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This guide by RMI outlines ten strategies for United States cities to advance inclusive electric mobility, focusing on affordability and accessibility for residents without private vehicles or home charging. It provides specific examples of municipal policies, from building code mandates for EV-readiness in Arizona to zero-emission delivery zones in California, to help cities navigate budget constraints and reduced federal funding.

The E-Bike Rebate Program Guidebook, published by RMI, provides a comprehensive framework for local governments, nonprofits, and transportation agencies to design and implement e-bike rebate programs. It outlines a five-step process: establishing a project team and goals, designing funding and incentive structures, partnering with bike shops, executing community outreach, and managing the program launch and follow-up. The guide emphasizes equity, suggesting income-tiered rebates and diverse application methods to increase accessibility for low- and moderate-income residents.

This research paper analyzes transportation investments under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), highlighting the tension between funding for public transit and the continued prioritization of personal vehicle infrastructure.

This report by RMI outlines strategies for developing equitable electric vehicle (EV) charging and shared mobility solutions for lower-income residents of multifamily housing in the United States, based on engagements in Portland, Atlanta, and Phoenix.

This report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the Global Resilience Partnership, and USAID outlines the business case for private sector investment in climate adaptation and resilience. It identifies three primary opportunities: 'Protecting' existing assets and supply chains, 'Growing' the market for adaptation solutions, and 'Participating' in public sector implementation. The analysis emphasizes that adaptation is no longer a theoretical risk but a business imperative, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), where investments often yield high benefit-to-cost ratios.

This briefing by RMI describes how local governments in the United States can use inclusive "Solarize" (community bulk-purchasing) campaigns to reduce the solar equity gap for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. It highlights the role of the Inflation Reduction Act in supporting these efforts and provides evidence from RMI-supported campaigns that utilized community partnerships, targeted funding, and trusted messengers to increase solar adoption in marginalized communities.

RMI has developed the Local Energy Action Framework (LEAF), a step-by-step process designed to help US cities and counties prioritize energy projects and map electricity needs holistically to reach 100 percent clean electricity or carbon-neutrality goals.

This guide by RMI describes resilience hubs as community-serving facilities designed to support vulnerable populations during and after extreme weather events. It outlines five foundational areas of support—power, communication, facilities, operations, and services—and provides six strategic lessons for cities implementing these hubs, emphasizing community partnership, energy efficiency, and the integration of solar and battery storage.

This research paper explores the multi-dimensional challenges and pathways toward achieving sustainable urban development. It examines the historical evolution of global urban policy, the disparate needs between the Global North and Global South, the role of various governmental and non-governmental actors, and emerging trends such as nature-based solutions and inclusive planning.

This report by RMI analyzes the regional readiness of 60 prominent US cities for electric vehicle (EV) adoption, focusing on infrastructure beyond city centers to address 'range anxiety'. The analysis evaluates metropolitan area readiness, day-trip destination readiness, and airport readiness, highlighting that while some cities and regions (particularly in California) are well-prepared, significant gaps in DC fast-charger coverage persist along major highways in several states.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) analyzes the incremental costs of building zero-energy (ZE) and zero-energy ready (ZER) single-family homes in the United States. It argues that the cost premiums for these homes are modest and often fall below consumer willingness-to-pay and long-term savings thresholds, suggesting that outdated perceptions of high costs are a primary barrier to market penetration.

This briefing by RMI analyzes China's 'energy quota' for buildings—the Standard for Energy Consumption of Civil Buildings (GB/T51161-2016)—and identifies three primary lessons for U.S. cities and companies: the importance of meter-based peer assessment, the challenges of aligning operational targets with design codes, and the benefits of localizing performance targets to account for regional market dynamics.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of financing mechanisms available to local governments to implement low-carbon and climate-resilient urban development. It categorizes funding into internal revenue sources, external revenue sources, alternative models, and international climate finance, emphasizing the need for a blend of instruments to overcome budget constraints and fiduciary barriers.

The Community Energy Resource Guide, published by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in December 2015, provides a comprehensive roadmap for U.S. communities to develop energy action plans. It outlines a collaborative planning process, methods for analyzing energy landscapes, and specific tactics across the buildings, electricity, transportation, and industry sectors to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

As of June 2014, the U.S. plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market was characterized by rapid growth, with sales increasing 85% between 2012 and 2013. The market was dominated by the Nissan LEAF, Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Prius Plug-in, and Tesla Model S. While PEVs offer zero tailpipe emissions and lower total cost of ownership due to cheaper fuel, challenges remain regarding the availability of public charging infrastructure (8,000 stations vs 150,000 gas stations) and high battery costs. Federal tax credits up to $7,500 and various state-level incentives in places like California, Colorado, and Georgia are used to drive adoption.

A statement by Amory B. Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) commemorating the life and environmental achievements of Ray C. Anderson, founder of Interface, Inc.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute examines the interdependent relationship between water and energy resources in the Southeastern United States. It highlights how electric power production relies heavily on freshwater for cooling, while water treatment and heating require significant energy, proposing policy priorities to improve efficiency in both sectors.

This 2006 fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute details the significant role of buildings in U.S. energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the energy profile of federal buildings, and examples of energy-efficient building projects globally.

The report introduces 'natural capitalism,' a business framework that argues the current economic model is deficient because it liquidates natural capital and ecosystem services. The authors propose four principles—increasing resource productivity, eliminating waste, shifting to service-and-flow models, and investing in natural capital—to align corporate profit with planetary health.

The Joint Benefits Authority (JBA) is a proposed governance and finance tool designed to integrate multiple city departments and community partners to deliver district-scale, resilient infrastructure. Based on the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) model, the JBA aims to overcome siloed municipal operations and funding gaps to implement nature-based solutions that address climate change and social equity in underserved neighborhoods.