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The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analyzed three methods for valuing energy efficiency in Minnesota: a coal proxy, a gas proxy, and an AVERT/gas blend. The study found that traditional utility dispatch models and locational marginal pricing (LMP) often undervalue energy efficiency by incorrectly designating low-cost renewable resources as the marginal resource, even when expensive fossil-fuel plants are operating. The analysis shows that while avoided energy costs are similar across methods ($24–$27/MWh), avoided emissions benefits vary significantly, being highest when displacing coal ($39/MWh) and lowest when displacing gas ($14–$15/MWh). UCS recommends that regulators adopt transparent, auditable methodologies and remove 'must run' constraints from dispatch models to ensure energy efficiency displaces the most expensive and polluting resources.

RMI urges the California Energy Commission (CEC) to implement a statewide all-electric new building code in the 2022 cycle. The document asserts that delaying this requirement until the 2025 cycle would result in 3 million additional metric tons of carbon emissions by 2030 and over $1 billion in unnecessary spending on gas infrastructure. It highlights that buildings are the primary source of premature deaths from air pollution in California, causing over 6,000 deaths annually, and that an all-electric code would support public health, especially in disadvantaged communities.

The briefing highlights the role of Energy Management Information Systems (EMIS) in decarbonizing New York City's large buildings. It notes that while many buildings have basic monitoring, they lack the analytics to optimize energy use, particularly in tenant spaces. The document asserts that EMIS can lead to a median energy consumption reduction of 8% and is essential for meeting the requirements of Local Law 97, which mandates significant greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2050.

The Green FIDC is a proposed financial structure designed to address the funding shortfall for green projects in Brazil by securitizing receivables through asset-backed securities. It utilizes a two-stage process: providing construction and development finance for greenfield projects using risk-appropriate public or concessional funds, followed by refinancing through senior shares in Brazilian Capital Markets once projects are operational. A pilot project with Órigo Energia for residential rooftop solar systems has already secured 30% of junior and mezzanine shares from private investors. The broader program aims to leverage up to USD 1 billion in clean investment and avoid up to 6 million tons of CO2.

Nav Jivan Hospital in India's Palamu district installed a 10-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system in January 2020 to combat erratic electric supply and voltage fluctuations. This system provides reliable power for critical intensive care unit (ICU) equipment, including ventilators for COVID-19 patients, reducing the hospital's dependence on expensive and polluting diesel generators. The case highlights a broader systemic issue in India, where as of 2019, at least 30% of sub-centers in 14 states lacked electricity connections, and nearly 800 primary health centers operated without power.

Natural Justice opposes proposed amendments in the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2020 that would remove representatives appointed by the Council of Governors from the boards of the Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation. The organization argues that energy regulation and planning are shared functions between national and county governments under the Constitution and the Energy Act, necessitating county representation to ensure effective collaboration and the fulfillment of county-specific energy needs.

The author calls on energy ministers attending the IEA Clean Energy Transitions Summit to allocate global stimulus funds toward a sustainable recovery. The text advocates for the IEA's Sustainable Recovery Plan and specific policy targets, such as phasing out coal by 2040 and ending fossil fuel subsidies by 2025, while highlighting the potential for significant job creation and the growing corporate and public support for a green transition.

The report analyzes how the EU's ESIF, particularly the ERDF and CF, supports climate mitigation and energy efficiency in Member States like Lithuania and Slovakia. It identifies success factors such as partnership-based negotiations, alignment with national priorities, and the use of non-grant financial instruments to leverage private capital. However, it notes limitations including administrative hurdles, limited project preparation capacities, and a tendency to fund 'low-hanging fruits' over advanced R&D. The document concludes with five key lessons for international climate policy, emphasizing national ownership, simplified procurement, and the need for comprehensive technical assistance.

The report contends that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep structural faults in South Africa's economy, including extreme inequality and a dependence on fossil fuels. It advocates for a 'Just Recovery' based on five principles: prioritizing health, providing direct economic relief, supporting workers over corporations, creating resilience for future crises, and building international solidarity. The authors propose a transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050, the implementation of a 'purple economy' to value care work, and a shift toward democratic public ownership to replace market-centric neoliberal policies.

