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The document examines the disconnect between India's national and state-level disaster and climate policies, which often operate in silos. Through research in Barmer and Leh, it highlights how climate change is increasing the frequency of flash floods and 'invisible disasters'—small-scale events that go unreported. The briefing argues that local multi-stakeholder platforms, community-led knowledge sharing (such as 'weather schools' and radio programmes), and the use of post-disaster 'windows of opportunity' can help harmonise DRR and adaptation efforts and influence national policy.

The document argues that climate compatible development is won or lost at the subnational level, where local actors face intense pressure from climate extremes but possess unique advantages in local knowledge and cross-sectoral coordination. It identifies key barriers, such as scientific uncertainty at local scales and a gap between public expectations and available resources. To overcome these, the paper recommends strategies including the cultivation of local political 'champions', the creation of 'knowledge partnerships' to translate climate science for communities, and the use of participatory planning to mobilise in-kind resources. It emphasizes that for these local successes to contribute to global transformational change, they must be 'scaled out' to other localities and 'scaled up' into national policy frameworks.

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 outlines the observed and projected climate impacts in South Asia, emphasizing the region's vulnerability to flooding, heat-related mortality, and food insecurity. It argues that while further warming is inevitable, integrated adaptation and low-carbon development can reduce risks and provide economic opportunities, provided there is strong international cooperation and financial support.

The document argues that disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation have evolved separately despite significant overlaps. It highlights that while DRR focuses on near-term risks and emergency management, adaptation takes a longer-term view of adjusting to climatic shifts. The brief emphasizes that both are driven by exposure and vulnerability, which are often exacerbated by poor development planning. It calls for a transformative approach that prioritizes vulnerability reduction over simple risk management, integrating human rights and sustainable development to prevent the creation of new risks.

The report advocates for Sweden to shift its approach to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) from a humanitarian-led response model to one integrated with sustainable development and resilience building. It highlights that disaster risk is driven more by increasing vulnerability and 'risk blindness' than by natural hazards alone. The authors recommend that the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Sida move DRR activities out of purely humanitarian departments to address underlying structural causes of risk, particularly in urban areas and among the most vulnerable populations.

The PEDRA research group focuses on the human dimensions of environmental and socio-economic risks in Asia, employing systems-oriented approaches to promote inclusive governance and resilient development. Its current work includes nine diverse projects addressing climate change adaptation in peri-urban Southeast Asia, gender inequalities in environmental conditions, disaster risk reduction in WASH systems, and the governance of the Bali Cultural Landscape.

The document details SEI's efforts to support sustainable urbanization through the development of the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) tool, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission tracking frameworks, and the promotion of ecological sanitation. It highlights specific projects in cities such as Bangalore, Seattle, and Leeds, while emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement and the co-benefits of urban green infrastructure.

The Living Planet Report 2014 highlights a critical decline in global vertebrate populations and an ecological overshoot where humanity requires 1.5 Earths to sustain its current consumption. It emphasizes the interdependence of food, water, and energy security with healthy ecosystems and proposes a 'One Planet Perspective' to align human development with planetary boundaries.

The document examines the dual nature of climate-influenced migration in Bangladesh, noting that while it can drive economic growth and serve as a vital adaptation strategy, it also exposes migrants to exploitation and poor living conditions in cities like Dhaka. It argues for proactive policies to protect migrant rights and enhance the adaptive potential of movement.

The document examines the complex drivers of migration in Bangladesh, projecting that 9.7 million people may migrate over the next 40 years due to climate stresses. It argues that migration should be viewed as an adaptation tool rather than a failure of local interventions, noting that remittances help households recover from losses and adapt livelihoods. The authors critique existing Bangladeshi policies for treating migration as a threat or a symptom of unplanned urbanisation and propose a comprehensive climate change policy, an internal migration policy, and improved access to vocational training and migration finance in affected areas.

The research paper investigates a bottom-up scenario for Seattle to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, identifying potential per capita GHG reductions of 34% by 2020 and 91% by 2050 within the buildings, transportation, and waste sectors. It further proposes a "core" emissions accounting framework that excludes industrial activity and a consumption-based perspective to expand the scope of policy solutions.

