{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"analysis_type":["technology evaluation"]},"warnings":[{"code":"facet_value_not_in_vocabulary","message":"Value 'technology evaluation' for facet 'analysis_type' is not in the controlled vocabulary."}]},"total":{"value":5,"relation":"eq"},"page":1,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?analysis_type=technology+evaluation","stability":"beta","ai_marking":{"digital_source_type":{"uri":"http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/digitalsourcetype/trainedAlgorithmicMedia","name":"Created using Generative AI"},"notice":"Summary and key insights are generated using artificial intelligence."},"results":[{"id":"zca-000038","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/zca-000038","title":"A closer look at CCS: problems and potential","publisher":{"name":"Zero Carbon Analytics","organization":"zero-carbon-analytics"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2024-02-28","source_url":"https://zerocarbon-analytics.org/insights/briefings/a-closer-look-at-ccs-problems-and-potential/","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The briefing examines the role of carbon capture and storage (CCS), noting that the majority of the world's 41 operational projects are linked to the oil and gas industry, specifically for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). It highlights a history of 'unmet expectations' and slow deployment, with capture rates often falling short of targets. While CCS is proposed for hard-to-abate sectors like cement and steel, the document argues it is often less cost-effective than electrification or energy efficiency. It further details how CCS projects in Norway, Canada, and Australia have been used to maintain the financial viability of fossil fuel extraction.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"zca-000038#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The vast majority of operational CCS capacity is tied to the fossil fuel industry, specifically for enhancing oil production. Of the 41 active projects worldwide, 82.5% of captured carbon is used for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and 53% of overall capacity is dedicated to natural gas processing.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"zca-000038#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"CCS deployment has been characterized by slow progress and failure to meet goals, leading the International Energy Agency (IEA) to revise the technology's role downward in climate mitigation scenarios.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"zca-000038#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In the United States, government subsidies for CCS have historically functioned to subsidize hydrocarbon exploitation. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 updated Section 45Q to provide credits ranging from USD 12 per metric ton for EOR up to USD 130 for direct air capture (DAC).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"zca-000038#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Specific projects demonstrate how CCS is used to maintain the profitability of fossil fuel extraction: Equinor's Sleipner project in Norway reduced carbon dioxide emission fees; Shell's Quest project in Canada supports bitumen refining; and the Gorgon project in Australia was a requirement for a gas field license.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"zca-000038#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Actual CO2 capture rates at operational facilities are often inconsistent and lower than targeted. Examples include the Boundary Dam plant in the USA (65%), the Gorgon facility in Australia (45%), the Quest refinery in Canada (48%), and the Century Gas Processing Plant in the USA (under 10%).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"zca-000038#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The IPCC indicates that for industrial emissions reduction, CCS is less effective and more expensive than alternatives such as fuel switching (electrification), improving energy and material efficiency, and enhanced recycling.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"zca-000038#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The potential for CCS in other sectors varies: it is considered essential for eliminating limestone calcination emissions in cement (which represent 60% of GHG emissions in best-available technology plants), while in the power sector, its viability is challenged by the falling costs of renewables.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"zca-000038#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["carbon capture and storage","direct air capture","bio-energy with carbon capture and storage","blue hydrogen","green hydrogen","Industrial decarbonization","Chemical Manufacturing","climate finance","tax credit"],"geography_discussed":["United States","Canada","Norway","Australia","People's Republic of China","United Arab Emirates","European Union","Iceland"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["policy assessment","technology evaluation"]},{"id":"greenca-000261","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/greenca-000261","title":"Market Brief: Green technologies for urban food production","publisher":{"name":"GreenCape","organization":"greencape"},"document_type":"briefing","language":"en","date_published":"2021-06","source_url":"https://greencape.co.za/assets/Urban-Food-Production-Industry-Brief-19-July-2021-v4.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document evaluates green technologies for urban food production in Cape Town, categorising them into incremental and transformational levels based on Gliessman’s framework. It analyzes the financial viability of hydroponics, aquaponics, and complete Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems, while also identifying investment opportunities for different farm scales, from community gardens to large-scale commercial operations.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000261#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Green technologies for urban food production are classified into three levels: Level 1 focuses on increasing the efficiency of current practices (e.g., sensor technology, drip irrigation), Level 2 involves substituting alternative practices and inputs (e.g., vermicomposting, cover crops), and Level 3 focuses on re-establishing agricultural production through novel growing systems (e.g., hydroponics, aquaponics).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000261#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Among hydroponic systems, Deep Water Culture (DWC) is more financially viable than Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) systems, with a payback period of 1.36 years compared to 2.66 years, primarily due to lower setup costs and lower energy requirements.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000261#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Small-scale commercial aquaponic systems can be financially viable, with the shortest payback period (under one year) achieved when producing only lettuce and tilapia. However, as crop diversity increases, the payback period can extend up to four years.