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The document analyzes the decline of coal-fired power in the US, noting that over 20% of the 2016 capacity is uneconomic compared to natural gas. It projects further retirements through 2030 and discusses the economic and environmental implications for local communities.

The report proposes a U.S. cap-and-trade system to limit global warming emissions, citing the success of the 1990 Acid Rain Program. It outlines design criteria including a stringent declining cap, full auctioning of allowances, and the inclusion of all major heat-trapping gases. The author emphasizes that while cap-and-trade is a lynchpin, it must be paired with parallel sector-based policies to be effective.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds that California's cleaner fuels and vehicle policies—including cap and trade, the low carbon fuel standard, and vehicle standards—will reduce ownership costs for drivers. Weekly savings for new vehicle owners are projected to increase from $3.90 for a 2015 model to $8.98 for a 2025 model compared to a 2008 baseline. A 10-year-old used car purchased in 2025 is estimated to save its driver $7.46 per week compared to a similar used car purchased in 2015.

The report finds that diesel pollution caused an estimated 3,000 premature deaths and $21.5 billion in health costs in California in 2004. While new engine standards help, the majority of pollution comes from existing engines, and the state's Diesel Risk Reduction Plan is at risk of failing due to funding gaps and regulatory delays. The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that investing in incentive programs like the Moyer Program provides high returns, reducing public health costs by $9 to $16 for every dollar invested.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analysis reveals that the majority of money spent on gasoline in the U.S. flows to oil companies rather than local communities. For a typical $50 fill-up, $33 goes toward crude oil, with $20 benefiting private and publicly traded companies and $13 benefiting government-run entities. The report argues that individual shareholders receive negligible returns from their own gasoline expenditures; for example, a person with $1 million in a balanced portfolio would earn less than a penny in stock returns from spending $1,700 annually on gas from ExxonMobil. Conversely, investing in fuel-efficient vehicles, such as a hybrid Ford Fusion, can result in lifetime savings of over $5,000. On a national scale, UCS estimates that federal fuel economy standards for 2017-2025 could provide consumers $50 billion in net savings by 2030 and create between 484,000 and 570,000 jobs. The document concludes that reducing oil use is essential to mitigate global warming, as transportation accounts for more than one-third of all U.S. carbon dioxide emissions.

The document analyzes Japan's second NDC, submitted in February 2025, which targets greenhouse gas emission reductions of 60% by 2035 and 73% by 2040 relative to 2013 levels. The authors argue these targets are insufficient for a developed nation and fall below the global average required for the 1.5°C goal. The briefing emphasizes that Japan is currently off track for its 2030 goals and risks economic disadvantage by maintaining a reliance on fossil fuels. It calls for a rapid phase-out of coal by 2035, a significant increase in renewable energy capacity—potentially reaching 65-80% of electricity supply by 2035—and the implementation of a robust carbon pricing system via the GX-ETS with a binding emissions cap. The report also highlights the role of electrification, particularly through heat pumps and electric vehicles, and the strong support for more ambitious action from the Japanese business community.

The report highlights that companies in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) achieve an average internal rate of return (IRR) of 17% on low-carbon investments, with energy efficiency projects specifically yielding 16.7%. It notes that the region's energy demand is 54% met by renewables and that LAC companies generate double the emission savings per dollar invested compared to those in the US. The document encourages the use of 'smart policies' such as cap-and-trade and renewable energy policies to further accelerate decarbonization.

The document analyzes the factors contributing to the 'criticality' of minerals in India, emphasizing that supply vulnerabilities arise from domestic scarcity and extreme import dependence. It highlights that India's net zero goals will drive significant demand for mineral-intensive technologies, specifically electric vehicle (EV) batteries and battery energy storage systems (BESS). The paper argues that mineral criticality is shaped by economic, social, and technical factors, and that India's specific vulnerabilities fall under the pillars of security, resilience, and sustainable supplies.

Missouri can achieve 90 percent of its Clean Power Plan emission reductions by meeting voluntary energy efficiency goals, adhering to its 15 percent renewable energy standard by 2021, increasing the utilization of existing natural gas combined cycle plants, and improving coal plant efficiency. To close the remaining gap and exceed targets by 14 percent, the state could increase renewable energy to 20 percent of all state sales by 2030. The document suggests maximizing economic benefits through a market-based carbon pricing program—potentially generating over $40 million annually from out-of-state sources at $10 per short ton—and continued investment in energy efficiency, noting that Ameren's 2013 programs returned over $3 in benefits for every dollar invested.

