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The report defines and maps 22 national Strategic Water Source Areas for surface water (SWSA-sw) and 37 for groundwater (SWSA-gw) in South Africa, including transboundary areas in Lesotho and Swaziland. It links these areas to major urban centres and agricultural sectors, highlighting that a small percentage of land provides a disproportionate amount of the region's water. The study identifies significant threats from invasive alien plants, mining, and land degradation, and recommends integrating SWSAs into national policy, legislation, and spatial planning to ensure long-term water security.

The document identifies water as a critical constraint to development in the Saldanha Bay Municipality (SBM), projecting that a growing water deficit will severely impact the local economy and jobs by 2040. It highlights that urban water requirements are expected to increase by approximately 99% by 2040 due to population and economic growth, while climate change is projected to increase agricultural water requirements by 44% between 2015 and 2040. The report warns that by 2040, the water deficit could cost the local economy R8.7 billion per year and 44,640 jobs annually, with the highest costs stemming from the urban water deficit.

The document warns that Stellenbosch Municipality faces a severe water deficit by 2040, driven by high urban growth and the water-intensive nature of its agricultural sector, particularly grape production. This deficit is projected to cost the local economy R10.3 billion per year and result in the loss of 56,602 jobs. Climate change is expected to further increase agricultural water requirements by 38% by 2040. The report recommends that the municipality decouple population growth from water consumption through conservation and demand measures to mitigate these risks.

The document details the positive outcomes of institutional food procurement policies, showing that local sourcing increases regional economic output and job creation. It highlights environmental benefits, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and water use through meat reduction, and projects significant health improvements—including lower sodium intake and reduced risks of type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer—for students and adults in Los Angeles County. Additionally, it analyzes the increasing availability of antibiotic-free chicken in the US supply chain and compares the cost of procuring such meat against the high medical costs of treating antibiotic-resistant infections.

The United States produces over 70 million tons of organic waste annually, yet only 2,200 biogas systems are currently operating, representing less than 20 percent of the total potential. Biogas, produced via anaerobic digestion, can be used for heat, electricity, or upgraded to renewable natural gas (RNG) for pipelines and vehicles. The document highlights that expanding to 13,500 additional systems could create over 335,000 construction jobs and 23,000 permanent jobs while significantly reducing methane emissions. Key feedstocks include food waste, landfill gas, livestock manure, wastewater sludge, and crop residues. Federal support is provided through the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the Farm Bill, and agency programs like AgSTAR and the Landfill Methane Outreach Program.

The document advocates for the preservation of US federal fuel efficiency and emissions standards, asserting that these regulations save consumers money on gasoline and reduce pollution. It emphasizes that low- and middle-income households benefit most from these savings, as they spend a larger proportion of their income on transportation. The text challenges industry claims that efficiency standards increase vehicle costs, noting that price increases are driven by the shift toward luxury SUVs and pickups. It also highlights strong public support for these standards across political lines and warns that reversing them would increase spending on expensive, dirty petroleum products.

The document asserts that federal light-duty vehicle standards set by the EPA and NHTSA in 2012 increase fuel efficiency, reduce oil dependence, and provide financial savings to consumers. In Alaska, these standards have resulted in $90 million in savings to date, with an estimated $4,000 increase in wealth per household by 2030. Environmentally, the standards in Alaska eliminate global warming emissions equivalent to three times those produced by providing electricity to Fairbanks. Nationally, the standards are projected to increase GDP by up to $30 billion and create 650,000 full-time jobs by 2030.

The Door-to-Downtown (d2d) pilot in Boulder, Colorado, tested a public-private partnership to shift residents and visitors from personal vehicles to shared mobility services. By offering a $5 discount on inbound trips, the program attracted 5,400 registrants and generated nearly 2,500 trips, primarily peaking on Fridays. The pilot demonstrated that MaaS can alleviate downtown parking pressure and provide a scalable model for future electric and autonomous vehicle integration to meet carbon reduction goals.

