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The document outlines strategies for Indonesia to reduce road transport emissions, which currently account for 95% of transport emissions. Using an 'avoid-shift-improve' framework, the assessment finds that a combination of reducing travel demand, shifting to public and active transport, and improving vehicle efficiency through electrification and biofuels could reduce emissions by up to 84% by 2050. These measures would also significantly lower premature deaths caused by air pollution, particularly from PM2.5 and NOx exposure.

The 'Cities in Transition' research argues that meeting emissions targets requires more than transitioning to renewables; it necessitates a reduction in total energy demand through urban planning. Using the city of Winnipeg as a focus, the study employs the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology to show that compact, walkable, and mixed-use infill development reduces emissions and municipal infrastructure costs compared to car-oriented sprawl. The research identifies three primary barriers to this transition: NIMBY opposition to infill, outdated governance models, and the high financial costs associated with urban sprawl.

The briefing outlines a path for the United States to achieve mineral self-sufficiency for electric vehicle (EV) batteries by 2050. It proposes six strategies to reduce mineral demand—including shifting battery chemistries, increasing energy density, and changing mobility patterns—stating that these could limit cumulative mining to 125 million tons. The author argues that while battery recycling currently faces low financial returns due to market volatility and high capital costs, it offers a higher return on investment when social and environmental externalities are priced in. To realize these benefits, the document calls for policy interventions to value recycled materials and investment in domestic midstream manufacturing (refining and processing) to avoid exporting recycled materials and to create between 84,000 and 125,000 US jobs by 2032.

The document outlines the economic, health, and social benefits of transitioning Canada's passenger transport sector to net-zero. It highlights that while ZEV sales are increasing, Canada remains heavily dependent on personal vehicles due to zoning laws and a preference for light-duty trucks. The brief proposes a shift toward active transport, public transit, and ZEVs to reduce emissions, lower household costs, and create jobs in battery manufacturing and transit infrastructure.

The report examines the link between urban sprawl and high energy consumption, arguing that current energy policies overlook the role of urban design. It advocates for "complete communities"—dense, walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods—as a primary strategy for emissions reduction. Using the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology, the report compares car-centric and sustainable transportation scenarios in Winnipeg, finding that sustainable shifts offer significantly higher net benefits and a superior benefit-to-cost ratio. It identifies key barriers such as NIMBYism, flawed municipal governance, and the financial instability caused by sprawl, while proposing solutions including zoning reform, parking policy changes, and new municipal revenue tools.

The document outlines a strategy for Canada to achieve net-zero passenger transport by prioritizing walking, cycling, public transit, and zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). It highlights that 82% of Canadians live in urban areas, making the country well-suited for these transitions. The brief argues that this shift would reduce household costs, improve public health by reducing air and noise pollution, and create approximately 1.6 million jobs by 2050. Key policy recommendations include a federal ZEV sales standard requiring all new light-duty vehicle sales to be ZEVs by 2035, increased funding for high-speed rail in the Quebec-Windsor corridor, and provincial zoning reforms to increase urban density.

Bangkok faces extreme light pollution, with inner areas reaching level 9 on the Bortle Scale, which disrupts human circadian rhythms and nocturnal wildlife behaviors. Despite the Thailand Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act (1992) recognizing light as a pollutant, there are no specific provisions to regulate excessive artificial lighting. The author advocates for smart lighting solutions, public awareness, and the adoption of light curfews similar to those in Paris and Hong Kong to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect public health.

The Canadian Climate Institute urges the Quebec government to implement new flood maps and construction regulations despite opposition from municipalities and developers. The author argues that the cost of inaction—estimated between $70 million and $210 million in annual losses—far outweighs the potential decrease in property values, noting that homes in very high-risk zones are likely to suffer several hundred thousand dollars in damages over the next 25 years.

The document proposes a shift from traditional technology-replacement efficiency to a 'whole-systems' approach. It argues that combining electrification with energy end-use efficiency (reducing the demand for energy services) can reduce overall energy demand by 50-75%. The author provides sector-specific examples: in buildings, through passive design and compact urban development; in mobility, via land-use reforms and smaller, lighter electric vehicles; in freight, through modal shifts to rail and material demand reduction; and in steel, via circularity and material substitution. The brief concludes that achieving the COP28 goal of doubling energy efficiency improvement rates requires engaging a diverse range of stakeholders to trigger social tipping points.

The text identifies water and energy as the core resources for urban planning within a nexus framework, noting that urbanization creates unique pressures through infrastructure reliance, demographic concentration, and social vulnerabilities. It proposes resilience as a guiding principle for urban management to enhance adaptive capacity amidst global change uncertainties and highlights the need for further research into waste and resource recovery efficiency.

