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The document analyzes the struggle over the design of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) established by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. It identifies three proposed implementation models—bilateral, multilateral, and unilateral—and notes that the choice of model affects which countries and project types benefit. The authors propose an "open architecture" CDM that allows these designs to complement each other, arguing this is the only way to satisfy diverse interests and reach a consensus in climate negotiations.

The paper argues that while current climate services effectively support daily and seasonal farming decisions, they are underutilized for transformative adaptation—long-term, systemic changes to agricultural production. A review of 253 climate-related policy documents (NDCs, NAPs, and KJWA submissions) revealed that only 2.7% describe the use of climate services for transformative planning. To address this, the author suggests that CS must shift focus toward decadal and long-term projections (up to 2050), integrate non-agricultural data (such as economic and social factors), and be tailored to the needs of policymakers and funders to identify viability thresholds for existing systems. The paper emphasizes that high-quality, tailored CS are essential to prevent developing-country governments from falling behind and to mitigate widening climate-induced inequalities.

The document argues that the U.S. electricity system can maintain reliability while complying with EPA rules to reduce mercury and toxic air emissions. It highlights the availability of flexible enforcement options, the existence of replacement plant capacity, and the availability of proven compliance technologies such as Flue Gas Desulphurization, Dry Sorbent Injection, and Activated Carbon Injection. The text notes that 17 states had already imposed mercury and toxic emission rules as of 2011 without imperiling reliability.

The document assesses the economic benefits of transitioning to a low-carbon economy in the United States, highlighting that clean energy investments create more jobs than fossil fuel spending and that renewable energy is increasingly cost-competitive. It warns that delaying climate action could result in annual GDP losses of 1-10% by 2100, while emphasizing the potential for revitalizing rural communities and boosting the domestic manufacturing sector through cleantech.

The study finds that scaling up switchgrass production in the U.S. would likely displace existing crops and conservation land, potentially increasing commodity prices and reducing exports. While it may reduce erosion and nutrient pollution, increased nitrogen application could lead to higher nitrous oxide emissions, potentially offsetting soil carbon sequestration benefits and increasing overall greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector.

The document analyzes the climate impact of methane from U.S. dairy and swine manure, arguing that while biogas digesters are the primary focus of funding, they are often impractical for small and medium farms. It proposes underutilized alternatives—specifically solid-liquid separation, acidification, and aeration—which can reduce emissions more cost-effectively and provide on-farm benefits like odor control and improved fertilizer value. The author calls for expanded pilot programs, better data collection, and targeted financial support to scale these alternatives.

The paper examines the treatment of uncertainty in UNFCCC long-term climate strategies, identifying common sources of uncertainty and evaluating current handling methods. It advocates for a model-assisted quantitative approach to scenario analysis to better identify policy-relevant pathways and reduce the vulnerability of long-term strategies.

The report analyzes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Utilizing the World Resources Institute's Climate Analysis Indicators Tool (CAIT-US), it examines all six Kyoto GHGs across the regional economy to overcome inconsistencies in previous state-level inventories. The analysis covers regional, sectoral, and state levels, assessing major emission sources, trends, and socioeconomic drivers to inform stakeholders on the Midwest's role in global climate change.

The document evaluates China's pledges to reduce carbon intensity and increase non-fossil fuel energy use by 2020, arguing these goals are achievable but require policies beyond 'business as usual'. It highlights the importance of a new biannual emissions reporting system and advocates for sustained U.S.-China bilateral cooperation in clean energy research and technology deployment.

The document examines a subset of mitigation actions submitted by developing countries to the UNFCCC under the 2010 Cancun agreements. While 41 developing countries submitted actions, the analysis focuses specifically on 16 countries that framed their actions in terms of expected GHG impact. These 16 countries accounted for approximately 60 percent of all developing country GHG emissions in the year 2000. The paper aims to determine the resulting GHG impacts and identify accounting and performance-tracking issues common to GHG-framed actions, without assessing the ambition or adequacy of the pledges.

