Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper examines urban transportation challenges in Africa, using South Africa as a primary case study to illustrate the impact of colonial and apartheid legacies on infrastructure. It evaluates the effectiveness of high-cost rail projects versus Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems and the role of informal paratransit, while proposing policy interventions to improve accessibility and safety.

This policy brief examines the critical role of peri-urban ecosystems in India, highlighting how rapid urbanisation and ambiguous administrative boundaries lead to the neglect of these areas. It argues that preserving peri-urban ecosystems is essential for city resilience, food security, and climate adaptation, and recommends integrated, participatory planning to bridge the rural-urban divide.

This case study by the Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group (GEAG) examines the challenges of fostering climate resilience in the peri-urban areas of Uttar Pradesh, India. It argues that current urban development policies treat populations as homogeneous, ignoring gender, class, and age differences that affect vulnerability to climate hazards. The document advocates for gender-responsive, climate-smart development solutions that increase women's participation in decision-making and address the silos between urban, peri-urban, and rural governance.

This policy brief examines the causes of recurring flooding in Accra, Ghana, and advocates for the integration of ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) with traditional infrastructure to mitigate disaster risks. It emphasizes the necessity of collaboration and communication between municipal and district assemblies to manage shared waterways and drainage systems effectively.

SSSSS

This briefing discusses the role of cities as primary vehicles for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing that urban governance and knowledge-sharing between cities can address global societal problems. It highlights how decentralization and municipal empowerment enable cities to implement pragmatic solutions, which is particularly relevant for Africa's rapidly growing urban centers.

This policy brief by the British High Commission, New Delhi, discusses the India-UK partnership's role in supporting India's Smart City Mission to ensure sustainable, resilient, and low-carbon urban growth in the face of increasing climate hazards and energy demand.

This briefing analyzes urbanisation trends in Zimbabwe using ZIMSTAT census data, noting a statistical decline in the urban population proportion from 35% to 33% between 2002 and 2012. While the total urban population grew at a slow rate of 0.6% per annum, the document cautions that this trend is complex and influenced by factors like climate pressure and economic instability, suggesting that independent data sources are needed to better inform policy and resource allocation.

This case study describes the 'Future Proofing Cities' project in Madurai, India, which focuses on strengthening blue-green infrastructure—comprising hydrological systems and land-based natural habitats—to mitigate the impacts of climate change and urbanization.

This research paper examines the rapid pace of urbanisation in Africa, forecasting population trends and identifying the structural challenges that hinder sustainable urban development. It focuses on the emergence of megacities and the disconnect between urban growth and economic structural transformation.

This policy briefing argues that subnational governments and cities are essential for implementing international climate agreements but are often excluded from the formal negotiating tables of the UNFCCC. It highlights the role of transnational actors like ICLEI in bridging this gap and recommends a shift toward 'co-production' between national and local governments to ensure climate targets are implementable at the local scale.

This case study examines the 'Future Proofing Cities' project in Madurai, India, which focuses on strengthening blue-green infrastructure to mitigate climate change impacts through multi-stakeholder engagement and the use of intermediary organisations.

This briefing by the Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) discusses the challenges of integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation policies in India, specifically within the arid zones of Barmer and Leh. It highlights the disconnect between national policy and local operational reality, advocating for the use of local knowledge and multi-stakeholder platforms to harmonize these efforts.

This policy briefing examines the partnership between China and Angola in constructing satellite towns to address Angola's housing crisis, focusing on the Kilamba Kiaxi project as a case study. It analyzes the 'resources for infrastructure' financing model and identifies challenges regarding local adaptation, affordability, and the provision of public services.

This executive summary distils findings from the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report specifically for South Asia. It details observed climate changes, projected risks to food and water security, and the necessity of integrating adaptation and mitigation strategies into regional development to protect vulnerable populations and economic growth.

This case study examines the China–Sweden Erdos Eco-Town Project, an effort to implement full-scale dry sanitation systems with urine diversion in an arid urban area of northern China. While the project provided valuable learning regarding the technical and social challenges of upscaling eco-toilets, it was ultimately overshadowed by rapid economic growth and compromised by poor construction quality and a lack of dedicated ownership.

This briefing presents ten recommendations from experts in India, Pakistan, and Nepal for the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. Key proposals include mandating community involvement in monitoring, integrating DRR with climate change adaptation, addressing urban risks in informal settlements, and mainstreaming DRR into national budgets and local financial institutions.

The Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) Enabling Logic Model outlines a strategic framework to enhance global resilience by 2030, focusing on food systems, urbanisation, and the integration of resilience into private and financial sectors.

This fact sheet from the South African Institute of International Affairs outlines the 'key certainties' and 'key uncertainties' regarding the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in Southern Africa, highlighting trends in urbanisation, energy costs, and climate vulnerability.