The report identifies immediate opportunities to electrify agricultural processing in Nigeria, categorizing activities into three tiers of readiness. Tier 1 activities—cassava grating, rice milling, and flour milling—are deemed immediately viable, capable of reducing mini-grid tariffs by up to 26% if all three are implemented. The study proposes the 'Facilitator Model' for Tier 1 and the 'Processing Center Model' for Tier 2 to address barriers such as lack of credit and reliable electricity. A deployment strategy is recommended to unlock commercial finance through credit guarantees and grants, with an estimated national investment of under $30 million required for Tier 1 activities.

The document argues that the United States can decouple economic growth from carbon emissions, as evidenced by a 25 percent increase in real GDP and a 12 percent fall in energy-related CO2 emissions between 2005 and 2018. It highlights that clean energy is more labor-intensive than fossil fuels, with $1 million spent on renewables or energy efficiency generating 7–8 jobs compared to 2–3 for fossil fuels. The paper emphasizes the falling costs of solar, wind, and battery technologies, noting that new clean energy portfolios are often cheaper than operating existing coal plants. It also discusses the potential for revitalizing rural communities through renewable energy and the necessity of a fair transition for fossil fuel workers to ensure social equity.

Carbon Market Watch calls for the European Commission to revise non-financial reporting directives for companies with over 500 employees. The organization advocates for mandatory disclosures on climate risks, decarbonization pathways, state aid, 'Just transition' efforts, and lobbying expenditures. Additionally, it seeks greater transparency on the use of the EU emission trading scheme (EU ETS), including internal CO2 pricing and the use of carbon offsetting, to ensure investments align with the European Green Deal.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) advocates for integrating NDC priorities into national stimulus packages to ensure a low-emission recovery. It highlights the GCF's role in providing financial instruments and readiness support to help developing countries, particularly LDCs and SIDS, implement climate-resilient infrastructure and energy efficiency without increasing debt burdens.

The We Mean Business coalition calls on governments to integrate climate action into economic recovery plans following the Covid-19 pandemic. Citing support from over 700 businesses, the statement advocates for prioritizing investments in clean power, electric mobility, zero-carbon infrastructure, and nature-based solutions to avoid future systemic shocks and create a sustainable labour market.

The author contends that Indonesia's COVID-19 recovery stimulus should shift away from fossil fuel support toward renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and decentralized energy systems to ensure long-term economic stability and climate resilience.

The report investigates whether green bonds in China provide tangible benefits over non-green bonds, focusing on 'hard' factors like financing costs, project design, and execution. Through market analysis and case studies of State Grid, Swire Properties, and ICBC, the author finds mixed evidence: while some sectors show lower costs and larger issuance sizes, these advantages are not universal. The report concludes that current public data and reporting standards are insufficient to conclusively prove the productivity of Chinese green bonds, recommending standardized monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems.

The report finds that China's labeled green bond market grew rapidly to become the world's second largest by 2019, reaching approximately $120 billion. While it has successfully attracted new issuers and funded significant projects in clean transport and energy, the market faces challenges including low international investor participation, a lack of standardized environmental reporting, and a high concentration of high-credit-rated large issuers. The report suggests unifying regulatory rules, expanding the issuer base to include more private enterprises, and strengthening monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems to improve transparency.

The policy brief examines the gap between the EU Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), noting that the IED's exclusion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions limits its effectiveness. It argues that the IED and ETS are complementary rather than duplicative, and recommends that the European Commission remove the exclusion of GHGs from the IED and introduce binding energy efficiency standards to drive industrial decarbonisation.

The document features presentations by Ruth Santiago and Dr. Greg Guannel on enhancing coastal resilience in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Santiago argues against rebuilding the existing fossil-fuel-based power grid in Puerto Rico, proposing instead a transition to 'energy democracy' via rooftop solar and community-led energy systems. Dr. Guannel describes the update of the U.S. Virgin Islands' Hazard Mitigation Plan, emphasizing that resilience requires a holistic approach that combines physical infrastructure with social networks and natural systems, such as mangroves and aquifers, to protect the tourism-based economy and public health.

The policy brief outlines a pathway for the U.S. to reach 90 percent zero carbon electricity by 2035, leveraging falling costs of solar, wind, and batteries. It asserts that this transition could support $1.7 trillion in investment and 530,000 annual energy jobs without increasing customer bills. However, it warns that without policy intervention, zero carbon sources would only reach 53 percent by 2035. The authors propose specific regulatory actions for FERC and RTO/ISOs, including simplifying interconnection rules, reforming transmission cost allocation, enhancing energy price signals, and reducing reliance on capacity markets.