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The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analyzed three methods for valuing energy efficiency in Minnesota: a coal proxy, a gas proxy, and an AVERT/gas blend. The study found that traditional utility dispatch models and locational marginal pricing (LMP) often undervalue energy efficiency by incorrectly designating low-cost renewable resources as the marginal resource, even when expensive fossil-fuel plants are operating. The analysis shows that while avoided energy costs are similar across methods ($24–$27/MWh), avoided emissions benefits vary significantly, being highest when displacing coal ($39/MWh) and lowest when displacing gas ($14–$15/MWh). UCS recommends that regulators adopt transparent, auditable methodologies and remove 'must run' constraints from dispatch models to ensure energy efficiency displaces the most expensive and polluting resources.

The SAVi assessment concludes that the Poçem and Kalivaç hydropower projects are not preferable electricity solutions for Albania, as their lifetime costs, societal burdens, and tax losses outweigh their benefits. The analysis shows negative cost-benefit results of EUR 233 million for Poçem and EUR 321 million for Kalivaç, driven by adverse effects on ecosystems, agriculture, and tourism along the Vjosa River. Financial analysis indicates that these projects are not financially attractive based on domestic market offtake prices, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 9.32% falling below the 13.5% hurdle rate. The report suggests that solar photovoltaic energy represents a more beneficial and viable alternative for generating comparable electricity in Albania.

The report uses the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) tool to quantify the economic importance of the Saloum Delta's wetlands and mangroves. It compares a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario against interventions such as organic agriculture, mangrove reforestation, road construction, solar cookstoves, and oil extraction. The analysis highlights a significant trade-off: while oil extraction generates massive near-term revenues, it causes substantial losses in ecosystem services. Conversely, nature-based interventions like mangrove restoration and organic agriculture provide long-term economic gains through enhanced ecosystem performance and labour income. The report also proposes blended finance strategies, including carbon offsets and impact bonds, to fund conservation.

The report uses the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology to quantify the economic contribution of the Saloum Delta's wetlands and mangroves. It compares a 'business-as-usual' (BAU) scenario with interventions such as organic farming, mangrove reforestation, solar cookers, road construction, and oil extraction. The analysis highlights a tension between long-term natural capital gains and short-term industrial revenues, specifically noting that while oil extraction generates high direct income, it severely degrades ecosystem services. The document proposes blended finance mechanisms, including carbon offsets and impact bonds, to incentivize conservation.

The report demonstrates that the S’Ena Arrubia and Corru S’Ittiri-Marceddì-San Giovanni wetlands provide substantial economic value through ecosystem services and the support of local aquaculture, tourism, and agriculture. It finds that a 'continued degradation' scenario would lead to significant losses in labour income and ecosystem service value, while a circular business model for reusing livestock manure could generate net benefits of EUR 81.3 million for S’Ena Arrubia and EUR 124.2 million for Corru S’Ittiri-Marceddì-San Giovanni. The analysis argues that the cost of maintaining these wetlands is far lower than the cost of replacing their functions with built infrastructure.

The report finds that while India has shifted resources toward clean energy since FY 2014, subsidies for fossil fuels remain over seven times larger than those for renewables and electric vehicles. Oil and gas subsidies rose by over 65% between FY 2017 and FY 2019, driven by higher oil prices and LPG use, while renewable energy subsidies fell by 35% in the same period. Electricity transmission and distribution subsidies doubled, primarily due to under-priced electricity for residential and agricultural users. Electric vehicle subsidies grew over 400-fold since FY 2014. A special analysis of coal indicates a massive net cost of INR 3,36,446 crore in FY 2018 when accounting for social costs like air pollution and GHG emissions, far outweighing tax revenues and charges.

The policy brief estimates that the construction of the EF-170 Ferrogrão railway will induce the deforestation of 2,043 square kilometers of native vegetation in Mato Grosso if no mitigation measures are implemented. This land-use change is projected to release 75 million tonnes of carbon, representing an environmental cost of approximately US$ 1.9 billion, which is about 60% of the project's estimated implementation cost of US$ 3.1 billion. The analysis uses a 'market access' approach to show how improved logistics for grain producers will increase demand for land, specifically affecting 38 municipalities.

The document evaluates the environmental risks of the EF-170 Ferrogrão railroad, estimating that without mitigation, the project will induce 2,043 square kilometers of deforestation in Mato Grosso. This land-use change is projected to release 75 million tons of carbon, creating an environmental cost of approximately US$1.9 billion, which represents about 60% of the railroad's estimated US$3.1 billion implementation cost.

The report argues that flexibility needs in India's electricity system are growing faster than energy demand, particularly under high renewable energy scenarios. It finds that a balanced portfolio of demand-side flexibility, powerplant upgrades, and energy storage can reduce total system costs by 5% to 8% and carbon emissions by 8% to 12% compared to a base case. The analysis highlights regional disparities, noting that states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu face higher curtailment risks, and emphasizes the need for updated market designs, business models, and infrastructure to unlock these flexibility options.