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000261#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"High-tech complete Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) container systems producing basil are not viable in South Africa because electricity costs account for approximately 75.5% of operational expenses. While adding solar PV capacity or producing higher-value crops like Asian greens can move the system toward profitability, the payback periods remain largely unviable (e.g., 27.1 years for solar capacity).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000261#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Investment opportunities in Cape Town vary by farm scale: home and community gardens are best served by low-cost interventions like non-mechanised drip irrigation and soilless growing kits; small-scale commercial farms can benefit from soil sensors and variable speed drives; and large-scale farms should focus on Level 1 and 2 technologies to increase efficiency and reduce input costs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000261#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Case studies of aquaponic farms in the Western Cape indicate that technical skills and water temperature control are critical for viability; only one of three studied farms showed a positive net present value by year 4, largely due to self-installation and the use of solar water heaters.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"greenca-000261#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["urban agriculture","precision agriculture","agroecology","regenerative agriculture","photovoltaics","Climate-smart agriculture"],"geography_discussed":["Western Cape","South Africa","United States"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["financial viability assessment","market analysis","technology evaluation"]},{"id":"fsdafri-000294","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/fsdafri-000294","title":"Reducing Costs and Scaling Up UK to Africa Remittances Through Technology","publisher":{"name":"FSD Africa","organization":"fsd-africa"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2017-06","source_url":"https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Scaling-up-Remittances-15.06.2017_Final-1.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report finds that the UK-to-Africa remittance market is heavily cash-based, with cash-to-cash transfers accounting for approximately 90% of flows. While digital MTOs and payment hubs offer more competitive pricing, their impact is limited by a 'stickiness of cash' among UK migrants and a lack of digital payment infrastructure and formal identification in African receive markets. The authors argue that digitising the entire value chain is the only way to significantly drive down costs. Key recommendations for donors include researching consumer behavior in the UK, promoting non-cash transfers, piloting access for UK providers to the SADC Integrated Regional Settlement System (SIRESS), and supporting the expansion of remittance hubs in FCAS.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"fsdafri-000294#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"The UK-to-Africa remittance market is dominated by cash-to-cash payments, which represent approximately 90% of all transfers.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"fsdafri-000294#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Remittances from the UK to Africa are more expensive than to any other global region, with an average cost of 9.8% of the send amount in Q1 2017, compared to a global average of 7.45%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"fsdafri-000294#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Digital remittance services are more cost-effective than cash-based ones, with average costs of 7.8% in Q1 2017 compared to 10.7% for cash-to-cash services.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"fsdafri-000294#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The authors estimate that formal remittance flows from the UK to Africa totaled approximately USD 6.4 billion (£4.1 billion) in 2015, with Nigeria being the largest corridor, receiving an estimated £2.4 billion.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"fsdafri-000294#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A significant 'stickiness of cash' exists among UK migrant communities; despite 90% having bank accounts and 95% having mobile phones, less than 5% of the UK-to-Africa market uses digital MTOs.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"fsdafri-000294#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"In sub-Saharan Africa, the lack of official identification is a major barrier to financial inclusion and formal remittances, with as many as 55% of individuals lacking an official ID record in 2014.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"fsdafri-000294#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS) face exacerbated challenges, including poor infrastructure, weak financial systems, and higher risks of money laundering and terrorist financing, which lead international banks to 'de-risk' by closing correspondent accounts.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"fsdafri-000294#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Remittance processing hubs (e.g., Mastercard Send, MFS Africa, TerraPay) improve efficiency by interconnecting various payment providers and channels through a single API connection.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"fsdafri-000294#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Regional Automated Clearing Houses (RACHs), such as the SADC Integrated Regional Settlement System (SIRESS), can reduce costs by bypassing the expensive correspondent banking model.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"fsdafri-000294#insight-9","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Cryptocurrencies and distributed ledger technology (DLT) are currently considered non-priority for immediate donor investment due to their infancy, regulatory uncertainty, and low financial inclusion in Africa.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"fsdafri-000294#insight-10","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The report recommends a pilot to connect UK Remittance Service Providers (RSPs) to the SADC SIRESS system, potentially using the UK-to-Zimbabwe corridor as a case study.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"fsdafri-000294#insight-11","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The report suggests influencing African regulators to allow non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), such as post offices and retail networks, to pay out international remittances to increase competition and reach.