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The FY 2017 budget proposal seeks to increase clean energy R&D funding to $12.8 billion by 2021, featuring a $10.25-per-barrel crude oil tax to fund sustainable transportation and significant increases for the Department of Energy's renewable energy and efficiency programs. It also includes $1.3 billion for the Global Climate Change Initiative and $291 million for Power Africa, while targeting a 83 percent reduction in domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The report argues that smart land use policy is critical for California to meet its 2030 decarbonization goals. Using the RapidFire model and E3 California Pathways data, the study finds that 'More Compact' and 'Infill Focus' scenarios can lead to statewide emissions reductions of 40-41% below 1990 levels when combined with aggressive energy technology deployment. Beyond climate targets, smart growth is projected to deliver significant co-benefits, including billions of dollars in household and infrastructure cost savings, improved public health outcomes through reduced air pollution, and the preservation of greenfield land. The authors recommend that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) strengthen emissions reduction targets under SB 375 and provide substantial funding to support cities and regions in implementing target-compliant land use plans.

The document argues that urban GHG mitigation is most effective when governments at different levels operate according to their comparative advantages. It categorizes city roles into policy leaders, critical implementers, and strategic partners, mapping these roles to specific abatement potentials in transport, buildings, and waste. The authors emphasize that national governments must provide enabling actions—specifically financial support, technical capacity, and policy alignment—to unlock this potential. Case studies of China, the United States, and Brazil illustrate varying degrees of vertical integration and identify specific national-level gaps that hinder city-scale climate action.

The South African energy efficiency market is driven by constrained electricity supply, rising tariffs, and government targets, such as the National Energy Efficiency Strategy (NEES) 2005 goal of reducing primary energy consumption by 12% by 2015. The market is served by consultants, technology suppliers, and Energy Service Companies (ESCos), with the latter's market estimated by the IDC to potentially reach R8 billion per annum by 2022. In the Western Cape, the market is projected to reach R1.3 billion by 2019, supporting approximately 1,000 jobs. Key challenges include accessing funding, though various tax incentives (e.g., S12I, S12L) and grants are available. The regulatory landscape is complex, involving multiple departments and standards (SANS) to mandate efficiency in buildings and appliances.

The strategy assesses the vulnerability of Estonia's energy and infrastructure systems to climate change, identifying the electricity distribution network and small ports as particularly susceptible. It outlines a comprehensive set of adaptation measures across technical support systems, buildings, transport, and energy resources, with an estimated total implementation cost of approximately 1.3 billion EUR for the 2017–2030 period. The plan emphasizes increasing energy independence through domestic renewable sources and improving the resilience of buildings and transport networks to temperature extremes and flooding.

The report argues that cities can significantly reduce global GHG emissions, potentially decreasing them by 3.7 GtCO2e by 2030 and 8.0 GtCO2e by 2050. The greatest abatement opportunities are found in urban building energy efficiency, followed by transport and waste management. Because city-level actions are often not captured in national pledges, they offer a critical path for countries to deepen their climate ambition.

The GSA's National Deep Energy Retrofit (NDER) program demonstrated that deep energy retrofits can achieve significantly higher savings than typical federal projects, with Round 1 projects averaging 38% energy savings compared to 21% in other agencies. The report details a collaborative workshop held in April 2014 to identify process improvements, technical barriers, and economic strategies to reach the goal of 50% or more energy savings. Key recommendations include adopting integrative design, incorporating operations and maintenance (O&M) into performance contracts, and combining energy efficiency upgrades with appropriated renovation funds.

The document outlines the value of Building Energy Modeling (BEM) in reducing first and operating costs while improving occupant satisfaction. It details the different purposes of BEM—comparison, compliance, and prediction—and provides a structured approach to the modeling process, software tools, and the contracting process, including a sample Request for Proposal (RFP).

The Obama Administration's FY 2014 budget proposal emphasizes investments in clean energy and energy efficiency, proposing a total of approximately $7.9 billion for clean energy technology programs across all agencies. Key highlights include a $2 billion Energy Security Trust to reduce oil dependence, a $200 million 'Race to the Top' program for grid modernization and energy efficiency, and significant funding increases for the Department of Energy's (DOE) renewable energy programs. The budget also proposes $2 billion for a satellite system to improve climate modeling and weather forecasts, while calling for the elimination of $4 billion in fossil fuel subsidies. Substantial allocations are directed toward vehicle technologies, building efficiency, and international climate resilience through the Department of State.

The document analyzes how U.S. government intervention—through R&D funding, the creation of simulation tools, the establishment of performance ratings, and consumer labeling programs—catalyzed the commercialization and widespread adoption of low-emissivity windows. It highlights the transition from early government-funded research at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and seed funding for startups to a market where low-e windows now hold an 80% share of the residential market.

