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This briefing by RMI explores the potential of residential demand charges as a tool for electricity rate design. It argues that as distributed energy resources (DERs) like rooftop solar and electric vehicles increase load variability among residential customers, traditional energy-only charges become inequitable. Demand charges, which bill based on the maximum power used in a cycle, can more accurately reflect grid infrastructure costs, promote customer equity, and provide price signals that encourage load shifting and the adoption of demand-management technologies.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing groundWork, Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, and the Highveld Environmental Justice Network, filed an appeal on May 20, 2015, against the atmospheric emission licence (AEL) issued to Eskom's Camden Power Station. The appeal argues that the Gert Sibande District Municipality failed to consider the severe health impacts and poor air quality of the Highveld Priority Area (HPA) when granting emission limit postponements that allow pollutants to exceed national minimum emission standards (MES).

This research paper examines the strategic importance of the South Atlantic Zone for South Africa's foreign policy, arguing that treating the region as a single entity can bridge the divide between African and Latin American engagements. It highlights opportunities for cooperation in maritime security, the 'blue economy' through Operation Phakisa, and South-South economic and cultural collaboration, while noting that current trade levels remain low despite significant potential.

This research paper examines the coherence between climate change mitigation and energy security policies within the European Union, specifically focusing on the residential, industry, and power sectors.

This briefing by RMI argues that decentralized solar energy is the most viable path to providing electricity access to the 1.3 billion people currently without it, specifically in sub-Saharan Africa and India, while avoiding a projected 141-percent increase in carbon emissions by 2040 that would result from coal-fired power plants.

This executive summary introduces a report by RMI that examines the value of battery-based energy storage on the U.S. electricity grid, specifically focusing on the impact of deployment location, the potential for 'stacking' multiple services to increase value, and the regulatory barriers preventing such utilization.

An essay by Amory Lovins arguing that investing in energy efficiency and renewables in Iran could strengthen its economy and security while displacing its nuclear power program and preventing a regional nuclear arms race.

A research paper by the NewClimate Institute and Ecofys, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), which analyzes the current status of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects and identifies barriers to their continuation following a decline in market conditions.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the conflict between extractive industries and the conservation of Protected Areas (PAs) and World Heritage (WH) sites in Africa. It argues for the strict enforcement of 'no-go zones' in WH sites and the implementation of rigorous biodiversity management standards for mining in other PAs to prevent irreversible ecological damage.

This document is a formal appeal submitted by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) on behalf of groundWork, Earthlife Africa Johannesburg, and the Highveld Environmental Justice Network. The appeal challenges the variation of the Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) for Eskom's Hendrina Power Station, issued by the Nkangala District Municipality on 31 March 2015. The appellants argue that the AEL improperly incorporates postponements of Minimum Emission Standards (MES) granted by the National Air Quality Officer, thereby permitting pollution levels that exceed national standards in a declared priority area with already compromised air quality.

This executive summary examines the effectiveness of auctions versus feed-in tariffs as project allocation mechanisms for achieving India's 2022 renewable energy targets, concluding that while auctions are generally cost-effective, they have not yet resulted in adequate deployment.

This briefing from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute details the relationship between public transit and the growth of the knowledge economy, using Austin, Texas, as a primary case study to argue for the necessity of a new federal surface transportation authorization bill.

The report provides guidance for peacebuilding practitioners on accessing and using climate data in fragile, data-poor states to reduce risks to populations and peacebuilding progress.

This policy brief by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the interdependence between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the global climate agreement negotiated at COP21. It argues that a high-ambition climate deal is necessary to prevent the undermining of goals related to poverty eradication, gender equality, and access to energy and water.

This report examines how the outcome of the 2015 climate agreement negotiated at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP) in Paris will affect the achievement of the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, comparing high-ambition and low-ambition scenarios.

Carroll Muffett, President/CEO of the Center for International Environmental Law, issued a statement on May 12, 2015, supporting the Senate Democrats' decision to block a bill granting fast track trade negotiating authority to the President.

A letter from several international organizations to Member of the European Parliament Bernd Lange expressing concern that the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could weaken public health and environmental standards for toxic chemicals, specifically endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

This report, produced by PBL, NewClimate Institute, IIASA, and Ecofys, analyzes projected greenhouse gas emissions for seven major emitting countries through 2030. It evaluates the impact of current, planned, and enhanced mitigation policies to determine their potential to narrow the gap between expected emission levels and those required to meet the 2°C climate target.

This research paper review examines the role of culture within disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation, arguing that while culture is recognized as a determinant of risk, there is a lack of evidence and a clear definition of what culture means in this specific context.

This document is an appeal submitted by Earthlife Africa Johannesburg on 11 May 2015 to the Minister of Environmental Affairs. The appeal challenges the environmental authorisation granted on 25 February 2015 to Newshelf 1282 (Pty) Limited for the construction of the 1200 megawatt (MW) coal-fired Thabametsi power station near Lephalale in the Limpopo Province. The appellant argues that the decision was unlawful, failed to consider critical air quality and water scarcity issues, ignored climate change obligations, and violated the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA).