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The report evaluates the impact of SUNCASA-implemented nature-based solutions (NbS) in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, focusing on the Dechatu River Catchment. Using the SAVi methodology, it projects that interventions including afforestation, agroforestry, and urban tree planting will generate a discounted net benefit of ETB 101.6 million from 2025 to 2050, with a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 1.36. The primary economic driver is the avoidance of flood-related infrastructure damage, valued at ETB 188.1 million. The assessment also highlights significant intangible benefits, such as avoided health costs from water pollution (ETB 65.8 million) and carbon sequestration (ETB 54.2 million). Sensitivity analyses indicate the project remains viable even with a 94% tree survival rate or under higher carbon pricing scenarios.

The Nature-Based Infrastructure (NBI) transformation program in Kisumu, Kenya, integrates agroforestry, sanitation, and fisheries to restore the Lake Victoria basin. A Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) assessment indicates that an integrated approach could generate USD 940 million in net benefits over 26 years, yielding approximately USD 3 for every dollar invested. Key economic drivers include USD 480 million in avoided health costs through improved sanitation and USD 62.85 million in carbon valuation, which exceeds the program's capital expenditures.

The report proposes a cost-optimal energy pathway for Thailand that exceeds the Revised Power Development Plan (RPDP) targets by adding 32 GW of solar and 6 GW/15 GWh of battery storage by 2037. This shift would result in cumulative cost savings of $1.8 billion and avoid 147 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. The analysis suggests that Thailand can meet its demand without adding 2 GW of planned natural gas capacity, as solar and batteries can cover growth from data centres and EV charging. While wind power is deemed financially unviable unless capital expenditures drop by 10% annually, the report suggests importing hydropower from Lao PDR as a cost-effective alternative to wind, despite risks related to import dependency and climate-driven droughts.

The report proposes a cost-optimal energy pathway for Thailand through 2037, suggesting that increasing solar capacity by 89% and battery storage by 60% relative to the draft revised power development plan (RPDP) 2024 can save $1.8 billion in power generation costs. This pathway aims to meet rising electricity demand from data centres (projected 10 TWh increase) and electric vehicles (projected 3.3 GW peak load increase) while reducing natural gas imports by 1,815 billion cubic feet. The analysis finds that wind energy is not financially viable without a 10% annual CAPEX reduction, suggesting imported hydropower from Lao PDR as a more cost-effective alternative.

A WRI briefing demonstrating that climate adaptation investments yield significant economic, social, and environmental returns, often exceeding the value of avoided climate losses.

Deforestation in the Congo Basin risks reducing regional rainfall by up to 40%, which could lead to cumulative cocoa yield losses of 3.06 million tonnes across nine African countries by 2050. This supply shock is projected to drive cocoa prices to USD 68.1 per kilogram by 2050, with deforestation accounting for 40.2% of that price. EU importers could face cumulative additional costs of USD 256 billion by 2050. The report argues that investing in forest conservation, particularly community-led restoration, is more cost-effective than inaction, offering avoided costs of USD 1.8 to USD 6 for every dollar invested.

The report argues that US manure management emissions, particularly from dairy and swine farms, are likely 40% higher than EPA estimates due to the consolidation of livestock into larger farms using wet storage systems. While anaerobic digesters are the most common mitigation tool, the authors find them expensive and less effective than often claimed. Instead, the paper identifies solid-liquid separation, acidification, aeration, and cover-and-flare systems as more cost-effective alternatives, though these require further large-scale piloting and financial support to achieve widespread adoption.

The Nature-Based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre conducted a cost-benefit analysis of nature-based infrastructure (NBI) in Cape Town's Diep/Sand River and Zeekoe catchments. The study finds that NBI interventions—such as creating retention ponds, establishing wetlands, and removing invasive species—offer significant economic returns, with benefit-to-cost ratios up to 2.07 and net benefits reaching ZAR 133 million over 25 years. These gains are primarily driven by avoided costs in dredging and canal refurbishment, reduced flood damages, and the creation of over 60 local jobs annually. The analysis indicates that NBI is particularly valuable under pessimistic climate scenarios with high flood risks, providing a cost-effective alternative to grey infrastructure upgrades.

The report argues that fossil fuel production subsidies in Colombia and Mexico are inefficient, as their associated environmental and value-added costs outweigh the benefits of investment. It proposes a definition of 'inefficient subsidies' that considers fiscal cost, environmental impact, and social targeting, and suggests redirecting funds to sectors like construction and agriculture to support a just energy transition.

The report assesses the restoration of 579 hectares of wetlands in Chile's Biobío region, finding that nature-based infrastructure (NBI) is economically viable across all modelled scenarios. With a maximum benefit-cost ratio of 1.30, the project is projected to generate up to USD 58.74 million in avoided flood damage and rental income loss, while providing significant social value through recreation and carbon storage.

