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The report presents a business case for Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), arguing that failing to secure community approval creates significant financial, operational, and reputational risks. Through four case studies in the Philippines, Argentina, Thailand, and Peru, it demonstrates that while FPIC requires an iterative process of information sharing and negotiation, the costs are minimal compared to the potential losses from project delays, asset write-downs, and lost revenues. The authors recommend that project sponsors, financiers, and host governments integrate FPIC into their decision-making and permitting processes to avoid costly conflicts.

The report examines urine diversion as a sustainable sanitation alternative that separates urine from faeces to facilitate nutrient recycling in agriculture. It details various implementation contexts, from rural areas in West Africa and China to urban settings in Sweden, and provides technical guidelines for toilets, piping, and storage. The document argues that urine diversion can reduce environmental pollution and provide low-cost fertilizer, though it notes challenges regarding pharmaceutical residues and the need for institutional mainstreaming.

The document introduces Environmental Improvement Zones (EIZs) as a community-based framework for implementing environmental strategies in Winnipeg. It outlines baseline data and recommended activities across seven key areas: climate change/air quality, urban energy, land use, transportation, waste management, water management, and pesticide use. The guide details pilot results from three diverse neighbourhoods—Whyte Ridge, Riverview, and West Broadway—demonstrating that environmental priorities vary significantly by socio-economic profile and urban layout. It argues that a neighbourhood-scale approach using community-based social marketing (CBSM) is more effective for long-term behaviour change than city-wide, 'one size fits all' programming.

The document examines the impact of international environmental standards on Pakistan's export sectors, arguing that while compliance can be costly, it often leads to efficiency gains and market access. It analyzes 'win-win' scenarios where cleaner production reduces costs, and 'net-win' scenarios where environmental and health benefits outweigh mitigation costs. The study highlights the leather sector's success with in-plant modifications and the challenges facing the textile sector due to high end-of-pipe treatment costs. It concludes that Pakistan lacks the institutional capacity to fully leverage WTO agreements (TBT and SPS) to manage these standards.

The report examines the conversion of unproductive sandy land in central Vietnam into shrimp aquaculture zones. While the practice offers significant poverty alleviation and economic growth opportunities, it faces critical challenges regarding groundwater depletion, unregulated wastewater discharge, and the need for integrated planning with afforestation to prevent sand movement.

The research examines the impact of international environmental standards on Pakistan's leather and textile exports. It identifies 'win-win' scenarios where in-plant cleaner production measures reduce costs and pollution, but notes that expensive end-of-pipe treatments often lead to 'net-loss' for SMEs. The paper highlights a gap between formal ISO certifications and actual compliance, and argues that Pakistan must build institutional capacity to leverage WTO agreements (TBT and SPS) to maintain market access as voluntary standards increase.

The North Central Arizona Water Demand Study (Phase I) assesses water demand and supply for 15 non-reservation communities on the Coconino Plateau. In 2000, total demand was approximately 5,842 million gallons, with potable water accounting for 80% and reclaimed wastewater for 16%. The report highlights a significant reliance on groundwater, often from deep and costly wells, and the critical role of wastewater reclamation in communities like Tusayan, where it meets 40% of demand. It identifies a wide disparity in conservation efforts, with Flagstaff having the most extensive program and Page lacking a serious initiative. The document concludes by proposing a Phase II forecasting methodology that uses population projections and water-use models to create baseline, moderate, and aggressive conservation scenarios.

The La Pine Community Design Charrette, facilitated by the Rocky Mountain Institute in April 2000, sought to move away from traditional consultant-led planning by involving residents directly in the design process. The workshop focused on creating a walkable town center, improving pedestrian safety along Highway 97, and establishing a greenbelt system along the Little Deschutes River. Key recommendations include reducing excessive commercial zoning to prevent sprawl and concentrating retail into a viable town center of 50,000 to 75,000 square feet. The report outlines specific locations for prospective projects such as a civic center, health center, and performing arts center, while emphasizing the need for 'Green Development' and sustainable infrastructure like 'Living Machines' for wastewater treatment.

The document analyzes methane emissions from Brazil's waste sector, noting that in 2022, the sector contributed 15% of total national methane emissions, with 68% of those stemming from solid waste disposal. It outlines the institutional framework, including the National Solid Waste Policy and the Basic Sanitation Legal Framework, while highlighting significant challenges such as low recycling rates (4%) and the continued use of open dumps (26% of collected municipal solid waste). The factsheet proposes opportunities for mitigation through improved organic waste treatment, methane recovery systems at landfills, and the development of waste-fee systems to finance infrastructure.

