the coating composition of the invention includes a polymer , especially an acrylic polymer , having hydroxyl and / or primary carbamate functionality ; a water - miscible organic solvent ; a low hydrogen bonding oxygenated solvent ; and water that is emulsified in the organic phase . the coating composition of the invention may be a clearcoat coating composition , preferably an automotive clearcoat coating composition . the invention further provides an article , such as an automotive vehicle , having a surface coated with a coating derived from the coating composition of the invention , particularly a composite coating having a basecoat layer and a clearcoat layer , and a method of producing such a coating on a substrate , particularly as a basecoat / clearcoat composite coating , with the coating composition of the invention preferably being at least the clearcoat of the composite coating . the coating composition of the invention provides especially low volatile organic content , with significant reductions of 25 % or more from comparable previous coating compositions .