The Tariff Analysis and Cost-Benefit Tool for Solarizing Irrigation (TACTS) is an Excel-based tool created to support the implementation of solarized irrigation in India, specifically under the PM-KUSUM scheme. It addresses barriers such as unviable tariffs, financing difficulties, and lack of administrative buy-in by providing sections for tariff calculation, financing projections, and cost-benefit quantification. The tool emphasizes that grid unavailability significantly affects the levelized cost of energy and argues that solarizing agricultural power can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and state subsidy obligations.

The report evaluates a hybrid infrastructure approach for flood risk management in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana, comparing it to a business-as-usual scenario. It finds that the hybrid approach—combining nature-based solutions like wetland restoration and tree planting with grey infrastructure—is highly economically viable, with returns ranging from USD 3.26 to USD 13.53 for every USD 1 invested. The primary economic driver is the avoidance of flood damages, with estimated avoided costs between USD 163.29 million and USD 747.11 million. The assessment also identifies co-benefits such as increased carbon sequestration, improved air quality, and local job creation to support the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly in securing funding and aligning policies with climate priorities.

The TACTS tool provides a framework for stakeholders to calculate solar tariffs using the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) method, evaluate risk reduction and financing instruments, and conduct cost-benefit analyses from the perspective of distribution companies (DISCOMs). It specifically supports the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme by quantifying avoided generation, power purchase, and transmission costs against the cost of feed-in tariffs.

India's heavy industries—steel, cement, and aluminium—have a 20 GW profitable opportunity to integrate solar power today through green energy open access, potentially reducing annual emissions by 29 million tonnes. While sourcing 50% renewable energy (RE) is currently cost-effective without storage, achieving 24/7 RE is prohibitively expensive, costing up to 3.5 times the price of standard RE generation due to the massive battery storage and capacity oversizing required. The report highlights that steel offers the most immediate cost-saving potential, whereas aluminium remains heavily reliant on captive coal power, requiring stronger regulatory mandates to transition.

Togo's LT-LEDS 2025-2060 aims for carbon neutrality by 2060 through a 'conforming' scenario, focusing on the AFAT (Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use) and Energy sectors. The strategy requires an estimated investment of 11,920.59 billion FCFA (19.87 billion USD), with 67% allocated to mitigation and 28% to adaptation. Key goals include increasing forest cover to 30% by 2050 and achieving 75% renewable energy in the energy mix by 2060. The document also details a comprehensive adaptation plan for sectors including health, water resources, and coastal zones, while integrating gender equity and social inclusion into climate action.

The document introduces a mathematical model for quantifying the physical and economic impacts of road disruptions, such as flooding and landslides, and assessing the value of nature-based solutions in mitigating these risks. The model incorporates climate forecasts and spatially explicit assessments of ecosystem services to provide a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of resilience investments. It has been piloted in two Indonesian locations and used to train technical staff at the Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS).

The report examines the link between urban sprawl and high energy consumption, arguing that current energy policies overlook the role of urban design. It advocates for "complete communities"—dense, walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods—as a primary strategy for emissions reduction. Using the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology, the report compares car-centric and sustainable transportation scenarios in Winnipeg, finding that sustainable shifts offer significantly higher net benefits and a superior benefit-to-cost ratio. It identifies key barriers such as NIMBYism, flawed municipal governance, and the financial instability caused by sprawl, while proposing solutions including zoning reform, parking policy changes, and new municipal revenue tools.

An analysis of Southern California's heating equipment shows that heat pumps can be cheaper than gas alternatives due to incentives, potentially saving low-income households over $10,000 with federal rebates. However, fragmented application processes and insufficient funding levels hinder widespread adoption.

The analysis finds that investing in nature-based infrastructure (NBI) in Drakenstein, South Africa, can reduce flood damages by up to USD 36 million against costs of USD 8.65 million over 25 years. The study indicates a benefit-cost ratio of up to 5:1 (ZAR 5 return for every ZAR 1 invested), with net benefits reaching ZAR 600 million (USD 34.2 million). These benefits include avoided flood damages, job creation, and improved mental health, with NBI proving most valuable in climate scenarios characterized by frequent and intense floods.

The report evaluates the revitalization of Sherwan Hill Adventure Park in Abbottabad, Pakistan, as part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cities Improvement Project. Using the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology, the analysis compares a nature-based infrastructure scenario—including reforestation and expanded green areas—against a business-as-usual scenario. The findings indicate that the project provides a significant return on investment, with every USD 1 spent yielding USD 2.49 in benefits over 30 years, totaling PKR 1.8 billion in avoided costs and gains across health, employment, property values, and climate resilience.