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The report argues that India's kerosene subsidy program is highly inefficient due to significant leakages and poor service quality. It proposes replacing these subsidies with targeted support for solar-based lighting in rural areas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for urban-poor households, asserting that such a transition would be economically beneficial for both the government and the beneficiaries.

The document argues that the current trajectory of urbanization in the Global South—characterized by rapid population growth outpacing economic growth and the 'urbanization of poverty'—risks locking cities into unsustainable patterns. It proposes a new categorization of cities based on economic productivity and population growth, focusing on 'struggling' and 'emerging' cities. The authors contend that providing equitable access to core services (housing, water, sanitation, energy, and transport) is the essential entry point for broader transformative urban change. Using case studies from Medellín and Surat, the paper illustrates how solving a 'seminal problem' can trigger a virtuous cycle of improvement across governance, finance, and planning, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

The document reports on a COP21 side event regarding Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs). Speakers argued that NAMAs currently lack regulations on stakeholder engagement and environmental criteria, which undermines their potential for sustainable development. Case studies from Costa Rica and India illustrated how the dominance of the industrial sector and international agencies can marginalize civil society and informal workers, such as wastepickers. The event concluded that universal safeguards, including grievance mechanisms and transparent monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems, are essential to ensure NAMAs are community-led and effective.

The document outlines a diverse landscape of climate financing for cities, categorised into local internal revenues, external third-party sources, and international funds. Local options include property and land taxes, user fees, development charges, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF), as well as 'intracting' for energy retrofits. External sources feature Energy Performance Contracting (EPC), green bonds, and crowdfunding. International support is available through climate funds like the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Global Environment Facility (GEF), Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), and philanthropic organisations, though the authors note that most international funds require cooperation with national governments due to strict fiduciary and creditworthiness standards. The guide emphasizes that while international funds are necessary for large-scale projects, local sources foster greater municipal autonomy and sustainability.

The authors use domestic household water consumption in Bangalore to argue that urban hydrology is essentially 'social hydrology,' where the unequal distribution of piped water infrastructure acts as the primary driver of groundwater patterns, outweighing biophysical factors.

The report assesses Bangalore's vulnerability to climate change, water scarcity, and rising carbon emissions, highlighting that rapid, unplanned urbanisation has degraded natural resources and increased the vulnerability of the urban poor. It identifies fragmented governance and limited operational capacity as key barriers to resilience, recommending priority action in water and energy systems.

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 World Resources Institute (WRI) reports its internal climate management and GHG emissions for the 2013 reporting year. WRI has established 2020 reduction targets for Scope 2 and Scope 3 emissions, supported by an internal carbon fee of $50/mt CO2e on business travel. While Scope 1 and 2 emissions decreased, Scope 3 emissions—particularly from purchased goods and services—increased. WRI identifies reputational and operational risks related to climate change and is piloting primary data collection with its supply chain.

The document analyzes green industrial policy—policies supporting industries that produce environmentally preferable goods—within the context of the global trading system. It identifies various market failures, such as environmental externalities and capital market imperfections, that justify government intervention. However, it warns of governance failures, including rent-seeking and the risk of picking unsuccessful 'winners.' The author argues that while traditional industrial policy is often mercantilist, green industrial policy can provide global benefits, potentially justifying special trade rules or exemptions for climate-related measures and least-developed countries.

The document analyzes how structural and regulatory inefficiencies in India's trucking industry, such as poor road quality and toll delays, exacerbate the impact of rising diesel prices. It finds that truck operators are largely 'price takers' unable to pass fuel cost increases to customers due to fierce competition and a dependence on brokers. To mitigate these impacts, the brief recommends short-term interventions like reducing toll waiting times and fixing minimum freight rates, alongside long-term structural reforms including computerized exchange networks and improved fuel efficiency standards.

This report documents the Second Meeting of the Asian Regional Initiative on Biocultural Community Protocols (ARI-BCP), held in Bangalore from February 18 to 20, 2013, to discuss challenges and collaboration on Biocultural Community Protocols (BCPs) across South Asia.

The report details a meeting in Bangalore where partners discussed using Biocultural Community Protocols (BCPs) to empower communities in South Asia, specifically analyzing their utility under India's Biodiversity Act, 2002 and Forest Rights Act, 2006.

