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This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the relationship between the South African government and the private sector regarding economic activity and development in Southern Africa. It argues that while both parties share an interest in regional stability and growth, their efforts are hindered by a domestic legacy of mistrust and ideological differences. The author explores the role of 'economic diplomacy' and the proposal for a business code of conduct to align corporate behavior with national developmental goals.

The Zambia–China Cooperation Zone (ZCCZ), comprising the Chambishi and Lusaka East subsections, was established to foster industrialization and trade between China and Zambia. While it has attracted significant Chinese investment, particularly in copper smelting, the project faces critical implementation hurdles. These include poor regional infrastructure, a lack of regulatory frameworks to ensure local business integration, and labor disputes stemming from divergent work cultures. The report recommends greater transparency, a more flexible approach from Chinese investors, and a cohesive Zambian industrial policy to move the zone beyond resource extraction and low-skilled employment.

This technical policy briefing summarizes results from the EC RTD ClimateCost project regarding the ancillary air quality and economic benefits of greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation policies. Using the GAINS and ALPHA models, the study compares a baseline scenario with a mitigation scenario aligned with the European Commission's 2 degrees target, focusing primarily on the EU27 with additional analysis for China and India.

This technical policy briefing note from the ClimateCost project assesses the potential health impacts and economic costs of climate change in Europe, specifically focusing on heat-related mortality, food-borne diseases, coastal flooding, and labour productivity. It compares a medium-to-high emission scenario (A1B) with a mitigation scenario (E1) and evaluates the role of adaptation and autonomous acclimatisation in reducing these risks.

This policy note by the Stockholm Environment Institute evaluates whether revisions to the ACM0013 methodology can resolve systematic flaws in awarding Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) to coal power projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The authors argue that while some technical fixes are possible, fundamental challenges regarding data noise, additionality, and long-term climate goals make it unlikely that revised methodologies can ensure coal power CERs are real, measurable, and additional.

The Second National Communication on Climate Change for Saint Lucia, published in December 2011, provides a comprehensive assessment of the country's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, climate vulnerabilities, and strategies for mitigation and adaptation. The report details a GHG inventory for the year 2000, projects future emissions through 2020 under various scenarios, and evaluates the vulnerability of key sectors—including tourism, agriculture, and water resources—to rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and sea-level rise. It proposes a series of priority adaptation and mitigation measures, while identifying significant gaps in financial, technical, and institutional capacity that hinder the mainstreaming of climate resilience into national development planning.

This WRI fact sheet argues that the EPA's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) will not compromise U.S. electricity reliability. It highlights regulatory flexibility, the availability of rapid-install compliance technologies, and the fact that approved new generating capacity exceeds projected regulatory-driven retirements. It also notes that the transition from coal to gas is largely a market-driven trend supported by low natural gas prices.

John Waters discusses a battery fire involving a Chevy Volt at a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) facility, arguing that such incidents serve as catalysts for engineering advancement and global leadership in electric vehicle safety.

The Stockholm Environment Institute's Climate Impact Equity Lens (CIEL) tool shifts the focus of climate impact analysis from regional averages to individuals. By comparing avoided emission-reduction costs with climate damages, CIEL identifies net "winners" and "losers." The tool indicates that while many currently benefit from inaction, the majority of the global population will suffer net losses by 2100 without stringent climate policy.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes how tax exemptions and levy reductions in Germany's energy policy framework impact industrial energy prices. It focuses on four key policies: the Environmental Tax Reform, the Combined Heat and Power Act, the EU Emission Trading Scheme, and the Renewable Energy Act. The analysis finds that these exemptions significantly lower energy costs for large, energy-intensive companies, potentially reducing the policy-induced component of energy prices by up to 75% on average, which may diminish incentives for energy efficiency improvements.

This 2011 report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the impact of energy tax exemptions and levy reductions on the German industrial sector. It examines how various policy instruments—including the Ecological Tax Reform, the Renewable Energy Act (EEG), the Combined Heat and Power Act (KWKG), and the EU Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS)—create a 'politically determined component' of energy prices that varies significantly based on company size and industry sector.

This report analyzes the effectiveness of climate finance, identifying a significant gap in the tools and methodologies used to measure the impact of funding flows to developing countries. It evaluates practices across public finance, international financial institutions (IFIs), and market-based instruments, concluding that current project-based evaluations are insufficient for the scale of financing required to meet the Cancún Agreements' target of $100 billion per year by 2020.

This commentary, published before COP17, discusses the divergence between stalling United Nations climate negotiations and the proactive adoption of low-carbon standards by business leaders.

This research paper examines the history and implications of European bilateral investment treaties (BITs), specifically focusing on the rise of investor-state arbitration which allows foreign investors to bypass national and European Union laws.

Earthjustice criticizes the GOP-controlled House for targeting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and supporting legislation (S. 1751) that would prevent the EPA from establishing disposal standards for coal ash, despite scientific evidence of its toxicity.

This report, produced by leading research institutes to support political preparations for Rio2012 and the UN year of Sustainable Energy for All, proposes a set of strategic principles to enable a global energy transition and avoid large-scale crises.

This research paper uses the LPJmL vegetation and hydrology model to compare global per capita water availability and requirements for food production between 1971–2000 and 2070–2099, assessing the impact of climate and population change on the ability of countries to produce a balanced diet.

This briefing provides updates on the status of U.S. legislative and budgetary actions affecting bioenergy, including farm bill programs, EPA boiler regulations, and Department of Energy funding for 2012.

A commentary by David Burns, a member of RMI’s National Solutions Council, discussing the gaps in current sustainability efforts and proposing specific mechanisms to accelerate the transition to a resource-efficient economy.

Friends of the Earth U.S. issued a statement expressing support for the Occupy Wall Street movement, arguing that economic and environmental justice are inextricably linked. The organization calls for a systemic overhaul of financial and economic systems to prioritize people and the planet over corporate profit and market fundamentalism.