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The document details the climate-related activities of various corporations, including utilities, oil and gas producers, and manufacturers. It tracks their public statements, lobbying spending, and affiliations with trade organizations and think tanks, highlighting discrepancies between public sustainability claims and political actions.

The document lists key climate-related votes in the U.S. Congress between 2003 and 2011 used to determine if legislators support or reject climate science. In the House, votes on the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, and various amendments regarding EPA authority and intelligence estimates were used. In the Senate, criteria included votes on the Climate Security Act, the Climate Stewardship Act, and resolutions concerning the EPA's Endangerment Finding and global warming pollution limits.

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 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 paper identifies four key lessons from Annex I countries' experience with LULUCF accounting, arguing that current rules lead to under-reporting of emissions and lack the precision required for carbon markets. It recommends broader reporting requirements, a diversified financing approach for REDD beyond carbon markets, full and consistent data reporting including non-carbon factors, and the implementation of full land use emissions inventories for countries engaging in voluntary REDD Plus activities.

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 document defines GHG emissions registries as databases for tracking emissions from individual emitters, distinguishing them from top-down national inventories. It details the legal mandate for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop a national registry by mid-2008, funded by a December 2007 appropriations bill. The text outlines the role of registries in cap-and-trade programs—specifically for ensuring compliance and market efficiency—and describes the technical requirements for data collection, quantification, and verification to ensure consistency and transparency.

This briefing explores the debate over whether the United States should adopt a single federal climate policy, allow states to lead with individual policies, or utilize a joint approach. It analyzes the rationales for each model, the likelihood of federal preemption of state authority, and the implications for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions.

Dr. Jonathan Pershing of the World Resources Institute argues that energy security and climate goals are often aligned but require an integrated policy framework to avoid conflicts. He proposes effectiveness and political feasibility criteria to evaluate policies, noting that while efficiency and renewables offer 'double wins,' other options like natural gas imports or corn-based biofuels can create security risks or environmental damage. The testimony provides specific policy recommendations for the US regarding cap-and-trade, production tax credits, transportation, and biofuels, while also highlighting the vulnerability of developing nations and the risk of climate-induced conflict and migration.

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 document argues that for a federal cap-and-trade program in the United States to maintain state-level climate innovation, it must account for state-achieved emission reductions by retiring federal greenhouse gas emission allowances. Without this mechanism, state actions would simply free up allowances for use in other states, creating a 'leakage' effect that results in no net environmental benefit.

The document examines the tension between state-led and federal-led climate legislation, proposing a hybrid model for a federal cap-and-trade program. It argues that explicitly providing a mechanism for state action in federal law is necessary to maintain incentives for state-level innovation and emissions reductions while avoiding the business challenges associated with fragmented state-by-state regulation.

The document outlines various design features of cap-and-trade programs intended to manage compliance costs and price volatility. It details the roles of compliance period lengths, carbon offsets, banking and borrowing of allowances, and price-stabilization tools such as price floors, price caps, and allowance auction reserves. The text emphasizes the balance between reducing economic burdens for companies and maintaining the environmental integrity of emissions caps.

Wisconsin can achieve 63 percent of its Clean Power Plan (CPP) emission reductions by continuing the Focus on Energy program, maintaining its renewable portfolio standard, and improving the efficiency of natural gas and coal plants. To close the remaining gap and exceed targets, the state could increase efficiency targets to 2.5 percent by 2025 and renewable generation to 30 percent by 2030. The document argues that adopting a market-based carbon pricing program could generate over $100 million annually from out-of-state sources between 2022 and 2030 if allowances trade at $10 per short ton. Additionally, investments in energy efficiency via Focus on Energy provided a 3:1 benefit ratio from 2011-14, saving homes and businesses $1.7 billion.

The document outlines the framework for a potential cap-and-trade program in the Midwest, following the 2007 Greenhouse Gas Accord. It details the essential design components the region must consider, including the scope of coverage, the setting of emissions caps and reduction trajectories, the distribution of emission allowances, and the implementation of cost-containment measures such as early reduction and project-based offset credits. Additionally, it addresses the possibility of linking the regional program with other similar initiatives.

The document asserts that the U.S. has a critical opportunity to lead international climate policy because the global landscape has shifted since the Kyoto Protocol. It highlights that major developing nations are now implementing their own climate plans and that the Bali Action Plan allows for 'measurable, reportable and verifiable' actions from both developed and developing countries. The author emphasizes the synergy between climate action and economic growth, noting that 'green' stimulus packages can create jobs and reduce energy costs. Finally, it stresses the need for developed nations to provide financial and technological support to developing countries to ensure a successful global agreement.

The report analyzes the success of the Ozone Transport Commission's NOx Budget Program, the first multilateral cap-and-trade system for air pollutants, as a model for state-led greenhouse gas emissions trading. It finds that the program effectively reduced emissions between 1999 and 2002 without harming economic vitality, eventually facilitating the adoption of a broader federal system. The author argues that states should take the initiative on greenhouse gas controls to spur innovation and potentially pave the way for national-scale reductions.

The report analyzes the potential credit impacts of the American Power Act (APA) and EPA regulations on the U.S. chemicals industry. Under the APA, most subsectors would be eligible for free emissions allowances, mitigating direct compliance costs, though some would face higher production costs due to increased natural gas prices. The study highlights that company-level credit risk varies based on emissions intensity relative to peers, fuel mix, and the ability to pass costs to customers. Compared to EPA regulation, a cap-and-trade system offers more cash flow flexibility and potential revenue from selling excess allowances, but requires more complex management strategies.