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WRI analysis indicates that Tennessee can reduce its CO2 emissions by 41 percent below 2011 levels by 2020 through a combination of infrastructure optimization and clean energy adoption. Key opportunities include increasing the utilization of combined cycle natural gas plants to reduce emissions by 11 percent and achieving 1 percent annual energy savings to reduce emissions by 10 percent. Other measures include expanding combined heat and power (CHP) systems, improving coal plant efficiency, and continuing the growth of renewable energy generation.

The ACEA Agreement is a voluntary pact between the European automobile manufacturers association and the European Commission to limit fleet average CO2 emissions to 140 gCO2/km by 2008. The author contends that the failure to disclose individual company commitments and performance data prevents investors from understanding the specific financial and competitive implications for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). A cost analysis of two scenarios—corporate average and uniform percent improvement—reveals significant variability in potential cost exposures for companies such as BMW, PSA Peugeot Citröen, Fiat, and DaimlerChrysler, suggesting that investors face unforeseen risks due to the absence of disclosed CO2 reduction strategies in 2003 annual reports, with BMW being the only exception.

The document proposes a U.S. carbon tax strategy designed to replace taxes on productive resources like capital and labor with pollution taxes. The authors suggest a framework that returns revenues to the economy through other tax reductions, provides compensation to affected households or regions, and prioritizes cost-effective emission reductions.

WRI analysis indicates that Colorado can reduce its power sector CO2 emissions by 29 percent below 2011 levels by 2020 using existing policies and infrastructure. This would meet or exceed moderately ambitious EPA standards, which WRI estimates would require reductions between 28 and 37 percent. Key opportunities include meeting renewable energy and energy efficiency targets, increasing the use of combined heat and power (CHP), maximizing the capacity of natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) plants, and improving coal plant efficiency.

WRI analysis indicates that Minnesota can reduce CO2 emissions by 31 percent below 2011 levels by 2020 through a combination of renewable energy standards, energy efficiency targets, and the optimization of existing natural gas and coal infrastructure.

The report analyzes dockless bike-sharing in 12 Chinese cities, concluding that these systems serve as effective last-mile mobility solutions that increase public transit connectivity, lower carbon emissions by replacing motorized trips, and improve public health outcomes.

WRI analysis indicates that Ohio can reduce its CO2 emissions by 27 percent below 2011 levels by 2020 by leveraging existing state policies and infrastructure. Key drivers include the Renewable and Advanced Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS), which could yield a 7 percent reduction, and the Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS), which could provide a 10 percent reduction. Infrastructure opportunities include increasing combined heat and power (CHP) capacity, improving the operating capacity of combined cycle natural gas (NGCC) plants, and enhancing the efficiency of coal-fired power plants.

The document argues that limiting global warming to 1.5 or 2°C requires a virtually decarbonized power sector by 2050, a goal the world is currently not on track to meet. It asserts that increasing ambition in NDCs requires moving beyond simple renewable energy targets to implement four foundational strategies: enhancing grid flexibility, addressing existing coal assets, implementing institutional changes, and leveraging synergies between power and end-use sectors.

The document outlines four primary actions for Illinois to meet Clean Power Plan targets: removing spending caps on energy efficiency, ensuring renewable energy standard payments increase investment, increasing combined cycle natural gas plant usage to 75 percent, and adopting operational improvements at coal plants. By increasing the renewable energy standard to 35 percent by 2030 and targeting 20 percent cumulative energy savings by 2025, the state could reduce CO2 emissions by 76 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. The report also suggests a market-based carbon pricing program, which could generate over $300 million annually from out-of-state sources between 2022 and 2030 if allowances trade at $10 per short ton.

The document highlights that Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region where fertility rates remain significantly above replacement level, with a projected population increase to 2.1 billion by 2050. It argues that accelerating the decline to a replacement level of 2.1 children per woman would reduce the 2050 population by approximately 390 million people, thereby easing food demand, reducing the need for cropland expansion, and creating a 'demographic dividend' for economic growth. The paper advocates for non-coercive strategies, specifically improving girls' education, reproductive health access, and child mortality rates.

