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The chemicals industry, a $4.7 trillion sector responsible for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is at a critical juncture for decarbonization. RMI and Third Derivative identify three primary innovation pathways: 'Make Less' (circularity), 'Make Better' (process efficiency), and 'Make New' (defossilized production). Despite the potential for near-zero emissions, the sector is undercapitalized, with only 3% of climate tech VC investment going to chemicals and plastics. Startups are navigating high capital costs and a 60% drop in clean industry investment in 2024 by leveraging non-dilutive funding, strategic partnerships with incumbents, and targeted certifications to access premium markets.

This technical guide by RMI analyzes the voluntary carbon market (VCM) for improved rice cultivation, focusing on the transition from invalidated CDM-based credits to more rigorous new methodologies. It details the primary and secondary practices used to reduce methane emissions, evaluates quality risks such as additionality and MRV, and provides guidance for stakeholders to identify high-integrity projects.

This technical explainer by RMI analyzes the voluntary carbon market (VCM) for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) recovery and destruction credits. It details how these projects provide high-additionality climate benefits by permanently destroying potent greenhouse gases like CFCs, while identifying significant logistical, legal, and technical barriers to scaling, particularly in developing nations.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) provides a comprehensive overview of global warming and climate change, explaining their causes, impacts on health and environment, and the strategies used for mitigation and adaptation. It details the role of greenhouse gases, the specific contributions of the livestock sector, and the current state of climate action within the United States and through United Nations frameworks.

This guide outlines the Renewables Investment for Social Equity (RISE) model, which enables tax-exempt entities to use the IRS 'direct pay' (elective pay) mechanism to deliver affordable solar energy to low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. The model allows tax-exempt organizations to own solar systems, install them at low or no upfront cost for residents, and recover costs via the Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit (ITC).

This report by Energy Innovation analyzes the projected economic, environmental, and health impacts of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA), a 2025 budget Reconciliation legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The analysis compares a "Current Policies" scenario against an "EI House OBBBA" scenario, finding that the bill's repeal of clean energy tax credits and environmental standards would lead to higher energy costs, significant job losses in manufacturing, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and higher premature death rates.

This report by RMI and the Mission Possible Partnership details the development of clean industrial hubs in California and Texas between August 2022 and December 2024. It examines how these hubs support first-of-a-kind clean industrial projects by creating ecosystems of finance, policy, and community engagement to reduce risk.

This RMI briefing evaluates three 'retrofit-ready' multifunction mechanical system approaches—fully packaged, partially packaged, and distributed—designed to reduce the cost and disruption of decarbonizing multifamily buildings in California by integrating heating, cooling, ventilation, and hot water systems.

The document is a case study on SoffitDuct, a prefabricated, lightweight HVAC distribution system designed by Thermaduct and RMI to simplify mechanical retrofits in multifamily buildings by eliminating the need for traditional site-built soffits.

The report analyzes three mega-trends shaping the global electricity transition: the exponential growth of solar power and battery storage, structurally higher electricity demand driven by electrification and data centers, and the decoupling of electricity demand from fossil fuel growth in China and India.

This workbook provides a systematic analysis of 12 mandatory public policy measures regarding due diligence in the agri-food and mining sectors, mapping their provisions against common themes to promote interoperability and support compliance for businesses and policy-makers.

This report by RMI provides best practices for reforming energy efficiency incentive programs to accelerate the adoption of heat pumps. It argues that current programs are often too complex, deterring participation—particularly among low-to-moderate income (LMI) households—and recommends streamlining applications, aligning equipment specifications, and tailoring incentives to local climates to better support decarbonization goals.

This report by RMI examines the potential of advanced transmission technologies (ATTs)—comprising grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) and advanced conductors—to expand electricity grid capacity and reliability. While pilot projects in the United States have demonstrated success in increasing capacity and reducing costs, the report identifies significant barriers to scaling these solutions, including risk aversion, financial disincentives, and a failure to integrate ATTs into long-term grid planning. RMI suggests that large corporate energy users can accelerate adoption through policy advocacy and by facilitating coordination between utilities across different service territories.

In 2024, wind and solar combined to produce 17% of US electricity, surpassing coal (15%) for the first time. While electricity demand rose by 3%, solar generation grew by 27%, adding more generation than gas to meet this demand. Despite the growth in clean energy, overall power sector CO2 emissions rose slightly by 0.7% because gas generation increased to meet rising demand, though carbon intensity reached a record low.

This report by Ember analyzes the accelerating deployment of battery storage and solar power in the United States, highlighting how batteries are enabling higher solar penetration and displacing fossil fuels, particularly in California and Texas.

This research paper by the Center for International Environmental Law argues that private insurance companies in California are avoiding the costs of climate-driven disasters—specifically the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires—by shifting risk to the public and the state-supported FAIR Plan, while simultaneously profiting from investments in the fossil fuel industry.

This briefing analyzes the US Treasury's final 45V guidance for electrolytic hydrogen projects, which establishes a tax credit framework based on three pillars: incrementality, temporality, and deliverability. The guidance provides a transition period for annual matching until 2030, after which hourly matching is required, and introduces flexibility by allowing emissions calculations per hour and per electrolyzer to avoid 'all or nothing' credit losses.

This briefing by Global Energy Monitor examines the growth potential of geothermal power in the United States under the Trump administration, noting that while wind and solar face challenges, geothermal energy has bipartisan support and technological advancements that position it for rapid expansion.

An analysis of seven large-scale transmission projects across the United States, ranging from California to Oklahoma, found that all projects delivered benefits exceeding their costs. Projects designed for economic benefits significantly surpassed the FERC 1.25 benefit-to-cost ratio standard and exceeded original planning expectations. Reliability-driven projects also provided unintended economic benefits, often approaching or exceeding the FERC threshold.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the systemic failures of carbon offsetting, arguing that these mechanisms often increase global emissions rather than reduce them. The document details how both compliance and voluntary carbon markets suffer from low environmental integrity, lack of additionality, and fraudulent practices, particularly in forestry projects. It concludes that carbon offsets are not a valid climate solution and that priority must be given to direct emission mitigation over offsetting or unproven large-scale carbon removal technologies.