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The report argues that current climate finance is woefully inadequate to meet Paris Agreement goals, with developing countries alone requiring $4.3 trillion for 2030 commitments. It outlines a three-stage framework—planning, implementation, and monitoring—and details a variety of fiscal and policy instruments to align public spending, increase public funding, and mobilize private capital.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is presented as a critical opportunity for the U.S. to strengthen energy security and economic growth through federal incentives for clean energy. The document argues that the bill supports business climate goals by providing tax credits for domestic manufacturing of wind turbines, solar panels, and batteries, as well as incentives for electric vehicles and heat pumps. It contends that the cost of climate inaction, evidenced by nearly $100 billion in U.S. climate-related disasters in one year, far outweighs the bill's corporate tax provisions.

The document asserts that the US Supreme Court's decision in West Virginia v. EPA limits the EPA's authority to mandate shifts in fuel sources for power generation, thereby hindering the US goal to halve emissions by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. It warns that this ruling damages US global credibility and may threaten other regulations like CAFE rules and SEC climate risk disclosures. The author calls for Congress to expand tax credits for clean energy and electric vehicles, and for the business community and subnational governments to accelerate emission reductions to avoid catastrophic warming exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The report argues that increasing fossil fuel production is an ineffective short-term solution for energy security due to the global nature of oil and gas markets. Instead, it uses the U.S. Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) to demonstrate that clean energy incentives—such as EV tax credits and building electrification—would significantly reduce U.S. fossil fuel demand. In a 'Moderate Scenario', these policies would reduce annual oil consumption by over 180 million barrels by 2030, more than offsetting 2021 Russian oil imports, and reduce natural gas consumption by 4.7 trillion cubic feet, roughly 85% of the EU's 2021 Russian gas imports. The report also estimates GHG emission reductions of 740 to 1,230 million metric tonnes by 2030.

The paper evaluates four scenarios—a Reference Scenario and three increasing levels of policy ambition—to determine the effectiveness of tax credits, infrastructure spending, and performance standards in decarbonizing the U.S. economy. It finds that while tax credits and spending drive early adoption, sector-specific performance standards and negative emissions technologies are essential to reach net-zero by 2050. The analysis concludes that decarbonization is economically feasible, with potential net savings of 0.3 percent of U.S. GDP by 2050 under reference oil prices.

The policy brief argues that the Build Back Better Act's EV incentives would accelerate market transformation, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution-related deaths while boosting U.S. manufacturing. It details specific tax credits for passenger and heavy-duty vehicles, emphasizes the importance of income caps to reach moderate earners, and explains how BBB charging infrastructure complements the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by focusing on community-level access.

The briefing discusses the need for a diverse set of clean energy resources to ensure reliability and affordability while meeting carbon neutrality goals. It examines different legislative mechanisms—such as clean energy standards, financial incentive programs, and tax credits—and proposes key design criteria including technology neutrality, sufficient incentives for early-stage technologies, the removal of participation barriers, and community benefit.

The policy brief advocates for targeted, refundable tax credits to drive the transition to zero-carbon buildings and deep energy retrofits in the US. It proposes six specific tax credit mechanisms—including improvements to existing credits like 45L and 179D and the creation of new ones for lead safety and clean heating—to overcome cost barriers, support low-income housing, and scale domestic manufacturing of heat pumps.

A meta-analysis of eight recent studies indicates that the United States can achieve approximately 80% clean electricity by 2030 at minimal cost. The findings suggest that such a transition would drive 500,000 to 1 million net new jobs, avoid up to $3 trillion in health and climate damages by 2050, and is essential for meeting the Biden administration's GHG emissions reduction targets. The analysis concludes that a strong national clean electricity standard (CES) is the most effective policy mechanism, primarily driving the deployment of wind, solar, and battery storage.

The document examines the limitations of current US federal EV tax credits, which primarily benefit high-income households, and proposes reforms such as point-of-sale rebates, used-EV incentives, and income-tiered programs to accelerate adoption among low- and moderate-income communities.

