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The document outlines the environmental and economic benefits of cover crops, such as reducing nitrate leaching by 40 to 70 percent and increasing soil fertility. It identifies significant barriers to adoption, including direct costs (ranging from $62 to $107 per acre for certain varieties in Kansas) and risks related to crop insurance and land tenure. The Union of Concerned Scientists recommends expanding USDA cost-share incentives through the CSP and EQIP programs, reforming crop insurance, and increasing technical assistance and research.

The report examines the potential for reducing global warming emissions and fuel consumption in California's heavy-duty truck fleet through the adoption of commercially available aerodynamic and tire technologies. It finds that retrofitting and purchasing efficient trucks can lead to significant diesel savings and CO2eq reductions, with some long-range trucks potentially saving over $30,000 over their lifetime. The document identifies market barriers—such as split ownership and a lack of standardized fuel-economy testing—and recommends that California establish in-use and new-truck global warming pollution standards to accelerate adoption.

WRI analysis suggests Mexico can achieve its conditional nationally determined contribution (NDC) at an average cost of US$12/ton by implementing 21 policy levers across the electricity, transport, and industry sectors. Such actions could save over 25,000 lives and $5 billion in health costs over 12 years. However, the report argues that meeting current NDC commitments is insufficient to reach Mexico's long-term strategy emissions abatement goal, necessitating higher ambition.

The document assesses the economic benefits of transitioning to a low-carbon economy in the United States, highlighting that clean energy investments create more jobs than fossil fuel spending and that renewable energy is increasingly cost-competitive. It warns that delaying climate action could result in annual GDP losses of 1-10% by 2100, while emphasizing the potential for revitalizing rural communities and boosting the domestic manufacturing sector through cleantech.

The document proposes an eight point action plan to help Mexico meet its INDC targets while improving economic competitiveness, energy security, and public health. It asserts that Mexico can achieve its unconditional greenhouse gas emission reduction target using 19 policies, resulting in cumulative net expenditure savings of over 500 billion pesos (approximately 2 percent of 2015 GDP) by 2030. Furthermore, the paper states that by enhancing existing policies and adding two more, Mexico can reach its conditional emission reduction target while maintaining cost savings.

Pennsylvania can meet or exceed its Clean Power Plan targets by 2030 by expanding its energy efficiency and renewable energy standards, optimizing the operation of existing natural gas and coal plants, and adopting a carbon pricing program. Specifically, increasing the energy efficiency target to 13.2 percent cumulative annual savings and the Tier I alternative energy standard to 18 percent by 2030 could reduce CO2 emissions by 46 percent below 2012 levels. The document highlights that utilizing existing natural gas combined cycle plants at 75 percent capacity, compared to 65 percent in 2013, would further cut emissions.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) evaluated a sludge-to-energy project in Xiangyang City, China, which utilizes high-temperature thermal hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion. The project achieves significant environmental gains, including the recovery of 96% of nitrogen and 99% of phosphorous, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 95% to 98% compared to landfilling and incineration. Over a 21-year period, the project is expected to produce 45.4 million m3 of natural gas, replacing 60,000 m3 of gasoline and further reducing CO2e emissions by 140,000 metric tons. Economically, the project's success is attributed to a 'government-bank-enterprise' partnership involving the municipal government, KfW Bankengruppe of Germany, and the Export-Import Bank of China, alongside a market-oriented design focusing on the sale of compressed natural gas (CNG) and biochar.

The report examines the viability of green fertilizer in Kenya, noting that it is currently about 20% more expensive than conventional options, largely due to high capital costs. It warns that without policy and financial interventions, these costs could negatively impact farmer productivity and livelihoods.

The document argues that Jamaica's coral reefs provide critical economic benefits through tourism, fisheries, and shoreline protection, but these services are threatened by local pollution, overfishing, and global climate change. It advocates for the use of economic valuation to inform policy and emphasizes the need for sustainable fishing and coastal management to prevent economic losses from reef degradation.

Wisconsin can achieve 63 percent of its Clean Power Plan (CPP) emission reductions by continuing the Focus on Energy program, maintaining its renewable portfolio standard, and improving the efficiency of natural gas and coal plants. To close the remaining gap and exceed targets, the state could increase efficiency targets to 2.5 percent by 2025 and renewable generation to 30 percent by 2030. The document argues that adopting a market-based carbon pricing program could generate over $100 million annually from out-of-state sources between 2022 and 2030 if allowances trade at $10 per short ton. Additionally, investments in energy efficiency via Focus on Energy provided a 3:1 benefit ratio from 2011-14, saving homes and businesses $1.7 billion.

