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The document argues that a gap exists between the capital required for a sustainable transition and actual private sector investment due to market and policy failures. It identifies 'short-termism' as a systemic bias in the investment industry that leads to the undervaluation of long-term sustainability risks and opportunities. To counter this, the report proposes a policy framework based on three elements: enabling open and competitive markets through fiscal incentives and transparency, addressing internal industry disincentives such as short-term remuneration structures, and providing transitional support through de-risking mechanisms and the alignment of public pension funds. It highlights various international case studies, including the UK's Green Investment Bank and the EU's Financial Transactions Tax, to illustrate how regulatory intervention can shift the risk-reward balance toward low-carbon investments.

The document details a stakeholder consultation held on December 3, 2013, focusing on Manitoba's transition to a green economy through its bioeconomy. It identifies the province's abundance of biomass—including agricultural residue, forestry residue, cattails, and prairie grass—as a key advantage. However, the report notes significant barriers such as competition from low-priced fossil fuels, high transportation costs (representing 35 to 50 per cent of biofuel production costs), and a lack of skilled labour. Proposed solutions include regulatory streamlining, the creation of a green fund, carbon and phosphorus pricing, and the establishment of energy procurement targets for the Government of Manitoba.

The report argues that while real-economy policies are essential, they are insufficient to catalyze the scale of green finance needed for a sustainable transition. It examines China's progress in green credit, insurance, and emissions trading, while highlighting the need for a comprehensive framework of definitions, standards, and regulatory mandates to avoid systemic risks like stranded assets. The authors suggest that emerging economies, particularly China, have an opportunity to 'leapfrog' developed markets by integrating sustainability into the core design of their maturing financial systems.

The Beijing Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) reduced CO2 emissions by 4.87 MtCO2 cumulatively between 2013 and 2015, contributing to an earlier emissions peak for the city. The majority of these reductions (98% of power-related cuts) were driven by demand-end management, where companies reduced electricity consumption to meet emission caps, while reductions from power plants within Beijing were negligible. Carbon offsets had no observable impact on allowance prices in the 2014 cycle due to limited supply, particularly of Beijing-originated offsets. The study suggests that a future national ETS should consider including indirect emissions from electricity consumption and implement more stringent caps on direct electricity production to be effective.

The 2013 update to the 'Ripe for Retirement' report identifies that up to 329 coal-fired generators (58.7 GW) in 38 U.S. states are no longer economically competitive with existing natural gas plants, and up to 71 GW are uncompetitive with new wind power. These units, combined with those already retired or announced for retirement, represent more than one-third of the country's coal-generating capacity. The analysis suggests that a combination of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and underutilized natural gas plants can replace this capacity, though the authors warn against overdependence on natural gas due to climate and economic risks.

The document discusses the shift toward regulatory-based climate policies in both Canada and the U.S., emphasizing the need for 'equivalency' in measuring carbon reductions across different provincial and state systems. It analyzes the economic impact of proposed Canadian oil and gas regulations, noting that a 40/40 target (40% reduction with a $40 price ceiling) would cost significantly more than a 20/20 target. Finally, it suggests Canada is unlikely to meet its 17% emissions reduction target for 2020 due to delayed oil and gas regulations and increasing energy sector emissions.

The document argues that without major intervention, transportation carbon emissions will double by 2050. It identifies a combination of reduced passenger car demand, improved vehicle efficiency, increased electric vehicle adoption, and a decarbonized electricity grid (via renewables, nuclear, or CCS) as the necessary path to significant reductions. A case study based on a Spanish city with 360,000 inhabitants demonstrates that while modal shifts and fuel switches (like CNG or biodiesel) offer modest gains, the most aggressive reductions occur when these are paired with a transition to nuclear or CCS-equipped power generation.

The document examines how carbon pricing can lead to 'carbon leakage' and competitive disadvantages for domestic industries. It categorizes policy responses into domestic measures (subsidies, cost containment, and flexibility) and international measures (border adjustments and policy extension). Using the EU ETS as a primary case study, it highlights the risks of free allowance allocation, such as windfall profits and political rent-seeking, while noting that empirical evidence often suggests competitiveness concerns are overstated. It concludes that while border adjustments are theoretically effective, they pose significant risks of trade disputes and diplomatic tensions.

