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The city of Chiang Mai implemented a non-motorised transport (NMT) system to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and address urban pressures caused by rapid growth and tourism. This initiative provided co-benefits including improved air quality, reduced traffic congestion, and income generation for the urban poor. While the project served as a catalyst for broader low-carbon action and sustainable land-use practices within the city, it also highlighted a trade-off: local initiatives can reduce in situ emissions but cannot address the emissions generated by tourists traveling to the destination.

The document details Chiang Mai's transition toward sustainable urban tourism by implementing a non-motorised transport (NMT) strategy. Facing rapid growth and high emissions from the tourism sector—which generated 4,417,511 tons of CO2e in 2011—the city focused on walking and cycling to mitigate climate impact and alleviate poverty. The initiative, supported by the Mayor and a multi-stakeholder partnership, aims to increase bicycle lane networks from 4% to 10% in the city centre. The project served as a catalyst for further low-carbon policies, including a Global Environment Facility (GEF) pilot project and the proposed Chiang Mai City Council for Climate Change.

The Western Province of Sri Lanka is utilizing urban and peri-urban agriculture and forestry to enhance climate resilience, specifically through the rehabilitation of abandoned paddy lands and the intensification of home gardening. Pilot projects in Kesbewa demonstrate that these interventions can reduce flood risks by improving storm water infiltration and lower greenhouse gas emissions by reducing food transport needs. The document argues for a 'green mosaic' urban design and the alignment of local, provincial, and national policies—including the revision of the Paddy Act—to scale these low-cost adaptation strategies.

In the 2014 French municipal elections, Eric Piolle of the Europe Ecologie les Verts (EELV) party won the mayoralty of Grenoble with 40% of the vote in the second round. This victory is highlighted as a significant achievement for French ecologists, as it occurred without the support of the Socialist Party. The document attributes the success to a long history of ecological activism in Grenoble, a comprehensive program featuring 120 precise measures, and a coalition that included the Parti de Gauche. Piolle's victory allows him to govern without Socialist Party councillors due to the French electoral system's majority bonus.

The document identifies three critical sets of conditions for the effective implementation of local climate policies in developing countries: government capacity, problem framing, and political factors. It argues that while government capacity (legal, financial, and technical) acts as a necessary enabling condition, the actual motivation for policy action depends on how climate goals are framed to align with local socioeconomic concerns and the influence of political entrepreneurs and interest groups. The author emphasizes that implementation is more politically challenging than adoption and suggests a 'configurational' approach to understanding how these various factors combine to produce successful outcomes.

The report argues that low-carbon technology adoption in developing countries requires tailored innovation systems rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. It identifies specific needs for the 'bottom of the pyramid' (energy access), the rising middle class (lifestyle and urban planning), and industrial sectors (efficiency and value chain integration). The authors emphasize that the public sector must mitigate risks through financial support and coordination, while international bodies like the UNFCCC's Technology Mechanism should act as brokers to link finance, R&D, and knowledge sharing.

The document examines how National Sustainable Development Councils (NCSDs) can support the transition from Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals. Based on survey data from 12 countries, it identifies that while most nations have national sustainable development strategies, they face significant financial and structural barriers, including institutional resistance and poor data quality. The briefing highlights the advisory role of NCSDs and recommends a participatory approach, vertical alignment between government levels, and the strengthening of existing institutional frameworks to achieve national SDG targets.

The document examines the 'resources for infrastructure' model used by China to build new urban centres in Angola, specifically focusing on the Kilamba Kiaxi project. While these projects provide an immediate response to massive housing shortfalls following Angola's civil war, the authors argue they face sustainability challenges due to a lack of local adaptation, high costs that exclude the majority of the population, and insufficient public services.

