This paper suggests that while institutions and institutional change (which the authors characterise as the ‘means’) are often mentioned in policy discourses on climate change adaptation (characterised as the ‘end’), the details of policy processes are less often discussed. The authors specify concepts and themes around institutional theory that could be applicable to climate change adaptation, and discuss issues related to climate change adaptation with the varying degrees of uncertainty related to climate impacts.

This report focuses on local content requirements (LcR) and their implementation in the wind energy sectors of Brazil and South Africa. The aim is to stimulate jobs in new industries and accelerate technological development. However, this report finds that LcR ‘fall short as a single technology policy instrument’ and concludes that boosting local industries requires not just restrictive measures such as content requirements but also that the active support of technological capability is important.

This comprehensive report by UN-Habitat, the Global Report on Human Settlements, examines the issue of climate change and urban areas, two areas whose effects are converging in dangerous ways that threaten environmental, economic, and social stability. The authors argue that global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from cities could be as high as 70 per cent, although without a globally accepted method of determining the scale of emissions it is hard to be sure. This report presents extensive analysis on all aspects of the issue in depth, with data provided in the annex.

Concerned that the target of limiting the global temperature increase to 2°C is not on track, the International Energy Agency produced this World Energy Outlook Special Report through extensive consultation and a high-level workshop in Paris (March 2013). It begins by contextualising the energy industry and climate change, discussing recent policy developments, and looking at the status and trends of global emissions. It then outlines, by fuel, region and sector, the differences between a current-policy scenario and one in which the 2°C target may be reached.

Prepared by the Trade, Policy and Planning Unit of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), this report is a key component of the Green Economy and Trade Opportunities Project (GE-TOP). The aim of GE-TOP is to identify opportunities and barriers inherent in a transition to a green economy, and to assist all stakeholders to build capacity.