The report argues that Concentrating Solar Thermal power (CST) is a viable large-scale, zero-carbon alternative to coal-fired power, particularly when combined with thermal storage to meet baseload demand. While currently more expensive than coal, costs are expected to decline through technology learning, R&D in materials and optical design, and economies of scale from larger plants. The document highlights that a carbon price of approximately $115 per ton of CO2 would make CST with 6 hours of storage economically competitive with coal. It emphasizes the need for stable policy support, such as feed-in tariffs, to bridge the current cost gap and calls for increased deployment in rapidly developing economies like China and India to alter their emissions trajectories. Additionally, the report notes that widespread CST adoption requires improved transmission infrastructure, specifically federal coordination in the U.S. and links between the EU and North Africa.

The document outlines the criteria for determining when utility-scale renewable energy is cost-competitive compared to traditional power sources, emphasizing the importance of the perspective used for comparison. It defines cost parity from three viewpoints: for end-use consumers via Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), against other technologies filling the same capacity need based on average cost of energy or risk, and against the current wholesale market generation mix based on average wholesale prices during production times.

The study finds that harvesting corn stover for ethanol feedstock threatens to increase soil erosion and greenhouse gas emissions, rendering current USDA/USDOE availability estimates unsustainable. While no-till farming can mitigate erosion, it is ineffective against soil carbon loss and GHG emissions; other best management practices (BMPs) like cover crops and precision nitrogen management are suggested. The report argues that current incentives are insufficient to encourage farmers to adopt these BMPs and recommends that biofuel policies, including the Renewable Fuel Standard and Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit, be revised to include performance-based environmental safeguards.

The document profiles Bruno Mariani and his company, Symbiosis Investimentos, which transforms degraded cattle pasture in Bahia, Brazil, into productive native forests. By applying silviculture techniques—including genetic improvement and cloning—the company aims to produce high-quality hardwoods while conserving biodiversity. The model seeks to prove that native forest restoration is more profitable than low-yield cattle ranching, potentially offering a scalable solution for Brazil's 65 million hectares of degraded land.

The document outlines the early stages of China's shale gas industry, noting that while the Chinese government is actively supporting research and exploration through state-owned enterprises, domestic demand will continue to exceed production. It argues that shale gas can enhance China's energy security by reducing imports and potentially mitigating climate impacts if it displaces coal. The testimony highlights the economic benefits of U.S.-China business partnerships and emphasizes the need for environmentally and socially responsible operations to ensure a level playing field and prevent the repetition of negative environmental impacts seen in the U.S.

The report identifies three primary sources of agricultural methane: enteric fermentation (55-60%), rice cultivation (18-20%), and manure management (6-8%). It highlights scalable solutions such as methane-inhibiting feed additives, solid-liquid manure separation, and modified rice irrigation practices, noting that while many are cost-effective, adoption is hindered by economic and technological barriers.

The document argues that public economic incentives are essential to scale up land restoration in Latin America, as the up-front costs are otherwise prohibitive for smallholder farmers and the rural poor. It highlights that land degradation costs the region approximately US $52 billion annually, while restoring a single hectare can add $1,140 in economic value. The brief analyzes programs in Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru, calculating payments per tree or hectare to help policymakers optimize these incentives for carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and food security.

The document introduces an Economic Returns Framework designed to evaluate the sustainable development impacts of renewable energy (RE) in India. By calculating the Economic Rate of Return (ERR), the framework aims to move beyond simple financial analysis to include societal costs and benefits, thereby better informing policy choices and aligning RE targets with sustainable development goals. The paper demonstrates this approach by estimating the ERR for wind, biomass, small hydro, and both ground-mounted and rooftop solar power in India.

In Kenya, 30–40 percent of food is lost or wasted between production and consumption, contributing to food insecurity for approximately 15 million people and causing annual economic losses of an estimated KES 72 billion ($578 million). These losses drive greenhouse gas emissions and waste critical resources like land, water, and energy. Despite commitments under the 2014 Malabo Declaration and SDG 12.3, progress is hindered by weak policy coordination, lack of financing, and a limited capacity to accurately measure and report food loss and waste. The report advocates for a "Target-Measure-Act" approach to reduce food loss and waste by half by 2030.

The report examines energy efficiency in the U.S. pulp and paper sector, specifically focusing on facilities in the Midwest. It argues that investing in efficiency to reach national average levels can lead to significant annual cost savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The analysis is framed against a backdrop of industry consolidation, where value-added grew by 8 percent between 2002 and 2011 despite a 30 percent decline in employment. The document aims to provide state-level policymakers and businesses with facility-level data and case studies to make energy efficiency opportunities more visible and less abstract.

The study finds that climate adaptation investments yield high returns, with every $1 invested potentially generating over $10.50 in benefits. By applying the Triple Dividend of Resilience framework to 320 projects in agriculture, water, infrastructure, and health, the analysis demonstrates that returns often exceed the value of avoided losses, meaning project viability does not rely solely on the occurrence of a disaster. Additionally, nearly half of these investments provide mitigation co-benefits, suggesting opportunities for carbon finance.