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The document asserts that developing nations, despite contributing the least to carbon emissions, suffer the most from climate impacts. It argues that the Paris Agreement's goals can only be met if vulnerable communities are provided with sustainable energy resources and that the $100 billion annual climate finance pledge by wealthy nations is insufficient to protect lives and maintain development in health and education. The author calls for the mobilization of both public and private finance to build low-carbon economies in the global south, noting that developing and emerging economies invested $156 billion in renewables in 2015.

Mighty Earth and an international coalition of civil society organizations have called on wind energy companies—including Siemens, Nordex, Suzlon, Iberdrola, and Gamesa—to stop sourcing wind towers from Korindo's subsidiary, KOUSA. The organization argues that the climate benefits of the wind energy generated by these towers are negated by the environmental damage caused by Korindo's deforestation and burning practices. In response, Gamesa, Siemens, and Nordex stated they are investigating the matter, while Clipper and Vestas confirmed they are not customers of Korindo.

The briefing outlines six key drivers for companies successfully adopting science-based emissions targets: a history of meeting previous goals, a strong business case, alignment with climate science, company-wide employee engagement, stakeholder demand for sustainability, and business-specific strategies. Examples include Pfizer's energy projects saving $150 million annually and Coca-Cola Enterprises exceeding its 2011 emissions reduction target.

The document highlights a global consensus on the threats of climate change and the necessity of a massive energy transformation to limit temperature rises to below 2°C or 1.5°C. It notes that renewables became the second largest electricity source in 2014 and that costs for solar and wind technologies are falling rapidly. The briefing also emphasizes the health and economic benefits of decarbonization, specifically citing the potential for $300 million in annual health benefits from closing coal plants in Alberta and the growth of Canada's clean energy sector. Finally, it details Canada's 2013 emissions of 726 mega-tonnes and its targets to reduce these to 622 MT by 2020 and 524 MT by 2030.

The document argues that while the SADC region faces severe energy pressures and a heavy reliance on coal and hydropower, renewable energy mini-grids offer a viable complement to national grid extension, particularly for rural populations. However, most current projects remain in the pilot phase due to unsustainable business models, vague policy frameworks, and a lack of private investment. The brief recommends adopting anchor-business-community (A-B-C) models and establishing clear regulatory frameworks to scale these solutions.

The paper analyzes infrastructure finance in Brazil and India, finding that despite different structural models—Brazil's centralized development bank approach versus India's decentralized system—both remain dominated by public financing and lack the financial innovation seen in developed economies. It concludes that policy environments, such as Brazil's integrated regulatory and banking systems, are more influential than the finance models themselves, though centralized models demonstrate a greater ability to achieve scale and meet national policy targets.

Microsoft contracted for 285 MW of wind energy from two off-site projects, which were enabled by long-term off-take agreements. The company's data center energy group pursued these power purchase agreements (PPAs) to hedge against energy price fluctuations and reduce long-term costs, noting that powering a data center can cost twice as much as its construction. The process was supported by a corporate commitment to carbon neutrality established in 2012, which included an internal carbon fee and a "carbon neutral council." Microsoft accelerated its procurement timeline—completing the first deal in six months and the second in six weeks—by utilizing a dedicated centralized energy team, external partners, and explicit executive support.

The report finds that Uganda faces a critical biomass deficit by 2020, which climate change will likely exacerbate. While the government's current electricity expansion plan can cover potential hydropower losses from reduced precipitation, it requires significant investment. Adaptation focuses on reducing biomass dependence through fuel switching and energy efficiency.

The authors contend that the Clean Power Plan's design and current industry trends allow for significant power sector emission cuts while maintaining reliability. They highlight that existing natural gas and transmission infrastructure, combined with the flexibility of the rule, are sufficient to manage the transition. To further mitigate potential reliability risks, the document advocates for the EPA to establish a mechanism for interstate allowance trading between states in different regions, which would allow states facing local constraints to purchase allowances from those with surplus capacity.

The Obama administration's FY 2016 budget proposal emphasizes an "all of the above" energy strategy and the Climate Action Plan, proposing significant funding increases for the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Transportation (DOT), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Key investments include $7.4 billion for clean energy technology, a proposed $4 billion Clean Power Plan Incentive Fund, and $1.29 billion for the Global Climate Change Initiative. The budget targets specific greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2020, 2025, and 2050, while funding diverse initiatives ranging from solar and wind energy to sustainable transportation and international climate finance.

