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The document outlines the transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which ended in September 2015, to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the Post-2015 Global Development Agenda ending in 2030. It details the role of the 30-member Open Working Group (OWG) in creating 17 goals and 169 targets through a consultative process involving civil society. The text defines sustainable development based on the 1987 Brundtland report and discusses the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), which acknowledges that developed countries bear greater responsibility for environmental degradation. It also highlights South Africa's role in negotiating the SDGs via the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and its leadership of the G77+ China group.

Large-scale solar PV systems have grown rapidly, accounting for over half of all solar capacity installed between 2010 and 2014. These projects benefit from economies of scale, with costs in 2013 averaging half of those in 2010, making them significantly cheaper than residential solar. While they generate electricity without carbon emissions or water consumption, they require substantial land area, which can impact habitats. Mitigation strategies include using degraded lands, such as landfills. Growth is supported by federal tax credits, state renewable electricity standards, and permitting reforms.

The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) outlines ten critical considerations for financing development in the context of climate change, emphasizing that climate action can enhance development outcomes. Key points include the potential for $5 trillion in transport spending to improve energy efficiency, the falling costs of clean energy, and the role of forest protection and climate-resilient agriculture in supporting livelihoods and ending hunger. The document also notes that disasters currently cost $100 billion annually, that financial institutions are beginning to manage climate risk, and that increased climate finance should not reduce aid for poor countries.

The document details a leaked 1998 memo from the American Petroleum Institute (API) outlining a 'Global Climate Science Communications Plan' designed to make scientific uncertainties in climate change part of 'conventional wisdom'. It contrasts this industry strategy with the 1995 IPCC findings that indicated a 'discernible human influence on global climate'. The text notes that API, representing companies like ExxonMobil and Shell, has continued to challenge the science of climate change, including a 2011 legal challenge against the EPA's endangerment finding.

The document exposes a 1998 leaked memo from the American Petroleum Institute (API) detailing a strategic plan to promote scientific uncertainty regarding climate change. It contrasts API's claims of uncertainty with findings from the IPCC's 1990 and 1995 reports, which established human influence on global warming. The text further notes API's ongoing efforts to block U.S. federal regulations, including a 2011 lawsuit challenging the EPA's endangerment finding.

The document presents evidence for global warming, citing a 1.5 degree Fahrenheit increase in global average temperature since 1880 and a rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration from 280ppm in 1880 to 399ppm in 2014. It identifies fossil fuels as the primary cause and references the National Climate Assessment and IPCC for projections on sea level rise and future temperature increases under scenarios of continued CO2 emissions.

In 2013, the oil and gas industry in the Bakken formation of North Dakota flared 32% of all produced gas. Analysis shows that 57% of statewide flaring occurred at wells already connected to gathering pipelines, and the majority of flaring (72%) took place on private or state-owned land. While flaring rates were higher on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation (46%) compared to the statewide average, rates on Federal public lands were slightly lower than those on private or state land.

Agricultural emissions accounted for approximately 13 percent of total global emissions in 2011, totaling 6 billion tonnes. The primary sources are methane from cattle and nitrous oxide from fertilizers and soil waste, which together comprise 65 percent of the sector's emissions. Global agricultural emissions grew by 8 percent between 1990 and 2010 and are projected to reach nearly 7 billion tonnes per year by 2030, driven largely by population growth and dietary shifts in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Mitigation opportunities include improving crop and grazing management, reducing food loss and waste, and shifting dietary preferences away from meat, particularly beef.

The document outlines the scale and sources of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, identifying the sector as the second largest global emitter. It highlights the role of methane and nitrous oxide, lists the top emitting countries, and discusses the impact of land-use change and dietary shifts. Finally, it presents the GHG Protocol guidelines as a tool for farms to inventory and reduce their carbon footprint through improved production practices and demand-side changes.

The document outlines the U.S. federal government's transition toward climate adaptation as a risk-management strategy. It details the economic impact of 2012 extreme weather events, analyzes legislative attempts like the SAFE and STRONG Acts, and describes executive actions under the Obama administration. It further reviews the adaptation roadmaps of key federal agencies including the USACE, USDA, DOD, DHS, and EPA, while noting a continuing need for a coordinated national adaptation strategy.

