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The Wood Solution Thailand Program's engagement phase (March–June 2026) seeks to transition Thailand's building sector from concrete to sustainable timber to reduce emissions and support rural development. The initiative, a partnership between the Stockholm Environment Institute, the Eco-Innovation Foundation, and the Thailand and Nordic countries Innovation Unit, focuses on five workstreams: conducting a value chain feasibility study, supporting pioneer pilot initiatives, creating a support platform for international experts, hosting a vision event in Bangkok, and developing funding partnerships. The program intends to link cities to local forests, utilizing plantations, agroforestry, and managed secondary forests to create permanent carbon sinks and improve rural livelihoods.

The report examines the shift in U.S. energy policy from 2020 to 2026, highlighting a conflict between the second Trump administration's efforts to roll back clean energy initiatives and a persistent bipartisan congressional consensus on 'clean firm' energy. While the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) significantly curtailed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits and rescinded grant funding, key credits for nuclear, geothermal, and carbon capture remained. The administration has aggressively targeted wind, solar, and electric vehicles through deregulation and the cancellation of billions in obligated funding, while the federal workforce has seen a significant loss of STEM expertise. However, the report notes that annual appropriations processes have partially mitigated the administration's requested spending cuts, and billions in prior clean energy outlays remain in place.

The document examines how electrifying heating systems and improving energy efficiency in buildings can reduce urban emissions, highlighting Copenhagen's achievement of reducing building-related emissions by over 60% between 2019 and 2023. It notes that while such measures reduce emissions at the source, they can increase induced emissions if the electricity grid remains carbon-intensive.

The document provides a comprehensive introduction to the ETS2, a 'cap and trade' system starting in 2027 to reduce emissions in buildings and road transport by 42% relative to 2005 levels by 2030. It details the market mechanisms, including the Linear Reduction Factor and the Market Stability Reserve (MSR2), and emphasizes that carbon pricing must be paired with complementary policies—such as building renovations and EV electrification—to prevent price volatility and ensure a just transition. The guide also describes the Social Climate Fund (SCF), a €65 billion mechanism designed to support vulnerable households facing energy and transport poverty, and analyzes the distribution and potential misuse of ETS2 revenues among member states.

The policy brief analyzes a June 2025 non-paper from 16 EU member states seeking reforms to the ETS2, the emissions trading system for buildings and road transport. The authors argue that while some suggestions—such as publishing more data and starting auctions early—are low-risk, proposals to modify the MSR2 trigger mechanisms, extend its lifetime beyond 2031, or strengthen price controls would increase the total volume of allowances in the market. Because MSR2 allowances are already additional to the emissions cap, the brief contends that these reforms would lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions, weaken the investment signal for decarbonization, and potentially jeopardize the EU's overall climate goals.

The document assesses three types of multifunction mechanical systems designed to reduce the cost and disruption of building decarbonization retrofits in multifamily housing. It examines fully packaged systems (e.g., Systemair Genius), partially packaged systems (e.g., Villara AquaThermAire), and distributed systems (e.g., Ephoca AIO WM paired with SanCO2), focusing on their ability to integrate heating, cooling, ventilation, and domestic hot water (DHW) using low global warming potential refrigerants.

SoffitDuct is a lightweight, prefabricated HVAC ductwork system designed to replace invasive site-built soffits in multifamily retrofits. Demonstrated at the Corona Del Rey apartments in California, the system uses foil-faced foam to provide a 'finish-ready' exterior that can be painted, reducing contractor time and duct leakage. While the project identified challenges in passing through structural wall framing, it estimates that the solution is applicable to 6.3 million residential units (45%) in California, excluding studios, one-bedroom units, and single-story homes with attics.

This fact sheet presents the results of a candidate survey conducted by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE BC) for the Vancouver by-election on April 5, 2025. The survey evaluates candidates' positions on health and climate policy, including green space, active transportation, building emissions, and regional air quality.

The brief, submitted by the lead Assembly sponsor of the CLCPA and several nonprofit organizations, contends that the CLCPA was designed to work in tandem with local climate actions rather than replace them. It argues that there is no legislative intent for the state to occupy the entire field of climate regulation and that the state has explicitly relied on Local Law 97 to meet its own emissions targets. The authors warn that a ruling of preemption would stifle local innovation and jeopardize New York's ability to meet its 2030 and 2050 greenhouse gas reduction mandates.

The briefing advocates for a coordinated approach to building decarbonization and resilience in the US, emphasizing that these goals are complementary. It specifically prioritizes 'passive measures'—such as weatherization and envelope retrofits—to manage peak electricity demand, improve energy affordability, and extend the 'hours of safety' for occupants during power outages, particularly for vulnerable populations.

