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The document provides a comprehensive analysis of carbon pricing mechanisms, specifically carbon taxes and emissions trading systems (ETS), within the Brazilian context. It evaluates international experiences, such as the EU ETS, to demonstrate that while short-term costs increase, long-term benefits include fostered innovation and business growth. The report details various macroeconomic studies on Brazil, suggesting that the negative impacts of emission restrictions can be minimized through revenue recycling and technological progress. It emphasizes the importance of Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) and recommends that the Brazilian government establish a transparent climate governance structure. For companies, it suggests incorporating climate change into corporate strategy and adopting internal carbon pricing as a risk management tool.

The document analyzes Japan's second NDC, submitted in February 2025, which targets greenhouse gas emission reductions of 60% by 2035 and 73% by 2040 relative to 2013 levels. The authors argue these targets are insufficient for a developed nation and fall below the global average required for the 1.5°C goal. The briefing emphasizes that Japan is currently off track for its 2030 goals and risks economic disadvantage by maintaining a reliance on fossil fuels. It calls for a rapid phase-out of coal by 2035, a significant increase in renewable energy capacity—potentially reaching 65-80% of electricity supply by 2035—and the implementation of a robust carbon pricing system via the GX-ETS with a binding emissions cap. The report also highlights the role of electrification, particularly through heat pumps and electric vehicles, and the strong support for more ambitious action from the Japanese business community.

The We Mean Business coalition outlines eight key policy asks for the COP21 Paris Agreement to ensure the transition to a low carbon economy is "inevitable, irreversible and irresistible." The brief argues that a clear, ambitious legal framework is essential to provide the policy certainty businesses and investors need to allocate capital toward decarbonization. Key recommendations include a long-term goal of net zero emissions well before the end of the century, five-year cycles for strengthening national commitments, the adoption of meaningful carbon pricing, and the scaling of climate finance beyond the USD$100 billion annual pledge. The document also emphasizes the need for transparency, high-ambition national commitments, political parity between mitigation and adaptation, and enhanced private sector engagement in pre-2020 ambition through Workstream 2.

Based on data from 1,763 companies, the report shows that low-carbon investments, particularly in energy efficiency and renewables, can deliver significant internal rates of return (IRR). It highlights that 'forward-thinking' companies—those aligning targets with climate science—outperform peers financially. However, it notes that most corporate targets remain insufficient to meet the 2°C global temperature rise limit, calling for stable, long-term policy frameworks to incentivize more expensive, transformational decarbonization.

The report finds that companies in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) achieve a high average internal rate of return (IRR) of 17% on low-carbon investments, significantly outperforming European companies. Energy efficiency measures are the primary driver of emissions reductions, delivering an average IRR of 16.7%. The document also highlights that LAC companies are setting emissions targets that are, on average, 14% more ambitious than science-based recommendations. It argues that this strong business case should encourage regional governments, particularly Peru, to push for more ambitious international climate agreements.

The report highlights that companies in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) achieve an average internal rate of return (IRR) of 17% on low-carbon investments, with energy efficiency projects specifically yielding 16.7%. It notes that the region's energy demand is 54% met by renewables and that LAC companies generate double the emission savings per dollar invested compared to those in the US. The document encourages the use of 'smart policies' such as cap-and-trade and renewable energy policies to further accelerate decarbonization.

The We Mean Business coalition seeks to align the private sector with the Paris Agreement's goal of keeping global warming well below 2°C. The coalition focuses on three pillars: demonstrating business implementation of climate commitments, encouraging new corporate commitments, and advocating for government policies—such as carbon pricing and domestic legislation for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—that enable business leadership. It emphasizes the need for a 'virtuous circle' where NDCs drive business action, which in turn informs more ambitious NDCs. The document also calls for scaling up climate finance from billions to trillions and integrating the private sector into national adaptation plans and resilience strategies.

The We Mean Business Coalition presents a series of policy asks across key sectors—including energy, transport, industry, and the built environment—to align global economies with a 1.5°C trajectory. The document highlights existing corporate commitments, such as the 900+ companies aligning with 1.5°C targets, and calls for government action on carbon pricing, the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, and the implementation of just transition plans. It emphasizes that a green recovery from COVID-19 can boost GDP and employment while addressing the climate and biodiversity crises.

The paper examines the use of trade measures in U.S. and EU climate policies, identifying objectives such as preventing carbon leakage and incentivizing global action. It argues that while protecting domestic industry is not a legitimate use of such measures under WTO and UNFCCC principles, properly designed measures to prevent emissions leakage may be permissible. The author highlights the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACESA) as a proposal that could allow the U.S. to unilaterally determine the equity of other countries' emissions commitments, potentially conflicting with the UNFCCC principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Given the high risk of WTO disputes, the paper recommends that the UNFCCC COP establish principles and procedures to limit the use of trade measures.