The Shree Krishna Gyan Mandir Water and Nutrient Testing Laboratory and Research Centre was opened in August 2013 in Patna, Bihar, through a collaboration between the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Institute (WASHi). The non-profit facility provides high-standard analyses of water quality and the nutrient content of 'humanure' products—including treated urine, greywater, and liquid from composting toilets—to provide scientific credibility for ecological sanitation (ecosan) models. The laboratory follows National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) guidelines, can perform 30 analyses per day, and offers services to civil society, schools, and communities to support water conservation and public health. Initial findings from the lab have confirmed the presence of arsenic in wells across Bihar. To ensure long-term sustainability, the laboratory employs a cost-recovery tariff for operational expenses and offers training courses, while seeking statutory accreditation to increase its professional status and client base.

Landfills are the third largest source of anthropogenic methane in the United States, contributing 17.7 percent of all U.S. methane emissions. The EPA regulates large municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills and manages the voluntary Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) to encourage the capture of landfill gas (LFG) for energy production. While projects in landfills with existing capture systems are generally profitable, those requiring new systems may face net losses unless they leverage tax credits, carbon credits, or on-site electricity use. LFG projects can produce electricity, heat, or vehicle fuels, providing both climate benefits and local employment.

The document distinguishes between all-electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), noting that EVs offer lower maintenance and no tailpipe emissions. It highlights that while the U.S. market is dominated by the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, new models like the Tesla Model S provide significantly higher ranges. The text identifies battery costs as the primary expense for PEVs, with projections suggesting prices could drop from $690 per kWh in 2012 to $160 per kWh by 2025. It also details the disparity between the 8,000 public charging stations and 150,000 gasoline stations in the U.S., and outlines federal tax credits up to $7,500 and various state-level incentives in California, Washington, and Colorado.

On-bill financing allows homeowners to implement energy efficiency improvements by receiving low-interest loans from utilities, with repayments added to their monthly utility bills. This model overcomes upfront cost barriers and can achieve 'deep impact' energy savings of 20 percent or more, which traditional rebate programs often fail to encourage. The document distinguishes between tariff-based systems, which tie loans to the meter and can address landlord-tenant split incentives, and on-bill loans, which typically function as non-transferable personal or business loans. A South Carolina pilot program called 'Help My House' demonstrated the effectiveness of this approach, achieving projected average energy savings of 35 percent per home.

The document describes small wind turbines (0.3 to 100 kW) as tools for distributed generation that reduce reliance on fossil-fuel plants and the electrical grid. It details the differences between horizontal axis (HAWT) and vertical axis (VAWT) turbines, the shift from off-grid to grid-connected systems, and the role of community wind projects. It highlights the United States' leadership in manufacturing and installed capacity, while outlining key federal incentives like the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute explains the mechanics, energy sources, and benefits of district energy systems, which provide centralized heating and cooling to multiple buildings via underground pipe networks.

The document examines the technology and global status of offshore wind energy, noting that while Europe leads in operational capacity, the United States has significant untapped potential. It details the technical requirements for different water depths, the regulatory frameworks in countries like Denmark, and the specific siting and permitting complexities in the U.S. The text also addresses public concerns regarding tourism, wildlife, and military radar, while highlighting the economic benefits in terms of job creation and greenhouse gas reduction.

The document outlines the mechanisms of the Federal Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC), including eligibility requirements and expiration dates. It also details the Treasury cash grant, the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit (MTC), and depreciation rules like MACRS.

The document outlines how scientists use climate models, atmospheric records, and carbon isotope signatures to prove that human-induced greenhouse gas emissions are the primary driver of global warming since the mid-20th century. It highlights the consensus among the scientific community and major bodies like the IPCC, while noting that attribution science can now link specific extreme weather events to climate change.

The document highlights the significant water requirements of Georgia's thermoelectric power plants and the energy costs associated with water heating and treatment. It proposes policy priorities including the prioritization of low-water energy technologies, the procurement of energy- and water-efficient products, and the implementation of water recycling and solar water heating incentives.