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The report finds that while Rajasthan has successfully increased its generation capacity and improved reliability, its distribution companies (discoms) face a severe financial crisis. Discoms are unable to recover operating costs through tariffs, leading to mounting debt and a heavy reliance on state government fiscal transfers. Although renewable energy capacity has grown rapidly, investment gaps in transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure hinder the integration of these sources and the achievement of comprehensive rural electrification.

Ethiopia has established a comprehensive framework for a climate-resilient green economy, led by the Prime Minister's Office and integrated into national development plans. The country has invested significantly from its own budget—approximately 14.5% between 2008 and 2012—and established the Climate Resilient Green Economy Facility to attract international finance, securing US$40 million from bilateral partners by 2015. Key achievements include the 2015 submission of an Intended Nationally Determined Contribution and the development of green infrastructure like the Addis Ababa light rail. However, barriers remain, including the need for deeper integration into operational budgeting, technical capacity gaps, and the challenge of replicating federal success at the regional level.

California's Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires utilities to source 50 percent of retail electricity from renewables by 2030. As of 2015, the program has led to over 500 projects generating nearly 50,000 gigawatt-hours annually, accounting for roughly 25 percent of the state's electricity. The policy has driven significant investments in solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and biogas, while supporting over 79,000 jobs in the wind and solar sectors. The document highlights that the RPS has helped reduce electricity sector emissions by 14 percent between 2003 and 2013 and argues for the establishment of new policy signals to guide investments beyond 2030.

The document examines the US YieldCo model, which raised $23 billion by mid-2015 but saw valuations crash due to aggressive growth targets that introduced market-correlated risks. It argues that by prioritizing sponsor objectives—such as recycling capital and monetizing undeveloped pipelines—these vehicles sacrificed the low-risk, bond-like characteristics of renewable assets. The authors propose a 'Clean Energy Investment Trust' (CEIT) consisting of a closed set of assets with no growth expectations, which they argue would better align with the needs of institutional investors and lower the overall cost of renewable energy deployment.

The document addresses four perceived barriers to the clean energy transition: the 'duck curve' ramping problem, the necessity of curtailing excess generation, the high cost of renewables, and the role of natural gas in emissions reductions. It argues that demand response and battery storage can manage variability, regional electricity trading can prevent waste, and energy efficiency combined with falling technology costs keeps customer bills low. Finally, it asserts that renewable energy and energy efficiency have contributed more to U.S. carbon emission declines since 2007 than the shift to natural gas.

The New Development Bank (NDB) was established by the BRICS nations to address infrastructure funding deficits in emerging economies and to challenge the dominance of traditional international financial institutions. With an initial subscribed capital of $50 billion and a maximum authorised capital of $100 billion, the bank aims to provide a more equitable alternative to the World Bank and IMF. Initial lending, starting in the second quarter of 2016, is expected to focus on renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, and hydro power, while excluding nuclear energy. The NDB intends to distinguish itself through faster project approval cycles, lending in local currencies to mitigate exchange risks, and a commitment to avoid political conditions on its loans.

The analysis indicates that the Clean Power Plan and the extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Investment Tax Credit (ITC) will drive significant clean energy growth and consumer savings in the US. By 2030, these policies are projected to generate 204 GW of new wind and solar capacity, resulting in $30.5 billion in net consumer savings and $127 billion in cumulative health and economic benefits from reduced emissions.

The report finds that while Democrats are generally more convinced of human-caused global warming than Republicans, liberal and moderate Republicans often align with the mainstream public and moderate Democrats. A significant majority of registered voters support various climate policies, including renewable energy research, tax rebates for energy efficiency, and carbon dioxide regulation, though conservative Republicans remain a distinct outlier in their skepticism and opposition to these measures.

Michigan is positioned to meet its Clean Power Plan target of 21.8 million tons of CO2 (31% below 2012 levels) by 2030. A proposed 'Clean Path Case' involving 30% renewable energy and 1.5% annual electricity savings could drive $13 billion in investment, add 8,300 MW of wind and solar capacity, and provide $4.1 billion in public health benefits by 2030. The brief recommends that the Michigan Agency for Energy develop a mass-based compliance plan and that the legislature expand the Renewable Energy Standard and Energy Efficiency Requirements Standard.

