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The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that increasing Minnesota's renewable energy standard to 40 percent by 2030 would drive over $6 billion in new capital investments and reduce reliance on imported electricity without significantly impacting retail rates. The analysis indicates that such a policy would increase wind capacity to nearly 6,000 MW and utility-scale solar to over 600 MW by 2030. While a strengthened RES helps position the state to comply with the EPA's Clean Power Plan, the report notes that coal would still provide 38 percent of electricity in 2030 without additional policy actions. The authors recommend combining the strengthened RES with an increased energy efficiency standard of 2 percent annually by 2020.

The report finds that while Democrats are more likely than Republicans to believe in human-caused global warming and support climate action, liberal and moderate Republicans often align with the mainstream public. Conservative Republicans remain the primary group opposed to climate action and skeptical of global warming. There is broad cross-party support for renewable energy research and tax rebates for energy-efficient products, though significant divisions persist regarding carbon taxes and emission limits on coal plants.

The report asserts that the combined fortunes of the world's wealthiest individuals could fund a total transition to renewable energy in the Global South by 2030. It estimates that $5.15 trillion is required to meet the energy demands of Africa, Latin America, and non-OECD Asia (excluding India and China). The authors argue that the energy transition must go beyond substituting fuel sources to include democratic ownership of resources and the dismantling of corporate power to address the intersecting crises of climate change and extreme inequality.

The GTF 2015 report finds that global progress across energy access, efficiency, and renewables during the 2010–2012 period falls substantially short of the rates required to meet 2030 targets. While electrification saw gains, primarily in India, access to clean cooking remained stagnant. Energy intensity improved, led by high-income nations, and renewable energy consumption grew, though not fast enough. The report highlights a massive investment gap, noting that annual flows must triple to reach $1.0–1.2 trillion. It also introduces the 'energy nexus' to explore interdependencies between energy and water, food, health, and gender, and advocates for a 'data revolution' to move beyond binary access metrics toward more nuanced, multi-tier measurements.

The 2015 update to the Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020 (CECP Update) outlines a comprehensive strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 25% below 1990 levels by 2020. The plan identifies key drivers for these reductions, most notably vehicle GHG emission standards and the import of clean electricity. It also provides a framework for long-term goals, aiming for an 80% reduction by 2050 through a strategy of reducing energy consumption, decarbonizing the electricity supply, and electrifying transportation and heating. The report includes detailed assessments of building efficiency, transportation, electricity generation, and non-energy emissions, as well as research on land use and carbon storage in terrestrial and wetland ecosystems.

The report identifies that while the Swedish transmission grid operator, Svenska Kraftnät, is a primary driver for grid development, most drivers are indirect, such as EU climate policy and the need to integrate wind power. Key barriers include a complex and ambiguous concession process, local resistance based on land-use and health concerns, and passive government governance. The study finds that current planned projects generally align with the geographic needs identified by the NORSTRAT project, though there are discrepancies in wind power production assumptions between the TSO and industry estimates.

The report argues that Brazil's current energy-related emission trajectory is unsustainable and likely to exceed estimated fair carbon budgets between 2024 and 2035. It identifies significant opportunities for decarbonization in the transport, industry, and electricity generation sectors, suggesting that a transition to a low-carbon economy can be achieved with low or negative economic costs while improving public health and competitiveness.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that while the Arctic possesses vast renewable energy reserves and successful technology tests, adoption remains slow. To accelerate this transition, the IISD proposes clear long-term targets, the phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies—specifically subsidized diesel—and the establishment of public-private partnerships funded by environmental taxes.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of 'green jobs' in the U.S. and internationally, highlighting the impact of energy efficiency and renewable energy on employment. It notes a significant gap in reliable U.S. data following the elimination of the BLS Green Careers program. Key findings include the dominance of solar and wind in global renewable energy employment, with China as the largest employer, and the high job-creation potential of energy efficiency investments in buildings and transportation.

We Mean Business calls for direct engagement between government ministers and business leaders at COP in Lima to align on a high-ambition climate pathway. The statement argues that bold climate action is an economic opportunity, citing significant growth in clean energy investments and job creation. It proposes three areas for cooperation: committing to a long-term decarbonization pathway to reduce uncertainty, scaling up public and private climate finance, and collaborating on short-term ambition to close the emissions gap by 2020.

