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The document details how authoritative climate data from the Copernicus Climate Data Store (CDS) is integrated into the SAVi Buildings model. It provides a literature review on climate impacts on buildings—covering energy demand, rainwater harvesting, and climate hazards—and explains the methodology for translating this data into performance indicators. Simulation results demonstrate that using CDS climate data significantly alters projections compared to 'no climate' scenarios, specifically showing a 23-fold increase in forecasted rainwater harvesting yields and a reduction in projected energy expenditures for heating and cooling.

The document details how climate indicators from the Copernicus Climate Data Store (CDS) are integrated into the SAVi tool to improve the analysis of infrastructure resilience. It covers a literature review of climate impacts on energy, irrigation, wastewater, buildings, roads, and nature-based infrastructure, providing specific equations to link climate variables to asset performance. The report includes simulation results for Johannesburg, South Africa, demonstrating how climate variables like temperature and precipitation affect load factors, thermal efficiency, and maintenance costs, ultimately impacting the economic viability and societal costs of these assets.

Rhode Island Treasurer Seth Magaziner informed Leonard Green & Partners that the Rhode Island pension system will not consider future investments with the firm. This decision follows the firm's management of Prospect Medical Holdings, which Magaziner asserts extracted value from hospitals—including St. Joseph’s Hospital and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital—at the expense of patients and employees, leading to reduced healthcare resources for vulnerable communities and the insolvency of a hospital pension fund.

The report validates the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) analysis of the proposed Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule, which aims for approximately 60 percent of new medium- and heavy-duty trucks sold in California to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2035. Using the California Energy Policy Simulator (EPS), the authors find that the rule would reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) by nearly 60,000 tons and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) by 17.6 MMT through 2040. Economically, the EPS estimates total savings of over $7 billion using CARB's battery cost forecasts, but this figure increases to more than $12 billion if a more aggressive battery cost reduction scenario (a two-year lag instead of five relative to the light-duty market) is applied. The report emphasizes that while upfront costs remain a hurdle, long-term fuel savings and Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) revenue create a significant economic opportunity.

The briefing argues that expanding the U.S. electric bus fleet would create manufacturing jobs, reduce carbon emissions by 7 million tons annually, and improve public health by replacing diesel engines. It proposes utilizing $20 billion in federal grants to replace 60,000 buses—approximately 10% of the national fleet—through existing programs like Clean Cities and the Low and No Emission Vehicle Program.

The report examines the deep links between California's water and energy sectors, noting that water services account for approximately 20% of electricity and 30% of natural gas consumption, while hydropower provides an average of 15% of electricity. Using WEAP and LEAP modeling, the study finds that water conservation and potable reuse can reduce energy demands and costs, whereas desalination increases them. To achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, the report emphasizes the necessity of massive growth in solar, wind, and energy storage, alongside the continued role of low-cost hydropower. It also warns that federal policy interference could increase electricity production costs by $23 billion and raise CO2 emissions by 16% compared to the state's policy baseline.

The report analyzes the climate impact of transportation network companies (TNCs) in seven major U.S. cities. It finds that non-pooled ride-hailing trips emit 47% more than private vehicle trips of the same length, largely due to 'deadheading' (driving without passengers). When accounting for the modes of transport that ride-hailing displaces—including mass transit, walking, and biking—typical ride-hailing trips are approximately 69% more polluting than the trips they replace. The analysis suggests that a transition to electric vehicles and an increase in pooling rates to 50% could reduce these emissions by 52% relative to displaced trips.

The document examines the water-energy nexus (WEN) in Los Angeles and Beijing, finding that Los Angeles employs more explicit integration mechanisms—largely driven by state-level climate legislation—while Beijing relies on implicit mechanisms and sector-specific targets. It argues that common evaluation criteria, such as greenhouse gas emissions, and explicit incentives are essential for improving policy coherence and avoiding cross-sectoral conflicts.

The document argues that current NDCs insufficiently address the transport sector, which accounts for approximately one-quarter of energy-related CO2 emissions. It advocates for a comprehensive approach based on the "Avoid-Shift-Improve" framework: avoiding unnecessary travel through land-use planning, shifting to low-carbon modes like public transit and cycling, and improving vehicle technology via electrification and fuel efficiency. The authors identify three primary opportunities for NDC enhancement: accelerating electrification and fuel economy, amplifying avoid-and-shift measures, and addressing freight emissions through clean fuels and information technology.

