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A Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds that battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) generate approximately 50 percent fewer lifetime global warming emissions than comparable gasoline cars in the U.S., despite higher initial manufacturing emissions. The report highlights that the emissions benefits of EVs increase as the electricity grid shifts toward renewable energy, noting that the average EV currently produces emissions equivalent to a gasoline vehicle achieving 68 MPG.

The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that driving on electricity produces lower global warming emissions than the average new gasoline car in every U.S. region. While battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) have higher manufacturing emissions due to lithium-ion battery production, this is offset by lower operational emissions, resulting in lifetime emissions approximately 50% lower than gasoline counterparts. The analysis highlights that the electricity source used for charging and manufacturing is the most critical factor in determining an EV's total emissions impact.

The report finds that battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) produce significantly lower lifetime global warming emissions than comparable gasoline cars, despite higher emissions during the manufacturing process. On average, BEVs sold in the U.S. produce less than half the emissions of gasoline vehicles, with the extra manufacturing burden offset within 6 to 16 months of driving. The environmental benefit of EVs increases as the U.S. electricity grid shifts from coal to renewable energy sources.

The document evaluates the Green Climate Fund's (GCF) current standing by analyzing its strengths, such as its international credibility and USD 10 billion in pledges, against internal challenges like a lengthy decision-making cycle and a lack of defined portfolio targets. It draws comparative lessons from other climate funds (GEF, AF, CIFs) and global health funds (GAVI, Global Fund), suggesting that a 'vertical programmatic approach' could help mobilize stakeholders around tangible results. Key recommendations include strengthening country ownership through readiness support, standardizing investment criteria to improve comparability, and leveraging the Private Sector Facility to potentially become a leading green bond fund.

The document analyzes conflict data from 1960 to 2015, noting that while global fatalities from armed conflict generally decline relative to population, Africa maintains a disproportionately high conflict burden. It distinguishes between the 'capacity deficit' in sub-Saharan Africa and the 'inclusion deficit' in the MENA region as primary drivers of instability. The author argues that while violent Islamist extremism receives significant media attention, it accounts for a smaller portion of total political fatalities compared to other forms of violence, such as riots and non-state conflict.

The document evaluates the Open Government Partnership (OGP) against other peer-review mechanisms like the APRM, UPR, and OECDA, highlighting the OGP's flexibility, civil society involvement, and potential for harmonisation with existing governance reviews to benefit African states.

The document analyzes Brazil's Cooperation and Investment Facilitation Agreements (CIFAs), contrasting them with traditional bilateral investment treaties by emphasizing cooperation and state-state dispute settlement over investor-state arbitration.

The analysis of five cities indicates a strong economic case for investing in cost-effective low-carbon measures, which could reduce urban emissions by 15–24% over 10 years with an average payback period of approximately 2 years. While these investments offer significant savings relative to city GDP, the authors warn that population and economic growth in rapidly growing cities could offset these carbon savings in as little as 7 years.

The document examines the fragmentation of social and environmental standards across UNFCCC instruments, including the CDM, REDD+, NAMAs, GCF, and AF. It finds that while some funds like the GCF and AF have robust safeguard policies, others like the CDM and NAMAs lack mandatory monitoring, universal guidelines for stakeholder consultation, or formal redress mechanisms. The author recommends that the Paris climate treaty explicitly mandate the protection of human rights and establish a centralized UNFCCC accountability mechanism and safeguards system to ensure climate actions do not cause adverse social or environmental impacts.

The document examines the proposal by Karadeniz Holdings to provide power ships to South Africa to address a depleting reserve supply margin caused by inadequate investment in generation capacity since 1994 and delays at Medupi and Kusile. While power ships are presented as a more efficient and cheaper alternative to Eskom's diesel-powered open cycle gas turbines (OCGTs)—costing R2.00 to R2.50/kWh compared to R3.00 to R4.50/kWh—Eskom has expressed skepticism, arguing that a 310MW capacity is too small for the national grid. The author notes that power ships remain significantly more expensive than solar and wind power from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and suggests that opening the market to IPPs may offer better short- and long-term benefits.

The report analyzes food waste in Estonia, finding that households are the largest contributors, with an average of 130.4 kg of food waste per household annually. In the catering sector, restaurants exhibit the highest rate of food loss, with 87% of their total food waste being avoidable. The study identifies food spoilage as the primary driver of household waste and plate leftovers as the main cause in hospitals and restaurants. It concludes with specific recommendations for households, schools, and healthcare facilities to reduce waste through better planning and consumer awareness.

