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The document details how climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of heat waves in the United States, leading to higher mortality rates and significant disruptions. It highlights the disproportionate vulnerability of children, the elderly, low-income and minority populations, and outdoor workers. Beyond health, extreme heat damages transportation infrastructure, reduces agricultural yields, and strains the electricity grid, necessitating a transition to low-carbon energy solutions and adaptive urban design to mitigate these risks.

The document details the rising trends of heat waves and heat stress in the US, attributing recent increases to human-caused climate change and projecting more severe events by 2100 unless emissions are stabilized.

Climate change is causing record-breaking wildfires, ocean acidification, and declining snowpack in Washington, threatening the state's shellfish, forestry, and hydroelectric industries. Projections suggest temperatures could rise by 5°F to 8.5°F by the end of the century, with significant risks to coastal property and forest health. The document advocates for carbon pricing, cleaner transportation fuels, and a transition to zero-carbon electricity to mitigate these risks.

The document outlines the process for developing long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies, emphasizing their role in guiding near- and medium-term actions and avoiding stranded assets. It details essential design elements, including long-term visions, sectoral pathways, and the critical role of the energy sector. The paper also discusses the use of modeling, scenarios, and qualitative inputs to inform these strategies, while highlighting the importance of transparent communication and just transitions.

The document details how climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves across the United States, leading to severe health risks and societal disruptions. It highlights the vulnerability of specific populations, such as the elderly and outdoor workers, and the role of the urban heat-island effect. The text argues that stabilizing carbon emissions and adhering to the Paris Agreement can significantly reduce the projected increase in extreme temperatures and the frequency of heat waves by mid-century.

The document examines the global landscape of high-speed rail (HSR), highlighting the extensive networks in China, Japan, and Europe compared to the limited development in the United States. It defines HSR as new lines exceeding 250 km/h (160 mph) and existing lines exceeding 200 km/h (120 mph). The text details China's rapid expansion, which is expected to reach 38,000 km by 2025, and Japan's long-standing safety record with the Shinkansen. In the U.S., only California is currently building a full HSR system, with the first phase expected by 2029. The report argues that HSR is more energy-efficient than cars and planes, offering a path to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced oil demand.

California relies on natural gas for approximately one-third of its electricity, but analysis shows no new gas plants are needed to meet 2030 needs, and 28 existing plants could be retired as early as 2018 without compromising reliability.

Climate Central's analysis of 244 U.S. cities reveals that 93% have seen an increase in cooling degree days and 87% have experienced more warm nights since 1970. The report highlights the role of urban heat islands and the increasing reliance on air conditioning, which costs Americans over $27 billion annually for home cooling as of 2015. While energy efficiency standards may reduce cooling electricity consumption by nearly 20% by 2040, the report warns that fossil-fuel-powered cooling and improper appliance disposal exacerbate climate change.

The document examines how green bonds support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically highlighting six goals that receive direct benefits from green investment. It emphasizes that climate action is a crosscutting theme necessary for the success of all SDGs and calls for increased climate risk disclosure across all thematic bond labels to ensure long-term sustainability.

The document details the growth of sovereign green bonds, the introduction of national guidelines in Latin America, and the implementation of targeted incentives in Hong Kong. It also covers the European Commission's progress on a sustainable finance taxonomy, Luxembourg's pioneering law for renewable energy covered bonds, and the increasing role of central banks, such as the People's Bank of China, in integrating green assets into financial stability frameworks.

The Indian green bond market reached a cumulative issuance of USD 6.5 billion by July 2018, with 2017 seeing a significant surge to USD 3.8 billion. Renewable energy is the dominant sector for use of proceeds, and the market is driven by both government-backed entities and private sector corporates. A high proportion of deals utilize external reviews, with 47% of total issuance comprising Certified Climate Bonds.

The report identifies USD264bn in outstanding bonds from 1,436 climate-aligned US municipal 'pure-play' issuers, suggesting a significant opportunity to scale the green bond market through refinancing. While issuance grew to USD12bn in 2017, it declined in H1 2018 due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts of 2017, which reduced refunding bond volume. The water sector represents the largest potential, accounting for 64% (USD170bn) of the identified climate-aligned universe, followed by transport at 30% (USD78.5bn). The report highlights that waste, energy, and land use sectors are currently underrepresented in the green bond market despite having substantial climate-aligned activity.

