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The report details climate finance in Germany across five key sectors. In 2010, the energy sector saw EUR 10.3 billion in climate-specific investment, dominated by private funding (98%) and renewable energy. The buildings sector received at least EUR 16.3 billion, primarily from households. The agriculture sector saw EUR 5.4 billion, almost entirely in renewables. Industry climate-specific investment was EUR 579 million in 2009, mostly for energy efficiency. Transport climate-specific investment averaged EUR 559 million, focused on energy-efficient vehicles. The report highlights the critical role of the public bank KfW in providing concessionary loans and the influence of the Feed-in Tariff on private investment.

Kenya is diversifying its energy mix by prioritising geothermal power to reduce its reliance on climate-vulnerable hydroelectricity. The government has established the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) to mitigate high upfront exploration risks, implemented feed-in tariffs, and leveraged carbon finance to attract investment. While facing technical skill shortages and geological challenges, Kenya aims to significantly increase geothermal capacity by 2030 to support economic growth and rural electrification.

The report analyzes R&D management through interviews with 17 leaders from innovative companies. It finds that while centralized R&D structures promote long-term breakthroughs, a lack of STEM talent and inconsistent tax policies hinder U.S. innovation. It highlights the effectiveness of direct government grants and technology-neutral regulations in stimulating private research, while noting that restrictive immigration and IP licensing disputes with universities drive R&D overseas.

The National Climate Change Action Plan 2013-2017 provides a strategic roadmap for Kenya to reduce its vulnerability to climate change while maintaining low greenhouse gas emissions. It identifies priority actions across sectors such as agriculture, energy, forestry, and transport, and proposes the establishment of a National Climate Change Council and a Kenya Climate Fund to coordinate governance and finance. The plan emphasizes a 'low carbon climate resilient development pathway' that aligns with Kenya Vision 2030, estimating total investment requirements at approximately KSh 1,085 billion (USD 12.76 billion) for the five-year period.

The document analyzes Zambia's energy sector and the incentives provided by the government to attract private investment in renewable energy. It details a framework of fiscal incentives (tax exemptions on dividends, import duties, and corporate tax), financial incentives (grants from the Rural Electrification Fund and government-backed loan guarantees for ZESCO), and other support services provided by the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Office for Promoting Private Power Investment (OPPPI). While stakeholders report a generally positive trend and increased interest in projects, the report notes a lack of transparency regarding the actual costs of these incentives and a need for greater legal clarity regarding which renewable energy technologies qualify for support.

A September 2012 survey of 1,061 American adults indicates that undecided likely voters share more similarities with likely Obama voters than likely Romney voters regarding climate change. While 80% of undecideds believe global warming is happening and 65% attribute it to human causes, only 45% of likely Romney voters believe it is occurring and 27% see it as human-caused. A majority of undecideds (61%) consider global warming one of several important factors in their voting decision. There is broad agreement across all groups that the U.S. should increase renewable energy use, though views on reducing fossil fuels diverge. Approximately 40% of undecideds and 36% of likely Romney voters report they could "easily change their mind" about global warming.

The document identifies five key realms for renewable energy policy: direct purchase mandates, improving the business case through financial incentives, removing non-price barriers, supporting research and development, and addressing grid intermittency. It recommends that Japan maintain its generous feed-in tariffs, expand demand response, and unbundle transmission from generation to increase competition. The report provides detailed international case studies from the US, Germany, and other nations to illustrate effective mechanisms such as Green Banks, loan guarantees, and carbon taxes.

The report analyzes how California's 10 largest publicly owned utilities (POUs) met the 2010 RPS goal of 20 percent renewables. While collective RPS-eligible investments rose from 4.1 percent in 2003 to 18.8 percent in 2010, the quality of these investments varied. The authors emphasize that long-term contracts for new facilities are the most effective way to drive new clean energy development and stabilize rates. The report categorizes POUs into three groups: those 'sprinting ahead' (e.g., Silicon Valley Power), those 'on the right track' (e.g., LADWP), and those with a 'false start' (e.g., Imperial Irrigation District). It concludes with recommendations for the California Energy Commission (CEC) and POUs to prioritize long-term investments and improve reporting to meet the 33 percent RPS by 2020.

The Barbados Declaration, issued by the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in May 2012, emphasizes the urgent need for SIDS to transition to renewable energy to mitigate economic vulnerabilities caused by high dependency on imported fossil fuels. The document identifies wind, solar, geothermal, and ocean energy as commercially feasible options and calls for increased financial support, technology transfer, and capacity building from developed nations and international organizations. It reaffirms the importance of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA) and the Mauritius Strategy of Implementation (MSI) as blueprints for sustainable development.