The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes that New Hampshire establish a clean energy finance authority to leverage public funds for private investment. An analysis suggests that an initial $14 million capitalization could drive $300 million in total investment over 15 years, resulting in 70 MW of new solar and wind capacity, $40.3 million in annual electricity bill savings, and a reduction of 222,900 tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2031.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) proposes that Vermont could leverage an initial $7 million public investment into $148 million of total clean energy investment over 15 years. This expanded financing capacity would support nearly 50 MW of new solar and wind power, save homes and businesses $14.6 million annually on electricity bills, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 111,500 tons by 2031. The report details existing Vermont programs—such as Efficiency Vermont, PACE financing, and the Clean Energy Development Fund—and suggests a more comprehensive, coordinated public-private financing initiative to meet the state's long-term goal of 90% renewable energy and efficiency by 2050.

Illinois can achieve 75% of its Clean Power Plan target by following existing clean energy policies and improving fossil plant efficiency, and can exceed the target by expanding efficiency and renewable standards.

South Africa faces a severe water crisis driven by climate change, population growth, and crumbling infrastructure. The report argues that the country must shift its focus from building new infrastructure to managing demand through water efficiency. Key opportunities for savings include improving agricultural irrigation (30-40%), reducing municipal leaks and household waste (12-30%), and increasing industrial efficiency. The document emphasizes the role of the business community in disclosing water use and investing in water-saving technologies to avoid economic instability and social unrest.

The document examines the decline of midsize family farms in the U.S., using Iowa as a primary case study, and proposes a national food policy to connect these farms with institutional buyers to create jobs and improve environmental sustainability.

The document analyzes the trade-offs between Lesotho's water exports via the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) and its domestic needs for water, agriculture, and industry. Using the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) system, it finds that while climate change introduces uncertainty in precipitation, strategic investments in the Polihali Dam and the Lesotho Lowlands Water Supply Scheme (LLWSS) can simultaneously secure water transfers to South Africa and improve domestic water and food security.

The Florida Keys face escalating tidal flooding due to rising sea levels, with projections suggesting Key West could experience 375 tidal flooding events annually by 2045. This threat endangers a $2.2 billion tourism industry, critical transport links like Key West International Airport and U.S. Route 1, and the region's freshwater supply. While Monroe County has implemented resilience measures, the document argues that federal funding for hazard mitigation and emissions reductions is essential to avoid long-term economic damage and habitat loss in the Everglades.

The document reports that the Indonesian economy remained resilient following fuel subsidy reforms in late 2014, including a shift to a 'managed floating rate' pricing system. While these reforms improved Indonesia's credit outlook and shifted consumption toward non-subsidized fuels, the briefing warns that political intervention in pricing continues to cause financial losses for PT Pertamina and risks undermining the new system's stability.

The document argues that U.S. vehicle manufacturers are ahead of regulatory schedules, with 10% of 2015 vehicles already meeting 2020 standards. It highlights the role of both conventional internal combustion engine improvements and electrification in reducing emissions and fuel costs for consumers.

The report evaluates the economic risks posed by the Westway, Imperium, and Grays Harbor Rail Terminal (GHRT) projects. It models three oil spill scenarios (rail derailment and two marine accidents) and analyzes their effects on commercial fisheries, subsistence harvests, traditional plant gathering, and QIN-owned businesses. Findings indicate that a major spill could lead to significant losses in direct jobs, personal income, and business revenue for the QIN and the broader Grays Harbor County economy, while also impairing the cultural and nutritional security provided by Treaty resources.

In July 2014, Egypt implemented significant energy subsidy cuts, including a 64% increase in diesel prices, as part of a five-year plan to eliminate most energy subsidies. The reforms aimed to reduce the budget deficit and signal economic stability to investors. While the cuts caused an initial spike in inflation and public discontent among lower-income groups and transport operators, the broader economic outlook improved, and large-scale protests were avoided. The report notes that the government's compensation measures were limited and ad hoc, and that the success of future reforms will depend on more robust social safety nets and the management of politically sensitive products like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The report examines the environmental and economic impacts of heavy-duty truck fuel efficiency in the U.S., arguing that standards increasing efficiency by 40% by 2025 would save billions in costs and reduce millions of metric tons of emissions.