The policy brief asserts that global climate success depends on the 20 largest emitting nations adopting a small set of high-impact policies across four sectors: electricity, buildings, industry, and transportation. It emphasizes that policy design is critical to avoid inefficiencies and suggests the use of 'Best Practice Networks' (BPNs) to provide technical expertise to governments to ensure these policies are effectively implemented.

New Mexico is experiencing a warming trend with an average annual temperature increase of approximately 0.6°F per decade since 1970. This shift is driving more intense droughts, reduced snowpack, and more frequent, destructive wildfires, which threaten the state's multibillion-dollar agricultural sector and forest ecosystems. The document recommends accelerating renewable energy investments, increasing energy efficiency, retiring coal plants, and implementing robust water management and monitoring systems to build climate resilience.

A statement by 231 organisations calling on the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to deny funding for the Batang coal-fired power plant in Indonesia due to human rights violations and climate impacts. The signatories argue that Japan is the world's leading supporter of overseas coal and must shift its financing toward renewable energy to align with the Paris Agreement.

The report analyzes Estonia's energy transition from a system heavily dependent on oil shale to one based on low-carbon sources by 2050. Using LEAP, Balmorel, and EMPS models, it evaluates four scenarios: Baseline (BAU), Carbon Neutral (CN), 100% renewable (RES), and 100% renewable with increased demand (RES+). Key findings highlight that while wind and biomass have significant potential, achieving a carbon-neutral sector requires phasing out oil shale by 2040, expanding interconnections with the Nordic Power System (specifically Sweden and Finland), and implementing policy reforms such as removing fossil fuel subsidies and increasing investment support for small-scale renewables and energy efficiency.

The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes a "Clean Path Case" for Michigan to meet its Clean Power Plan (CPP) target of reducing CO2 emissions by 31 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. This pathway combines the CPP with strengthened renewable energy standards (RES) and energy efficiency resource standards (EERS). The analysis finds that this approach would result in 8,300 MW of new wind and solar capacity, $11.3 billion in clean energy investments, and $4.1 billion in public health and economic benefits by 2030. The report argues that this transition is cost-effective, with only a modest increase in average monthly household electricity bills (less than $3) compared to a scenario with no new policies.

The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes a "Clean Path Case" for New Mexico to meet its Clean Power Plan (CPP) target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 24 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. This pathway involves strengthening the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and energy efficiency resource standard (EERS), alongside a mass-based carbon emissions trading program. The analysis indicates that this approach would diversify the electricity mix, reduce household electricity costs, and generate significant health and economic benefits.

The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis suggests that the Clean Power Plan (CPP) can reduce nationwide power plant carbon pollution by approximately 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The proposed 'CPP National Trading Case' emphasizes a combination of wind, solar, and energy efficiency, supported by a national carbon emissions trading program. This approach is projected to generate $103 billion in public health and climate benefits through 2030 and create an average annual revenue of $17.8 billion from carbon allowance auctions between 2022 and 2030. While it may cause a modest near-term increase in household electricity bills, the analysis predicts net savings for consumers by 2030 due to lower operating costs of renewables and efficiency gains.

The document outlines a 'Clean Path Case' for Pennsylvania to reduce CO2 emissions by 29 million tons by 2030. It argues that prioritizing wind, solar, and energy efficiency, combined with a mass-based emissions trading program, would generate billions in capital investments and health benefits while ensuring grid reliability via the PJM Interconnection.

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 Union of Concerned Scientists argues that Illinois can cost-effectively meet its Clean Power Plan (CPP) target—reducing carbon emissions by 34 percent below 2012 levels by 2030—by adopting a "Clean Path Case." This approach involves strengthening the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) and energy efficiency portfolio standard (EEPS) alongside a mass-based emissions trading program. The analysis suggests this pathway would yield nearly 6,000 MW of new wind and solar capacity, reduce typical household electricity costs by 9.4 percent by 2030, and generate $14.3 billion in cumulative health and economic benefits through 2030 by reducing CO2, SO2, and NOx pollution.

The Union of Concerned Scientists proposes a 'Clean Path Case' for Minnesota to meet its Clean Power Plan (CPP) target of reducing power sector emissions by 34 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. This pathway involves strengthening the state's Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) and Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS), alongside a mass-based carbon emissions trading program. The analysis suggests this approach would yield over 4,500 MW of new wind and solar capacity, save the average household $54 annually by 2030, and generate $205 million in average annual revenue from carbon allowance sales between 2022 and 2030. Additionally, the plan is projected to provide $111 million in public health and economic benefits by reducing CO2, SO2, and NOx emissions.