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Pennsylvania is required to reduce power sector emissions by 24-25 percent below 2012 levels by 2030 under the Clean Power Plan. Analysis indicates that current clean energy policies and improved power plant efficiency could achieve a 13 percent reduction by 2030. To fully meet or exceed targets, the state can expand its energy efficiency programs (Act 129) and alternative energy portfolio standard (AEPS) after 2021, potentially cutting emissions by 46 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. Such measures are described as cost-effective, with potential for the state to earn over $160 million annually by selling unused emissions allowances between 2022 and 2030.

The document identifies critical priorities for the GCF Board meeting in Zambia, emphasizing the need for 'paradigm-shifting' project approvals and a better balance between national and international implementing entities. It argues for increased transparency in the accreditation and proposal process and the urgent establishment of a Strategic Plan to manage the $10 billion in committed funds.

The document analyzes clean energy targets communicated by eight of the world's top GHG emitters. It finds that if these plans are fully achieved, total annual clean energy supply across these regions will more than double by 2030, increasing from 8,900 TWh/year in 2012 to 19,900 TWh/year. This represents a level 17 percent higher than Reference Scenario projections. The analysis breaks down these gains across renewable energy supply, electricity generation, electrical capacity, and nuclear energy, noting that nuclear supply in China, India, and Mexico is set to increase nearly tenfold by 2030.

The World Resources Institute states that while negotiators made significant strides in Bonn, a more vigorous pace is required to finalize a strong climate agreement in Paris. Progress was noted in mitigation, transparency, long-term goals, and the ratchet mechanism, though fundamental differences persist regarding adaptation and finance.

The briefing identifies critical areas for negotiation in Bonn ahead of COP21, including the five-year cycle for increasing mitigation ambition, the establishment of a long-term decarbonization goal, and the need for transparency and accountability in emissions reporting. It emphasizes that while 149 countries have submitted Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), these plans are insufficient to keep global temperature rise below 2 degrees C without a robust framework for continuous improvement. The document also highlights the necessity of balancing finance between adaptation and mitigation, prioritizing grant finance for vulnerable nations, and addressing 'loss and damage' for impacts that cannot be adapted to.

The World Resources Institute notes that OECD analysis shows climate finance commitments rose to $62 billion in 2014, up from $52 billion in 2013, suggesting the 2020 goal of $100 billion per year is attainable.

Virginia is required by the U.S. Clean Power Plan to reduce power sector emissions by 23 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. The document argues that by improving energy efficiency, increasing renewable energy use to meet voluntary goals, and maximizing the output of existing natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) plants, the state could reduce emissions by up to 43 percent by 2030. These actions are presented as cost-effective measures that could increase GDP, provide billions in net benefits, and generate revenue through the sale of unused emissions allowances.

The World Resources Institute highlights the U.S.-China Joint Announcement on Climate Change, noting China's commitment to a 2017 emissions trading system and $3.1 billion in climate finance, alongside U.S. actions via the Clean Power Plan. The statement argues that this collaboration establishes a foundation for a strong global agreement in Paris by aligning on long-term low-carbon goals, ambition-building processes, and transparency.

Indonesia's draft INDC proposes an unconditional 29% emissions reduction by 2030, rising to 41% with international assistance. The World Resources Institute identifies gaps in transparency and ambition, specifically urging the government to publish its business-as-usual (BAU) baseline, increase its unconditional target, and include quantitative carbon stock targets for the land sector to address the fact that nearly 55% of its emissions stem from deforestation and peatland destruction.

The paper analyzes reference and alternative scenarios for China's CO2 emissions, finding that while reference paths project emissions to double by 2050, alternative paths suggest a peak around 2030. It identifies GDP growth, energy intensity, and the energy mix as primary drivers, arguing that deep decarbonization through industrial restructuring and non-fossil fuel expansion is necessary to meet climate goals.

The document details the creation of global country-level water stress projections by aggregating sub-catchment data using a spatially weighted methodology. It utilizes IPCC AR5 data to model three scenarios—optimistic, business-as-usual, and pessimistic—across three time horizons (2020, 2030, 2040). The rankings are designed to help investors, companies, and governments benchmark national water risks and prioritize adaptation. A 2040 business-as-usual ranking identifies several Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, as having the highest water stress scores of 5.00.