The National Climate Change Action Plan 2013-2017 provides a strategic roadmap for Kenya to reduce its vulnerability to climate change while maintaining low greenhouse gas emissions. It identifies priority actions across sectors such as agriculture, energy, forestry, and transport, and proposes the establishment of a National Climate Change Council and a Kenya Climate Fund to coordinate governance and finance. The plan emphasizes a 'low carbon climate resilient development pathway' that aligns with Kenya Vision 2030, estimating total investment requirements at approximately KSh 1,085 billion (USD 12.76 billion) for the five-year period.

The report details a workshop in Addis Ababa focused on the nexus of climate change adaptation and peacebuilding in Africa. It emphasizes that climate change exacerbates resource scarcity and conflict, necessitating 'conflict-sensitive' adaptation planning. The proceedings cover the application of the 'Do No Harm' (DNH) framework, the USAID Climate Change and Conflict Annex, and the role of population dynamics—particularly youth bulges and rapid urbanisation—in increasing vulnerability. Through a site visit to Sululta, Ethiopia, the report highlights the gap between conceptual tools and practical implementation. It concludes with recommendations to integrate conflict assessments into National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and to sustain a multidisciplinary community of practice to influence policymakers and donors.

The document identifies China's urbanization as a critical factor for global climate change, noting that by 2030, China will have approximately 1 billion urban residents. It argues that the current development pattern of 'single use superblocks served by auto-centric transportation' is unsustainable and leads to congestion and pollution. To counter this, the authors propose six 'ingredients for success': permeable urban form (smaller, mixed-use blocks), transit-centered transportation (prioritizing walking, biking, and Bus Rapid Transit), effective and enforced building codes, municipal finance reform to move away from land-leasing incentives, new sustainability performance metrics for mayors, and a strengthened planning process with increased technical capacity.

The document analyzes how population growth, economic development, and globalization intensify pressures on land resources, leading to ecosystem degradation and resource depletion. It highlights the conflict between perpetual economic growth and biophysical limits, noting that land-use decisions often ignore non-economic ecosystem functions. The text identifies competing demands for food, feed, fuel, and fiber as primary drivers of land conversion and degradation, exacerbated by climate change. It argues that sustainable land management requires improved governance, capacity building, and the engagement of local communities, mentioning strategies such as REDD and community-based resource management.

The report examines the environmental and economic effects of hydrogen fluoride (HF) emissions from peri-urban brick kilns in Peshawar, Pakistan. It specifically assesses HF concentrations near Bull’s Trench kilns, the resulting visible injuries to fruit trees, the correlation between these injuries and foliar fluoride levels, and the level of awareness and economic impact among local farmers.

During the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010), China achieved a 19.06 percent reduction in energy intensity against a 2005 baseline, driven primarily by technological development and structural adjustments. Despite these efficiency gains, total emissions increased by 33.6 percent, making China the world's largest emitter in 2007. The government deployed significant investment, totaling 1.73 trillion yuan in new and renewable energy and 859.2 billion yuan in energy efficiency, though these efforts primarily benefited large state-owned enterprises over small and medium enterprises. Looking toward the 12th Five-Year Plan, the document identifies challenges in meeting ambitious energy and carbon intensity targets due to rapid urbanization, rising marginal costs of conservation, and the continued prioritization of GDP growth by local governments.

During the 11th Five-Year Plan, China reduced its energy intensity by 19.06% compared to a 2005 baseline, primarily through the adoption of cleaner technologies and economic structural changes. While administrative and incentive instruments significantly reduced CO2 emissions, total emissions grew by 33.6%, making China the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter. The report highlights that while large enterprises and local governments implemented energy-saving measures, small- and medium-sized enterprises lagged behind, and regional competition often prioritized GDP growth over carbon reduction. Looking toward the 12th FYP, the document warns that rising marginal costs and rapid urbanization will make achieving new energy and carbon intensity targets more challenging.

The document outlines the interaction between climate change, human vulnerability, and disaster risk in Latin America and the Caribbean. It emphasizes that while climate change is altering the frequency and intensity of extreme events, human factors—such as unplanned urbanization and poverty—are primary drivers of increasing disaster impacts. The report advocates for an integrated approach that combines disaster risk management (DRM) with climate change adaptation (CCA) and sustainable development, moving from incremental to transformational changes in governance and infrastructure.