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The report analyzes three scenarios for Estonia's transport sector: 'Non-intervening' (BAU), 'Low-intervention' (VS), and 'Knowledge-based' (EE). The BAU scenario predicts a nearly 60% increase in energy consumption by 2030 compared to 2012 levels. The EE scenario, which employs systemic policies including road user charges and land-use planning, aims to stop energy consumption growth, potentially achieving a 2% reduction by 2030. The analysis highlights that private and corporate spending on vehicle imports, maintenance, and fuel (approximately 1.5-1.7 billion EUR annually) far exceeds public infrastructure and passenger transport spending (approximately 400 million EUR annually). Environmentally, the EE scenario is the only one to project a decrease in CO2 equivalent emissions, forecasting a 36% reduction by 2030 compared to 2012.

The document examines the role of artisanal gold mining in Zimbabwe as a tool for poverty alleviation and economic growth, while highlighting severe governance failures. It argues that the current state-led approach of criminalisation has failed to address environmental degradation, smuggling, and conflict between artisanal and commercial miners. The authors recommend formalising the sector through clearer land rights, competitive gold pricing to discourage smuggling, and partnerships between small-scale and large-scale operators to improve productivity and environmental compliance.

The report analyzes the cost-effectiveness of using infrared cameras for leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs in the oil and gas sector, based on data from over 4,000 surveys in North America.

The report identifies that high cost, short tenors, and variable interest rates of debt increase the cost of renewable energy in India by 24-32% compared to the US. It evaluates five recommended instruments to address these barriers: government bonds, infrastructure debt funds (mutual fund model), partial credit guarantees, partial risk guarantees, and exchange rate liquidity facilities. The analysis finds that government bonds offer the highest potential for cost reduction (up to 4.5 percentage points) and tenor increase (up to 10 years), while other instruments like partial credit guarantees can mobilize private capital from pension and insurance funds by enhancing project credit ratings to AA. The report also examines the impact of currency hedging costs, which currently neutralize the advantages of lower-cost foreign debt, and proposes a liquidity facility to mitigate this risk.

The report analyzes Germany's energy transition, focusing on the solar PV and wind energy sectors. It evaluates the impact of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and its feed-in tariffs (FiT), comparing the economic, technological, and environmental outcomes of both sectors. While wind energy is found to be more competitive and innovative with lower relative subsidy costs, the solar PV sector has faced a severe crisis due to intense competition from Chinese suppliers. The document argues for a systemic approach to green industrial policy, suggesting reforms to the FiT to increase flexibility and competitiveness while addressing grid stability and institutional fragmentation.

The report analyzes Estonia's transport energy consumption from 2000–2012, noting a 33% increase driven primarily by road transport, which accounts for approximately 90% of the sector's energy use. It evaluates 24 measures across four categories: vehicle fuel efficiency, sustainable modes of transport, land-use planning, and fiscal measures. Key findings suggest that the highest energy-saving potential lies in shifting to more efficient conventional vehicles (A-B energy classes) and implementing smart fiscal tools like kilometer-based road charges and a Tallinn congestion charge. The report concludes that while electric vehicles have marginal impact in the short term, systemic changes in urban planning and public transport are essential for long-term demand management.

The report assesses the economic and environmental impacts of UK biofuel policies in 2011, highlighting the financial support provided to the industry, the varying carbon abatement costs between ethanol and biodiesel, and the range of jobs created by the sector.

The report assesses the economic and environmental impact of Spain's biofuel industry in 2011, finding high carbon abatement costs for ethanol and net emission increases for conventional biodiesel. It highlights a significant reliance on imported biodiesel and feedstock, primarily from Argentina and Indonesia, which undermines energy security. Additionally, it notes a wide variance in employment estimates for the sector.

The report analyzes the costs and benefits of France's biofuel policies in 2011, finding that while bioethanol provides some emission reductions, conventional biodiesel often leads to net emission increases due to indirect land-use change (ILUC). Financial support for the sector, primarily through blending mandates and excise tax exemptions, is estimated between €782 million and €1.01 billion. The study also notes that biodiesel's reliance on imported feedstocks limits its contribution to energy security compared to bioethanol.

The report finds that Spain's biofuel policies, particularly for biodiesel, have often resulted in marginal benefits and net emission increases due to a high reliance on imported fuels and feedstocks. While ethanol provided modest emission savings, the overall sector saw a GDP contraction in 2011. The study highlights that conventional biodiesel is a costly and environmentally damaging option compared to other renewable energy technologies, and recommends phasing out support for first-generation biofuels in favor of low-carbon alternatives.