The report argues that global fossil fuel subsidies, estimated at USD 425 billion in 2015, represent a massive untapped financial resource that could fund universal energy access multiple times over. It contends that untargeted consumption subsidies are often regressive, benefiting wealthier households and potentially hindering energy access by straining utility budgets and encouraging fuel smuggling. The authors propose a 'Remove, Target, and Swap' framework: removing subsidies with no energy access benefit, targeting necessary subsidies toward the poor (e.g., through connection subsidies), and swapping fossil fuel support for investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Mining operations, particularly in developing countries, suffer from extreme energy inefficiencies, with diesel power often converting only 12 percent of energy into measurable work. Transitioning to renewable energy like solar and wind can reduce costs—which can account for up to 30 percent of total expenditures—and help companies secure a "social license to operate" by providing energy access to remote communities. Examples include Rio Tinto's solar plant in Australia and Windiga Energy's project in Burkina Faso. RMI and the Development Partner Institute are facilitating the creation of innovative business models to coordinate the complex interests of mining companies, communities, and multilaterals.

As of 30 April 2018, the GCF pipeline consists of 65 funding proposals requesting USD 3.9 billion and 183 concept notes requesting USD 10.9 billion. The report details the sectoral, regional, and thematic distribution of these requests, noting a strong presence of cross-cutting projects. It also assesses the status of the Project Preparation Facility, the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) pilot, and specific requests for proposals including Enhanced Direct Access (EDA), MSME support, and REDD-plus. The GCF is implementing knowledge management improvements, such as NDA/AE portals, to increase transparency and processing speed.

The Life After Coal Campaign informs the South African Minister of Finance that a study by the University of Cape Town's Energy Research Centre (ERC) finds the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power stations are unnecessary and economically harmful. The campaign argues these projects would increase system costs by R19.68 billion, raise greenhouse gas emissions by 205.7Mt CO2eq over 30 years, and exacerbate Eskom's financial crisis. The letter advocates for a transition to renewable energy to ensure financial stability and meet Paris Agreement commitments.

The Life After Coal Campaign urges the South African government to reject the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired IPP projects. Citing a study by the University of Cape Town's Energy Research Centre, the campaign argues that these plants are not needed to meet demand, would cost South Africa an additional R19.68 billion compared to a least-cost system, and would increase greenhouse gas emissions by 205.7Mt CO2eq over 30 years. The campaign further asserts that these projects would exacerbate Eskom's financial crisis and contradict South Africa's commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The Life After Coal Campaign urges the South African government to reject the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal IPP projects, presenting evidence from an Energy Research Centre (ERC) report that these plants would increase system costs by R19.68 billion and raise GHG emissions by 205.7Mt CO2eq over 30 years. The campaign argues that these projects are not needed for medium-term demand, would exacerbate Eskom's financial crisis, and contradict South Africa's commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The document discusses the role of government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in addressing the high energy costs faced by 35 million low- to moderate-income (LMI) households in the US. Under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, these GSEs have a 'Duty to Serve' underserved markets. With advocacy from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), the GSEs have incorporated energy and water conservation into their 2018-2020 action plans. Key initiatives include Freddie Mac's study on the impact of energy efficiency on loan performance and home valuations, and Fannie Mae's updates to its HomeStyle® Energy product to allow for energy improvements and disaster resilience upgrades.

The Life After Coal Campaign informs Eskom that a University of Cape Town Energy Research Centre (ERC) report finds the Thabametsi (557MW) and Khanyisa (300MW) coal IPPs are unnecessary for medium-term demand and would cost South Africa an additional R19.68 billion compared to a least-cost system. The campaign argues these plants would increase greenhouse gas emissions by 205.7Mt CO2eq over 30 years, frustrating Paris Agreement commitments and accelerating Eskom's 'utility death spiral' by reducing the output of its existing, cheaper fleet. The letter asserts that the projects fail the 'value for money' requirement of the 2011 Electricity Regulations and poses significant risks to water resources and air quality.