The study evaluates transport interventions in Porto Alegre, Brazil, finding that a BRT system could reduce annual CO2 emissions by 25-31 thousand tonnes compared to a business-as-usual scenario with fare integration, whereas fare integration alone might increase emissions.

Between 2000 and 2005, total global CO2 emissions increased by 12.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. While emissions growth across the electricity & heat, transport, industry, and building use sectors was primarily driven by developing countries, developed countries continued to produce the majority of emissions in the transport and building use sectors. Developing countries now account for the majority of emissions in the industry and electricity & heat sectors.

The document argues that the auto-rickshaw sector can support sustainable urban transport in India by providing first-and-last-mile connectivity and door-to-door alternatives to private vehicles. To achieve this, it recommends shifting from two-stroke to four-stroke engines to reduce PM10 emissions, implementing separate emission standards for HC and NOx, and improving vehicle design and road infrastructure to enhance occupant safety.

WRI analysis indicates that North Carolina can reduce its CO2 emissions by 29 percent below 2011 levels by 2020 through a combination of its Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS), increased combined heat and power (CHP) capacity, fuller utilization of combined cycle natural gas (NGCC) plants, and improved efficiency at coal-fired power plants.

Missouri can meet approximately 70 percent of the EPA's emission rate target for 2020-2030 by utilizing existing policies and infrastructure, including energy efficiency targets, renewable energy standards, and increased utilization of natural gas and combined heat and power. To close the remaining gap and exceed targets, the document suggests increasing energy efficiency goals to 2 percent of sales from 2015 onward and expanding the Renewable Energy Standard to all utilities with a target of 20 percent of total generation by 2030.

The document examines how to attract private investment into Brazil's public transport sector by addressing market and institutional barriers. It argues that while federal policy is important, local government flexibility and the alignment of performance incentives are critical for success. The paper utilizes a framework focusing on market-level enabling conditions and project-level de-risking instruments, illustrated through case studies of the São Paulo Metrô's Linha 4 and the Estação Barreiro bus terminal in Belo Horizonte.

Virginia can achieve nearly 80 percent of the EPA's emission rate target for 2020-2030 through planned coal plant retirements and the use of combined heat and power (CHP) and natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) plants. To meet the remainder of the target, the state can implement energy efficiency measures to achieve 1.3 percent annual energy savings and increase renewable energy generation to 15 percent by 2025, leveraging untapped wind and solar potential.

The paper presents the City Climate Policy Assessment Framework, which evaluates city-level climate policies across seven sectors: community-wide initiatives, building policy, transportation policy, energy and water utilities, waste management, local government operations, and green finance. Based on an analysis of 12 cities in China and abroad, the study finds that while cities often excel in government operations and utilities, gaps persist in transportation, building policies, and community initiatives. It highlights that many cities set goals more ambitious than national standards and recommends improving data transparency and strengthening financial instruments like tax incentives and climate investment funds to address funding gaps.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of the climate and energy landscapes in China and the United States. For China, it highlights a 4.7% increase in CO2 emissions in 2023, the growth of non-fossil fuel power capacity to 53.9% of the total, and the implementation of the 'Carbon Peak' pilot program and the restart of the CCER market. For the United States, it notes a projected 1.9% decrease in emissions for 2023, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the focus on decarbonizing the power sector by 2035. The briefing also details the 'Sunnylands Statement' as a framework for bilateral cooperation on methane and energy transition, while noting tensions regarding trade policies and the potential impact of the 2024 US election.

The document provides a map where land areas are proportional to historic carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion from 1900 to 1999. It identifies the United States as the largest contributor at 30.3%, followed by a group comprising China, India, and developing Asia, the Middle East, and other developing Asian nations at 27.7%. Africa's contribution is listed at 2.5%.