The report identifies energy insecurity, water scarcity, and climate change as significant financial risks for commercial buildings in South and Southeast Asia. It details how these trends increase utility costs, accelerate building depreciation, and cause construction delays. To mitigate these risks, the report proposes a risk assessment framework based on building location (exposure) and design (vulnerability). It further argues that green building investments can reduce these risks and provide net positive financial returns, often within three to five years, particularly in the Indian market.

The India-UK partnership focuses on making Indian cities climate-smart by integrating climate risk data into urban planning and infrastructure. Key initiatives include the 'Future Proofing Indian Cities' programme, which assessed 59 cities for environmental risks, and the 'Disaster Proofing Indian Smart Cities' project, which provides guidance on the resilience of Digital Information Technology (DIT). The partnership has delivered specific action plans and investment strategies for cities such as Mysore, Madurai, Bangalore, Aluva, and Kolkata, while also supporting the development of national Heat Action Plans to combat increasing extreme heat waves.

The report finds that the COVID-19 lockdown led to a significant reduction in air pollution in Bengaluru, primarily due to a sharp decline in motorized transportation. Analysis of 26 monitoring stations showed an average 28% drop in PM2.5 levels, while satellite data indicated a 40% reduction in NO2. The most significant decrease occurred near Bellandur Lake (75%), attributed to the halt of construction and vehicular movement. Conversely, the lowest reduction was seen near Halasuru Hospital (14%), likely due to continued essential hospital visits. The study concludes that the transportation sector is the primary driver of air pollution in the city and recommends shifting to electric vehicles, enhancing public transport, and promoting non-motorized transportation to maintain breathable air quality.

The Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) emphasizes the role of youth as core contributors in climate resilience through a model that combines flexible funding, mentorship, and creative storytelling. By utilizing small, catalytic grants via the Knowledge Into Use (KIU) Awards, GRP supports arts-based initiatives—such as murals and theatre—to make technical climate data accessible to local communities. The report highlights the importance of 'proximate leadership,' where youth are integrated into decision-making roles and global policy spaces like the COP Resilience Hub. Key findings suggest that pairing financial resources with structured guidance and visibility enables young innovators to scale their impact and secure further investment.

The project, a partnership between IISD, MYRADA, and DFID, aimed to build capacity in Appreciative Inquiry (AI) to design sustainable development projects in rural India. It exceeded its initial targets, training 804 people from 70 organisations and engaging approximately 500 community-based organisations (CBOs) representing 10,000 people. Key outcomes included the mainstreaming of AI within MYRADA, the creation of a field-guide and training video, and the development of community visions focusing on gender equity, environmental improvement, and livelihood security. The report concludes that AI is a robust, motivating tool that complements existing participatory techniques like Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA).

The report argues that the ITES sector has missed previous opportunities to drive sustainable development and must now adopt an 'Outsourcing 3.0' model. This framework moves beyond simple cost-cutting (Outsourcing 1.0) and high-value job relocation (Outsourcing 2.0) toward a model where companies, cities, and countries compete responsibly. The authors identify six drivers for this transition: creating a responsible business climate, smart philanthropy at the base-of-the-pyramid, building talent, improving business standards and compliance, fostering product and service innovation (such as 'tribesourcing'), and contributing to low-carbon prosperity. The report emphasizes that the 2009 economic downturn provides a critical window to reset the industry's approach to corporate social responsibility and environmental impact.

The Heroes Project, a collaboration between Natural Justice and the Law+Environment+Design Laboratory, aims to heal collective historical trauma in Khoi-San youth in South Africa. By creating graphic narratives based on Joseph Campbell's 'hero's journey' and Khoi-San mythology, the project seeks to provide positive role models and reconnect youth with their cultural identity. The initiative combines legal support with creative interventions, utilizing workshops in the Cape Flats to gather real-life stories and develop characters based on Jungian archetypes and spiritually significant animals.

Indian companies are investing heavily in energy efficiency to combat high energy prices and meet regulatory requirements. Data from CDP shows that between 2012 and 2013, companies invested nearly $1 billion in over 200 projects, achieving an average internal rate of return (IRR) of 12.7%. Key investments include industrial process improvements and heat recovery systems, with the latter yielding a 30% IRR. Government initiatives like the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme are significant drivers, with 50% of CDP-surveyed companies citing the scheme as a key strategic driver. The report highlights that adopting low-carbon technologies could reduce India's projected 2050 emissions from 7.8 GtCO2 to 2.4 GtCO2, though this would require annual investments between $200 billion and $400 billion.