The report finds that King County's 2008 Geographic-plus emissions were 23.4 million MTCO2e, with transportation as the primary source. However, a Consumption-based inventory reveals a much larger footprint of 55 million MTCO2e, driven by the production of imported goods and services. To better manage these emissions, the report recommends a tracking framework focused on a 'core' scope of buildings, transportation, and waste.

The document outlines the current state of U.S. energy use across transportation, buildings, and industry, while projecting the economic and efficiency gains possible by 2050 through a transition to renewable energy and increased efficiency.

The report assesses the EU's Climate and Energy Package, concluding that the 20% emissions reduction target by 2020 is insufficient to reach the 2050 goal of 80% reduction without incurring extreme economic costs in later decades. It recommends increasing the 2020 target to 30%, establishing a stringent 2030 EU ETS cap of 45-50% reduction, and shifting energy efficiency focus toward absolute energy savings in buildings and transport. The authors argue that these measures would reduce oil and gas dependency, foster the Low Carbon and Environmental Goods and Services (LCEGS) market, and prevent high-carbon infrastructure lock-in.

The report outlines a pathway for Seattle to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. By implementing aggressive strategies across transportation, buildings, and waste, the city could reduce per capita core emissions by 91% relative to 2008 levels. Key drivers include a massive shift toward electric vehicles, deep energy efficiency retrofits in the built environment, and a transition to low-carbon energy sources like biomass-fired district energy. While the scenario achieves a 90% reduction in core emissions, the report notes that the final 10% may require offsets or sequestration.

China's energy intensity decreased by 15.6% between 2005 and 2009, putting it on track to meet its 11th Five-Year Plan target of a 20% reduction. The report finds that while top-down administrative measures and plant closures were effective, much of the 'low-hanging fruit' has been picked, suggesting that future reductions in the 12th Five-Year Plan will be more costly. Sectoral analysis shows significant gains in power and manufacturing efficiency, while the building and transport sectors faced challenges from rapid urbanization and a shift toward more energy-intensive transport modes. Agriculture and forestry provided significant carbon sinks through afforestation, though fertilizer use remains a primary source of emissions.

The report finds that climate change will increase summer cooling demand and decrease winter heating demand in Europe, with the A1B scenario leading to significantly higher costs. While physical energy reductions in heating are larger than cooling increases, the higher cost of electricity for cooling makes the economic impacts more balanced. The study also identifies risks to energy supply, including reduced hydroelectricity generation and lower efficiency for thermal and nuclear power plants due to higher temperatures. Adaptation measures, such as low-energy buildings, are discussed but noted as having a low evidence base for cost-benefit analysis.

The report assesses Green Investment Schemes (GIS) as a carbon finance mechanism to unlock surplus Assigned Amount Units (AAUs) in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). It argues that GIS can overcome the failures of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) by targeting high-priority, long-term mitigation areas such as building energy efficiency and bioenergy. The authors recommend using programmatic approaches, simplified monitoring and verification (M&V), and extending crediting periods beyond 2012 to ensure the bankability of infrastructure projects. The report estimates the potential value of transacted AAUs at approximately €9 billion and highlights the importance of additionality to maintain environmental integrity.

The Smart Garage report describes a system where electrified vehicles (xEVs) communicate with the grid and buildings to optimize energy use. The document identifies a near-term focus on 'V1G' (smart one-way charging) as a practical first step toward a long-term 'V2G' (bi-directional charging) vision. It analyzes the ecosystem's value chain—including OEMs, utilities, and 'connectors'—and identifies five primary barriers: uncertain consumer demand, high battery costs, infrastructure funding, fragmented utility regulation, and a lack of communication standards. To address these, the report proposes six collaborative projects to quantify demand, analyze battery second-life value, and establish national policy frameworks.

The report assesses Green Investment Schemes (GIS) as a hybrid carbon finance mechanism in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) that combines the sale of Assigned Amount Units (AAUs) with domestic greening activities. It argues that GIS can address mitigation priorities that other mechanisms, such as Joint Implementation (JI) and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), have failed to deliver, particularly in building energy efficiency and small-scale bioenergy. The authors emphasize that because the window for these transactions closes in 2012, GIS should prioritize long-term, low-carbon infrastructure and high-additionality projects rather than lowest-cost measures. Key recommendations include adopting simplified monitoring and verification (M&V) processes, allowing post-2012 fund disbursement, and utilizing a programmatic approach to reduce transaction costs for small-scale investments.

The document details the health impacts of radon, lead, mold, and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in buildings, particularly schools. It highlights that indoor pollutant levels often exceed outdoor levels and notes the significant financial costs of poor air quality, contrasted with the potential billions of dollars in savings from building improvements and increased worker productivity.