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The report examines the environmental platforms of seven political parties and one electoral alliance for the 2021 Estonian local elections. It finds a significant increase in the volume and specificity of environmental promises compared to 2017, with a shift in focus toward climate, energy, and mobility. In Tallinn, mobility dominated the discourse, while Tartu platforms emphasized nature and parks. The analysis highlights that Eestimaa Rohelised (Greens) provided the most comprehensive environmental programs across all levels, while EKRE's platforms were the most modest and occasionally opposed the 'green transition'. The document also assesses the alignment of these promises with the UN SDGs and the criteria for Tallinn's bid as a European Green Capital.

The document argues that smart city developments often prioritize technology and business interests, risking the exclusion of marginalized groups, the urban poor, and women. It proposes a participatory approach to urban planning that utilizes stakeholder mapping, gender-sensitive data collection, and social equity impact assessments to ensure that digital and infrastructural transformations do not exacerbate existing social inequalities or displace vulnerable populations.

The study examines flood risk in Windsor, Ontario, by combining geospatial hazard data with socioeconomic indicators. It finds that while riverine flood risk is relatively evenly distributed across social groups, pluvial (surface) flood risk is significantly higher for Black households, Indigenous people, and other visible minorities. The authors argue that traditional risk assessments focusing only on physical exposure overlook these environmental injustices, and recommend that mitigation resources and communication strategies be targeted toward socioeconomically vulnerable communities to improve cost-effectiveness and equity.

The report uses surveys and workshops with stakeholders in Dakar to assess how climate change risks are perceived and which adaptation strategies are most acceptable. It finds that while risks are seen as immediate, climate change is a low political priority compared to public services and health. Stakeholders prefer nature-based solutions and risk governance over hard infrastructure, though administrative and financial constraints are seen as major barriers to implementation.

The report establishes a conceptual framework for urban climate finance, emphasizing that mobilization depends on the alignment of country-specific, city-specific, and climate-specific enabling conditions. It details the five roles city governments play—consumer, provider, fundraiser, regulator, and champion—and argues that a lack of administrative capacity, fragmented authority, and limited revenue sources in developing countries create significant barriers. The document recommends integrating climate considerations into all levels of city planning (strategic, spatial, capital investment, and budgetary) and suggests using carbon pricing, land-value capture, and conditional intergovernmental transfers to close the urban financing gap.

The document explores low- and zero-emissions zones (LEZs and ZEZs) as tools for cities to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It compares international examples from Europe and Singapore with a voluntary pilot in Santa Monica, California. A significant portion of the guide is dedicated to ensuring equity, arguing that ZEZs in California must be designed to avoid regressive financial burdens on low-income residents and people of color, who are disproportionately exposed to vehicle-related PM2.5 pollution. The authors recommend that California provide enabling legislation for cities to implement these zones and suggest targeting high-pollution sectors, such as heavy-duty freight, to maximize public health benefits in disadvantaged communities.

The Kibera Public Space Project, led by the Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI), transforms dumpsites and wastelands into a network of multifunctional public spaces to build flood resilience in Nairobi's largest informal settlement. By integrating drainage, gabions, and early-warning systems, the project protects vulnerable households from increasing rainfall risks exacerbated by climate change. The initiative emphasizes community co-design and has successfully advocated for the integration of Kibera into formal city planning through a Special Planning Area approved in 2020.

The survey of 1,269 residents in Helsinki and Tallinn reveals a high valuation of urban nature for pollution reduction, habitat provision, and relaxation, while economic value and community building are seen as less important. Residents in both cities expressed concerns over antisocial behavior and the risk of crime in isolated green areas, as well as the loss of 'wild' nature to infill building. Preferred new green elements include trees, green walls, and meadows. Regarding urban planning, approximately 50% of respondents felt their cities did not actively promote participation opportunities, showing a preference for 3D/VR tools and direct engagement like walks with planners over social interaction with other residents. Area-specific analysis highlights the use of Kalasatama and the Pollinator Highway primarily for exercise, daily errands, and commuting, with walking and cycling as the dominant modes of transport.

The report examines gender inequality in the urban public transport sectors of Nairobi, Kampala, and Dar es Salaam, finding that transport systems are generally designed for young, fit men and fail to address the specific mobility needs, safety concerns, and employment barriers faced by women. While national constitutions and gender policies in Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya provide a foundation for equality, specific transport policies often generalize users and lack explicit gender-responsive measures. The study highlights significant risks of sexual harassment and assault, the underrepresentation of women as drivers and operators due to social stigma and structural barriers, and a lack of gender-disaggregated data to inform policy. It suggests that the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems and the rise of online taxi-hailing services present opportunities to integrate gender-sensitive infrastructure and flexible employment for women.

