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California has established a target of 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045 and increased its renewable energy requirement to 60 percent by 2030. To reach these goals, the Union of Concerned Scientists proposes ten strategies: improving energy efficiency (especially during evening hours), diversifying renewable sources (wind, solar, geothermal, and low-carbon bioenergy), phasing out natural gas equitably, using renewables for grid reliability services, investing in multi-timescale energy storage, integrating western electricity markets, leveraging distributed energy resources, electrifying buildings and transport, shifting demand to match production, and developing a skilled workforce.

The report analyzes local content policies (LCPs) used by mineral-rich nations to increase the use of domestic labor, goods, and services in the mining sector. It details various policy instruments—ranging from mandatory quotas and ownership requirements to government incentives and voluntary business initiatives—and examines their practical application in countries such as Norway, Chile, Ghana, and Brazil. The document argues that LCPs often fail when implemented as blanket provisions without clear objectives or sufficient industrial capacity. It identifies critical prerequisites for success, including institutional readiness, a favorable business climate, and a long-term vision that transcends political cycles. The report concludes that effective LCPs require a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures, robust monitoring through key performance indicators, and strong partnerships between governments, mining firms, and local suppliers to ensure sustainable economic diversification.

The research note analyzes a U.S. Department of Energy proposal to subsidize uneconomic power plants to maintain grid reliability. It estimates that keeping six FirstEnergy coal and nuclear plants online for two years would cost approximately $2 billion. The author contends that these funds would be better spent on locally-led economic diversification and workforce development, noting that grid operators and reliability bodies do not believe such interventions are necessary for stability. The document suggests that redirecting these funds could provide over $300 million per affected community to support a just transition.

The document describes Canada's use of Impact and Benefit Agreements (IBAs) to protect Indigenous rights and promote employment in the mining sector. It highlights the Voisey’s Bay nickel mine in Newfoundland and Labrador, where the Joint Education and Training Authority (JETA)—funded by a CAD 25 million federal initiative—trained over 1,000 Innu and Inuit people. By November 2016, Innu and Inuit peoples constituted approximately 55 per cent of the mine's workforce, with 90 per cent of those employees coming from adjacent communities.

The document describes the Mining Skills Council (CCM) in Chile, an industry-led hub established in 2012 to bridge the gap between mining company needs and educational training. By collecting data from companies and training providers, the CCM identifies skills shortages and forecasts human capital demands over a 10-year horizon. This intelligence is used to help education institutions improve training programs and create a system of certification for labour competencies. The case study highlights that while Chile lacks formal local content legislation, the CCM promotes direct employment by ensuring the local workforce possesses work-ready competencies, a model the document suggests is replicable in other countries regardless of whether they have state-owned mining companies.

The report argues that electrifying heavy-duty vehicles in California can significantly reduce hazardous air pollutants and global warming emissions while creating economic opportunities. It finds that battery and fuel cell electric buses have substantially lower life cycle emissions than diesel or CNG alternatives. The authors highlight that low-income communities and people of color are disproportionately exposed to heavy-duty vehicle pollution. While the sector offers growth in manufacturing, infrastructure, and maintenance, the report emphasizes the need for targeted electrical skills training to make these jobs accessible to underserved populations.

The document lists various training initiatives in California aimed at supporting the transition to electric buses and trucks. It details government programs like the California Energy Commission's ARFVTP, community college initiatives such as the Alternative Transportation and Renewable Energy Program, and nonprofit efforts like the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program, focusing on workforce development, technical certification, and job placement in the clean energy sector.

The document details job estimates for various energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors in the U.S., citing data from government agencies and industry associations. It distinguishes between direct, indirect, and induced jobs, noting that energy efficiency employment is often embedded in larger industries. Specific figures are provided for wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass sectors, with total renewable energy job estimates ranging from 853,370 to 953,370.