WRI analysis indicates Missouri can reduce its power generation carbon-intensity by 21% by 2020 and 31% by 2030 relative to 2012 levels. While coal provided 79% of generation in 2012 and emissions are projected to rise 12% by 2030 if demand growth is met with fossil fuels, the state can achieve 70% of its EPA target through energy efficiency, renewable energy expansion, combined heat and power, increased natural gas usage, and coal plant efficiency upgrades. Further targets could be met by increasing efficiency goals to 2% of sales from 2015 and raising the renewable standard to 20% by 2030. These transitions are framed as economic opportunities, with potential for billions in consumer savings and thousands of new jobs.

The document compiles job statistics for clean energy sectors, noting a lack of standardized measurement in the U.S. following the end of the BLS Green Careers program. It details employment figures across energy efficiency (buildings, vehicles, smart grids) and renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, biomass, biofuels), while providing global context with a focus on China, Brazil, and the European Union.

A survey by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication reveals that 67% of Americans support strict CO2 emission limits on existing coal-fired power plants, even with potential electricity cost increases. The data also shows strong public support for infrastructure resilience (83%), renewable energy research (77%), energy-efficient vehicle/solar tax rebates (77%), and the regulation of carbon dioxide as a pollutant (75%). Additionally, 66% of respondents believe global warming is occurring, reflecting a slight increase from November 2013.

The author contends that the climate crisis and poverty are linked, requiring a radical shift toward social justice and sustainability. Using Portugal as an example, the text highlights how renewable energy can drive GDP growth and job creation, while criticizing austerity measures and the lack of public awareness in Portugal, where only 6% of the population views climate change as a serious problem.

In 2013, global climate finance flows totaled USD 331 billion, a decrease of USD 28 billion from 2012. This decline was primarily driven by a USD 31 billion drop in private investment, largely due to falling solar PV costs. Public finance remained stable at USD 137 billion, with Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) acting as the primary public source. Mitigation accounted for 91% of total flows, while adaptation received 7% (USD 25 billion), all of which originated from public sources. The report highlights a significant gap between current flows and the estimated USD 1.1 trillion annual investment needed in the energy sector to limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius.

The text asserts that the United States possesses renewable energy potential exceeding the requirements of the Clean Power Plan and advocates for a coordinated shift toward wind and solar technologies to prevent long-term dependence on fossil fuels.

The document outlines how the U.S. economy can benefit from reducing greenhouse gas emissions in electric generation, electricity consumption, passenger vehicles, natural gas, and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). It highlights cost savings for consumers and businesses, the decreasing cost of renewable energy and electric vehicle batteries, and the potential for increased industry revenues through methane leak reduction.

The October 2014 survey reveals that while 66% of Americans believe global warming is happening, only 50% attribute it to human activities, and only 33% believe people in the U.S. are currently being harmed. Despite these gaps in perception, there is strong public support for a variety of climate policies, including renewable energy research (77%), carbon dioxide regulation (75%), and infrastructure improvements for extreme weather (83%).

The October 2014 survey 'Climate Change in the American Mind' reveals that while 66% of Americans believe global warming is happening, there is a significant gap between public perception and scientific consensus regarding its causes. Only 50% of respondents believe human activities are the primary cause, and only 33% believe people in the U.S. are currently being harmed. Despite this, there is broad support for clean energy research, carbon dioxide regulation, and infrastructure improvements to resist extreme weather, with majorities believing that corporations, citizens, and government officials should do more to address the issue.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) proposes a 'Demonstrated Growth Approach' to replace the EPA's conservative renewable energy targets in the Clean Power Plan. The UCS argues that the EPA underestimates the cost-effectiveness and deployment rates of wind and solar power. By adopting the UCS methodology, the EPA could increase the 2030 share of renewable energy in U.S. electric sales from 12 percent to 23 percent, potentially increasing total power sector emissions reductions from 30 percent to approximately 40 percent below 2005 levels. The brief asserts that these higher targets are affordable, with minimal impact on consumer electricity prices and a potential 9 percent reduction in the national average price of natural gas for the electricity sector by 2030.