Missouri can achieve 90 percent of its Clean Power Plan emission reductions by meeting voluntary energy efficiency goals, adhering to its 15 percent renewable energy standard by 2021, increasing the utilization of existing natural gas combined cycle plants, and improving coal plant efficiency. To close the remaining gap and exceed targets by 14 percent, the state could increase renewable energy to 20 percent of all state sales by 2030. The document suggests maximizing economic benefits through a market-based carbon pricing program—potentially generating over $40 million annually from out-of-state sources at $10 per short ton—and continued investment in energy efficiency, noting that Ameren's 2013 programs returned over $3 in benefits for every dollar invested.

The report identifies increased agricultural input prices and higher processing costs as the most financially material impacts of climate change and water scarcity on the food and beverage (F&B) sector in South and Southeast Asia. These risks affect all examined F&B subsectors, including aquaculture, beverages, confectionary, dairy/poultry, edible oils, starches, and sugar. Financial risks are driven by decreased crop and animal yields, operational disruptions to manufacturing plants, and increased costs for water filtration and food safety. Additionally, competition for water resources creates reputational risks for food processors. The analysis specifically targets publicly listed domestic companies in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam within a sector valued at USD 40 billion.

The document argues that integrating low-carbon transport into economic recovery plans can drive inclusive growth, job creation, and health improvements while helping countries meet their NDC targets. It advocates for a comprehensive 'Avoid-Shift-Improve' strategy to reduce transport emissions.

The WRI/WBCSD publication serves as a resource for procurement managers to ensure wood and paper-based products are sourced legally and sustainably. It organizes its guidance around ten essential questions covering origin, legality, sustainability, climate change, and the rights of local communities and indigenous peoples. Version 2 expands the 'guide to the guides' to include 47 tools and resources and provides information on 22 existing procurement approaches.

This policy brief by the World Resources Institute examines the necessity and current state of a regulatory framework for carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) in China. It argues that while China relies heavily on coal and views CCS as a critical tool for reducing emissions, it lacks a comprehensive domestic regulatory framework to ensure environmental health, safety, and efficacy, particularly regarding geologic storage.

The document introduces a comprehensive guide for U.S. policymakers on implementing a national carbon price. It focuses on the design and economic effects of carbon taxes and cap-and-trade programs, arguing that carbon pricing should be a core element of the U.S. strategy for greenhouse gas emission reductions while noting its potential to serve non-climate policy goals such as tax code reform.

The document examines the integration of electricity into social sector policies in India, highlighting a gap between the recognized importance of power for health and education and the actual policy mechanisms to implement it. It identifies a lack of interdepartmental coordination, financial flexibility, and data convergence as primary barriers, noting that some policies inadvertently exclude underserved facilities by making electricity a prerequisite for aid.

The report examines the climate obligations of Annex I economies in transition (EITs) in Central and Eastern Europe, specifically focusing on their involvement in Activities Implemented Jointly, emission trends, energy reform, and the actions taken to meet their commitments under the Climate Convention and the Kyoto Protocol.

The report argues that an inclusive green economy can deliver a 'triple bottom line' of economic growth, environmental protection, and social inclusion, provided that policies are carefully designed to benefit low and middle-income countries. It emphasizes that ecosystem services account for up to 89 percent of the 'GDP of the poor' and that securing rights over environmental assets is critical for the poor. The document warns against 'green protectionism' and aid conditionality, calling for governance reforms and strategic investments to prevent climate change and ecosystem degradation from reversing development gains.

The briefing outlines four essential institutional pillars for a Copenhagen climate agreement: a formal registry for commitments and support, common international accounting and reporting standards to ensure comparability and enable carbon markets, a robust measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) system with an Implementation Committee to ensure compliance, and a periodic review mechanism aligned with IPCC science to adjust collective commitments.