The report argues that a "carbon market only" approach is insufficient for the cost-effective decarbonisation of the European power sector. While the EU ETS is an effective tool for driving fuel switching in the residual thermal generation mix, it cannot alone drive necessary investments in low-carbon technologies due to high capital costs, revenue risks, and the 'merit order effect'. The authors recommend a policy mix where the EU ETS is complemented by tailored national investment supports—such as feed-in tariffs or contracts for difference—to reduce the cost of capital. To ensure coherence, the report proposes an ex-ante cap adjustment process for the ETS based on Member State National Energy and Climate Plans and the development of long-term decarbonisation strategies back-casted from 2050.

The Bujagali Hydropower Project in Uganda serves as a case study for the use of combined risk mitigation instruments—specifically the International Development Association's (IDA) partial risk guarantee (PRG) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency's (MIGA) political risk insurance (PRI)—to attract private capital in high-risk environments. The project mobilized nearly $300 million in commercial loans and private equity, achieving a ratio of almost one U.S. dollar of private capital for every two U.S. dollars of public financing. These instruments enabled commercial banks to offer loans with maturities of 16 years and lower interest rates, which reduced the required initial electricity tariff by between 7% and 60%. The resulting levelized cost of energy (LCOE) was approximately 107 USD/MWh, significantly lower than the cost of the emergency thermal power it replaced. While effective, such complex structures have been underutilized due to high transaction costs and restrictive DFI policies, though recent World Bank Group modernizations aim to expand these tools to smaller-scale renewable energy projects like solar and wind.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is establishing a monitoring and accountability framework for its accredited entities (AEs). The framework focuses on two main pillars: monitoring compliance with fiduciary, environmental, social, and gender standards, and monitoring project implementation performance. Accreditation will be valid for a fixed term of five years or less, with a renewal process based on compliance and performance records. Monitoring includes annual AE self-assessments, mid-term Secretariat missions, and a second-level monitoring system using web-based tools. The framework introduces a 'watch list' for entities showing 'red lights' such as repeated reporting failures, with remedies ranging from readiness support to the potential withdrawal of accreditation. Local monitoring will be supported by National Designated Authorities (NDAs), local agents, and civil society organizations.

The document presents the texts of the Cooperation and Investment Facilitation Agreements between Brazil and Mozambique and between Brazil and Angola. Both agreements aim to foster reciprocal investments through institutional governance, including the creation of a Joint Committee and Focal Points (Ombudsmen) to facilitate investment and prevent disputes. They establish frameworks for information exchange, corporate social responsibility, and the protection of investments against expropriation, while emphasizing the preservation of legislative autonomy and public policy space.

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.

The author uses the 'Indian pattern' of communal violence to hypothesize that Myanmar's 2015 elections may trigger anti-Muslim riots and a resurgence of ethnic armed struggle. The paper argues that political elites, particularly the USDP and the military (Tatmadaw), may exploit religious and ethnic cleavages to maintain power or justify military intervention. It suggests short-term measures like postponing census results and long-term structural reforms such as federalism and proportional representation to mitigate these risks.

The report argues that a high-ambition climate agreement aiming to limit global warming to 2°C is essential for achieving the SDGs by 2030, particularly those related to poverty, inequality, and energy. Using Integrated Assessment Modelling (IAM), the study compares a high-ambition scenario (RCP4.5/SSP1) with a low-ambition scenario (RCP8.5/SSP3). Findings indicate that under a low-ambition agreement, poverty levels in 2030 could be 80–140% higher in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa compared to the high-ambition scenario. Case studies in Dominica, Jamaica, Pakistan, and Uganda highlight that while the specific sensitivity of SDGs varies by country, poverty and energy goals are consistently most at risk under low-ambition climate policies. The report emphasizes a reciprocal relationship: ambitious SDGs are necessary to implement a high-ambition climate deal, and a high-ambition deal is necessary to realize the SDGs.

The report finds that while renewable energy auctions are generally cost-effective and fair in project allocation, they often suffer from low deployment due to poor risk management. By analyzing 20 global auctions, the study identifies that project risks (such as transmission and land acquisition) have a greater negative impact on deployment than auction-specific risks. The authors recommend a 'controlled environment' for introducing wind energy auctions in India, including pre-identified sites and resource assessments, alongside the use of strong penalties for non-commissioning and payment guarantee mechanisms to ensure financial viability.

The policy brief examines the potential for linking the EU ETS with other carbon markets, specifically focusing on ongoing negotiations with Switzerland. It argues that while linking can increase cost-efficiency, it risks reducing overall emissions abatement, lowering domestic investment, and undermining the EU's target of at least 40% domestic emissions reductions by 2030. The author highlights a lack of transparency and democratic oversight in current linking procedures and recommends that any future linking be accompanied by increased EU emission targets and strict criteria regarding target stringency, the use of offsets, and price/supply controls.