Search Climate Insights Directory

This policy brief examines the heightened vulnerability of slum communities in Ahmedabad to extreme heat events, noting that nearly two million residents in these areas face increased exposure and fewer adaptation options compared to other city residents.

This policy brief outlines recommendations for health professionals in Ahmedabad, India, to address heat vulnerability. It highlights the city's role as the first in India to establish a comprehensive early warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat, emphasizing the importance of inter-departmental collaboration and the use of urban health centers and link workers to reach vulnerable populations.

This policy brief evaluates the effectiveness of the 'Storm Resistant Housing for a Resilient Da Nang City' project following Typhoon Nari's impact on October 15, 2013. It compares the outcomes of resilient housing against general urban damage to argue that proactive storm-resistant preparation is more cost-effective than post-disaster recovery.

This research paper analyzes the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) and the New Development Bank, focusing on the economic and political motivations of the BRICS nations in creating these institutions as alternatives to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

This paper examines the relationship between fossil-fuel subsidies and gender in India, specifically analyzing the impacts of subsidy reform on cooking, lighting, pumping, and transport fuels.

This fact sheet provides an overview of the proposed New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) being negotiated by the BRICS nations as of July 2014.

This report by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) provides a high-level snapshot of the mitigation landscapes in 14 priority partner countries and regions to inform the development of intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) for COP21. It analyzes national legislation, emission targets, Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs), and donor-funded projects, highlighting the diversity in ambition and capacity across developing nations.

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 research paper examines the implementation of the Direct Benefit Transfer for liquefied petroleum gas (DBTL) in the Mysore district of Karnataka, India, based on interviews conducted in October 2013.

This research paper analyzes the impact of 'mega-regional' trade agreements on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the strategic position of South Africa. It argues that the rise of agreements like the TPP and TTIP, driven by the needs of global value chains, threatens the WTO's centrality and creates a risk of a multi-bloc trade world. The author suggests that South Africa must recalibrate its trade strategy, move beyond a blocking strategy in the WTO, and utilize regional negotiations to prepare for new global regulatory norms to avoid isolation.

This briefing paper examines the policy tools available to Eastern African states to foster 'national champions' in the mining sector and maximize sustainable development benefits from foreign direct investment. It analyzes the effectiveness of ownership and performance requirements and evaluates how international investment agreements, specifically Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), may restrict the policy space of host governments.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines agricultural cooperatives as a model for inclusive investment. It details the types of cooperatives, their benefits for smallholders, the role of foreign investment in reducing risk and improving skills, and the necessary government support and legal frameworks to ensure their success without undue state interference.

This research paper examines the transition of Russia toward a 'green economy,' analyzing the gap between official policy documents and practical implementation. It highlights Russia's immense natural capital and the critical need to reduce its economic dependence on hydrocarbon exports and improve energy efficiency to ensure long-term sustainable development.

This fact sheet from the World Resources Institute explains the sources, scale, and trends of global agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while highlighting the role of new Greenhouse Gas Protocol guidance in helping companies measure and manage their climate footprint.

This fact sheet by the World Resources Institute describes the launch of the GHG Protocol's first international guidelines for the agriculture and livestock sector, providing data on global emissions sources, trends, and mitigation opportunities.

This case study describes a programme implemented by START and CDKN in Gorakhpur, India, to integrate climate change concerns into district disaster management planning. It highlights the use of the Climate Resilience Framework and a Shared Learning process to enhance the capacity of local government departments to respond to increasing flood risks.

This case study describes the development and implementation of the Heat Action Plan in Ahmedabad, India. Led by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation in partnership with academic and environmental groups, the plan established the first comprehensive early warning system and heat preparedness strategy in South Asia to protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat.

This case study examines a CDKN-START action research programme in Gorakhpur, India, which aimed to integrate climate change considerations into the district's disaster management planning. The programme successfully moved beyond research recommendations to publish a climate-sensitive District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP) by utilizing 'Shared Learning Dialogues' and the Climate Resilience Framework to build capacity across government departments.

This briefing by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the challenges of integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation policies in India, specifically focusing on the arid regions of Barmer and Leh. Based on action research by SEEDS India, the document highlights how a lack of coordination between government ministries leads to ineffective implementation and potential maladaptation, while advocating for the use of local multi-stakeholder platforms and post-disaster 'windows of opportunity' to drive policy convergence.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) assesses a pilot program for Direct Benefit Transfer of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidies in the Mysore district of India. Based on surveys and focus groups conducted in October 2013, the report finds that the scheme faced significant administrative hurdles, caused financial instability for poor households, and led some users to return to biomass fuels, ultimately resulting in the program's suspension by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on January 30, 2014.