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The report proposes a transition for China from fossil fuels to a system based on radical efficiency and renewable energy. It identifies three key areas for innovation: ultralighting and electrifying vehicles to eliminate oil dependence, using 'integrative design' to drastically reduce energy use in industry and buildings, and shifting toward a hybridized, distributed electric grid. The authors suggest these changes can be driven by profit and business innovation rather than just regulation.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) argues that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should use its authority under Clean Air Act section 111(d) to mandate deep carbon dioxide reductions from existing fossil fuel-fired power plants. CATF asserts that these reductions are necessary to protect public health and meet President Obama's goal of reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent below 2005 levels by 2020. Based on analyses conducted with The NorthBridge Group, CATF claims that power sector carbon pollution could be reduced by more than 25 percent from 2005 levels by 2020 without increasing monthly bills for electric ratepayers, primarily by optimizing the dispatch of existing plants to favor efficient natural gas units over inefficient coal units.

The report highlights that kerosene lamps emit significantly more black carbon than previously estimated, contributing to global warming and severe health risks. It argues that replacing these lamps with solar LED and other off-grid alternatives is a cost-effective climate mitigation strategy with substantial co-benefits. While many initiatives already exist, the report suggests the CCAC could add value by raising high-level awareness, promoting quality standards, and supporting finance for SMEs and consumers, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

The author contends that European electric utilities' financial losses result from failed investment strategies and a failure to adapt to disruptive renewable technologies rather than the technologies themselves. The letter highlights the macroeconomic benefits of renewables in Germany, the technical feasibility of high renewable penetration in Denmark, Spain, and Portugal, and the global trend of non-hydro renewables outproducing nuclear power. It suggests that utilities need new revenue models, such as bidirectional value tariffs, to survive the transition to a decarbonised, distributed energy system.

The document urges hard goods retailers to drive the adoption of energy-efficient electronics and appliances to save consumers money and reduce electricity demand. It highlights that many products could be significantly more efficient for minimal additional cost, potentially unlocking $34 billion in annual consumer savings by 2040. The author suggests that retailers should develop procurement specifications based on energy data to influence manufacturers, as this approach can be faster and less political than government standards.

The document advocates for a 'Renaissance of Industry for a Sustainable Europe' (RISE) strategy, asserting that Europe's industrial competitiveness depends on a low-carbon transformation. The author proposes a four-pillar approach: an innovation and efficiency offensive (including energy efficiency feed-in tariffs and expanded ecodesign legislation), increased investment in R&D, leveraging the internal market for green demand, and enhancing workforce skills in STEM and vocational training. The author criticizes current EU financial frameworks for cutting strategic research and SME funding while calling for a specific 'Southern RISE' strategy to integrate Southern European economies into global value chains.

The document proposes the 'Reindustrialization of Industry in a Sustainable Europe' (RISE) strategy to transition the European Union toward a low-carbon economy. It argues that industrial competitiveness is dependent on this transition and suggests specific measures including innovative financing for energy efficiency, legislative ecodesign, increased R&D investment, and the integration of Southern European economies into the single market. The author criticizes current EU financial frameworks for cutting strategic areas like SMEs and research while continuing to fund projects like the ITER fusion reactor.

The document proposes the RISE strategy to revitalize European industry by focusing on energy and resource efficiency, green technologies, and innovation. It argues that industrial competitiveness is impossible without a low-carbon transformation and criticizes current EU budget cuts in strategic sectors like Horizon 2020 and COSME. The author suggests specific financial mechanisms, such as feed-in tariffs for energy efficiency and eco-efficient loans, alongside legislative measures like ecodesign to reduce energy imports and costs.

The document examines Germany's 'Energiewende', a policy aimed at reducing CO2 emissions by 80 percent by 2050 and phasing out nuclear power. It highlights that while feed-in tariffs (FiT) increased residential electricity prices, they successfully reduced the cost of solar PV by more than 80 percent and wind by about half, benefiting global energy markets. The author notes that renewable growth has more than offset the reduction in nuclear power, though the transition requires new 'flexibility markets' to manage intermittency and new business models for utilities facing declining profits from conventional generation.

Ohio is transitioning from coal to natural gas for electricity generation, but this shift maintains significant risks. The report advocates for a more diverse energy mix, highlighting the success of the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard in reducing costs and creating jobs through wind, solar, and energy efficiency.

