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The document outlines a methodology for volunteering economies to identify, measure, and evaluate fossil fuel subsidies (FFS). It details the 'building blocks' of a review—definition, scope, measurement, and evaluation—and analyzes the practical application of these tools through case studies of self-reports (Finland, Sweden) and peer reviews within the G20 and APEC frameworks (China, USA, Peru, New Zealand). It emphasizes that these reviews are voluntary, non-adversarial tools designed to create a baseline for reform and facilitate international peer learning.

The report examines the intersection of urban growth, aging electricity infrastructure, and climate change in Canada, arguing that the deployment of smart grid technologies is essential for decarbonization and grid resiliency. It identifies a significant financing gap for modernization, estimating a need for CAD 350 billion in investment over 20 years. The document outlines four emerging business models—Energy Service Provider, Customer Energy Marketplace, Local Balancing Authority, and Smart City—and notes that their adoption varies by region. It highlights barriers to smart grid deployment, including technical complexity, cyber security risks, and regulatory frameworks that treat smart investments as traditional capital infrastructure. The report concludes by calling for a National Vision on Grid Modernization to coordinate stakeholders and align the energy transition with mid-century climate goals.

The document summarizes stakeholder responses to Canada's proposed Clean Fuel Standard (CFS). While there is broad support for the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 Mt by 2030, stakeholders express divergent views on regulatory design, specifically regarding sector-specific targets, the inclusion of indirect land-use change (ILUC) in life-cycle assessments, and the potential for policy duplication with carbon pricing. Key concerns include the economic impact on trade-exposed industries, the feasibility of infrastructure for low-carbon fuels, and the need for harmonization with international standards in aviation and shipping.

EDP has committed to science-based targets to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions from electricity production by 55% per TWh and scope 3 emissions by 25% by 2030, relative to 2015 levels. To achieve these, the company is expanding its renewable energy portfolio by at least 700 MW annually until 2020 and investing in energy efficiency, including the deployment of smart meters in Iberia and Portugal. EDP reports a 57% reduction in CO2 intensity compared to 2005 and aims for 75% by 2030. The company identifies political and regulatory uncertainties as primary challenges and advocates for transparent carbon pricing to accelerate the energy transition.

The report evaluates 12 major diversified miners across transition risks, physical risks, transition opportunities, and climate governance, finding that while operational emissions are improving and capital is flowing toward low-carbon commodities, significant risks persist from downstream regulation and water stress.

The World Resources Institute asserts that G20 nations, which represent 80 percent of global GDP and greenhouse gas emissions, should reject the notion that climate action hinders economic growth. The author urges G20 leaders to support the German G20 Action Plan on Climate and Energy Growth and emphasizes the critical role of emerging economies like China and India in leading the global clean energy market following the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.

The report analyzes the challenges facing Shanxi province as it transitions away from coal, highlighting the tension between national environmental goals and provincial economic dependence. It uses international case studies to argue that successful transition requires a comprehensive approach combining economic diversification, infrastructure investment, and social welfare to prevent long-term regional decline.

The policy brief asserts that while the EU ETS is necessary, it is insufficient on its own to achieve a net-zero economy due to market barriers, low carbon prices, and a lack of focus on energy security and air quality. It advocates for a complementary policy package including energy efficiency measures, renewable policies, and direct regulation to avoid high-carbon infrastructure lock-in and ensure synergy between the EU ETS and the Clean Energy Package.

The policy brief critiques the proposed EU ETS revision, arguing that over-generous free allowances to industrial sectors—particularly the steel industry—create windfall profits and deprive the public of potential auctioning revenues. It recommends increasing the Linear Reduction Factor to 4.2% to align with Paris Agreement goals, establishing a Just Transition Fund for workers, and shifting toward full auctioning to fund low-carbon innovation and support citizens.

The report examines the challenges of coal transition in Shanxi, China, where high economic dependence on coal conflicts with national environmental goals. It analyzes international experiences—specifically South Wales (UK), Asturias (Spain), and Kentucky (USA)—to suggest a comprehensive approach that balances economic diversification, infrastructure improvement, and social protection to mitigate unemployment and community decline.

