Search Climate Insights Directory

This 1998 report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and the U.S. Department of Energy examines how energy-efficient building design—specifically improvements in lighting, heating, and cooling—can lead to significant increases in worker productivity, reduced absenteeism, and improved work quality. Through eight case studies of commercial and industrial facilities, the authors argue that the economic gains from productivity often far exceed the direct energy cost savings, making efficient design a highly cost-effective business strategy.

The Hypercar® is a conceptual vehicle developed by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) that integrates ultralightweight construction, ultra-aerodynamic design, and hybrid-electric propulsion to achieve extreme fuel efficiency without sacrificing safety or performance.

This 1998 report by the Rocky Mountain Institute examines water-saving technologies and practices for residential use, moving beyond the 1992 National Plumbing Standards to explore high-efficiency fixtures, graywater and rainwater systems, and sustainable landscaping.

This case study examines the financial and accounting challenges faced by The Boeing Company after the City of Everett, Washington, required the company to pay over $50 million in environmental and social mitigation costs as a condition for expanding its aircraft production facility for the 777 jetliner. The document details the specific mitigation requirements, the legal framework of the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and the internal conflict between Boeing's management accountants, tax group, and external auditors regarding whether these costs should be capitalized as assets or recorded as expenses.

This case study examines the integration of lean manufacturing principles with environmental management at Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc. (HAM), specifically focusing on its Ohio-based plants. It explores how Honda's 'localization' policy and lean philosophy—emphasizing waste reduction, employee empowerment, and continuous improvement—contribute to environmental performance and the company's pursuit of ISO 14000 certification, while comparing these practices to those of its competitor, Toyota.

This case study examines IKEA's integration of environmental sustainability into its global business model, specifically focusing on its partnership with The Natural Step (TNS) and the implementation of these principles within its North American operations during the 1990s.

This teaching note describes a case study on Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc., focusing on the tension between lean manufacturing goals—productivity and high quality—and environmental responsibility at its Ohio plants. It examines how Honda's localized management approach contrasts with Toyota's centralized global strategy and analyzes the complementarities and trade-offs between lean production and environmental performance.

This teaching note, prepared by Dr. Christine H. Stinson for the World Resources Institute, provides a framework for discussing corporate environmental accounting using the case of Specialty Glass, Inc. It focuses on how traditional cost accounting can distort the perceived cost of products that generate hazardous waste and the associated financial risks and liabilities.

The document discusses the importance of maintaining water quality in the Istra region, which provides up to 10 percent of Moscow's drinking water, and advocates for the establishment of water protection zones to mitigate the negative impacts of expanding human economic activity.

This document describes a conference held in Zvenigorod, Russia, from May 28-30, 1997, focused on public participation in environmental decision-making. The event was a collaborative effort between Russian and US governmental agencies, NGOs, and academic institutions.

This position paper by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) outlines twelve principles to guide the implementation of Joint Implementation (JI) under the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC). The document argues against moving from the JI pilot phase to full crediting without an independent evaluation and a comprehensive legal framework, highlighting significant technical, environmental, and socio-economic risks associated with the project-by-project approach.

This briefing paper, written by Geoffrey Oldham and Rob McLean for the International Institute for Sustainable Development, explores the concept of 'knowledge-brokering' as a strategic opportunity for Canada. It provides theoretical frameworks to define the practice, analyzes the organizational capabilities required to implement it, and suggests collaborative models for Canadian organizations to enhance their role in international development through the strategic management of knowledge.

This report summarizes a May 1997 search conference convened by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and the North-South Institute (NSI). The conference aimed to implement recommendations from the November 1996 'Connecting with the World' report, advocating for the integration of knowledge and information and communication technologies (ICTs) into Canadian foreign policy to enhance international development and Canada's transition to a knowledge-based economy.

This document consists of conference papers from March 1997 regarding the transformation of the South African Army and the broader South African National Defence Force (SANDF). It outlines the shift toward civil control, representivity, and a new democratic ethos, while detailing the structural reorganization of the Ministry of Defence and the Army's transition toward a 'force provision' mission to support joint operations in a changing regional security environment.

This 1997 draft report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the University of Toronto examines the vulnerability of agriculture in the Canadian Prairies to climate change. It analyzes historical droughts, projects future agroclimatic shifts, and discusses the economic and policy adaptations required to maintain sustainability and global competitiveness.

This status report examines how climate change and variability are expected to affect outdoor recreation and tourism in the Canadian Prairie Provinces. It analyzes the relationship between the natural resource base (water, vegetation, and wildlife) and recreational activities, noting that while warmer temperatures may extend the summer season, they threaten winter sports and water quality. The report highlights the economic risks for rural communities diversifying into tourism and provides recommendations for more locale-specific climate scenarios and resource management strategies.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies evaluates the early development of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. It argues that the Organ is currently underdeveloped, operating primarily at the summit level and through the military-focused Inter-State Defence and Security Committee (ISDSC), while lacking mechanisms for human rights and democratic governance. The authors propose a comprehensive structural overhaul, including the creation of a Political Co-operation Council, an Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, and a permanent multinational secretariat to move the Organ from a reactive 'fire brigade' role to a proactive regional security framework.

This research paper by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) proposes the 'hypercar'—an ultralight, low-drag, hybrid-electric vehicle platform—as a means to accelerate the adoption of proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). By drastically reducing the energy required for propulsion, the hypercar platform mitigates the traditional challenges of hydrogen storage and fuel-cell cost, potentially allowing for the commercialization of hydrogen-powered transport years earlier than conventional vehicle designs would permit.

The report examines the World Bank's Inspection Panel, established in 1994 to allow project-affected citizens to seek independent reviews of Bank policy compliance. While framed as a democratic precedent for international institutions, the author argues that the Panel's effectiveness has been undermined by institutional resistance and constant review by the Bank's Board of Directors and management.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes the evolution of United Nations peace support operations from traditional peacekeeping to Multifunctional Peace Support Operations (MPSOs). It examines the conceptual confusion between peacekeeping, peace enforcement, and enforcement, while highlighting the challenges of deploying missions in failed states and intra-state conflicts. The authors argue for a shift in operational strategy, suggesting that missions should begin with a strong peace-enforcement posture to establish a secure environment before transitioning to peacekeeping and peacebuilding tasks.