The United States aims to reduce carbon pollution to at least 50-52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. RMI asserts that this is achievable by immediately phasing out fossil fuel infrastructure and scaling three primary solutions: renewables (wind, solar, and batteries), electrification (electric vehicles and heat pumps), and holistic efficiency. The document emphasizes that cumulative emissions are the critical metric for limiting warming to 1.5°C and that the transition will provide significant public health benefits, job creation, and social equity, particularly for historically disadvantaged communities.

RMI analysis indicates that Colorado's plan to add nearly 200 new highway lane-miles by 2030 could induce 1 to 1.5 billion additional annual vehicle miles traveled (VMT), equivalent to adding 70,000 more vehicles to the roads each year. The report argues that road expansion fails to provide long-term congestion relief because travel demand increases proportionally to new capacity, a phenomenon known as induced travel. These expansions are estimated to increase cumulative direct and upstream greenhouse gas emissions by 8 to 15 million tons of CO2-equivalent through 2050, costing over $3 billion in direct project costs. RMI advocates for shifting investment toward public transit, micro-mobility, and compact, mixed-use community development to achieve a 10 percent reduction in VMT by 2030.

The 'Kin Dee You Dee' toolkit uses three sets of serious games to build climate resilience in urban low-income communities. The process moves from creating awareness of resilience concepts to mapping assets and risks, and finally developing strategic response plans. Applied in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region and Udon Thani province, the toolkit is concluded to be a useful instrument for policymakers and stakeholders to increase community engagement and disaster risk awareness.

The report investigates the impact of 3,321 warehouses over 100,000 square feet in the South Coast Air Basin, finding that these facilities are disproportionately sited in low-income communities of color. This siting increases exposure to diesel truck emissions, which are linked to asthma, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The analysis highlights a disparity where the communities most impacted by warehouse pollution are not the primary consumers of the e-commerce goods stored within them. The authors call for the South Coast Air Quality Management District to implement a strong Indirect Source Rule requiring zero-emission technology in these disadvantaged areas.

The report evaluates the Paterson Park Precinct's building infrastructure in Johannesburg, comparing a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario with a green building scenario across different climate pathways (RCP 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5). Using the SAVi tool and Copernicus Climate Change Service data, the analysis finds that green buildings significantly reduce life-cycle costs through lower energy and maintenance expenditures and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change primarily increases energy costs and GHG emissions for both scenarios, though the green design remains more cost-effective. Additionally, the report identifies solar PV installations as a highly profitable investment in South Africa, particularly when accounting for electricity price inflation.

The document highlights the critical role of local governments in achieving Bangladesh's national and international climate commitments, noting that while national policies like the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 exist, they often lack alignment with local realities. It identifies significant gaps in vertical coordination, technical capacity, and dedicated climate financing for municipalities. The brief recommends the use of resilience planning tools, the establishment of national knowledge management 'cells', and the inclusion of local governments in national consultation processes to ensure budgets and policies are responsive to on-the-ground urban vulnerabilities.

The document outlines how involving citizens in urban planning and investment decisions can lead to more innovative sustainable solutions and reduce inequalities. It describes various levels of participation—from informing to empowering—and provides examples of tools such as participatory budgeting, citizen juries, and digital platforms to enhance democratic processes in cities.

Lars Henrik Gass discusses the necessity of evolving film festivals and cinema culture in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and long-term commercial decline. Using the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen's shift to a streaming portal and blog in 2020, he argues that digital resources can democratize film access and reach new audiences. He contends that cinema should be freed from market interests through public funding and redesigned as sustainable, multi-functional urban cultural spaces that integrate digital and analogue experiences.

The document outlines the critical need for low-carbon transport in Mexico, where the sector is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights the potential for green bonds to fund electric mobility, rail infrastructure, and fleet renewals, while noting that only 1.27% of green bond proceeds from Mexican issuers have been allocated to transport as of January 2021.

The Nature4Cities Latam project is a 24-month readiness initiative designed to address barriers to the adoption of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in six selected secondary cities across Cuba, Ecuador, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. The project focuses on strengthening the knowledge base, reinforcing policy frameworks, fostering private sector partnerships, and developing innovative climate finance strategies. Key deliverables include city-level vulnerability and GHG assessments, Nature-Based Urban adaptation and mitigation Plans, and a regional online platform for knowledge sharing. The initiative aims to transition from pilot assessments to a pipeline of fundable project concept notes for the Green Climate Fund.

The study finds that nearly 50% of daily trips in Nairobi are made via non-motorized transport (NMT), yet these users account for 66.3% of traffic fatalities. Pedestrians are the most vulnerable, with a high concentration of deaths among males aged 20-44. Infrastructure is severely lacking, characterized by narrow or non-existent footpaths, poor lighting, and a lack of protected cycle lanes, particularly in low-income eastern districts. The report recommends expanding NMT networks, enhancing road safety enforcement, and improving street lighting and drainage to create a more inclusive and sustainable transport system.