Büyükerşen, the city implemented an integrated strategy to modernize transport and restore the environment, specifically by dredging the Porsuk River, establishing a light rail system (EsTram), and creating extensive pedestrian zones and green spaces. These interventions led to significant increases in tourism, property values, and public accessibility, while improving the city's resilience to flooding and pollution.

The Japanese green bond market reached a cumulative issuance of 9.7 billion USD by 2018, ranking 10th globally. The market is primarily driven by financial institutions and large corporations, with a strong concentration in the building and energy sectors. While the public sector remains relatively inactive, the report identifies significant opportunities for expansion in low-carbon housing, sustainable transport, and resilient infrastructure to support Japan's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).

The document outlines the state of Perú's green economy transition, noting that while the public sector has been slowed by political turmoil and corruption, the private sector—particularly green SMEs—is emerging as a driver for change. It identifies critical barriers for green businesses, including limited access to finance, a lack of labeling standards, and tax systems that favor 'brown' businesses. The text emphasizes the need for better alignment of scattered initiatives and the potential for international cooperation (via PAGE, GIZ, and GGGI) to help implement a national green growth plan.

The paper argues that Africa can leapfrog into sustainable development by learning from China's infrastructure successes and failures. It highlights the 'Avoid-Shift-Improve' framework for transportation and examines case studies in high-speed rail, automated ports, and urban mass transit to suggest low-carbon alternatives to road-based development.

The report updates global climate finance estimates for 2015 and 2016, finding an annual average of USD 463 billion. While private investment remains the dominant source, particularly in renewables and the growing electric vehicle sector, the report highlights significant data gaps in tracking adaptation and energy efficiency. It also discusses the challenges of operationalizing Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement to ensure all financial flows are consistent with low-emission and climate-resilient development.

The Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) employs a three-step screening process to identify and validate green bonds and loans for its database. This involves identifying self-labeled green instruments, verifying alignment with the Climate Bonds Taxonomy across eight sectors, and ensuring at least 95% of proceeds are allocated to eligible green assets. The methodology explicitly excludes fossil fuel energy and projects that extend the life of fossil fuel assets. Instruments are categorized as included, pending, or excluded, with a mechanism for reclassification based on new data or updated scientific criteria.

The Battery Subscription Facility is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) designed to lower the high upfront cost of electric buses in India—which are 1.5 to 2 times more expensive than diesel buses—by providing batteries on a subscription basis. By separating the cost of the battery from the vehicle, the facility aims to reduce upfront capital expenditures for bus operators by 40-50%. The implementation is structured in three phases: a pilot phase (10-30 buses), a catalytic phase (1,000 buses), and a scale-up phase (up to 10,000 buses). The model relies on a tripartite agreement between the bus operator, the Facility, and a local financial institution (LFI), with long-term debt (8-10 years) sourced from development finance institutions (DFIs) to match the cash flow profile of electric bus operations. The facility primarily targets the corporate bus segment to minimize counterparty risk and simplify charging infrastructure installation.

The briefing outlines a sustainable finance instrument designed to transition Indian auto-rickshaw drivers from conventional vehicles to electric ones. By providing 100% debt financing, eliminating collateral requirements, and offering lower interest rates (22%-24% per annum), the instrument aims to replace the current rental model and predatory informal loans. The proposed NBFC structure will pool equity, commercial debt, and concessional capital, utilizing a community-driven loan appraisal and collection system to mitigate default risks. A pilot project targeting 500 vehicles in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Chitradurga is planned to demonstrate the model's viability and environmental impact, with a long-term goal of capturing 5% of the Indian market to avoid 9 million tons of carbon emissions.