Search Climate Insights Directory

This 2010 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute provides a strategic analysis of biodiversity in Tallinn, Estonia. It applies the 'Singapore Index' to assess the city's biological diversity and conservation efforts, surveys city officials on their experiences and expectations, and offers strategic and tactical recommendations to the Tallinn City Government to improve the preservation of urban biodiversity.

The 2010 Sustainable Transport Report, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute on behalf of the Sustainable Development Commission, analyzes transport and mobility trends in Estonia. It concludes that current trends are unsustainable, characterized by rapid growth in car use and road freight that outpaces economic growth, leading to increased energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The report proposes three scenarios for 2010–2020: a baseline (BAAS) scenario continuing current trends, a technology-focused (TEHNO) scenario emphasizing vehicle efficiency, and an effect-focused (EFEKT) scenario prioritizing mobility management and sustainable transport modes. It recommends integrating fiscal measures, such as CO2-based vehicle taxes, with systemic urban planning and investments in public transport and active mobility to meet EU climate targets.

This 2010 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute explores pathways for the United Kingdom to achieve a zero-carbon transport system by 2050. It compares a Business-as-usual (BAU) scenario with a Maximum Impact (MI) scenario, quantifying the potential CO2 reductions from spatial planning, fiscal measures, behavioural changes, and technological shifts across road, rail, aviation, and shipping sectors.

This guide provides a comprehensive framework for local governments to preserve and enhance biological diversity within urban environments. It emphasizes the role of municipal authorities in integrating biodiversity into strategic planning, managing green infrastructure, and engaging local communities to improve urban quality of life and ecosystem services.

The Menu is a guide published by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) that provides a framework of actions for community leaders to prepare their cities for the adoption of electrified vehicles (plug-ins). It categorizes actions into "must have" and "nice to have" tiers, targeting a goal of having plug-ins account for 2% of total registered vehicles within five years.

The report proposes a model for implementing Environmental Improvement Zones (EIZs) in Winnipeg to engage neighbourhoods in local environmental action. It suggests a service-innovation and delivery focus, anchored by existing community-based organizations and supported by a multi-partite agreement between the City of Winnipeg, Environment Canada, and the Province of Manitoba.

This executive summary details a project conducted between October 2002 and December 2004 by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Climate Change and Development Consultants (CC&D), and the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP). The project explored the use of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to promote sustainable development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Chile's transportation sector, specifically focusing on three case studies in Santiago: bicycle infrastructure, bus technology, and location efficiency.

This 1995 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute analyzes energy consumption and pollutant emissions in the Texas transportation sector. Using the LEAP/EDB analysis system, the study establishes a 1994 baseline (Reference Scenario) and projects energy use through 2020 across five different policy scenarios: Reference, Rollback, Moderate, Aggressive, and Visionary. The report evaluates the impact of transportation control measures (TCMs), technological innovations, and pricing policies on reducing petroleum dependence and improving air quality.

This case study examines how Cartagena de Indias has maintained its climate change adaptation agenda despite significant institutional instability caused by the illness and death of Mayor Elias Terán and a subsequent rotation of acting mayors.

This policy brief describes the process of developing the 'Guidelines for Adaptation to Climate Change in Cartagena de Indias', making Cartagena the first coastal city in South America to produce such guidelines. The initiative, supported by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) and coordinated by the Institute of Marine and Coastal Research (INVEMAR), aims to integrate climate resilience into municipal land-use planning and zoning policies to protect the city's socioeconomic development and vulnerable populations.

Plan 4C is a strategic framework for Cartagena, Colombia, aiming for climate compatible development by 2040. It addresses risks such as a projected 60 cm sea level rise and flooding that could affect 27.5% of the population and 86% of the city's historic heritage. The plan proposes 5 strategies and 36 projects across three main axes: economic adaptation (ports, industry, tourism), citizen adaptation (neighborhoods), and ecological restoration. The total estimated cost for city-wide adaptation is COL$1.5 trillion, with implementation supported by the proposed Cartagena Climate Action Center and a dedicated District Climate Change Fund.

This fact sheet describes the India-UK Smart Cities for Growth partnership, focusing on enhancing the climate resilience and sustainability of Indian urban centers. It details various initiatives, including the 'Future Proofing Indian Cities' programme, disaster proofing of digital infrastructure, and the development of heat action plans to mitigate the risks of extreme temperatures.

This report describes a project in Gorakhpur, India, focused on improving the resilience of poor urban communities to climate change. It details the collaboration between the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), the Gorakhpur Urban Resilience Project, and various local stakeholders to integrate climate risk management into urban planning and governance.

This guide provides a methodology for city or government departments to prioritize climate resilience interventions. It outlines a two-exercise process: first, assessing interventions against five specific resilience indicators to determine an overall resilience score, and second, evaluating high-scoring interventions for feasibility and impact, with a strong emphasis on gender equality and social inclusion.

This briefing note presents a case study on the economic impacts of climate change on infrastructure in the Kampala urban area of Uganda. It focuses on the rising costs of flooding and the estimated financial requirements for climate-proofing buildings and roads through 2050.

This infographic outlines the health and socio-economic benefits of a just energy transition, focusing on the creation of a healthy fossil-free economy, healthy fossil-free cities, and access to clean and healthy energy.

This infographic by the Global Climate and Health Alliance outlines the health and societal benefits of transitioning to a fossil-free economy, focusing on healthy cities, clean energy access, and a sustainable economy.

This report analyzes the barriers and strategic requirements for achieving a 100% electric Major Public Transport (TPM) fleet in Greater Valparaíso by 2040. It identifies charging infrastructure and electrical grid capacity as the most critical obstacles, while confirming that electric buses can operate in the city's challenging topography if technically adapted. The document proposes a transition from an atomized operator model to a professionalized system with state-led infrastructure provision, drawing on international experiences from the Netherlands, China, Colombia, and Santiago de Chile.

This guide by Energy Innovation outlines eight quantifiable urban planning principles designed to help China develop prosperous, low-carbon cities. It argues that high-density cities cannot be designed around the car and must instead prioritize public transport, walking, and bicycling to avoid gridlock, pollution, and economic stagnation.

The document is a briefing from GreenCape detailing a 'CircEcon Intervention Map' for the City of Cape Town (CCT). It outlines a comprehensive set of current and proposed circular economy interventions categorized by resource prioritization, lifetime extension, and waste recovery, with a strong focus on green procurement, sustainable urban planning, and economic inclusion for SMMEs.