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The policy brief asserts that global climate success depends on the 20 largest emitting nations adopting a small set of high-impact policies across four sectors: electricity, buildings, industry, and transportation. It emphasizes that policy design is critical to avoid inefficiencies and suggests the use of 'Best Practice Networks' (BPNs) to provide technical expertise to governments to ensure these policies are effectively implemented.

The report examines climate variability and projections for Kampala, finding that while annual rainfall has remained stable, temperatures rose by approximately 1ºC between 1979 and 2005. Future projections suggest temperature increases of 1.5ºC (RCP 4.5) to 3ºC (RCP 8.5) by 2095. The study highlights that flooding is the most significant climate impact, exacerbated by the encroachment of human settlements into wetlands and poor urban drainage. Economic estimates indicate that annual flood damages could rise from US$1.3–7.3 million in 2013 to US$33.2–101.7 million by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario. The cost of climate-proofing buildings and roads between 2015 and 2050 is estimated at US$3.2 billion (RCP 4.5) to US$3.7 billion (RCP 8.5), with residential buildings accounting for 72% of these costs. A cost-benefit analysis of drainage improvements in four catchments showed mixed results, with only two projects yielding a positive net present value. The report recommends revising building codes and the Kampala Physical Development Plan, strengthening the enforcement of Environmental Impact Assessments to protect wetlands, and integrating informality into climate resilience strategies.

Energy Innovation used the Energy Policy Simulator to determine that a specific combination of six policies could meet the Clean Power Plan's goal of reducing power sector CO2 emissions by 32 percent by 2030 while saving the U.S. economy nearly 40 billion dollars between 2016 and 2030. The recommended package focuses on improving coal plant efficiency, accelerating coal retirements, enhancing building and industrial energy efficiency, implementing a 25 percent national average renewable portfolio standard, and increasing transmission capacity. The report contrasts this approach with more expensive alternatives, such as those relying heavily on nuclear power or carbon capture and storage.

Energy Innovation presents a set of 15 targeted policies across economy-wide, industrial, transportation, power, building, and land-use sectors. These policies, modeled via the Energy Policy Simulator, aim to reduce emissions and save the U.S. approximately $840 billion between 2016 and 2030 while positioning the country as a leader in clean energy technology.

The document presents a framework for achieving clean air in China, emphasizing the need for a robust air quality management system, the application of Best Available Control Technologies (BACT), and the alignment of fiscal policies with pollution goals. It advocates for the removal of fossil fuel subsidies, the implementation of a coal cap to reduce coal's share of the energy structure to less than 50% by 2030, and the adoption of Euro 6 fuel standards by 2018 for heavy-duty trucks and off-road vehicles. The experts highlight that integrating air pollutant and greenhouse gas reductions is more cost-effective than treating them separately.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) advocates for a stringent cap-and-trade system, the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, and the integration of climate adaptation into infrastructure and building codes to advance Ontario's climate goals.

The document proposes replacing the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and the Efficiency Savings and Performance Incentive (ESPI) with a system-wide carbon intensity standard and per capita energy sales standards. It argues that these reforms will align utility incentives with state climate goals, encourage low-carbon grid flexibility, and remove the conservative goal-setting and contentious evaluation processes currently hindering energy efficiency in existing buildings.

The report finds that while the EU ETS initially focused management attention on CO2, a declining carbon price and free allocation rules have since diminished its impact. Most emission reductions were driven by economic cycles or non-ETS regulations. The authors argue that current free allocation creates distortions, such as discouraging asset rationalization and incentivizing excess clinker production. To unlock deep mitigation like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and clinker substitution, the report recommends strengthening the carbon price signal, reforming leakage protection through output-based allocation or the inclusion of consumption, and providing targeted innovation support.

The report details a period of transition for South Africa's energy efficiency sector. While new building codes (SANS 10400) and tax incentives (Section 12L) aim to institutionalize efficiency, the market for domestic solar water heaters has seen a decline and consolidation following the cessation of various Eskom subsidies. Conversely, the LED lighting and embedded generation sectors, particularly solar PV, show signs of growth and increasing price competitiveness.

The report details a transition in South Africa's energy efficiency landscape, marked by the introduction of new building codes (SANS 10400) and mandatory quality testing for solar water heaters. While the high-pressure solar water heater market is consolidating after a peak in 2011 and the low-pressure sector is described as 'virtually extinct', the embedded generation sector, particularly solar PV, is showing growth as it approaches price parity with Eskom retail pricing. Financial incentives are shifting from Eskom-funded rebates, which have been largely cancelled, toward tax deductions under Section 12L.