The document discusses the challenges of decarbonizing existing buildings in the US and details RMI's work in Massachusetts using 'lighthouse projects' to create a scalable, equitable market for energy retrofits in affordable housing.

The Canadian Climate Institute responds to criticisms from the Canadian Gas Association, asserting that a gradual transition to electric heating is necessary to avoid costly stranded assets. The Institute argues that continuing to expand gas infrastructure by default risks burdening taxpayers for decades, as these assets may become obsolete before their 40-year lifespan ends. It dismisses the idea that low-carbon gases like hydrogen and biomethane can fully replace fossil gas due to limited supply and high costs, advocating instead for energy-efficient electric heat pumps and better regulatory planning to ensure a just transition.

RMI's analysis of US building emissions reveals that building operations account for 23% of annual carbon emissions, with single-family homes (58%) and commercial buildings (37%) being the primary contributors. The report argues that current green capital flows are insufficient and should be redirected from large commercial buildings toward the retrofit of existing buildings, specifically targeting single-family homes and small-to-medium commercial properties to achieve meaningful climate goals.

Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation (CDC) is implementing deep energy retrofits (DER) at three residential properties in Boston to reduce energy consumption by an average of 55 percent across 103 units. By conducting portfolio-wide Capital Needs Assessments and leveraging a diverse stack of local and federal funding—including an expected $8 million in support—the CDC aims to eliminate on-site fossil fuel combustion and improve tenant well-being. The project utilizes guidance from RMI’s REALIZE-MA initiative and LISC’s 1000 Apartment Challenge to navigate the complex predevelopment phase and align with Massachusetts' climate goals and Boston's Building Energy Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO).

The Canadian Climate Institute argues that exemptions to carbon pricing, particularly for home heating in Atlantic Canada, would undermine emission reduction incentives and increase the long-term cost of meeting climate targets. It contends that the existing rebate system already supports low-income households and proposes that any additional affordability needs be met through temporary, targeted rebates rather than policy exemptions that create market uncertainty.

The report highlights a critical gap in US public health policy: the lack of comprehensive, science-based indoor air quality (IAQ) guidelines. While the US regulates outdoor air via the Clean Air Act, indoor environments—where people spend approximately 90% of their time—remain largely unregulated. The document details how pollutants like nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves and wildfire smoke exacerbate health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. It reviews existing international models from the WHO and Health Canada, and limited US efforts in states like California and Texas. RMI recommends that the EPA use its authority under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) to develop federal guidelines, which could then inform building codes, product safety standards, and electrification efforts to reduce combustion pollution.

The document outlines a framework for SEOs to manage $8.8 billion in federal funding for residential energy retrofits. It emphasizes data-driven design, strategic outreach to underserved communities, and the creation of 'one-stop-shop' support models. Key recommendations include aligning state policies with Justice40 goals, leveraging complementary federal grants, and implementing workforce training to ensure high-quality electrification installations.

The document outlines various real-world examples and tools that State Energy Offices can use to implement IRA Home Energy Rebates. It highlights strategies for equity mapping, workforce analysis, consumer outreach, and contractor certification. Key examples include Greenlink Analytics for equity data, the Love Electric campaign in Colorado for consumer awareness, and NYSERDA's Clean Heat Connect for supply chain alignment. The guide emphasizes the importance of people-centered support, weatherization integration, and comprehensive contractor training to ensure program success and equitable outcomes.

Canada's 2022 emissions rose by 2.1% from 2021 to 685 Mt CO2e, though they remain 6.4% below 2005 levels. The increase was primarily driven by oil and gas production and the building sector, which together accounted for 72% of the rise. While the electricity sector has seen a 55.6% reduction since 2005, overall progress is hindered by a growing, energy-intensive economy that offset the 22.9 Mt CO2e reduction achieved through climate policy and market drivers.

The document argues that city officials face challenges in building decarbonization due to inconsistent definitions of Net Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEBs) and Zero-Carbon Buildings (ZCBs). It highlights that NZEBs often neglect embodied emissions—those released during material extraction, construction, and demolition—and advocates for the use of carbon-based life-cycle assessments (LCA) to achieve true zero carbon emissions. The guide recommends specific LCA tools such as openLCA, One Click LCA, Tally, and the EC3/Embodied Carbon Calculator, while noting that technical expertise and data quality remain barriers. Additionally, it lists several global resources and policy toolkits, including the Global Roadmap for Buildings and Construction 2020-2050 and the Carbon Leadership Forum Policy Toolkit, to help cities implement regulatory, economic, and fiscal instruments for decarbonization.