The document advocates for the integration of nature-based solutions (NbS)—including green and natural infrastructure—into U.S. national infrastructure planning. It highlights that NbS are often more cost-effective and resilient than traditional 'gray' infrastructure, providing significant benefits in flood mitigation, heat reduction, and carbon sequestration. The text provides specific economic data on the cost-savings of living shorelines and green storm drainage systems compared to concrete alternatives, while emphasizing the co-benefits of improved water quality and public health.

IKEA aims to become climate positive across its value chain by 2030. The Ingka Group has set science-based targets to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions by 80% by 2030 and relative scope 3 emissions from travel and deliveries by 50%. The company is transitioning to 100% renewable energy in its buildings by 2020 and zero-emission last-mile deliveries by 2025. IKEA is also implementing circular economy principles, targeting 100% renewable or recycled materials for all products by 2030 and phasing out single-use plastics by 2020.

The report details how private equity firms have aggressively expanded their ownership of U.S. apartment buildings, often employing 'value-added' or 'opportunistic' strategies to maximize returns. These strategies can involve pushing out lower-income tenants through rent hikes and neglect to convert properties into high-rent assets. The document identifies major players like Blackstone, Starwood Capital, and Brookfield Asset Management, noting their shift toward large-scale portfolio acquisitions and the use of high debt levels to finance growth.

The document outlines a systemic approach to urban freight management, combining a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with a library of global best practices. It argues that urban logistics efficiency is driven by a combination of land-use planning, infrastructure investment, and regulatory flexibility. Key strategies discussed include the use of ring roads to divert through-freight, the implementation of urban consolidation centers, and the transition to zero-emissions vehicles. The report emphasizes the necessity of data-driven decision-making through GPS logs and stakeholder engagement via Freight Quality Partnerships to reduce the high costs of the 'final mile' and improve city livability.

Heavy-duty vehicles, while comprising only 5% of US road vehicles, contribute over 25% of vehicle-based global warming emissions and significant air pollution. The document advocates for the adoption of battery- and fuel cell-electric trucks and buses to eliminate tailpipe emissions and improve public health, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color. It highlights that battery-electric buses are currently the lowest-carbon option across the US and calls for government policies, including adoption targets and manufacturer standards, to accelerate this transition.

Mayors from across California are calling on the California Air Resources Board to move beyond incentives and implement regulatory measures to transition transit fleets to zero-emission buses. They argue that these vehicles are technologically viable, cost-competitive, and essential for reducing toxic air pollution and meeting the state's 2030 greenhouse gas reduction goals.

The document advocates for federal policy changes in the 2018 farm bill to scale up 'good food' procurement, which prioritizes healthy, local, and sustainably produced foods. It highlights the success of the Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP) and identifies barriers for small farmers, such as lack of infrastructure and food safety certification costs. The brief recommends supporting the Local FARMS Act, the Food and Farm Act, and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act to improve regional food systems, advance racial equity, and protect animal welfare.

The report highlights the economic and environmental advantages of transitioning transportation network company (TNC) drivers to electric vehicles. It demonstrates that high-mileage drivers can achieve significant annual savings in fuel and maintenance, which eventually offset the higher initial purchase price of EVs. Using Austin, Texas, as a case study, the document details specific utility incentives and compares EV acquisition methods—purchasing, renting, and leasing—to guide TNC drivers toward electrification.

The document analyzes the different approaches the U.S. and China take to overcome barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, such as high upfront costs and limited charging infrastructure. While the U.S. relies on a mix of federal tax credits and varied state-level incentives, China has implemented more aggressive central government subsidies, a 'dual-credit policy' for manufacturers, and significant government fleet mandates. China's approach has led to faster growth in EV registrations and a larger network of charging outlets compared to the U.S.

The document outlines three primary actions for cities to reduce their carbon footprint through biological resource management: diverting organic waste from landfills to prevent methane emissions, expanding urban forestry to create carbon sinks and reduce cooling energy needs, and promoting plant-based diets to lower food-related emissions.

The text examines how regional governments and cities can maintain climate ambitions despite national withdrawals from international agreements, such as the US's proposed exit from the Paris Agreement. It highlights the Under2MoU as a global sub-national alliance and details Baden-Württemberg's legal and strategic approach to climate neutrality, while noting that regional success remains dependent on supportive national and EU frameworks.