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314 results
South Africa’s Post-COVID Climate Response and the Path to its NDC Goals
South Africa has increased its climate ambition by lowering its 2030 emission target upper limit from 614 Mt CO2-eq to 420 Mt CO2-eq. While the country leads Africa in green finance and has established a carbon tax, implementation of climate strategies remains slow. The COVID-19 pandemic initially diverted focus toward immediate socioeconomic needs, but later spurred the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. Conversely, the Ukraine war has increased global demand for South African coal, potentially incentivizing a rollback of decarbonization. The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) provides critical financial support, but the transition is hindered by ongoing power shortages, reliance on new coal plants like Medupi and Kusile, and political sensitivity regarding job losses in the coal sector.
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Document type: Research paper
From Waste to Traffic Fuel (W-Fuel)
The W-Fuel project investigated the feasibility of producing biomethane from locally sourced biodegradable waste, sludge, manure, and energy crops in northern Estonia. The study focused on two pilot sites: the Hinnu pig farm in Harju County and a proposed plant in Rakvere, Lääne-Viru County. Findings indicate that while CHP production may be more commercially profitable due to existing feed-in tariffs, upgrading biogas to biomethane for transport fuel is more socially and environmentally beneficial, particularly when accounting for the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS). The report also provides detailed biomass availability forecasts for 2020 and recommends specific waste prevention measures and governmental support schemes to facilitate the transition to gaseous renewable fuels.
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Document type: Report
The Economics of Climate Change in Rwanda
The report finds that Rwanda faces significant economic costs from existing climate variability and future climate change, particularly in health, agriculture, and water sectors. It estimates that future climate change could cost Rwanda nearly 1% of its GDP annually by 2030, excluding extreme events. Adaptation costs are projected to range from $50 million to $600 million per year by 2030, depending on whether development-related needs are included. The study also identifies a low-carbon growth pathway as being in Rwanda's self-interest to avoid 'lock-in' to high-emission infrastructure and to access carbon financing.
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Document type: Report
Especial energía Ante escenarios de salida de plantas térmicas en Colombia
The policy brief analyzes the vulnerability of Paipa's economy to the energy transition, noting that nearly one-third of its production and employment depends on coal. It uses an input-output model to demonstrate that the cessation of coal-fired power generation could contract the municipal economy by 78.6%. To counter this, the report recommends diversifying into tourism, traditional manufactures (such as Paipa cheese), and high-value agriculture (potatoes and blackberries), suggesting that a 2.3% annual growth increase in these sectors between 2026 and 2035 could offset the losses from the coal industry.
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Document type: Policy brief
Climate Change in the United States
The document argues that the costs of failing to reduce carbon emissions in the United States are prohibitive, citing projected damages to coastal infrastructure, public health, water resources, agriculture, transportation, and energy systems. It highlights that under high-emissions scenarios, the annual economic impact could reach 1.9 percent of GDP by 2100. Specific regional risks include severe sea-level rise in Florida and the Northeast, extreme heat waves in Midwestern cities, water scarcity in the Southwest, and increased wildfire frequency in the West Coast and Rocky Mountain regions. The document advocates for a reduction of carbon emissions by at least 80 percent from 2005 levels by 2050 to avoid the worst consequences.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Economic Impacts of AB 32 Summary of Recent Analyses
The document compiles several reports indicating that AB 32's economic impact on small businesses is manageable, green jobs are outperforming the general economy, and diversifying the energy portfolio could increase Gross State Product and employment. It contrasts these findings with a study by Varshney and Tootelian, which it characterizes as unsound and unreliable for ignoring cost savings. Additionally, it warns that inaction on climate change could risk trillions of dollars in California assets.
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Document type: Briefing
Raising the Bar in Wisconsin
The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that increasing Wisconsin's renewable electricity standard to 25% by 2025 is achievable and affordable. Under the most likely 'No Hydro Imports' scenario, the state would see a $59 million reduction in electricity bills (when accounting for carbon savings), the creation of 2,650 new jobs, and a reduction in CO2 emissions equivalent to removing 2.1 million cars from the road. The analysis highlights Wisconsin's significant technical potential in wind, solar, and biomass to meet these targets while reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels.
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Document type: Fact sheet
A Climate And Environmental Strategy For U.S. Agriculture
The report disputes claims that the Kyoto Protocol would lead to dire economic consequences for American farmers, finding that net cash returns would likely decrease by less than one percent due to the small share of energy costs in production expenses.
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Document type: Report
Beyond the RFS
The document uses integrated agricultural and biophysical simulation models to assess the effects of increased grain ethanol production on the U.S. economy and environment. While the analysis indicates potential benefits for net greenhouse gas emissions, farm income, and government agricultural support, it concludes that there are significant soil and water quality implications that require attention.
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Document type: Policy brief
Summary of Relative Subsector-Level Vulnerability under the American Power Act
The analysis indicates that while most subsectors face modest direct compliance and energy purchase costs under the American Power Act, vulnerability varies based on feedstock dependence. Subsectors relying on natural gas-derived raw materials face higher cost risks due to projected price increases, whereas those relying on petroleum, coal, and electricity-derived materials face limited risk as prices are projected to be lower compared to a no-policy scenario.
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Document type: Executive summary
Bottom Line on Climate Bill Compliance
The document outlines how U.S. climate policies typically target large 'smokestack' emitters and fuel importers to cover approximately 80 percent of emissions. It explains that while regulated facilities face compliance costs—such as purchasing GHG allowances—non-regulated facilities may encounter indirect costs passed through from suppliers. The text highlights that businesses can mitigate costs through energy efficiency and leverage new market opportunities by producing low-GHG technologies.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Natural Resource Trade and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
The TPP partner countries are major global players in the trade of natural resources, accounting for 33% of the global marine catch and 34% of global timber and pulp production. WWF argues that without conservation measures, illegal and unsustainable trade undermines law-abiding businesses, drives corruption, and threatens biodiversity. Specifically, illegal fishing is estimated to cost between $10 billion and $23.5 billion annually, while illegal logging can depress global timber prices by up to 16%. The document recommends that the TPP prohibit trade in resources harvested in violation of national laws, enforce multilateral environmental agreements, and implement disciplines on subsidies that lead to overfishing.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Sustainable Landscape Finance Coalition Innovation Hub Finance Solution Incubator: BMA Tax Incentive Investigation| Report
The Sustainable Landscape Finance Coalition's BMA Tax Incentive Incubator investigated the legal and practical requirements to implement a long-unused tax incentive under the Income Tax Act and NEMBA. The investigation concluded that all necessary 'building blocks' are present, leading to a pilot project (July 2021 – June 2022) focusing on rhino and lion conservation. The project aims to test the incentive with voluntary landowners to offset conservation management costs, with estimated economic benefits growing from R1.4 million per annum in 2022 to R3.7 million by 2040.
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Document type: Report
CARBON COMPETITIVENESS: INDIA AT THE NET ZERO- TRADE NEXUS
India faces significant trade risks as 68% of its exports are sold to countries with net zero targets. The report highlights a critical 'carbon competitiveness' gap, particularly in professional and IT services, where India's embodied emissions are often over 10 times higher than its competitors due to a coal-heavy power grid. While India has made progress in renewable capacity, reaching 50% non-fossil installed capacity by 2025, it remains vulnerable to Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs) in the EU and UK. The report suggests that aligning industrial policy with clean energy and securing international concessional finance are vital for India to challenge China's manufacturing dominance and safeguard millions of export-related jobs.
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Document type: Report