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"fsdafri-000294#insight-12","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["blockchain"],"geography_discussed":["Nigeria","Kenya","Zimbabwe","Somalia","SADC","India","Jordan","Democratic Republic of the Congo","Tanzania"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["market assessment","policy review","technology evaluation"]},{"id":"catf-000711","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/catf-000711","title":"Occupational Exposure to Diesel Exhaust","publisher":{"name":"Clean Air Task Force","organization":"clean-air-task-force"},"document_type":"fact sheet","language":"en","date_published":"2008-03-18","source_url":"https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/21093801/CATF_FactSheet_Occupational_Exposure_Diesel_Exhaust.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The document details the health risks associated with occupational exposure to diesel exhaust, specifically particulate matter, and advocates for the use of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) to retrofit older engines.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"catf-000711#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Occupational exposure to diesel exhaust is linked to a wide range of severe health issues, including cardiovascular disease, various cancers, and respiratory illnesses. A 2007 Harvard study of 54,000 trucking industry workers found heart disease risks were 49% higher for drivers, 34% higher for shop workers, and 32% higher for dock workers compared to the general U.S. population.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"catf-000711#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Diesel exhaust is identified as a probable, likely, or potential carcinogen. Research on 55,000 railroad workers over 38 years showed a 40% increased risk of lung cancer across 30 job categories, while a 2001 study indicated a 50% excess risk of colon cancer in men exposed to diesel emissions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"catf-000711#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Current EPA regulations for new engines are insufficient to protect workers in the short term because the 11 million existing diesel engines in the U.S. will continue to pollute for decades. The EPA estimates that the full benefits of the 2007 highway and 2010 nonroad diesel rules will not be realized until 2030.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"catf-000711#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) are a proven technology capable of reducing particles by 85% or more and can be retrofitted onto many highway diesels from 1995 and newer. For offroad equipment, retrofit options include Level 3 devices (85% reduction), Level 2 devices (50% reduction), and Level 1 diesel oxidation catalysts (25% removal).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"catf-000711#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["particulates","emission standard","air pollution"],"geography_discussed":["Japan"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["health impact assessment","policy analysis","technology evaluation"]},{"id":"ucs-001006","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/ucs-001006","title":"Rolling Smokestacks","publisher":{"name":"Union of Concerned Scientists","organization":"union-of-concerned-scientists"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2000-10","source_url":"https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/rolling_smokestacks.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report argues that while diesel trucks and buses are essential for commerce, they are disproportionate sources of smog, soot, and greenhouse gases. It evaluates a transition from conventional diesel to a 'green truck path' involving advanced exhaust controls, natural gas, hybrids, and fuel cells. The authors model a 2030 scenario where aggressive policies could reduce pollutant emissions by over 90% and global warming pollutants by 26%, while maintaining current oil consumption levels despite doubling truck travel.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-001006#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Diesel trucks and buses contribute disproportionately to highway pollution; despite accounting for under 6% of miles driven, they produce one-quarter of smog-causing pollution and over half of the soot from all highway vehicles.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-001006#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Diesel exhaust is linked to significant public health risks, including respiratory diseases and cancer. In the Los Angeles region, diesel particles are estimated to account for 71% of the total cancer risk.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-001006#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Heavy trucks contribute approximately 6% of total US carbon emissions, releasing nearly 400 million metric tons of heat-trapping gases annually.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-001006#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To meet proposed 2007 EPA standards, diesel trucks will require a combination of engine improvements, exhaust-control technologies (such as particulate traps and selective catalytic reduction), and a 97% reduction in diesel fuel sulfur levels to a maximum of 15 ppm.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-001006#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Natural gas vehicles are currently the cleanest commercial option, with real-world particulate emissions 80% to 90% lower than diesel and smog-forming emissions reduced by as much as 40%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-001006#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Hydrogen fuel cells are identified as the ultimate long-term solution for urban transit and delivery vehicles because they are zero-emission at the tailpipe and can be twice as efficient as diesel vehicles.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-001006#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The report's 2030 'green scenario' estimates that aggressive policies could prevent the emission of 250,000 tons of toxic soot, reduce global warming pollutants by 26%, and cut oil use by 45% compared to a business-as-usual case.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-001006#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The effectiveness of new pollution controls is threatened by 'defeat devices' and natural deterioration. If future trucks deteriorate at twice historic rates, particulate emission reductions by 2030 would drop from over 90% to only 56%.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"ucs-001006#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["particulates","greenhouse gas emissions","climate change","hybrid electric vehicle","fuel cell","fuel efficiency","air pollution","climate finance","transport policy"],"geography_discussed":["California","Los Angeles"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["environmental impact assessment","technology evaluation","policy analysis","predictive modeling"]}]}