The report analyzes the costs and benefits of U.K. biofuel policies, focusing on the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) for the 2011/2012 period. It finds that total support for biofuels ranged between £359 million and £445 million, with biodiesel receiving the bulk of this support due to excise tax exemptions for used cooking oil (UCO). While UCO-based biodiesel offers the lowest carbon abatement costs, conventional biodiesel can lead to net emission increases due to indirect land-use change (ILUC). The report also notes that employment gains are difficult to quantify and that the U.K.'s reliance on U.S. corn for bioethanol may pose energy security risks.

The report finds that the implementation of the DETER satellite system, which allows for rapid identification of deforestation hotspots, was the primary driver of deforestation deceleration in the Brazilian Amazon during the 2000s. By enabling Ibama to focus law enforcement and monitoring more precisely, these command-and-control policies prevented the loss of approximately 59,500 km² of forest between 2007 and 2011. The analysis indicates that these conservation efforts did not negatively impact local agricultural production and provided significant monetary gains when considering the value of carbon retention.

The report finds that the implementation of the satellite-based DETER system was the primary driver of the deforestation slowdown in the Brazilian Amazon during the 2000s. By enabling the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) to target law enforcement more effectively, these policies prevented the clearing of over 59,500 km² of forest from 2007 to 2011. The analysis indicates that these conservation efforts did not adversely affect agricultural production and provided significant net monetary gains when compared to the costs of monitoring and enforcement.

The report evaluates three water storage options for Manitoba to address flooding and eutrophication. Using benefits transfer and expert analysis, it finds that back-flooded dams offer the highest cost-benefit ratio (371%) due to low capital costs and significant ecological benefits, followed by re-graded ditches (194%) and filter fields and ponds (128%).

The report argues that EU biofuel policies, particularly those supporting conventional food-based biofuels, are not cost-effective and often fail to meet their stated public good objectives. It finds that significant public subsidies—estimated between EUR 5.5 and 6.9 billion in 2011—support an industry where benefits are increasingly captured by non-EU suppliers rather than EU farmers. The analysis highlights that conventional biofuels can lead to net increases in greenhouse gas emissions when indirect land use change (ILUC) is considered and contribute to higher global food prices. The report suggests that tightening vehicle emission standards to 95 gCO2/km by 2020 would be a significantly cheaper and more effective way to abate carbon emissions than subsidizing biofuels. It recommends phasing out support for food-based biofuels and implementing a 5 per cent cap on their contribution to renewable energy targets.

The study concludes that nutrient trading in the MRB is economically feasible, as wastewater utilities could significantly reduce costs by purchasing credits from the agricultural sector. Using case studies of two utilities and six agricultural watersheds, the report finds that nitrogen (N) supply is sufficient to meet demand, while phosphorus (P) supply is more limited. It highlights that some conservation practices are profitable for farmers even without trading due to fertilizer savings and yield increases. However, the report notes that the lack of a strong policy driver, potential local water quality standards, and regulatory capacity are significant barriers to implementation.

The study focuses on evaluating and costing climate change adaptation measures for coffee and banana farming systems in Rwanda. It aligns with the Rwandan Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS) 2008-2012, which prioritizes addressing climate change impacts through secure settlements in hazard-exposed areas and the implementation of early warning systems for drought and food security. The research analyzes climate-related shocks from the perspectives of both farmers and policymakers and discusses strategies for implementation.

The study assesses four scenarios for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Tallinn's bus fleet by 2020, finding that while biodiesel and bioethanol offer the highest emission reductions, they are significantly more expensive per ton of CO2e reduced than other transport or energy sector measures.

The report assesses four fleet scenarios for the Tallinn Bus Company (TAK) up to 2020: continuing with conventional diesel, or transitioning to bioethanol (ED95), biodiesel (B100), or diesel-electric hybrids. While alternative fuels significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and external costs, they are more expensive to operate than conventional diesel. The study finds that the most cost-effective way to reduce local air pollution (PM and NOx) is simply replacing old buses with new Euro V and VI diesel models, as the emission gap between new diesel and alternative technologies has narrowed. Biodiesel offers the highest CO2 reduction potential, while hybrids provide the best fuel economy. The report recommends a diversified technology approach to mitigate risks associated with fuel prices and supply.

The document finds that GHG mitigation policies significantly improve air quality by reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter. In the EU27, this leads to substantial health gains, including an increase in average life expectancy by one month by 2050 and annual economic co-benefits ranging from €44 billion to €95 billion. The analysis also highlights significant benefits in China and India, where life expectancy gains are estimated at 19 and 30 months respectively by 2050. Additionally, mitigation reduces regulatory abatement costs for businesses and lessens the acidification and eutrophication of ecosystems.