The Obama administration's FY 2013 budget proposal emphasizes an "all of the above" energy strategy, prioritizing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and infrastructure. Key funding increases are directed toward the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, building technology research, and high-speed rail. The proposal also calls for the elimination of $4 billion in fossil fuel subsidies and a significant investment in surface transportation, funded by savings from reduced overseas military operations.

The document analyzes the water-energy nexus, highlighting that while low-carbon technologies are essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, some may require as much or more water than fossil-fuel generation. It distinguishes between water withdrawal and consumption, noting that cooling systems (once-through, wet-recirculating, and dry) significantly influence water demand. A California case study demonstrates that a standard Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) can reduce emissions and withdrawals but may increase water consumption; however, a strategic 'RPS+Technology' approach—prioritizing solar PV over solar thermal and adopting dry-cooling and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS)—can simultaneously reduce emissions and water use.

The report analyzes the 'water-energy nexus,' highlighting how the transition to low-carbon electricity can create new pressures on water resources. It compares the water withdrawals and consumption of conventional fossil-fuel plants, nuclear power, and various renewables. A case study of California's Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) demonstrates that while shifting to renewables can reduce emissions, certain choices—like solar thermal—can increase water consumption. The authors argue for integrated planning that prioritizes low-water technologies, efficiency improvements, and water recycling to ensure energy security without compromising water availability.

The City-County Building in Indianapolis underwent an $8 million energy retrofit, reducing energy usage by 46% and securing $750,000 in annual savings. This project serves as the model for the SustainIndy program, which targets a 25% energy reduction across 61 city buildings to achieve $1.7 million in annual savings over 15 years.

District energy systems provide centralized heating and cooling to multiple buildings via underground pipes, utilizing sources such as combined heat and power (CHP) plants, waste heat, and renewables. In the United States, over 700 such systems exist, offering benefits like reduced fuel consumption, lower peak electrical demand, and decreased greenhouse gas emissions. While high upfront infrastructure costs can be a barrier, examples from universities and city centers demonstrate significant energy savings and carbon reductions.

A coalition of energy and agricultural organizations argues that funding cuts proposed in H.R. 2112 would undermine U.S. domestic energy security and rural development. The letter specifically advocates for the restoration of funding for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), the Biorefinery Assistance Program, and the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), asserting that these programs are essential for deploying renewable electricity, advanced biofuels, and energy efficiency in rural areas.

The document outlines job estimates for various green energy sectors in the U.S., distinguishing between direct, indirect, and induced employment. It provides specific figures for wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass industries, while noting the difficulty in quantifying energy efficiency jobs due to their integration into larger industries.

The document details job estimates for various energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors in the U.S., citing data from government agencies and industry associations. It distinguishes between direct, indirect, and induced jobs, noting that energy efficiency employment is often embedded in larger industries. Specific figures are provided for wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass sectors, with total renewable energy job estimates ranging from 853,370 to 953,370.

The Obama administration's FY 2012 budget proposal emphasizes investments in clean technology, energy efficiency, and renewable energy to drive economic growth. Key funding increases are proposed for the DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy office, bioenergy RDD&D, and transportation infrastructure, while funding for fossil energy and the EPA's overall budget is reduced. The proposal also introduces new initiatives such as the Better Buildings Initiative and a National Infrastructure Bank.

The report examines the 'water-energy nexus' in the western United States, specifically the eleven states of the Western Electric Coordinating Council (WECC). It models eight scenarios from 2008 to 2100, varying by carbon emission goals, water conservation mandates, and energy efficiency levels. The primary finding is that while power plants require water, their total consumption is small compared to agricultural and urban use, making the water-energy nexus a secondary concern in the region's broader water crisis. The analysis suggests that carbon pricing (around $70 per ton) is a more likely driver for shifting energy strategies than water pricing, as water prices would need to exceed $4,000 to $7,000 per acre-foot to make water-conserving energy scenarios the least-cost option.

The document provides a comparative analysis of U.S. renewable energy resources—including hydropower, wind, biomass, geothermal, and solar—alongside conventional coal, natural gas, and nuclear power. It details installed capacities, capital costs per kilowatt, and carbon displacement estimates as of 2009-2010, noting that renewables are generally lower in carbon emissions, more flexible in scale, and faster to construct than conventional plants.