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WRI analysis indicates that Arkansas could reduce power sector CO2 emissions by 39 percent below 2011 levels by 2020 through a combination of infrastructure optimization and clean energy strategies. Key opportunities include increasing the utilization of natural gas plants to 75 percent, expanding combined heat and power (CHP) systems, improving coal plant efficiency, meeting energy efficiency targets, and increasing renewable energy sources to 15 percent of the state's electricity.

The document introduces 'Switching to Green', a resource for office- and retail-based organizations in the United States to procure renewable energy. It notes that over 70 percent of US electricity is generated from fossil fuels, causing significant air and carbon pollution, and aims to simplify the procurement process for companies without an energy background.

The document argues that while green stimulus can generate jobs and energy cost savings, it cannot replace comprehensive climate policy. It suggests that G-20 leaders coordinate national stimulus programs to support long-term emission goals and build confidence for UN-led negotiations in Copenhagen.

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 report highlights the growing vulnerability of the power sector in South and Southeast Asia to water-related risks, noting that 74 GW of existing and planned capacity for major power companies is located in water-scarce or stressed areas. It argues that while regulatory protections have historically shielded shareholders from the financial impact of water-related outages, these protections may become unsustainable as climate change and demographic pressures intensify water shortages. The document also notes a trade-off between water mitigation and carbon emissions, as technologies like dry cooling reduce water dependency but increase carbon emissions per unit of power output.

The study identifies biophysical conditions, accessibility, and land management as the primary drivers of forest loss in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's CARPE landscapes. Under a business-as-usual scenario, it predicts a loss of approximately 332,200 hectares of forest and 205 million metric tons of CO2 emissions between 2015 and 2025, with the majority of loss occurring in the Ituri-Epulu-Aru and Lac Télé-Lac Tumba landscapes.

The report identifies Ningxia as one of China's most water-stressed regions, noting that an industrial structure dominated by energy production creates a high burden due to high water consumption. It recommends improving agricultural water efficiency, integrating water resources as a restrictive factor in coal industry planning, establishing water right trading mechanisms, raising water prices and fees, and creating ecological compensation systems for mine exploitation.

WRI analysis indicates that Michigan can reduce its CO2 emissions by 33 percent below 2011 levels by 2020 using current state policies and infrastructure. Key opportunities include meeting the renewable portfolio standard through in-state generation, increasing combined heat and power capacity, fully utilizing existing combined cycle natural gas capacity, and improving the efficiency of coal-fired power plants.

The document introduces a guide for non-technical staff at small and medium-sized office-based organizations to manage their carbon footprint. It outlines a process for gaining organizational support, calculating emissions, and setting reduction targets, supported by four customizable calculation tools for direct emissions (heating and transport), indirect emissions (electricity), business travel, and employee commuting. The guidance is aligned with the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard.

WRI and Standard & Poor’s identified petrochemical, all other basic organic, and nitrogenous fertilizer producers as likely EPA regulatory priorities due to their absolute emissions and potential for reductions. However, the document notes that regulatory likelihood does not automatically imply negative credit impacts, as some facilities may already meet thresholds, certain reductions (such as N2O in nitric and adipic acid production) may be inexpensive, and the EPA may consider cost feasibility and facility lifespan to limit compliance costs.

The report argues that Concentrating Solar Thermal power (CST) is a viable large-scale, zero-carbon alternative to coal-fired power, particularly when combined with thermal storage to meet baseload demand. While currently more expensive than coal, costs are expected to decline through technology learning, R&D in materials and optical design, and economies of scale from larger plants. The document highlights that a carbon price of approximately $115 per ton of CO2 would make CST with 6 hours of storage economically competitive with coal. It emphasizes the need for stable policy support, such as feed-in tariffs, to bridge the current cost gap and calls for increased deployment in rapidly developing economies like China and India to alter their emissions trajectories. Additionally, the report notes that widespread CST adoption requires improved transmission infrastructure, specifically federal coordination in the U.S. and links between the EU and North Africa.

An analysis of Hanoi's transport master plan indicates that emissions could have been stabilized at 2005 levels by 2020 through increased public transportation and stricter emission standards. Conversely, the study warns that failing to restrain individual vehicle growth, specifically the shift from two-wheelers to cars, would lead to significant increases in fuel use and severe urban congestion.

WRI analysis indicates that Wisconsin could reduce CO2 emissions by 43% below 2011 levels by 2020 by extending clean energy policies and optimizing existing infrastructure, which would surpass hypothetical EPA reduction requirements of 28% to 33%.

The document introduces the 'Forest Footprint for Cities' methodology, which connects city-level consumption and international trade to global tropical and subtropical deforestation. By quantifying the hectares of forest lost and the resulting CO2 emissions embodied in urban products, the method aims to make the external impacts of city governance and sustainability planning visible, enabling cities to join national and private sector efforts in reducing deforestation.

The Corporate GPM Guide 5 defines renewable energy certificates (RECs) as products representing environmental attributes, such as avoided CO2 emissions, which can be purchased independently of retail electricity supply to reduce a company's environmental impact. The document outlines the advantages of RECs over other green power options and provides purchasing strategies and policy recommendations based on the experiences of the Green Power Market Development Group and other corporations.

The study of ten apartment complexes in Bengaluru found that rooftop solar could meet the entire annual electricity demand for common services in 80% of the sites. Water pumping assets represent the largest electricity load, accounting for 45% of the total connected common area load across the studied complexes. Despite this potential, adoption is hindered by low incentives due to subsidized domestic tariffs in Karnataka, a lack of maintained energy data, and a priority on other budgetary items like waste management over energy efficiency.

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 document argues that improving building efficiency is a cost-effective way to reduce global energy consumption and CO2 emissions while creating jobs and improving urban livability. It outlines eight specific actions for city leaders—ranging from implementing building codes and setting targets to engaging utilities and the private sector—and provides a strategic framework for developing integrated action plans to overcome market and institutional barriers.

WRI analysis indicates that Illinois can reduce CO2 emissions by 35 percent below 2011 levels by 2020 using existing policies and infrastructure, which would align with moderately ambitious EPA standards.

The study examines the water-energy nexus in Qingdao, finding that while unconventional water sources like seawater desalination are necessary to meet growing demand, they significantly increase energy intensity and carbon emissions compared to local surface water.