The document outlines how states can leverage billions of dollars in federal funding to support the transition to zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs). It categorizes funding opportunities into manufacturing, procurement, charging infrastructure, workforce development, emissions monitoring, and state planning, providing specific program details, eligibility, and strategic next steps for state officials.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) argues that while SMRs are critical for the EU's 2050 climate neutrality goal, current frameworks are inadequate. The proposed roadmap includes: (I) a dedicated EU SMR Strategy to ensure technology neutrality; (II) streamlining State Aid approvals to a six-month limit and adopting diverse financing models like Regulated Asset Base (RAB) and Mankala; and (III) coordinating international finance via the European Investment Bank (EIB). CATF emphasizes the need for 'fast mover' technology selection to achieve economies of scale, noting that factory-based construction could reduce costs by 20–25% and delivery times by 50%. The brief also highlights a significant workforce gap, estimating a need for 180,000–250,000 new professionals by 2050.

The document outlines a five-category framework for applying Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) funds to the industrial sector: critical analysis, regulatory programs, financial incentives, economic and community benefits, and leveraging additional funding. It provides specific examples of actions for each category, such as performing emissions pathway analyses, setting GHG emissions intensity standards, offering tax credits for carbon capture and storage (CCS), and designing community benefits programs.

The document outlines a five-category framework for jurisdictions applying for Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) to reduce emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs). It suggests a combination of critical analysis, regulatory programs, financial incentives, community benefits, and the leveraging of other federal funding sources. Specific recommendations include adopting the Advanced Clean Trucks and Advanced Clean Fleets rules, developing Low Carbon Fuel Standards, and establishing workforce training programs with community colleges.

The document outlines a strategic approach for U.S. states to leverage federal funding for industrial decarbonization, organized around four technical pillars: energy efficiency, industrial electrification, carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), and low-carbon fuels/feedstocks. It provides a three-phase implementation roadmap for states to establish priorities, collaborate with stakeholders, and secure matching funds. Additionally, it includes a comprehensive appendix of specific grants and tax credits from the DOE, EPA, and Treasury, detailing eligibility, funding amounts, and strategic 'next steps' for state-level coordination.

The report outlines six critical dimensions for successful nuclear energy deployment in embarking countries: project execution, regulatory system development, bankability and finance, nonproliferation and security, spent fuel management, and workforce development. It argues for a shift from bespoke 'project' models to standardized 'product' models to reduce costs and risks. The authors propose the creation of new international institutions, such as an International Technical Support Organization (ITSO) and an International Bank for Nuclear Infrastructure (IBNI), to provide the technical and financial support necessary for global scaling.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides significant funding for residential, commercial, and federal building decarbonization, including nearly $9.9 billion for high-efficiency electric residential buildings and $1 billion for building code adoption. Energy Innovation modeling suggests these provisions could save households $80 annually and create 1.2 to 1.3 million net new jobs by 2030. However, the document asserts that because of slow equipment turnover, the U.S. requires more stringent appliance standards and active implementation by state, local, and Tribal governments—including updated utility planning and workforce support—to meet greenhouse gas reduction goals.

GreenLatinos operates an Urban and Community Forestry Program focused on expanding urban tree canopy to mitigate extreme heat and developing the urban forestry workforce in marginalized neighborhoods. As one of twelve national pass-through partners selected by the USDA, GreenLatinos is responsible for disseminating $20 million from the Inflation Reduction Act USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program to disadvantaged communities.

The report highlights the potential for the climate transition to create a net increase of 375 million jobs over the next decade, particularly in energy, construction, and the nature-based economy. It identifies three primary barriers: the lack of workforce integration in transition strategies, outdated skills systems, and insufficient short-term financing for human capital. To address these, the report introduces a 10-point Action Agenda centered on intentionality, innovation, and investment, calling for a global initiative to provide technical assistance and shared knowledge to help countries and industries implement these strategies.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) offers a comprehensive technical assistance menu for school districts transitioning to electric school buses, covering five stages: foundation setting, planning and procurement, charging infrastructure, testing and training, and deployment and scaling. The initiative aims for an equitable transition of the U.S. school bus fleet to electric by 2030, prioritizing districts in underserved communities.