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The paper addresses the lack of a working definition for the 'active DSO' role amidst the transition to net zero. It introduces a framework to measure DSO activity across dimensions including flexibility, innovation, and the integration of distributed energy resources, specifically applying this methodology to UK electricity and natural gas DSOs.

RMI proposes the RE Emissions Score to move beyond qualitative assessments of renewable energy procurement. The score calculates the percentage of Weighted Avoided Emissions relative to Total Induced Emissions, using marginal emissions factors and a procurement factor based on the ratio of Energy Attribute Certificate (EAC) costs to the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). This approach aims to incentivize companies to locate operations in low-emissions grids and fund new renewable capacity in high-emissions grids.

The authors argue that traditional PRSP review processes, such as those used by the World Bank and IMF, often overlook the critical links between the environment and poverty. They propose a new evaluation framework that shifts from a 'dominant preference model'—where environmental issues are imposed externally—to a stakeholder-driven approach. This methodology uses an ecosystem services framework to identify specific poverty-environment links (e.g., provisioning, regulating, and cultural services) and assesses the degree of stakeholder participation, policy coherence, and monitoring systems. The paper provides a detailed 18-question survey and a scoring system (0-3) to quantify a country's performance in integrating the environment into its poverty reduction strategies.