The report examines how climate hazards—such as permafrost degradation, sea-level rise, and extreme weather—threaten Canadian infrastructure, including transportation, buildings, and water systems. It finds that while significant economic costs are already being incurred and research is extensive, policy and regulatory responses remain nascent and investment decisions are not yet substantially driven by adaptation needs. The document details regional vulnerabilities and explores enabling factors such as updated building codes, insurance incentives, and industry-led sustainability initiatives to strengthen long-term resilience.

The authors contend that mandatory minimum building codes are essential for public safety and environmental sustainability. They advocate for a three-year update cycle to keep pace with building science and technology, arguing that current codes—specifically the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)—significantly reduce energy waste and operational costs for homeowners. The paper highlights the role of the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in creating consensus-based standards. It also emphasizes that statewide adoption of these codes reduces disaster-related losses and supports the competitiveness of U.S. building suppliers against international competitors, particularly those in Europe.

The document examines how regulations and standards can be used to foster a green economy by either mandating transitions or removing regulatory barriers. It highlights Vancouver's "Green Tape Review" as a successful example of removing obstacles to green technologies, such as green roofs and urban agriculture, through zoning bylaw amendments. The text suggests that a similar proactive review in Manitoba could identify and remove sustainability barriers with minimal opposition compared to imposing higher mandatory standards.

The Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Bill (S. 761) aims to reduce U.S. energy use and emissions through building codes, financing, and technical assistance. While it targets high-emission sectors like residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, its impact is uncertain due to the voluntary nature of key provisions. The document argues that while the bill is a positive step, more mandatory standards and the inclusion of transport and electric power sectors are needed to meet the U.S. 2020 emissions-reduction target.

The document identifies China's urbanization as a critical factor for global climate change, noting that by 2030, China will have approximately 1 billion urban residents. It argues that the current development pattern of 'single use superblocks served by auto-centric transportation' is unsustainable and leads to congestion and pollution. To counter this, the authors propose six 'ingredients for success': permeable urban form (smaller, mixed-use blocks), transit-centered transportation (prioritizing walking, biking, and Bus Rapid Transit), effective and enforced building codes, municipal finance reform to move away from land-leasing incentives, new sustainability performance metrics for mayors, and a strengthened planning process with increased technical capacity.

The analysis finds that while Boulder has achieved significant energy savings, current programs are insufficient to meet its 2012 Kyoto-based emissions targets. Residential lighting programs and audits are the most cost-effective, while renewable energy systems show below-average returns. The report recommends transitioning to a longer-term, integrated approach focusing on deep retrofits and exploring municipalization of the energy supply to close the emissions gap.

The document highlights that global economic disaster losses rose by 200% over 25 years, with losses from weather-related disasters doubling every 12 years. It argues that ex-post relief is unsustainable and advocates for ex-ante risk reduction through comprehensive risk assessments, fiscal planning, and sector-level mainstreaming. Key tools discussed include the CAPRA GIS platform and the CATSIM model for evaluating fiscal vulnerability. The guide emphasizes that while risk financing (insurance and reserve funds) is useful, it must be paired with land-use planning and building codes to effectively reduce exposure.

The report examines post-disaster reconstruction and rural planning in Europe and Asia, with a specific focus on Punjab, Pakistan. It argues for a shift from reactive, top-down planning to decentralized, 'bottom-up' approaches that integrate Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA). The document identifies key climatic risks for Punjab—primarily flooding and high temperatures—and proposes a suite of adaptive design options and low-carbon technologies to increase the resilience of buildings and infrastructure.

The document examines housing vulnerability to typhoons and floods in Vietnam, focusing on the region of Central Vietnam and the city of Da Nang. It identifies a 'two-fold source of vulnerability' where the adoption of modern materials without professional technical guidance has increased risk. Technical weaknesses in semi-permanent housing—such as flat roof angles, lack of ring beams, and inappropriate building shapes—are highlighted as primary failure points. Socio-economic factors, including low income and lack of awareness, prevent the adoption of disaster-resistant measures. While national strategies exist, the paper argues they lack local specificity, and local governance in Da Nang lacks the legal framework to enforce safe construction practices. Economically, the paper notes that while reinforcement costs 15-60% of construction costs, the lack of such measures leads to recurring repair costs that can double the initial construction investment over five years.

The report argues that US utilities must move beyond a 'business-as-usual' mindset to meet increasingly aggressive energy efficiency targets. It proposes a 'turbocharging' strategy that combines 'broader' savings (acquiring more participants) with 'deeper' savings (increasing energy saved per participant). The authors identify systemic barriers, including utility complacency, lack of competitive experience, and rigid regulatory frameworks, and offer a framework of recommendations centered on improving marketing, sales execution, reducing transaction costs, and embracing collaboration with third-party partners and regulators.