The waste sector is the third largest source of human-driven methane emissions, contributing 18% of global anthropogenic methane in 2020, with municipal solid waste accounting for 11% and wastewater for 7%. Mitigation efforts are currently hindered by a lack of data on landfills and dumpsites and limited access to evidence-based best practices. To address this, the Clean Air Task Force and RMI are launching the Waste Methane Assessment Platform (Waste MAP), an open-source online tool designed to improve data availability, provide a heat map of emissions, and offer strategic playbooks for mitigation. In 2023, the initiative includes engagement in six countries: Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador (via CATF), and India, Nigeria, and the United States (via RMI), providing technical assistance and capacity building to help these nations meet the Global Methane Pledge and other greenhouse gas targets.

A draft reply from the South African Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs regarding fish kills in the Blaaubankspruit in January 2011, attributing the event to sewage effluent rather than acid mine drainage.

A draft reply from the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs regarding a directive issued to Dipaleseng Municipality for violating the National Water Act due to pollution from wastewater treatment works.

The report argues that marine phosphate mining is unwarranted in South Africa because it would increase environmental phosphate flows and contamination. It proposes that a sustainable supply of phosphates can be achieved through 'loop-closure'—specifically recovering phosphorus from human and animal waste and improving fertilizer application efficiency in agriculture. A substance flow analysis indicates that approximately 164 kt/year of phosphorus enters the South African environment, with 133 kt/year potentially recoverable through recycling. The document concludes that terrestrial reserves are sufficient for 90–220 years, making the ecological risks of seabed mining unnecessary.

The document argues that current proposed regulations for unconventional oil and gas (UOG) in South Africa are insufficient, particularly regarding the exclusion of coalbed methane (CBM) and inadequate groundwater protections. It recommends expanding definitions to include all stimulation techniques, implementing strict setback distances to protect sensitive aquifers and towns, and requiring long-term monitoring of decommissioned wells for up to 50 years to prevent contamination.

Vietnam faces high vulnerability to climate change and rapidly growing emissions, projected to reach 387 Mt by 2030, primarily driven by energy supply. While the government has established the National Target Program and various energy efficiency laws, the report finds that existing and planned projects are likely to harvest only 12% of the available abatement potential between 2015 and 2030. Major barriers include low electricity and coal prices, limited technical and financial capacity among stakeholders, and institutional overlaps. The study recommends a coordinated national mitigation programme and specific sector-level interventions in REDD+, wind policy, industrial energy efficiency, and waste management.

The proposal addresses Cambodia's vulnerability to climate change, specifically how severe flooding and sea-level rise exacerbate pollution from poorly managed solid waste and wastewater in coastal areas. It seeks GCF funding to revisit national policy and build the capacity of the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and local authorities in Preah Sihanouk and Krong Kaeb. The initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from untreated effluent and protect livelihood-providing ecosystems by improving coordination and attracting private sector investment for low-emission, resilient infrastructure.

The City of Cape Town is implementing the Faure New Water Scheme (NWS) as part of a broader New Water Programme to add 300 million litres of water per day from diversified sources by 2030. The Faure NWS will utilize a multi-barrier advanced purification process to convert treated wastewater into drinking-quality water, with a planned capacity of up to 100 ML/d. The project is expected to be commissioned by 2030 and will create approximately 70 direct jobs. The document also highlights global and regional trends in water reuse, citing successful implementations in Singapore, Australia, and other South African cities like Beaufort West and Ballito.

The document outlines the opportunities and regulatory requirements for private sector engagement in South Africa's water sector. It highlights a significant infrastructure investment gap, with an estimated R900 billion needed over the next decade. Key opportunities are identified in metropolitan municipalities, where R54.6 billion is planned for water and sanitation spend between 2023/24 and 2025/26. The guide details the roles of national and local government, the impact of new legislation like the Public Procurement Act (2024) and the NWRIA Act (2024), and the specific procurement thresholds and B-BBEE scoring systems used in public tenders. It also lists innovation platforms and trial mechanisms for new technologies.

The document outlines specific power consumption (SPC) benchmarks for primary and tertiary wastewater treatment technologies in South Africa. It identifies that while these stages are not energy intensive, efficiency can be improved through peak demand management, equipment idling, and UV disinfection upgrades, with potential energy savings of up to 50% for UV systems.

The document outlines how municipal wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) in South Africa can reduce energy consumption and carbon footprints through optimized sludge management. It details specific technical interventions in primary sedimentation, dewatering, thickening, and stabilisation, while providing a business case for biogas production and a framework of financing mechanisms for implementing these energy efficiency projects.