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The document argues that Canada's post-pandemic reconstruction offers a historic opportunity to pivot toward a low-carbon economy. It outlines seven specific principles, or 'green strings,' to guide bailouts, stimulus, and recovery measures. These include requiring companies to develop net-zero plans, prohibiting stock buybacks and dividends for aid recipients, and ensuring a just transition for workers in high-carbon sectors. The report emphasizes that green stimulus can create as many jobs as neutral measures and calls for increased transparency, equity for Indigenous peoples, and the protection of environmental regulations during the recovery phase.

The document argues that Canada's economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. It proposes seven 'green conditions' to guide government spending, including requiring companies to have net-zero plans, banning stock buybacks for aid recipients, and ensuring a just transition for workers. The report emphasizes that without deliberate conditions, recovery funds risk perpetuating unsustainable economic structures.

The document outlines a framework for policy makers to create long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies (LTS) as requested by Article 4 of the Paris Agreement. It proposes that an LTS should be an ongoing visioning exercise integrated into continuous planning and harmonized with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The guide suggests three levels of comprehensiveness for LTS development—ranging from base to detailed—to accommodate different country starting points, and identifies eight key aspects for policy makers to address based on their specific national situations.

The authors highlight the accuracy of previous intelligence warnings regarding pandemics to argue that similar foresight must be applied to climate change. They assert that unabated climate change will trigger global instability through food and water insecurity, mass migration, increased international tensions, and high-impact 'wildcard' events, necessitating a move toward net-zero emissions to protect global security.

The authors contend that EU stimulus plans must prioritize a zero-carbon future to avoid exacerbating climate risks. They highlight broad business support for this transition, citing various corporate coalitions and analysis suggesting that green projects offer higher short-term returns and more job creation than traditional stimulus. The statement calls for the strengthening of the European Green Deal, specifically targeting a 2030 emissions reduction of at least 55%, and recommends targeted investments in green infrastructure, innovation, and workforce reskilling.

The document argues that Germany's existing climate targets, specifically the goal to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, are outdated because they were based on the assumption of stagnating global emissions and a higher temperature limit of 2°C. The analysis finds that Germany has nearly exhausted its fair CO2 budget and would need to reach zero emissions by 2030 to make a just contribution. Since zero emissions by 2030 is deemed politically unrealistic, the author proposes a dual strategy: achieving net-zero emissions domestically well before 2050 (e.g., by 2040) and establishing an ambitious goal to help other countries reduce their emissions through financial support, innovation, or atmospheric greenhouse gas removal.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) criticizes the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) for attempting to use the pandemic to suspend environmental regulations. CAPE asserts that 'Do No Harm' in a planetary health context requires strengthening climate policies, investing in a net-zero transition by 2050, and addressing the ecological determinants of health to prevent future zoonotic and climate-related crises.

The briefing compares the systemic challenges of COVID-19 and climate change, highlighting how data lags and inconsistent reporting hinder effective decision-making. It advocates for a shift toward standardized, open-source data ecosystems, potentially led by non-state actors, to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The We Mean Business coalition calls for governments to integrate a climate and resilience lens into economic stimulus packages and public financial support for companies. The author argues that recovery efforts must avoid 'business-as-usual' and instead incentivize zero-carbon technologies to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Specifically, businesses receiving public assistance should be required to adopt TCFD-aligned risk disclosures, set science-based targets consistent with a 1.5°C temperature limit, and prioritize investments in low-carbon solutions such as building retrofits and renewable energy.

The World Resources Institute criticizes Japan's decision to maintain its 2030 emissions reduction target of 26% from 2013 levels, stating the plan is 'no stronger than the one it submitted five years ago'. The author contends that Japan could strengthen its target to 42% using affordable low-carbon technologies and warns of financial risks from stranded fossil fuel assets. The document recommends that Japan increase its renewable energy target to 50% of the electricity mix by 2030, phase out domestic coal and overseas coal finance, and end fossil fuel subsidies.