The report argues that India's flexibility needs are growing faster than its energy demand, which could impede the deployment of renewable energy if not addressed. It identifies three primary flexibility resources: demand-side response (e.g., agricultural pumping, air conditioning, and industrial loads), improved thermal and hydroelectric powerplant operations, and energy storage (specifically lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydro). The analysis demonstrates that a 'balanced portfolio' combining these resources can reduce total system electricity costs by 5% to 8% and carbon emissions by 8% to 12% compared to a base case. Regional analysis shows that states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu face more acute ramping and seasonal flexibility challenges due to high solar and wind penetration, while Uttar Pradesh could potentially export flexibility. The report concludes that achieving these goals requires significant reforms in market design, data collection, infrastructure, and business models.

The report analyzes rooftop solar PV failures following major hurricanes in the Caribbean (2017-2019) to establish engineering and installation best practices. It identifies critical failure modes, such as top-down clip failures and corner overturning, and recommends specific technical mitigations including vibration-resistant hardware, mechanical attachments over purely ballasted systems, and strict adherence to roof edge setbacks. The authors estimate that implementing these resilience measures increases engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) costs by approximately 5%.

The report evaluates a planned public bicycle sharing (PBS) system in Dwarka, New Delhi, using the Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) methodology. While a conventional cost-benefit analysis shows the system is financially deficient, the integrated SAVi analysis reveals positive net values across all demand scenarios. The most significant benefits are derived from time saved, reduced air pollution costs, and increased retail and property values. Over a 20-year period, discounted net benefits are estimated between INR 3.14 billion (~USD 44.4 million) under conservative assumptions and INR 12.19 billion (~USD 172.3 million) in a high-demand scenario. The findings suggest the PBS system supports the Delhi Master Plan 2021 and justifies investment in bicycle and road safety infrastructure.

The report frames the climate as a critical infrastructure asset, asserting that the economic costs of inaction—comprising direct physical losses, indirect growth reductions, and market uncertainty—are significantly higher than the costs of preventive climate action. It provides specific financial projections for the United States, noting that value-at-risk for all assets could reach $5.2 trillion under a 4.5°C warming scenario and $17 trillion under a 6.0°C scenario. Conversely, it highlights that targeted investments, such as building retrofits and grid upgrades, offer positive financial returns, and a $50/ton carbon tax could generate $180 billion in annual revenue from 2020-2029 while helping avoid trillions in climate-related costs.

The report assesses a proposed Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS) system in Dwarka, New Delhi, using the SAVi methodology to value nine externalities. While a conventional cost-benefit analysis shows the project is financially deficient due to high capital and operational costs relative to user fees, the integrated SAVi analysis reveals significant societal net benefits across three demand scenarios. These benefits include improved public health, reduced air and noise pollution, lower CO2 emissions, and increased retail and property values. The findings suggest that the PBS system is a worthwhile investment from a societal perspective and provides benchmark values for the municipality to invest in supporting bicycle and safety infrastructure.

The report finds that donors must double their current annual contributions to food security, adding 14 billion USD per year, while low- and middle-income countries must provide an additional 19 billion USD annually through taxes. These combined investments of 33 billion USD per year would prevent 490 million people from hunger and double the incomes of 545 million smallholders. The analysis emphasizes that Africa has the highest need for these funds and recommends a balanced investment strategy across three categories: enabling inclusion, on-farm productivity, and post-harvest food systems.

The report evaluates the economic viability of various eco-technologies in the Fyrisån (Sweden), Słupia (Poland), and Vantaanjoki (Finland) river basins using a combined Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) and Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) approach. It finds that most technologies currently yield a negative net present value (NPV) due to high investment costs, with the notable exceptions of anaerobic digestion and thermal treatment in the Vantaanjoki basin.

The briefing examines the shared origins of air pollution and climate change, primarily fossil fuel combustion, and advocates for integrated policy frameworks. It details the significant health and economic burdens of air pollution, particularly in urban areas and for vulnerable groups. The text demonstrates that the health co-benefits of climate mitigation, such as carbon pricing, often outweigh the policy costs. It provides examples of coordinated efforts in Chile, California, the EU, Madrid, and London, while warning that uncoordinated policies—such as incentivizing diesel vehicles for lower CO2 or installing SO2 filters that reduce plant efficiency—can create counterproductive outcomes.

The report argues that renewable energy mini-grids are often the most cost-effective solution for rural electrification in Kenya compared to national grid extension. While Kenya's current strategy focuses on grid extension, the report suggests that integrating mini-grids into national planning could accelerate electrification, create local jobs, improve energy security, and reduce CO2 emissions by 0.14-0.48 MtCO2e per year.

The document highlights the success of Brazil's monitoring and enforcement strategy, specifically the DETER system, in reducing Amazon deforestation. It provides evidence that these measures avoided significant forest loss between 2007 and 2016 without harming agricultural productivity. The brief warns that proposed budget cuts to these systems could lead to a 45% increase in deforestation and urges the federal government to restore financial and institutional support.

The policy brief highlights the success of Brazil's DETER satellite monitoring system and IBAMA's law enforcement in reducing Amazon deforestation. It argues that these tools are cost-effective, do not harm agricultural production, and are essential for meeting emission reduction goals, warning that proposed budget cuts to these services could significantly increase forest loss.