The report examines how urban green space access is often socially determined by income, gender, and age, particularly in rapidly growing cities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It highlights that lower-income communities often prioritize provisioning services—such as food and fuel—over the aesthetic or health-related benefits typically emphasized in high-income contexts. The authors argue that top-down planning frequently fails these populations and can lead to gentrification or social opposition. Using a case study from the Nakuru River area in Kenya, the report identifies systemic barriers to community-led management, including unclear governmental responsibilities, funding shortfalls, and the influence of external NGOs. It concludes that equitable urban greening requires integrating infrastructure improvements and employment opportunities with participatory design that includes women, youth, and people with disabilities.

The report finds that global warming of 0.3°C since 2015 has already increased the annual average of hot days by 11 per country. While current emissions pledges have reduced projected warming from 4°C to 2.6°C, the latter would still result in an average of 57 additional hot days per year compared to today. Case studies of six major heat events show that some would have been nearly impossible without climate change, and all have increased in intensity and likelihood. The document argues that while heat early warning systems have expanded, adaptation finance and systemic urban and labor reforms are insufficient to meet the escalating risks.

The report analyzes the 'Dubaization' of North Cyprus, a process where the economy has shifted toward rent-generating sectors like speculative real estate, mass higher education, and casino-led tourism. This model, operating within a politically unrecognized state, has led to a fragmented labor market, significant infrastructural decay, and a 'war of numbers' regarding the de facto population. The author argues that these dynamics, combined with state-led naturalization of Turkish nationals, are altering the region's durable demography and increasing its structural subordination to Turkey, which complicates future peace negotiations.

The document details the history and global expansion of Bogota's Ciclovía, a weekly event closing 127 kilometers of roads to cars. It examines how this model inspired similar programs like CicLAvia in Los Angeles, Ciclodia in Lima, and Open Streets Cape Town, highlighting their roles in promoting sustainable transport, social cohesion, and local economic growth.

The document explores the intersection of life-course transitions, provisioning systems, and sustainable consumption. It suggests that pivotal life events—such as parenthood or retirement—can serve as 'windows of opportunity' for behavioral change, though their impact is often mediated by the accessibility and cost of physical and social provisioning systems. Using a case study of older adults in Bangkok, the brief highlights that factors like urban planning and financial constraints often outweigh environmental concerns in determining transport choices. It calls for targeted policies that address systemic 'lock-in' and prioritize long-term sustainability across all life stages.

The document advocates for a life-course approach to sustainable consumption and production (SCP) policies, emphasizing that life transitions—such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement—create "windows of opportunity" for behavioral change. Using a case study of older adults in Bangkok, the authors demonstrate that transportation choices are driven more by the accessibility and cost of "provisioning systems" (infrastructure and social support) than by environmental concerns. The brief concludes that effective SCP policies must be cross-sectoral and address the systemic "lock-in" of damaging practices while targeting specific life-stage transitions to achieve absolute reductions in consumption.

The report argues that the US can significantly reduce its reliance on newly mined minerals for electric vehicle (EV) batteries by prioritizing energy efficiency, right-sizing battery range, and implementing robust recycling policies. Through a 'Very Low Demand Scenario,' the authors demonstrate that newly mined lithium needs could be reduced by 48% from 2025 to 2050, saving 1.5 million metric tons of material. The analysis emphasizes that while electrification is essential for decarbonization, a systems-wide approach—including investments in public transit and rail to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT)—is necessary to create a sustainable and just supply chain.

The document examines the 2019 agreement between Stellantis and Detroit, which provided $13.8 million in community investments and nearly 5,000 jobs in exchange for a $2.5-billion expansion of the Jefferson North Assembly Plant. While the Community Benefits Ordinance (CBO) provided a formal framework for resident engagement via a Neighborhood Advisory Council, the document highlights significant failures in the process, including an expedited six-week negotiation timeline that hindered environmental research. It further details a disconnect between official compliance reports and actual air quality violations, noting that Stellantis released volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants, leading to state fines that did not benefit the impacted majority-Black, low-income community.

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 document examines how the exponential growth of e-commerce—with sales reaching USD 27 trillion in 2022—has increased carbon emissions and waste through warehousing, transportation, and packaging. It argues that sustainability requires a coordinated effort: governments must implement environmental standards and optimize urban planning; the private sector must optimize supply chains and adopt renewable energy; and consumers must shift away from impulsive, fast-delivery habits. The author emphasizes the need for better data collection and international cooperation to support developing countries in building sustainable digital infrastructures.