Japan has committed to reducing emissions 26 percent below 2013 levels by 2030, a target the World Resources Institute describes as one of the least aggressive among developed nations. While Japan has a long-term goal of an 80 percent reduction below 1990 levels by 2050, the 2030 target is inconsistent with this path and relies on fossil fuels for 56 percent of its energy supply. The document notes that Japan could achieve higher reductions through renewable energy and efficiency, and highlights risks associated with the use of international carbon credits and the continued investment in coal-fired power plants.

The document outlines the importance of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) as public outlines of national climate plans starting in 2020. It establishes a set of criteria for a 'strong' INDC—defined as fair, ambitious, feasible, and transparent—and provides a detailed six-question evaluation framework. This framework guides users to check for clear statements of intent (mitigation and adaptation), alignment with climate science (specifically the 2 degrees C goal), fairness based on national circumstances, the strength of the design process, implementation feasibility, and methodological transparency.

The document outlines the criteria for a 'strong' INDC, emphasizing that it must be equitable, ambitious, science-based, and transparent. It provides a detailed evaluation framework based on six questions: clarity of intent, alignment with science, equity and ambition, robustness of the design process, feasibility of implementation, and transparency. The guide distinguishes between 'results-based' and 'action-based' mitigation commitments and encourages the inclusion of adaptation plans based on evidence of climate risks.

The document outlines the criteria for a 'strong' Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC), emphasizing that such commitments must be fair, ambitious, and scientifically grounded. It provides a detailed evaluation framework based on six key questions: clarity of intent, scientific consistency, fairness and ambition, process robustness, implementation viability, and transparency. The guide distinguishes between mitigation approaches (actions vs. direct effects) and encourages the inclusion of adaptation components based on evidence of climate risks. It stresses that INDCs should drive a 'transformative' decarbonization pace to align with the goal of limiting global warming to two degrees Celsius.

The document analyzes Mexico's 2015 INDC, which commits to unconditional reductions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 22% and black carbon by 51% relative to a 2030 baseline. While noting Mexico's leadership as the first developing country to submit an INDC and its identification of a 2026 emissions peak, the analysis warns that current policy trajectories projected by external sources suggest emissions would continue to increase without further action. The authors recommend formalizing a robust baseline policy to avoid high-carbon lock-in and improving transparency regarding the expected emissions trajectory and the specific conditions required to meet conditional targets.

The United States can meet its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26–28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 through a combination of existing federal laws and state actions. The report proposes a 10-point action plan focusing on the power sector, energy efficiency, HFCs, and methane reduction. For deeper reductions beyond 2025, the authors argue that new legislation, such as a carbon price, could reduce emissions by 40–42 percent by 2030 and 50–53 percent by 2040 without sacrificing robust economic growth.

The briefing identifies three critical action areas for negotiators in Bonn: establishing predictable 'cycles of action' for climate plans, defining long-term mitigation and adaptation goals, and planning for post-2020 climate finance. It argues that negotiators must now prioritize core issues and remove redundancies from the negotiating text to remain on track for an ambitious outcome at COP 21 in December.

The document refutes claims that WRI miscalculated biomass energy potentials and solar efficiency comparisons, arguing that solar PV is significantly more land-efficient than bioenergy. It challenges the existence of abundant 'marginal land' for biofuels, asserting that such lands often provide critical carbon storage or face economic and legal constraints. WRI further argues that bioenergy does not inherently reduce greenhouse gas emissions unless it drives yield increases beyond what is already required to feed the global population, and that it does not reliably reduce poverty or increase food availability.

The Corporate Renewable Energy Buyers’ Principles, developed by large US businesses with support from WWF and WRI, identify six key priorities to help companies meet their public climate and energy goals. These include seeking greater choice in procurement options, cost competitiveness with traditional energy, and access to long-term, fixed-price contracts. The principles emphasize the desire for 'additionality'—driving new renewable power generation—and a preference for bundled energy and Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) over unbundled ones. The signatories also call for simplified third-party financing, the prevention of double-counting of emission benefits, and increased collaboration with utilities and regulators to expand procurement choices for both new and existing operations.