The document examines how California's LCFS and Cap-and-Trade Program work together to reduce transportation emissions. The LCFS mandates a reduction in the carbon intensity of fuels, while Cap-and-Trade puts a price on carbon and generates revenue for clean technology investments. The author argues that neither policy is sufficient alone and recommends extending both to 2030 to provide the stability needed for long-term infrastructure and vehicle transitions.

Amory B. Lovins of RMI argues that subsidies for distressed nuclear plants are unjustified because closing high-cost nuclear units and reinvesting their operating expenses into energy efficiency can reduce more carbon than maintaining the plants. He contends that 'baseload' power is not a grid requirement and that variable renewables are more resilient and cost-effective than central thermal plants.

The report argues that electricity systems can transition to near-total renewable energy at a cost competitive with gas-based systems, provided a portfolio of flexibility resources is deployed. It identifies six types of flexibility needs—ranging from instantaneous reserves to seasonal balancing—and evaluates technologies such as batteries, demand-side management, and hydroelectric power. Regional analysis shows that while most areas are well-positioned for the next decade, long-term needs for intraday and interday balancing will require significant investment and market redesign to avoid costly lock-in of fossil fuel assets.

The paper examines how subnational governments, with a focus on Washington State, can effectively use carbon tax revenues for greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation. It argues against a narrow focus on the lowest-cost reductions, which often leads to pitfalls such as overpayment, lack of additionality, and long ramp-up periods. Instead, it recommends a strategic approach that targets market failures, promotes social equity, and leverages existing state programs to ensure rapid and effective deployment of funds.

The document provides a detailed analysis of energy access and efficiency across high-impact countries, highlighting a significant gap between urban and rural electrification and the critical role of enabling policy frameworks. It reports that 3.04 billion people lacked clean cooking access in 2014 and 1.06 billion lacked electricity. While some countries like India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda show strong policy support for energy access, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the least electrified region with underdeveloped policy environments. The report also examines energy efficiency and renewable energy, noting that while renewable energy targets are nearly universal, energy efficiency mandates often lag, particularly in developing nations.

The report analyzes the California-Quebec linked cap-and-trade program, finding that allowance supply has consistently exceeded emissions from 2013 to 2015, leading to periodic undersubscription at auctions. While recent low auction sales (11% in May 2016 and 18% in February 2017) are viewed as aberrations, the author argues that systemic oversupply persists. Prospective analysis suggests that 78-86% of remaining allowances will be needed for compliance through 2020, with auction demand likely averaging 71-81%. To improve stringency and revenue stability, the report recommends lowering caps, switching to annual compliance, increasing the price floor, and reducing free allowance allocations.

The document examines the scale of fossil fuel subsidies in China and India, arguing that reforming these payments is essential for improving urban air quality and meeting Paris Agreement targets. It highlights specific reform mechanisms, such as India's Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG and China's voluntary G20 peer reviews, while drawing on Indonesia's experience in reallocating subsidy savings toward social welfare and infrastructure. The brief emphasizes that successful reform requires phased approaches to protect vulnerable consumers and workers, as well as the reallocation of funds toward renewable energy and social services.

The Carbon-CAP project assesses the effectiveness and feasibility of consumption-based carbon accounting (CBCA) and demand-side policies to address emissions embodied in trade. By analyzing sectors such as food, buildings, and transport, the report identifies a suite of promising policy instruments—ranging from regulatory standards to carbon-intensive material charges—that could potentially reduce the EU's carbon footprint by up to 48% theoretically, or 4-10% when accounting for realistic behavioral responses by 2050. The study emphasizes that while production-based policies are standard, CBCA provides a critical macro-level indicator of an economy's carbon intensity and the responsibility of consuming nations for global emissions.

International researchers advocate for the strengthening of the EU ETS post-2020, emphasizing the need to address structural surpluses and ensure a full carbon price pass-through for basic materials like steel and cement to drive innovation and global policy alignment.

The document advocates for a mechanism requiring cement and clinker importers to pay for their pollution to create a level playing field and end free allocation in the EU ETS. It argues that free allocation has hindered innovation, increased emissions by subsidizing high-carbon exports to Africa, and generated over €5 billion in windfall profits for the cement industry. The briefing asserts that an import inclusion scheme is WTO-compatible and beneficial for the industry, as it would incentivize the adoption of new technologies in a sector where European production is currently less efficient than in other global regions.