Climate-Resilient Urban Energy: Integrating Governance, Finance, Digital Twins, Circular Water–Energy, and Nature-Based Solution

Purpose: Show how governance, finance, digital twin (DT)/AI analytics, circular water–energy, nature-based solutions (NbS), and equity can jointly drive low‑carbon, resilient, just urban energy transitions in emerging regions. Methodology: PRISMA review (2014–Q1 2024) screened 500, retained 80 studies/policy records. Dual coding (kappa >0.78). Meta‑ranges kept metrics with ≥3 consistent studies. Thematic triangulation mapped enablers, barriers, and gaps across Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia to generate contextual performance and sequencing insights. Findings: Efficiency, combined with distributed renewables and demand response, cuts emissions by 18–42%. DT/predictive analytics reduce district energy intensity by 5–12% and O expand blended, performance‑linked finance tied to resilience and equity KPIs; incentivize leak analytics, modular digestion, reclaimed cooling; mandate equity and anti‑displacement audits; build DT validation capacity; apply equity‑adjusted valuation.