EPRI has embarked on this study to develop a public technical resource that can serve as a scientific foundation for informed dialogue and decision-making on company climate policy scenario analysis and emissions goals. A sound scientific understanding is a requisite first step for companies and stakeholders, as well as for developing methodologies and defensible decisions. In this study, EPRI analyzes and characterizes current scientific understanding, identifying technical issues confronting companies and others, and developing observations from the scientific literature relevant to company planning. Based on these observations, insights are derived for company analysis, proposed methodologies are evaluated, and steps for implementation are provided. Most insights are relevant to companies and stakeholders of any kind, but some are more relevant to electric power companies.