The report finds that energy subsidies in Bangladesh increased sharply between FY2010 and FY2012, driven by rising import costs and increased reliance on liquid fuel for electricity generation. It identifies that poor agricultural households are particularly vulnerable to kerosene and electricity price changes, while the transport and power sectors are the most energy-intensive production areas. The authors argue that current universal subsidies are inefficient and recommend targeted support, improved tariff structures, and a transparent phase-out strategy to free up resources for essential services and renewable energy.

The paper examines why Angola, SADC's second-largest economy, has remained outside the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) despite signing the Protocol on Trade (PoT) in 2003. While the government of Angola (GoA) cites the need to rebuild its war-ravaged industry and protect 'infant industries' from cheap imports, the author argues that this protectionism is contradictory given Angola's openness to imports from China, Brazil, and Portugal. The analysis suggests that vested interests—specifically 'Empresários de Confiança' (trusted businessmen with political links)—benefit from existing high-cost import monopolies and may be discouraging the FTA. The document also critiques the SADC Secretariat for its lack of enforcement mechanisms to hold member states accountable for protocol violations.

Landfills are the third largest source of anthropogenic methane in the U.S., contributing 17.7 percent of all U.S. methane emissions. The EPA regulates large municipal solid waste landfills through the Clean Air Act and RCRA, while the voluntary Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) facilitates the development of energy projects. As of October 2012, 605 operational energy projects exist across 48 states, producing 15 billion kWh of electricity and 100 billion cubic feet of gas for direct use annually. The economic viability of these projects depends heavily on whether capture systems are already in place; for example, a 3 MW turbine project with an existing system can yield a net return of $590,000 over 15 years, whereas one without a system may lose $3.5 million without additional tax credits or carbon offsets.

The document provides a comprehensive overview of energy subsidies in Thailand, detailing the mechanisms used to subsidize LPG, NGV, diesel, electricity, and biofuels. It argues that while these subsidies aim to ensure affordability, they often disproportionately benefit higher-income groups, encourage wasteful consumption, and create fiscal strain on the government and state-owned enterprises. The guide outlines the negative impacts of these subsidies, such as fuel smuggling and environmental degradation, and suggests reform strategies based on international experience, emphasizing the need for market-based pricing and targeted social assistance.

The document examines the role of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the global transition to clean energy, arguing that they are essential for motivating the private sector to innovate and lower costs. While acknowledging that IPRs can be a barrier for least-developed countries (LDCs) that rely on imitation, the author contends that the benefits of IPRs generally outweigh the costs. The paper highlights the concentration of clean energy patents in the US, Japan, and Germany, while noting China's rapid growth in the sector. It proposes a shift in terminology from 'technology transfer' to 'technology diffusion' and suggests a combination of IPR protection, public funding for basic research, and global finance mechanisms for demonstration projects to close the innovation gap in developing nations. A case study on the Kimberley Mechanism in South Africa illustrates how patenting can enable the development of low-cost concentrating solar power (CSP) components.

The report details pilot-scale trials in Manitoba using commercial agricultural equipment to harvest cattails from highway ditches and wetlands. It finds that while commercial equipment can be used, success is highly dependent on soil moisture and timing. The trials demonstrated that cattails can effectively capture phosphorus, though late-season harvesting reduces the amount of nutrient recovery. Economic analysis indicates that harvesting costs vary by site, with wetland harvesting generally being more productive but posing higher risks of equipment damage and sinking.

The report identifies heating oil as a significant economic and environmental drain on the Northeast U.S., costing the region over $14 billion annually. It compares natural gas and heat pumps as alternatives, concluding that heat pumps offer superior long-term economic savings and emissions reductions, particularly when paired with a renewable grid. The author identifies high upfront costs, lack of technical knowledge, and retrofit difficulties as primary barriers and suggests incentives, third-party financing, and leasing as solutions to scale the market.

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 Platinum Sector Peace and Stability Accord aims to end violence and lawlessness at South African platinum mines by committing signatories to denounce intimidation and forbid weapons on mining property. While it provides a framework for managing conflict and addressing the 'winner-takes-all' union recognition system—which has fueled rivalry between the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU)—it does not address systemic industry crises. The sector faces stagnant global demand, oversupply, and rising input costs, with electricity prices increasing by 238% since 2007. Consequently, the industry faces grim short-to-medium term prospects, including potential large-scale job losses through restructuring at companies like Anglo Platinum.

The report assesses Thailand's renewable energy incentives, highlighting the success of the ENCON fund and the 'adder' (feed-in premium) scheme, while identifying persistent barriers such as transmission constraints and high import duties on technology.