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The document outlines the growth of the wind power industry in the United States and the various methods corporate buyers can use to integrate wind energy into their portfolios. It identifies significant barriers to adoption, including high upfront capital costs, grid integration challenges, and rising development costs driven by turbine supply shortages and commodity price increases. Despite these hurdles, the brief argues that wind power offers a cost-competitive path to diversifying energy portfolios and addressing climate change impacts.

The report evaluates seven ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) methods, emphasizing the need for a precautionary, iterative approach to balance climate urgency with environmental and social risks.

The document describes the application of reverse auctions—competitive bidding systems where sellers compete to provide services—to ensure cost-effective environmental improvements. It specifically highlights the Conestoga Reverse Auction Project in Pennsylvania, which used this mechanism to allocate funding for agricultural conservation and Best Management Practices aimed at reducing phosphorus losses.

The report examines energy efficiency in the U.S. pulp and paper sector, specifically focusing on facilities in the Midwest. It argues that investing in efficiency to reach national average levels can lead to significant annual cost savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The analysis is framed against a backdrop of industry consolidation, where value-added grew by 8 percent between 2002 and 2011 despite a 30 percent decline in employment. The document aims to provide state-level policymakers and businesses with facility-level data and case studies to make energy efficiency opportunities more visible and less abstract.

The document proposes a 'working forest' model for the southern United States, where public entities acquire land or development rights to generate revenue from sustainable timber, recreation, and ecosystem services. This approach is presented as a more cost-effective alternative to traditional conservation programs, with potential for local management via citizen advisory boards and financing through public bonds or taxes.

The document outlines findings from workshops held between August and October 2023 regarding the role of shared mobility in Latin American cities. Experts concluded that services like bike sharing and ride-hailing can support decarbonization if integrated with mass transit and supported by cross-sector collaboration, electric mobility strategies, data-driven policymaking, and formalized regulations.

The document examines the challenges of producing and using climate adaptation information in South Asia, noting that information is often supply-driven by researchers rather than tailored to user needs. It outlines the objectives of a regional workshop convened by the World Resources Institute and Development Alternatives to identify investment priorities and improve dialogue between information producers and users.

The document highlights the critical dependence of India's thermal power sector on freshwater, noting that 90% of plants rely on it for cooling. It identifies a significant correlation between water stress and reduced plant utilization, while documenting a 43% increase in freshwater consumption between 2011 and 2016. The analysis warns that 70% of thermal plants will face increased water competition by 2030 and notes that water-related shutdowns cost the 20 largest utility companies over INR 91 billion between 2013 and 2016. It suggests that implementing cooling mandates and aggressive renewable targets could reduce freshwater withdrawals by 12.4 billion cubic meters.

The document argues that Ethiopia's efforts to combat land degradation and water insecurity are hindered by inadequate financing and unsustainable interventions. It proposes shifting toward nature-based solutions (NBS) funded by diversified sources, including public, philanthropic, and private capital. The paper specifically examines water funds, payments for ecosystem services, and debt-for-nature swaps as promising mechanisms to attract domestic and international investment and ensure long-term sustainability of watershed management.

The report examines 'vertical diffusion'—the process by which state policies move to the federal level—identifying key drivers such as state champions, spillover effects, and policy learning. It argues that early state action and interstate cooperation can shape federal outcomes, citing the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and California vehicle emissions standards as examples of influential state-led initiatives.

The document argues that traditional regulated utilities are well-positioned to meet the renewable energy needs of large commercial and industrial (C&I) customers through green tariffs. It highlights that successful programs have added over 900 MW of solar and wind capacity since 2013. Key success factors include executive sponsorship, continuous customer consultation, and the provision of fixed-price, cost-based energy. The guide emphasizes the need for flexibility in product design and the importance of avoiding unfair cost-shifting to other customers within the utility's service territory.

The document discusses the need for establishing specific information requirements for the intended nationally determined contributions (INDCs) being prepared for the post-2020 agreement (the 2015 Agreement). It argues that transparency and clarification of these contributions are essential levers for increasing ambition and accountability among Parties to the UNFCCC. The paper intends to provide an overview of contribution types and a corresponding list of information requirements to facilitate a robust yet manageable reporting process.

The analysis evaluates three scenarios for GHG emission reductions under the Waxman-Markey Discussion Draft, ranging from basic pollution caps to the inclusion of complementary requirements and additional offsets, with potential reductions reaching 83 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.

The paper analyzes 839 transport projects and 14 case studies to identify challenges in securing climate finance for low- and middle-income countries. It finds that road construction dominates funded projects, while resilience and electric mobility are underfunded. Key barriers include inadequate policy frameworks and limited project preparation capacity, with recommendations focusing on de-risking instruments and improved monitoring.

The document updates global greenhouse gas emission data for 2005, noting that the share of emissions from land-use change decreased to 12.2% from 18.2% due to revised deforestation calculation methodologies, although absolute emissions from this sector actually increased between 2000 and 2005.

The document describes a partnership between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Population Services Kenya (PS Kenya) to evaluate a pilot project where health-care providers selected renewable energy options to ensure power supply continuity. The study concludes that effective demand-based energy access requires a comprehensive exploration of user needs regarding technology, finance, and capacity building services.

The document examines the economic and social risks facing middle-income developing countries as they shift away from oil and gas production. It highlights the potential for significant government revenue loss and job displacement, particularly for indirect and induced workers in geographically concentrated areas. The paper recommends place-based economic diversification and targeted just transition strategies to mitigate these impacts.

The report warns that increasing global demand for land-based products is underappreciated in current climate strategies, potentially leading to policies that increase emissions. It projects significant land conversion by 2050 and advocates for a strategy of producing more on existing land, protecting ecosystems, reducing demand for land-intensive products, and restoring native habitats.

The document examines how to attract private investment into Brazil's public transport sector by addressing market and institutional barriers. It argues that while federal policy is important, local government flexibility and the alignment of performance incentives are critical for success. The paper utilizes a framework focusing on market-level enabling conditions and project-level de-risking instruments, illustrated through case studies of the São Paulo Metrô's Linha 4 and the Estação Barreiro bus terminal in Belo Horizonte.

The document outlines Vietnam's use of the Power Development Plan (PDP) for 10-year power sector planning and investment. It specifically references the PDPVII (201120, vision to 2030) and the revised RPDPVII (201520, vision to 2030), noting that these plans assess current electricity system conditions, evaluate previous performance against capacity and transmission targets, and forecast electricity demand growth.