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This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development argues that fossil-fuel subsidy reform is a ready-to-deploy measure that can help UNFCCC Parties increase pre-2020 mitigation ambition to limit global temperature rise to 2°C. It provides specific recommendations for Parties to integrate subsidy reform into UNFCCC workstreams, national actions, and reporting mechanisms.

This research paper examines the impact of international greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions offsets on global climate mitigation, specifically focusing on the risks of double-counting reductions between host and buying countries following the 2010 Cancún Agreements.

This 2013 issue brief by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the funding crisis of the U.S. Highway Trust Fund (HTF), noting that federal fuel taxes have not been adjusted in 20 years. The document analyzes the resulting infrastructure deterioration, the reliance on General Fund transfers to maintain solvency, and various policy options—including inflation indexing, fuel tax increases, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees—to close a $112 billion annual funding gap.

King Island, Tasmania, is implementing the King Island Renewable Energy Integration Project (KIREIP) to transition from diesel-based power to a high-renewables system. By integrating wind, solar, a large-scale UltraBattery, and D-UPS generators, the island has achieved periods of 100-percent-renewable power and significantly reduced diesel consumption. Additionally, the proposed TasWind project aims to export large-scale wind energy to mainland Australia.

This issue brief from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the role of energy storage technologies in mitigating electricity industry challenges, integrating renewable energy, and improving grid reliability. It details various storage technologies—ranging from pumped hydro and compressed air to advanced batteries and flywheels—and analyzes the impact of U.S. federal policies, specifically FERC orders and Department of Energy (DOE) initiatives, in overcoming implementation barriers.

This report by Terry Townshend and Adam Matthews argues that ambitious domestic climate change legislation, specifically targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enables countries to champion more ambitious collective action within the UNFCCC international negotiations.

The document argues that the 31 July 2013 elections in Zimbabwe were conducted under stressful conditions and a biased political climate, leading to a likely impasse. It criticizes SADC and the AU for their indulgence of President Robert Mugabe and suggests that regional bodies must now prepare for a political deadlock.

This briefing describes a workshop and project phase conducted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Low Carbon Promotion Center of the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) in August 2013. The initiative focuses on using low-carbon standards to develop competitive green enterprises within economic and technological development zones in China.

This policy brief by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the role of climate diplomacy in securing a global climate agreement by 2015. It argues that integrating climate change into foreign policy and building diplomatic capacity—particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs)—is essential for advancing multilateral action both within and outside the UNFCCC process.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines how to effectively support climate change negotiators from the poorest and most climate-vulnerable countries. Based on CDKN's experience since July 2011, the paper identifies key barriers—such as lack of financial resources, technical knowledge, and institutional memory—and proposes a demand-led support model encompassing administrative, technical, and legal assistance to amplify the influence of these nations in international negotiations.

This report presents a preliminary climate risk profile for Kyrgyzstan, focusing on the correlation between climate factors and disasters, as well as impacts on crop production and livelihoods. Developed by CAMP Alatoo and UNDP, the assessment identifies floods and flash floods as the most damaging climate-related disasters, with significant risks concentrated in the south-western Oblasts, particularly Batken, Jalal Abad, and Osh. The report also highlights gender-specific vulnerabilities and a gap between expert assessments and local perceptions of risk in the Suusamyr Valley.

This policy brief from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) examines the role of energy storage technologies in mitigating electricity industry challenges, integrating renewable energy, and improving grid reliability. It provides a technical overview of various storage methods, analyzes the impact of U.S. federal policies and legislation, and highlights specific large-scale implementation projects across the United States.

This policy brief examines the funding crisis facing the U.S. Highway Trust Fund (HTF), noting that federal fuel taxes have not been adjusted since 1993. It details the resulting infrastructure deterioration, the reliance on General Fund transfers to maintain solvency, and various proposed solutions including inflation indexing, fuel tax increases, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees.

This document is an addendum to the report 'Biofuels—At What Cost? A review of costs and benefits of EU biofuel policies', published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in August 2013. The addendum provides corrected 2011 estimates for EU biofuel subsidies, specifically revising the figures for fuel excise tax exemptions, and details the calculation methodologies used for budgetary support and market price support.

This 2013 report analyzes the escalation of energy subsidies in Bangladesh, which rose from BDT 107.7 billion in FY2010 to an estimated BDT 298.1 billion in FY2013. The study identifies that the energy sector now accounts for over half of all budgetary subsidies. It highlights that while the poor are heavily dependent on kerosene and diesel for irrigation, the rich benefit more from gasoline and natural gas subsidies. The report argues that universal subsidies are inefficient and recommends a transition toward targeted social safety nets and volume-differentiated electricity tariffs to reduce the fiscal burden and address the national power crisis.

This research paper evaluates a capacity-building approach designed to help policy-makers in the Caribbean region mainstream Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) into national and regional development strategies. Using a six-step process based on the Driving Forces–Pressure–State–Impact–Response (DPSC-DPSIR) framework, the authors conductedSSSS conducted three training applications in Suriname, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia. The study identifies key barriers to implementation, including limited human and financial resources, a lack of cross-sectoral collaboration, and the perception that MEAs are the sole responsibility of a single ministry.

This policy briefing examines the state of small-scale fisheries in Mozambique, highlighting their critical role in the rural economy and food security. While the government has implemented co-management structures and provided technical support, the sector faces significant threats from overfishing, illegal practices, climate change, and conflicts arising from the expansion of tourism and extractive industries.

This case study examines the funding landscape for infrastructure development within the Southern African Development Community (SADC), highlighting the critical funding gap and the complementary roles of traditional donors, new development partners, and private investors. It emphasizes the need to transition from aid-dependency to 'bankable' projects that can attract private capital to support regional integration and economic growth.

This case study examines the complexities of regional infrastructure planning in Southern Africa, focusing on the SADC Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP). It analyzes the roles of various stakeholders—including governments, development finance institutions, donors, and the private sector—and discusses the challenges of financing, coordination, and the socio-environmental impacts of large-scale projects, using the Lesotho Highlands Water Project as a specific example.

This case study examines the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), a large-scale transboundary water transfer scheme between Lesotho and South Africa. While praised for its engineering, the project has faced significant challenges regarding corruption, social displacement, and the long-term impact of climate change on water security.