Search Climate Insights Directory

This briefing by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the economic viability, financial requirements, and energy savings associated with achieving the German government's 2010 Energy Concept targets for residential thermal retrofits. The report focuses on the feasibility of increasing the annual retrofit rate to 2% and the necessity of 'deep' retrofits to meet a target of reducing the building sector's primary energy requirement by 80% by 2050.

This 2011 briefing by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the economic feasibility and financial requirements for achieving the German government's energy concept goals for residential building renovations. The report focuses on the costs of comprehensive renovations, the subsidies needed to increase the renovation rate to 2%, and the resulting energy savings.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute and Synapse Energy Economics models the water-energy nexus in the eleven-state Western Electric Coordinating Council (WECC) through 2100. It examines how different electricity generation pathways—ranging from business-as-usual to aggressive carbon and water reductions—impact water consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and system costs. The analysis concludes that while power plants require water, their total consumption is significantly lower than agricultural and urban use, suggesting the water-energy nexus is a secondary driver of regional water stress compared to other sectors.

This case study examines 'Lovins GreenHome 1.0', a residence and headquarters for the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) completed in 1984 in Snowmass, Colorado. The home serves as a demonstration of 'Factor Ten Engineering' (10xE), an integrative design approach that prioritizes functional goals and passive systems over conventional HVAC installations to achieve radical resource efficiency.

The 2010 Sustainable Transport Report, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute on behalf of the Sustainable Development Commission, analyzes transport and mobility trends in Estonia. It concludes that current trends are unsustainable, characterized by rapid growth in car use and road freight that outpaces economic growth, leading to increased energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The report proposes three scenarios for 2010–2020: a baseline (BAAS) scenario continuing current trends, a technology-focused (TEHNO) scenario emphasizing vehicle efficiency, and an effect-focused (EFEKT) scenario prioritizing mobility management and sustainable transport modes. It recommends integrating fiscal measures, such as CO2-based vehicle taxes, with systemic urban planning and investments in public transport and active mobility to meet EU climate targets.

This research paper by Andreas Spiegel of Swiss Re argues for a balanced climate adaptation strategy that combines cost-effective risk prevention measures with risk transfer mechanisms, such as insurance. Using data from the Economics of Climate Adaptation (ECA) working group, the author demonstrates that a significant portion of climate-related losses can be averted through preventative action, while residual risks should be managed via public-private partnerships and innovative financial instruments to protect vulnerable economies, particularly in developing nations.

A media briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and Friends of the Earth Europe detailing a study on the feasibility of Europe reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 90% by 2050. The document outlines the necessary energy system transformations, lifestyle changes, and financial obligations to developing countries required to achieve climate justice and limit global temperature increases to 2°C.

The Menu is a guide published by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) that provides a framework of actions for community leaders to prepare their cities for the adoption of electrified vehicles (plug-ins). It categorizes actions into "must have" and "nice to have" tiers, targeting a goal of having plug-ins account for 2% of total registered vehicles within five years.

This report by RMI argues that nuclear power is an uncompetitive and inefficient solution for climate change compared to decentralized alternatives. The authors contend that nuclear power suffers from escalating capital costs, high financial risk, and slow deployment speeds, making it unattractive to private investors. They suggest that 'micropower'—including wind, solar, and cogeneration—along with end-use efficiency, provides a more cost-effective, reliable, and secure path to reducing carbon emissions.

This report, titled 'México: Estudio sobre la disminución de emisiones de carbono (MEDEC)', provides a comprehensive economic and technical evaluation of low-carbon development options for Mexico. It identifies 40 specific interventions across five key sectors—electricity, oil and gas, end-use energy, transport, and agriculture and forestry—to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. The study compares a 'baseline' scenario of continued fossil fuel reliance against a 'MEDEC' scenario, demonstrating that Mexico can stabilize its emissions at 2008 levels while maintaining economic growth through a combination of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable land management.

This 2008 report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines non-tariff barriers (NTBs) to trade in Southern Africa, specifically focusing on the road transport corridor between Durban and Gaborone. The study aims to develop a measurement approach for NTBs by quantifying direct and indirect costs—such as toll fees, fuel consumption from stop-start operations, and downtime—to determine their impact on supply chain costs and overall export competitiveness.

This briefing from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) provides guidance on improving home lighting energy efficiency. It advocates for a 'whole-system' approach—combining efficient bulbs like Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) and LEDs with dedicated fixtures, lighting controls, and daylighting strategies—to reduce electricity costs and improve lighting quality.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute, prepared for WWF-Japan, evaluates the potential for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reductions in Japan's power sector between 2000 and 2020. It compares a 'Business As Usual' (BAU) scenario, based on current trends and government projections, with a 'Power Switch' (PS) scenario characterized by aggressive transitions to non-fossil and low-carbon fuels and broad implementation of energy efficiency measures. The analysis demonstrates that the PS scenario can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with a relatively minor net cost to society, primarily by substituting natural gas for coal, phasing out nuclear power, and expanding renewable energy.

This research paper by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) examines the economic and social impacts of complying with international environmental standards on Pakistan's leather and textile export sectors. It analyzes the trade-off between the costs of mitigation and the benefits of market access, identifying 'win-win' scenarios where cleaner production leads to efficiency gains and pollution reduction.

This briefing by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) provides a comprehensive guide for homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint through energy-efficiency measures. It establishes a baseline for the typical American single-family home and outlines a strategic, cost-effective path toward achieving climate neutrality by 2012 through a combination of behavioral changes, equipment upgrades, green power, and carbon offsets.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) presents a scenario analysis to guide the City of San Francisco's energy resource investment strategy through 2012. It evaluates three distinct paths—Central Generation, More Imports, and Distributed Resources—to replace the aging Hunter's Point Power Station while meeting growing electricity demand and reliability requirements.

The Zambia Country Study, published in January 1999 by the Stockholm Environment Institute, evaluates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigation strategies for Zambia. The report establishes baseline and mitigation scenarios for the energy and forestry sectors up to 2030, identifying low-cost options to reduce CO2 emissions, such as improving household cooking efficiency and enhancing natural forest regeneration.

This 1995 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute, conducted as a UNEP project with the National Environmental Protection Agency of China, analyzes the environmental impacts of energy planning in the People's Republic of China. Using the LEAP/EDB model, the study compares a Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario against two enhanced environmental scenarios to forecast pollutant emissions (SO2, CO2, NOx, PM, and CO) through 2020. The report identifies coal as the primary driver of pollution and recommends a shift toward a cleaner energy mix, improved energy efficiency, and the implementation of integrated energy-environment planning and economic instruments to achieve sustainable development.

This factsheet outlines greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation options for Pakistan's forestry sector, identifying five high-priority, cost-effective measures to reverse deforestation and increase carbon sequestration. It projects that forestry sector emissions will rise from approximately 10 MtCO2e in 2012 to 15 MtCO2e by 2030 under a business-as-usual scenario, while highlighting the potential for significant reductions through community management, conifer forest preservation, agroforestry, commercial plantations, and reforestation of degraded land.

This fact sheet outlines greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation strategies for Pakistan's transport sector, which contributed approximately 11% of the country's emissions in 2012. It projects a significant rise in emissions by 2030 and evaluates several high-priority mitigation options, including efficiency norms for vehicles, shifting traffic from road to rail, implementing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, and improving car maintenance.