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The document argues that reducing embodied carbon—which accounts for an estimated 11% of global emissions—is a necessary technology transition that must be completed by 2050. It presents a business case for developers, noting that embodied carbon often comprises a substantial part of Scope 3 emissions and that failure to adopt low-carbon practices could lead to stranded assets. The guide divides recommendations into building-level strategies (reducing material use, increasing utilization, switching to low-carbon materials, and designing for disassembly) and corporate-level strategies (institutionalizing practices, prioritizing retrofits, marketing successes, reporting Scope 3 emissions, and aggregating demand through buyer coalitions).

The report argues that climate adaptation is now a business imperative due to increasing physical risks and economic losses. It identifies three 'entry points' for private finance: 'Protect' (safeguarding existing assets and supply chains), 'Grow' (investing in early-stage and mature companies developing resilience technologies), and 'Participate' (co-investing in public sector infrastructure projects). The analysis highlights that adaptation investments can yield high benefit-to-cost ratios, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), and that valuation multiples for resilience solution providers are promising, with a median of 9 times revenue.

The briefing advocates for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty based on three pillars: non-proliferation of new fossil fuels, a fair phase-out of existing production, and a global just transition. It positions the treaty as a necessary supply-side complement to the Paris Agreement, arguing that current production plans exceed the 1.5°C carbon budget. The document outlines a business case for support, citing risks such as stranded assets and increased climate litigation, while proposing specific actions for companies, including public advocacy and the implementation of absolute emission reductions.

The private sector in Southeast Asia faces significant risks from climate change, including warming temperatures and sea-level rise, which can impact business strategy, finance, and operations. While there is momentum to reduce emissions, there is a lack of equivalent effort to build resilience, necessitating urgent action to increase adaptive capacity.

The report finds that refugees in Rwanda, particularly those with salaried jobs or self-employment, represent a viable and profitable market for financial service providers (FSPs). It highlights a strong demand for savings, transaction, and loan products, driven by the shift from food aid to cash-based transfers. However, the lack of government-issued ID cards creates a significant regulatory barrier for 'know your customer' (KYC) compliance. The report provides a dynamic business case model suggesting that the profitability of serving refugees is comparable to that of typical low-income Rwandan account holders, especially when cross-selling insurance and loan products.

This fact sheet by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) challenges four primary myths regarding net-zero energy (NZE) leased buildings, asserting that they can be more profitable for developers and more beneficial for employees than traditional buildings. Using the Boulder Commons project as a case study, RMI demonstrates that NZE buildings can achieve higher occupancy rates, rental premiums, and increased employee productivity. The document also outlines a four-step process for transitioning existing buildings to NZE operation and promotes the NZE Leasing Best Practice Guide to scale adoption in the commercial sector.

The report argues that solar thermal technology is an ideal fit for South Africa's food and beverage industries, where up to 77% of energy use is for heating, mostly below 250°C. While the current local industry is dominated by domestic water heaters, there is a significant opportunity to scale industrial applications. The report estimates that replacing non-coal fuels with solar thermal could save 158,685 tonnes of CO2e per annum, while replacing coal could save 942,556 tonnes. Financial viability is high for replacing fuels other than coal, with potential Internal Rates of Return above 10% over 20 years. However, barriers include a lack of sustained demand, a skills gap in industrial design, and limited familiarity among financial institutions.

The report argues that redirecting surplus food—edible food that is not 'true waste'—can alleviate hunger for 13 million South Africans while providing cost savings and tax benefits to food firms. It highlights that 95% of food waste in South Africa occurs before the consumption stage, with agricultural production (26%), processing/packaging (25%), post-harvest handling (24%), and distribution/retail (20%) being the primary sources. The document details the environmental impact, noting that Food Forward's donation of 4,400 tonnes of food in 2017/8 avoided 17,400 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. It identifies barriers such as liability concerns and date labelling, while proposing solutions like 'Good Samaritan' legislation and the use of technology platforms like FoodShare to coordinate logistics.

The briefing presents a business case for applying R-PACE financing to new residential construction to achieve net-zero energy (NZE) goals. It identifies key market barriers—such as high up-front costs and split incentives between builders and buyers—and proposes a policy framework to integrate R-PACE into new builds. RMI's analysis across six U.S. states suggests that NZE homes can be delivered with no additional up-front cost to the buyer, providing annual energy savings that exceed the PACE assessment payments.

The document highlights that Kenya's economy is highly exposed to climate change, with droughts and flooding estimated to cost approximately 2.4% of GDP annually. It argues that the private sector can mitigate risks and gain competitive advantages through resource efficiency, renewable energy, and product innovation. The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) is identified as a key entity supporting firms in managing these risks and accessing opportunities, such as those outlined in the National Climate Change Action Plan 2013-2017 (NCCAP).

The executive summary introduces a guide for owner-occupants to capture the full value of deep energy retrofits, which are defined as those reducing energy consumption by 50 percent or more. It argues that these investments generate significant, quantifiable business value through non-energy benefits, such as improved employee health, productivity, and risk management. The document presents the RMI Retrofit Value Model, which links design and execution practices to direct and indirect outcomes, ultimately impacting property and enterprise performance. It details nine specific value elements—ranging from reduced health and employee costs to enhanced property-derived revenues—that professionals can use to build a comprehensive business case for deep retrofits.

The report outlines a framework for 'healthy design' in hospitals, arguing that sustainable architecture and engineered systems can reduce operating costs, improve clinical outcomes, and enhance staff retention. It provides a comprehensive set of recommendations for Massachusetts healthcare providers, ranging from regional collaborations and institutional policy changes to specific architectural and engineering interventions such as combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) systems and displacement ventilation. The document emphasizes the 'business case' for green building, citing evidence that such projects often have minimal capital cost premiums while offering significant life-cycle savings and health benefits.

The document argues that sustainable product engineering leads to increased revenue, lower costs, and better relationships with customers, investors, and employees. It highlights that a majority of customers and investors prioritize sustainability in their decision-making, and that a significant proportion of US workers, particularly those under 30, value a company's environmental record when seeking employment.

The South African agtech sector is expanding as farmers seek to improve productivity and climate resilience, though adoption is hindered by financing gaps and farmer resistance. The agricultural drone market, valued at approximately R1 billion in 2024, is forecast to exceed R3 billion by 2030, with high viability in field monitoring and precision spraying. Emerging opportunities include digital twin technology, which uses drone data to create virtual farm replicas for predictive modeling.

The document identifies three primary business benefits driving companies to switch to renewable energy: the achievement of lower or stable operating costs, the reduction of emissions, and the development of stronger stakeholder relationships.

The report advocates for a strategic approach to climate adaptation where private sector interests align with the needs of vulnerable communities in developing countries. It posits that community risks are business risks, and companies can gain a competitive edge by developing climate-resilient products and services. While a survey of United Nations Global Compact and UNEP 'Caring for Climate' signatories shows that 86% of respondents see adaptation as a business opportunity, most companies lack comprehensive strategies due to difficulties in integrating long-term scientific data into short-term business planning. The document outlines specific steps for companies to integrate adaptation into core strategic planning and for governments to stimulate markets through financial and risk-reduction incentives, emphasizing that private action complements but does not replace essential public investment.

The report examines the environmental and social costs of global food production, specifically the conversion of natural ecosystems into agricultural land. It highlights the role of commodity markets and subsistence farming in driving deforestation and biodiversity loss, while presenting shrimp aquaculture as a potential model for conversion-free production through controlled intensification. The document calls for a collaborative effort between governments, companies, and civil society to implement traceability, regenerative agriculture, and comprehensive land-use planning to secure the planet's ecosystem services.