The document outlines a pathway for the United States to reach 90 percent zero carbon electricity by 2035, asserting that plummeting technology costs make this achievable without increasing consumer electricity bills. It details the economic benefits, including $1.7 trillion in investment and 530,000 annual energy sector jobs, while avoiding 85,000 premature deaths by 2050. To prevent a scenario where zero carbon sources only reach 53 percent by 2035, the brief proposes a series of policy interventions for Congress, including a Clean Energy Standard, expanded tax credits, increased DOE capital for manufacturing, and support for coal communities through a 'Just Transition' framework and the RECLAIM Act.

The document details various direct and indirect U.S. tax subsidies for coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as federal R&D funding and overseas financing. It highlights the contradiction between these subsidies and global climate targets, noting that global fossil fuel subsidies reached $5.2 trillion in 2017. The text also analyzes the 'externalities' of fossil fuels, including the social cost of carbon, public health crises, and environmental degradation, while reviewing legislative efforts in the 116th Congress to reform energy tax credits.

The document highlights that EVs in Colorado produce significantly lower emissions than gasoline cars, with an average of 2.71 metric tons of CO2e per year compared to 4.9 metric tons. It notes substantial fuel savings for drivers, particularly in rural areas where savings can reach $602, and cites a 71 percent increase in Colorado EV sales between 2017 and 2018. The text advocates for the extension of federal tax credits and the expansion of Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) programs to lower upfront costs and increase vehicle variety.

The document highlights that EVs in Minnesota produce significantly lower global warming emissions than gasoline cars, with an average of 2.5 metric tons of CO2e per year compared to 4.9 metric tons. It notes that rural Minnesota drivers can save an average of $750 on fuel, while home charging in Minneapolis is equivalent to paying $0.67 per gallon of gasoline. EV sales in the state grew by 103 percent between 2017 and 2018. The report advocates for extending federal tax credits, implementing purchase incentives, and expanding the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program to further support the market.

The document analyzes the different approaches the U.S. and China take to overcome barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, such as high upfront costs and limited charging infrastructure. While the U.S. relies on a mix of federal tax credits and varied state-level incentives, China has implemented more aggressive central government subsidies, a 'dual-credit policy' for manufacturers, and significant government fleet mandates. China's approach has led to faster growth in EV registrations and a larger network of charging outlets compared to the U.S.

The author advocates for the FUTURE Act, asserting that carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) is a "critical-path technology" for climate change mitigation, particularly for power plants and industrial emissions. The document argues that current tax credits are ineffective due to low credit levels and caps, and that the proposed legislation would drive innovation and cost reduction by raising credit levels and implementing time-limits. The author notes broad bi-partisan and cross-sector support for the bill, including from energy companies, labor unions, and environmental groups.

The U.S. plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market is characterized by rapid growth, with sales increasing 85 percent between 2012 and 2013. The market is dominated by four models: the Nissan LEAF, Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Prius Plug-in, and Tesla Model S. While PEVs produce no tailpipe emissions and generally lower greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline vehicles, challenges remain regarding charging infrastructure and the high cost of battery packs. Federal and state incentives, including tax credits up to $7,500, are used to improve commercial viability.

The document describes the U.S. plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) landscape in 2014, distinguishing between all-electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). It highlights that while PEVs represent less than 1% of new vehicle sales, they are the fastest-growing segment, with sales increasing 85% from 2012 to 2013. The text details specific models like the Nissan LEAF and Tesla Model S, discusses the necessity of expanding public charging infrastructure, and notes a downward trend in battery costs. Additionally, it outlines federal tax credits and various state-level incentives designed to encourage PEV adoption.

Landfills are the third largest source of anthropogenic methane in the United States, contributing 17.7 percent of all U.S. methane emissions. The EPA regulates large municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills and manages the voluntary Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) to encourage the capture of landfill gas (LFG) for energy production. While projects in landfills with existing capture systems are generally profitable, those requiring new systems may face net losses unless they leverage tax credits, carbon credits, or on-site electricity use. LFG projects can produce electricity, heat, or vehicle fuels, providing both climate benefits and local employment.

The report examines how institutional investors—such as pension funds and insurance companies—can bridge the financing gap for renewable energy. It identifies three investment channels: corporate investment, direct project investment, and pooled vehicles. While corporate investment is easiest, direct investment offers the most potential to lower the cost of capital, though it is constrained by liquidity needs, lack of specialist expertise, and policy inconsistencies. The authors suggest five steps to unlock this potential, including fixing policy barriers and improving investor practices.