The ClimateWorks Foundation supports public policies that mitigate climate change while promoting global prosperity. Its goal is to limit annual GHG-emissions to 44 billion metric tons by the 2020 (a 25% reduction from project business-as-usual [BAU] levels) and 35 billion metric tons by 2030 (a 50% reduction from project BAU levels). ClimateWorks partners with an international network of affiliated organizations—the ClimateWorks Network—to promote these policies in the geographic regions and economic sectors with the greatest potential for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. ClimateWorks’ 2010 annual report highlights their work in promoting a low-carbon future in Europe and the world's growing cities.

To address its goals, ClimateWorks supports "regional climate foundations" in the top-emitting regions. In-country political experts who have a deep understanding of local conditions staff the regional centers. These foundations conduct detailed policy analyses, develop advocacy campaigns, and organize coalitions to support policy solutions, which may include grants, contracts, and direct programs, among others. (Maps in the foundation's annual report show the emissions reductions that are technically feasible in the world’s highest-emitting regions and sectors in 2030.) For each high-emitting sector, ClimateWorks supports "best practice networks" staffed by policy analysts, technology experts, and former regulators who "consult with governments to craft effective policies that reduce emissions while fostering innovation, job creation, and economic growth."

Low-Carbon Urbanization and City Planning

ClimateWorks reports that leading urban designers propose eight principles of smart, low-carbon urban growth for megacities:

1. Develop neighborhoods that promote walking
2. Prioritize bicycle networks
3. Create dense networks of streets and paths
4. Support high-quality transit
5. Zone for mixed-use neighborhoods
6. Match density to transit capacity
7. Create compact regions with short commutes
8. Increase mobility by regulating parking and road use.

Getting to Zero: Roadmap to a Low-Carbon Europe

The 2010 report also describes the ClimateWorks’ roadmap for a low-carbon Europe. By following the roadmap, the European Union could reduce emissions 80% from 1990 levels by 2050 through a combination of:

• Cutting emissions from the power sector to nearly zero
• Dramatically scaling up energy efficiency improvements
• Shifting to electric and fuel-cell powered vehicles, and geothermal heat pumps for buildings.

ClimateWorks' annual report also features the foundations' work to help Guangzhou design a rapid bus transit system in China’s third-largest city. And, the report includes a "Sudoku" showing the emissions reductions that are technically feasible in the world’s highest-emitting nations, regions, and economic sectors in the 2030. Finally, the foundation highlights its grantees’ work to reduce GHG emissions in China, the E.U., India, Indonesia, Latin America, and the United States.