The document examines the impact of governance structures on urban climate action in Italy and Spain, comparing a top-down approach in Spain with a more reactive, bottom-up approach in Italy. It finds that while national and regional frameworks often fail to sufficiently support cities, transnational networks like the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) are pivotal in driving the development of local mitigation plans. In Spain, the Central Government's collaborative efforts were partially diluted by regional 'gatekeepers', whereas in Italy, the lack of national guidance led proactive cities to rely on networks and EU projects. Both countries show a strong focus on mitigation (energy and transport) but a significant deficiency in local adaptation planning.

The study finds that Italian cities are generally more proactive in climate mitigation than Spanish cities, with earlier plan implementation and more ambitious emission targets. In both countries, mitigation efforts significantly outweigh adaptation efforts, despite high vulnerability levels. The Covenant of Mayors (CoM) is identified as a more influential driver for local action than national policies or networks.

The document examines the concept of 'Nature Deficit Disorder' and its correlation with pediatric health issues such as obesity and ADHD, concluding that increased exposure to natural environments promotes healthier childhoods and adult outcomes.

Hoboken, New Jersey, suffered over $100 million in damage during Hurricane Sandy due to a history of ignoring scientific evidence in urban planning and infrastructure development. In response, Mayor Dawn Zimmer released the August 2013 Hoboken Resiliency and Readiness Plan, which prioritizes science-based flood mitigation, such as installing 'wet weather' pumps and creating green infrastructure like rain gardens. The city faces significant risk as 53 percent of its 50,000 residents live less than five feet above the local high tide line, with nonwhite and African-American residents disproportionately affected. The document argues that while the city is now better prepared, sustained political leadership is required to resist risky waterfront development and address the long-term effects of sea level rise.

The document outlines that Africa is experiencing significant warming and increased extreme weather, which threatens food security, health, and economic growth. It argues that while Africa has contributed little to historic emissions, it is highly vulnerable and must integrate adaptation and mitigation into long-term development planning. Key opportunities for the region include adopting decentralized renewable energy, implementing conservation agriculture, and planning low-carbon urban growth to avoid fossil fuel lock-in.

The document translates the global findings of the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report into a regional context for South Asia, detailing observed warming, projected risks to food and water security, and the potential for low-carbon development. It emphasizes that while further warming is inevitable, integrated adaptation and mitigation can protect development gains and offer economic opportunities.

The document outlines the observed and projected climate impacts in Africa, emphasizing that warming is already occurring and will likely accelerate. It argues that while global mitigation is essential to avoid catastrophic outcomes, immediate investment in adaptation is critical to protect food security, health, and economic growth. The report highlights opportunities for Africa to adopt low-carbon development pathways and calls for international cooperation and financial support to build resilience.

The document outlines the observed and projected climate impacts in Latin America, emphasizing the need for integrated adaptation and low-carbon development to protect economic growth and human security.

The report evaluates the impact of Typhoon Nari on Da Nang's infrastructure and demonstrates that 244 households provided with storm-resistant housing support suffered no damages, contrasting with widespread destruction in the city. It argues that investment in preparedness and resilient urban planning is more cost-effective than post-disaster recovery.

The document provides a framework for city governments to prioritize greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction actions. It develops a typology of urban-scale technologies and practices, identifies supporting policies, and evaluates their abatement potential for 2020 and 2050, with a particular focus on the transport and buildings sectors.

The document analyzes historical census data to demonstrate that areas prone to climate-related hazards in Bangladesh have significantly lower population growth rates, indicating higher out-migration. It projects that an additional 9.6 million people will migrate from affected upazilas by 2050. The authors argue that migration can be an effective adaptation strategy if supported by government interventions, such as employment skills training and sustainable urban planning to prevent migrants from settling in risk-prone city areas.

The document argues that the consumption patterns of the growing middle class in developing countries are a critical determinant of the global ability to limit temperature rise to 2°C. It suggests that because traditional carbon pricing is often difficult to implement in these contexts, targeted technology and innovation policies—focusing on urban planning, transport, and energy efficiency—are necessary. Using case studies on Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), the brief emphasizes that success depends on addressing the political economy and building local capabilities rather than relying solely on economic incentives.