The document evaluates the potential for carbon leakage in South Korea as it implements the Korean emission trading scheme (KETS). Using methodology from the EU ETS Directive, the analysis finds that several manufacturing sectors face a moderate to high risk of leakage, primarily driven by high trade intensity rather than additional production costs. The report highlights that while energy efficiency and fuel switching have historically reduced emissions intensity, the recovery of emission-intensive industries like steel and cement has increased structural risks. It recommends that the South Korean government consider mitigation policies such as free allowances, border adjustments, or import taxes to prevent the displacement of emissions to regions with less stringent climate policies.

The document examines the evolution of the EU ETS through its first three phases, focusing on how carbon pricing affects the international competitiveness of energy-intensive industries. It analyzes the phenomenon of 'carbon leakage'—where production relocates to countries with laxer environmental rules—and argues that while this risk exists for specific sectors like steel and cement, it is often mitigated by free allowance allocations and broader economic restructuring trends. The author suggests that for countries like South Korea, the EU experience shows that the risk of leakage is manageable if policy focuses on the most vulnerable sectors and the decarbonization of the energy mix.

The report identifies systemic waste in global land use, highlighting beef production as the most inefficient sector in terms of land, biomass, and emissions. It argues that the 'nutrition transition' toward animal products is a primary driver of land demand rather than population growth. Through GTAP modeling, the authors demonstrate that shifting diets from beef to chicken could significantly reduce pastureland and cropland needs, freeing land for reforestation and sustainable bioenergy. The report recommends carbon pricing on land-based products, holistic land use planning, and a move away from inflexible biofuel mandates to achieve a more climate-friendly and less wasteful planet.

The SEforALL Global Tracking Framework asserts that current efforts are insufficient to meet sustainable energy goals. It identifies 20 high-impact countries in Asia and Africa as critical for expanding electricity and clean cooking access, and another 20 countries as essential for doubling the global share of renewables and energy efficiency. To meet 2030 targets, the report argues that annual energy investments must increase by at least $600 billion, focusing on energy efficiency, renewables, and access expansion.

The author contends that de-industrialisation is not a viable path to ecological goals, as industry is essential for financing welfare states, creating sustainable jobs, and providing the technology needed for the energy transition. The text advocates for a European industrial policy that internalises environmental costs via carbon pricing and ecotaxation, while ensuring social inclusiveness to overcome political resistance from carbon and nuclear lobbies.

The report posits that national climate change legislation acts as an enabler for international agreements by building government confidence, knowledge, and a desire for competitive parity. Using examples like South Korea, Mexico, and the UK, the authors suggest that domestic targets inform a country's international position and create the political space necessary for a global deal.

The document argues that strong national climate legislation acts as an enabler for more ambitious international agreements by increasing competitiveness, confidence, and knowledge. It highlights that domestic laws can provide the 'legal force' required for future UNFCCC outcomes and recommends strengthening the role of legislators through capacity building and better engagement with executive negotiators.

The document analyzes President Obama's 2013 climate strategy, which shifts toward EPA sector-regulation for electricity due to congressional inaction on carbon pricing. It compares this approach to Canada's regulations, examines the potential for continental equivalency in emissions trading, and discusses the plan's impact on the Keystone XL Pipeline and international climate negotiations.

The report examines industrial policy as a tool for structural economic transformation, contrasting traditional methods—such as import substitution and export promotion—with 'green industrial policy' designed to address environmental externalities. It argues that while market forces are generally preferred, government intervention is justified by market failures like coordination gaps and credit imperfections. The author identifies best practices, including the use of performance-based 'sunset clauses' and close government-industry collaboration. Green industrial policy is presented as a 'second-best' alternative to carbon pricing, requiring larger-scale intervention to stimulate both supply and demand for environmentally friendly technologies.

The document outlines a generic planning process for fossil-fuel subsidy reform tailored for Southeast Asia, emphasizing three core elements: adjusting pricing systems, mitigating unwanted impacts, and managing internal and external communication to build support.

The speech emphasizes that climate change is no longer a specialized environmental issue but a cross-sectoral risk affecting national security, health, and infrastructure. It highlights the need to rethink worst-case scenarios as temperature increases may exceed previous estimates, and argues that Canada requires a national adaptation approach to move beyond piecemeal provincial efforts. The author calls for 'climate proofing' infrastructure and using tax policy lessons from the fossil fuel sector to attract private investment into resilience.

The analysis finds that CCS without EOR is currently unprofitable due to low carbon prices, while CCS combined with EOR and DSF storage can be profitable if oil prices remain above a specific threshold. The study highlights that high investment costs and energy efficiency losses at power plants create significant financial barriers, necessitating either high commodity prices or substantial government subsidies to incentivize early adoption.