Georgia has emerged as a leading U.S. market for electric vehicles, driven by state tax credits for vehicles and charging infrastructure. In 2014, EV drivers in Georgia saved an average of over $850 in fuel costs, contributing to a total state saving of $10 million and a reduction of over 22,000 tons of climate change emissions. The document highlights that EVs offer lower maintenance costs and lower global warming emissions than conventional vehicles, with benefits increasing as Georgia's electricity grid incorporates more renewable energy. To sustain growth, the report emphasizes the need for ongoing policy support, consumer education, and public-private partnerships.

The briefing outlines the unique energy context of India—characterized by high total emissions but low per capita emissions—and proposes four areas for US-India cooperation: facilitating investment in renewable energy, leading a global clean energy collaborative, expanding climate resilience partnerships through data access, and establishing direct high-level communication to support the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

The report analyzes South Africa's renewable energy landscape, divided into utility-scale, commercial/industrial, and residential segments. It highlights the success of the REIPPPP in procuring over 5,000 MW and reducing tariffs, while noting that the lack of an updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) creates investor uncertainty. The Western Cape is positioned as a potential green economy hub, leveraging initiatives like the Atlantis Special Economic Zone and the SARETEC training center.

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 document examines performance requirements (PR)—stipulations imposed on investors to achieve specific development goals—and the legal constraints placed upon them by the WTO's TRIMs Agreement and various Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs). It highlights a growing trend, led by Canada and the United States, toward broader prohibitions of PRs (MIC+ clauses) that extend to pre-establishment phases. Through the analysis of cases like Lemire v. Ukraine and Mobil Oil v. Canada, the guide illustrates the unpredictability of investment tribunals in interpreting these prohibitions. It concludes by offering strategic options for developing nations to maintain their regulatory space, such as avoiding PR prohibitions in BITs or explicitly excluding certain sectors and mechanisms from such restrictions.

The document analyzes the evolving energy partnership between the US and South Africa, framed by the US's shift toward energy independence via shale gas and its 'Power Africa' initiative. While South Africa is interested in the US model for shale gas and renewables, the briefing argues that South Africa must remain cautious regarding hydraulic fracturing due to severe water constraints and infrastructure gaps. It highlights the US-South Africa Strategic Dialogue as a mechanism for cooperation on clean energy, carbon capture, and hydrocarbon development, while noting that US initiatives in Africa have targeted a limited number of countries.

Benoît Lechat discusses the need to broaden the social appeal of ecological policies in Europe, critiquing the 'liberal-productivism' that dominates the EU and the 'ascetic' or 'expertocratic' image of Green parties. He analyzes the electoral stabilization of Green parties following the May 2014 European elections, noting gains in Sweden and Austria but declines in France and Belgium. Using the theories of Etienne Balibar, Alain Lipietz, and Ulrich Beck, Lechat argues that climate change must be treated as a strict social issue rather than a niche environmental one. He specifically reflects on the decline of the Belgian party Ecolo, attributing its loss of voters to problematic coalitions with the PS, mismanagement of photovoltaic green certificates, and resistance to wind energy development in Wallonia.

The report examines the financing of renewable energy in China, highlighting the transition from an electricity surcharge system to potential environmental fiscal measures. It analyzes global investment trends, the types and risks of renewable energy subsidies, and provides a framework for designing a carbon tax to fund the energy transition, drawing on international examples from Europe and North America.

The document examines Russia's transition toward a green economy, noting that while the concept is integrated into official policy, practical implementation lags. It highlights Russia's vast natural capital but criticises its inefficient resource use and extreme reliance on hydrocarbon exports. The author argues that Russia must prioritise energy efficiency and economic diversification to maintain competitiveness and ensure long-term sustainability.

The report evaluates India's approach to green industrial policy (GIP) within its wind and solar energy sectors. It finds that while policies have successfully advanced 'green' objectives—such as energy security, health improvements, and greenhouse gas emission abatement—the 'industrial' objective of creating globally competitive domestic firms has been less successful.