The document evaluates China's transition from broad climate goals to a framework of specific policy instruments during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), noting that many targets will likely be exceeded. It recommends three critical actions for the 13th Five-Year Plan: limiting energy and coal consumption, capping greenhouse gas growth, and implementing a national carbon pricing scheme.

The paper evaluates policy packages and infrastructure investments needed to meet the Biden administration's goals of reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 50–52% by 2030 and reaching net-zero by 2050. It concludes that while tax credits and infrastructure investments accelerate technology adoption, they must be paired with performance standards and negative emissions technologies to achieve midcentury goals. The analysis finds that decarbonizing the U.S. economy is economically feasible, with projected net savings of 0.3 percent of U.S. GDP by 2050 relative to a reference scenario.

The analysis finds that most energy supply investments by the World Bank, IFC, and ADB are either aligned with or could be aligned with 2°C pathways under specific conditions. Electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) represent the largest share of financing for the World Bank and ADB, accounting for approximately half of the volume of financing and 40 percent of projects. While renewables projects outnumbered natural gas power generation projects in both number and finance volume, the report warns that natural gas must act as a true 'bridge' by displacing coal rather than adding to it. The study identified 21 oil and gas production projects as 'controversial' due to high emissions and lock-in risk. Misaligned projects often cited strong development rationales, but the authors argue that the urgency of climate change requires transformational rather than incremental improvements. The report recommends that MDBs improve disclosure of indirect financing, shift toward newer technologies like battery storage, and ensure fossil fuel production support is reviewed against G7 commitments to phase out inefficient subsidies by 2025.

Missouri can achieve 90 percent of its Clean Power Plan emission reductions by meeting voluntary energy efficiency goals, adhering to its 15 percent renewable energy standard by 2021, increasing the utilization of existing natural gas combined cycle plants, and improving coal plant efficiency. To close the remaining gap and exceed targets by 14 percent, the state could increase renewable energy to 20 percent of all state sales by 2030. The document suggests maximizing economic benefits through a market-based carbon pricing program—potentially generating over $40 million annually from out-of-state sources at $10 per short ton—and continued investment in energy efficiency, noting that Ameren's 2013 programs returned over $3 in benefits for every dollar invested.

The document introduces a comprehensive guide for U.S. policymakers on implementing a national carbon price. It focuses on the design and economic effects of carbon taxes and cap-and-trade programs, arguing that carbon pricing should be a core element of the U.S. strategy for greenhouse gas emission reductions while noting its potential to serve non-climate policy goals such as tax code reform.

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.

The research examines how contractual frameworks for coal-fired power plants in Indonesia, Pakistan, and Vietnam create financial barriers to early retirement, noting that host countries risk onerous fines from arbitration courts if they break contracts to meet climate targets.

The document outlines a strategy for the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, stating that a 26 percent reduction below 2005 levels by 2025 is achievable through a comprehensive approach including the Clean Power Plan. It identifies the power sector as the primary opportunity for reductions, potentially reaching 30 percent by 2025 if policies are strengthened or renewable costs decline. For longer-term goals, the paper argues that Congressional action, specifically a national carbon price, could enable reductions of 40-42 percent by 2030 and 50-53 percent by 2040.

The paper identifies key factors and recommendations for achieving 'transformational' change in low-carbon energy, defined by large magnitude impact, non-linear growth, and long-term sustainability. Through the analysis of 20 case studies, the authors categorize experiences into transformational, potentially transformational, and missed opportunities, highlighting the roles of regulatory frameworks, financial incentives, and national ownership.

The report evaluates how companies are managing 'cutting-edge' climate issues, noting that while GHG target-setting and data verification have become more common, significant barriers remain. It argues that current corporate goals are insufficient for the scale of necessary emission reductions and outlines six strategic actions—including expanding GHG reporting, realigning value chains, and factoring climate risks into long-term investments—to establish a new benchmark for corporate leadership in a low-carbon future.

The paper proposes a 'data loop' framework to improve greenhouse gas emissions reporting through collaboration between governments and the private sector. It argues that transparent, credible data is essential for national climate policies and international reporting under the Paris Agreement. By combining these data loops with 'ambition loops'—feedback cycles that foster more ambitious climate action—governments can leverage mechanisms like carbon pricing and the Science Based Targets initiative to accelerate climate progress, primarily focusing on the Asia region.