The UK's Climate Change Act 2008 established a legally-binding framework for emissions reductions, featuring long-term targets, five-year carbon budgets, and independent oversight by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). While the UK successfully met its first two carbon budgets and reduced emissions by 44% below 1990 levels by 2018, it is currently not on track to meet its fourth and fifth budgets or its net-zero target. The legislation is noted for its political durability across different governments and its inclusion of climate adaptation governance, though it faces potential challenges from Brexit and the need to decarbonize more difficult economic sectors.

CIEL supports the Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act as an emergency response to the COVID-19 crisis but criticizes its climate targets and fuel subsidies. While the Act requires airlines receiving stimulus funds to reduce CO2 emissions by 25% by 2035 and 50% by 2050, CIEL asserts that the United States and the world must reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 through a complete transition from fossil fuels. Additionally, CIEL describes the allocation of hundreds of millions of dollars to biofuels and waste-to-fuel processes as a "wasteful distraction".

The author contends that the rapid global response to COVID-19 demonstrates the capacity for decisive action, which should now be applied to the climate crisis. The document advocates for aligning government stimulus spending with the Paris Agreement goals of limiting warming to 1.5C and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It suggests that screening stimulus investments through a climate lens can accelerate zero-carbon solutions in power, transport, and infrastructure, potentially creating a $26 trillion growth opportunity and 65 million new jobs by 2030.

A group of European investors warns Fortum that its support for the Datteln 4 coal plant in Germany and Uniper's legal threats against the Dutch government are misaligned with the Paris Agreement and expose the company to significant market and litigation risks. The investors highlight that 79% of EU coal capacity is already loss-making and urge Fortum to commit to a net-zero emissions trajectory by 2050.

The document analyzes the UK's Climate Change Act 2008, highlighting its use of legally binding long-term targets, five-year carbon budgets, and the role of the independent Committee on Climate Change (CCC). It notes that while the UK successfully reduced emissions by 44% relative to 1990 levels by 2018, it faces challenges in meeting future carbon budgets and its 2050 net-zero target. The study suggests Canada could adopt similar frameworks, particularly regarding independent advisory bodies and the integration of adaptation planning into climate law.

The report argues that natural gas is not a viable 'bridge' fuel but rather a risk to climate stability and shareholder value. It highlights that new gas infrastructure is increasingly incompatible with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal and faces significant economic threats from the falling costs of renewables and storage. The document details how utilities face 'stranded asset' risks, regulatory pressure from state and city decarbonization mandates, and customer defection to community choice aggregations and corporate clean energy contracts. It suggests that 'steel for fuel' strategies—replacing fossil fuel generation with capital investment in renewables—offer a more sustainable financial model. The report concludes by urging investors to demand better disclosure on emissions and transition plans and to support policies like performance-based regulation and securitization to facilitate a just and rapid energy transition.

The CLEAN Future Act proposes a national goal of a 100 percent clean economy by 2050, targeting the power, building, and transportation sectors. Key mechanisms include a national Clean Electricity Standard, zero energy ready building codes by 2030, and the establishment of a National Climate Bank. The act emphasizes environmental justice, state-level climate planning, and workforce development through renewable energy job training.

In 2019, Canada's federal fossil fuel subsidies totaled at least CAD 600 million, though the actual figure may be higher due to data gaps regarding tax measures and the Trans Mountain pipeline. The report notes a shift in subsidy focus from exploration to production and export infrastructure, including liquefied natural gas. It argues that these subsidies undermine Canada's net-zero 2050 goal and 2030 emissions targets. The document recommends that Canada complete its G20 peer review with Argentina in 2020, commit to no new subsidies, and integrate subsidy reform into its next Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement.

A statement from the We Mean Business coalition to the Prime Minister of Japan calling for more ambitious 2030 emissions targets, the phase-out of coal power, and the alignment of overseas financing with the Paris Agreement to provide certainty for business investment.

WWF argues that the United States must implement a legally mandatory pathway to net-zero emissions by 2050, including a carbon price and a 50% emissions reduction below 2005 levels by 2030. While supporting the Climate Leadership Council (CLC) roadmap as a starting point for bipartisan negotiations, WWF emphasizes the need to strengthen the EPA's authority to regulate stationary sources and ensure a just transition for indigenous people and frontline communities.