The document asserts that the U.S. has a critical opportunity to lead international climate policy because the global landscape has shifted since the Kyoto Protocol. It highlights that major developing nations are now implementing their own climate plans and that the Bali Action Plan allows for 'measurable, reportable and verifiable' actions from both developed and developing countries. The author emphasizes the synergy between climate action and economic growth, noting that 'green' stimulus packages can create jobs and reduce energy costs. Finally, it stresses the need for developed nations to provide financial and technological support to developing countries to ensure a successful global agreement.

The analysis evaluates the economic rate of return (ERR) for solar photovoltaic, small hydropower, and wind energy across three Indian states, incorporating health, water, land, and climate impacts against a coal baseline. It finds that most assessed technologies justify public investment based on an 8 percent social discount rate, with the highest returns occurring in Maharashtra.

The document outlines four primary actions for Illinois to meet Clean Power Plan targets: removing spending caps on energy efficiency, ensuring renewable energy standard payments increase investment, increasing combined cycle natural gas plant usage to 75 percent, and adopting operational improvements at coal plants. By increasing the renewable energy standard to 35 percent by 2030 and targeting 20 percent cumulative energy savings by 2025, the state could reduce CO2 emissions by 76 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. The report also suggests a market-based carbon pricing program, which could generate over $300 million annually from out-of-state sources between 2022 and 2030 if allowances trade at $10 per short ton.

The report argues that investing in natural infrastructure, specifically in the páramos surrounding Bogotá, can generate significant cost savings for the city's water utility by improving sediment and nitrogen control. It highlights a specific investment portfolio in sustainable silvopastoral systems and ecosystem restoration that could yield high economic returns and reduce the need for reservoir expansion.

The report contends that delaying climate action leads to the accumulation of carbon-intensive capital stock and locks in fossil fuel dependency. It argues that immediate policy signals, such as cap and trade, are necessary to shift research and development toward renewables and that U.S. leadership is critical for global action.

The document argues that the COVID-19 crisis is a critical window to shift from 'snapshot to transition thinking,' urging governments to use stimulus packages to accelerate future technologies like renewable energy while phasing out fossil fuels. It highlights a concerning trend where approximately 30% of global fiscal stimulus is directed toward high-environmental-impact sectors, often without sustainability conditions. The report advocates for a 'One Health' approach to prevent future zoonotic pandemics by protecting biodiversity, and calls for the integration of informal workers and urban poor into city-level recovery planning. Key recommendations include the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, the implementation of 'do no harm' standards for bailouts, and increased financial support and debt restructuring for developing countries to facilitate a just transition.

The document highlights India's commitment to restore 26 million hectares of land by 2030 to sequester carbon and support livelihoods. Using the Sidhi District in Madhya Pradesh as a case study, it demonstrates that restoring nearly 75% of the district's land could sequester over 7 million metric tons of carbon and generate significant short-term income and long-term employment for marginalized groups through nature-based solutions.

The document argues that over 1.2 billion city dwellers lack reliable access to basic services, creating an "urban services divide" that hinders economic development and climate goals. It proposes seven transformations—ranging from partnering with alternative service providers to supporting informal workers—to improve equity, prosperity, and sustainability in rapidly growing cities.

Jonathan Lash, President of the World Resources Institute, testifies that the United States is currently missing an opportunity to lead a clean energy revolution while other nations, including major emitters like China, India, and Brazil, are already implementing significant climate actions. He argues that U.S. legislation is the essential prerequisite for a successful global agreement, as other countries are reluctant to commit without a clear U.S. pledge. Using China as a primary example, Lash asserts that the shift toward clean energy is driven by local needs—such as energy security and pollution control—rather than global charity, creating a massive market for clean technology that the U.S. risks losing if it does not put a price on carbon and support clean energy development.

The report argues that combining natural systems—such as forests, wetlands, and mangroves—with built infrastructure can lower costs and increase resilience against climate change. It provides a technical, social, and economic framework for project appraisal and highlights the need for enabling policies and innovative financing to mainstream these 'next generation' infrastructure solutions.