Search Climate Insights Directory

This research note by Energy Innovation analyzes the economic and environmental consequences of the Trump administration's proposal to freeze federal fuel economy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for light-duty vehicles at 2020 levels for model years 2021 through 2026. The analysis focuses on the impact on the U.S. economy, California, 'Section 177' states, and Canada, utilizing the Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) to project costs, emissions, and fuel consumption through 2050.

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute develops a model to analyze how anticipating climate damage influences adaptation funding and infrastructure loss in small island developing states (SIDS), specifically applying the model to tropical storm damage in Barbados.

This report introduces a methodological framework using Input-Output and network theory to analyze physical capital stranding risks and their cascades across economic systems, specifically within a sample of ten European countries.

This report analyzes options for operationalising the requirement under Article 6.4(d) of the Paris Agreement to deliver an overall mitigation in global emissions, specifically providing technical support to Saint Lucia for international negotiations.

This research note by Energy Innovation analyzes the economic and environmental impacts of a proposed Trump Administration policy to freeze federal fuel economy standards for cars and SUVs at 2020 levels, undoing planned increases for model years 2022 to 2025.

The 2018 Green Economy Barometer for Mongolia, produced by the Economic Policy Research and Competitiveness Center (ECRC) and the Green Economy Coalition, evaluates Mongolia's transition toward a sustainable economy. It highlights the risks of commodity price volatility and the potential for green investments to reduce poverty and unemployment by 2030. While the government has established policy frameworks and international commitments, the report notes a significant gap between legislation and implementation, ranking Mongolia 79th out of 80 countries in the 2016 Global Green Economy Index.

This discussion paper estimates the marginal cost of supplying certified emissions reduction (CER) units from projects registered under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) up to 2020, specifically analyzing the potential impact of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

This research paper introduces a long-run post-Keynesian, demand-led macroeconomic model designed to analyze the effects of transitioning to a low-carbon economy on employment, growth, and stability.

This research paper introduces a multi-sector Harrodian-Kaleckian growth model designed for long-run policy analysis, specifically to address the structural changes required for sustainable development and the reduction of carbon intensity in mature economies.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) analyzes the electricity costs for EVgo's network of 230 direct current fast chargers (DCFC) in California. It identifies high utility demand charges as a primary barrier to the profitability of public DCFC operators and evaluates how proposed EV-specific tariffs from Southern California Edison (SCE) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) could reduce these costs.

This executive summary, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in December 2016, argues that Canada must move beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to measure 'comprehensive wealth' to ensure long-term sustainable development. Analyzing data from 1980 to 2013, the study finds that while Canada remains wealthy, its comprehensive wealth growth is slow and heavily reliant on the depletion of natural capital and a highly concentrated produced capital sector.

This research paper presents a high-resolution nationwide water supply model calibrated with 2010 data from Israel to determine optimal water extraction and pricing. The study suggests that desalination capacity was overbuilt and that current water economy legislation carries a significant welfare cost.

This report by Sandbag analyzes how flaws in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) have created perverse incentives for the European cement sector, leading to over-allocation of free allowances and a failure to incentivize deep decarbonization. The authors argue that the ETS has effectively subsidized the production of high-carbon clinker, resulting in a net import of emissions into the EU.

This research paper by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) analyzes the use of fiscal instruments within Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) submitted to the UNFCCC by November 20, 2015. The review identifies trends in how countries employ fossil fuel subsidy reform (FFSR), clean energy subsidies, and carbon pricing to support low-carbon development and GHG mitigation.

This fact sheet by Energy Innovation analyzes the economic and environmental costs of delaying the implementation of a recommended energy policy package in the United States. It compares a 'Policy Solutions' package starting in 2016 against a 'Delayed' scenario starting in 2020, both aiming for the same 2030 emissions targets.

This executive summary by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and HOMER Energy analyzes the economic transition of residential and commercial customers from grid-only electricity to grid-connected solar-plus-battery systems. The report argues that while total grid defection is possible, the more likely scenario is a gradual shift where customers use the grid as a backup, potentially leading to significant revenue loss for utilities and stranded assets for central generation owners unless new regulatory and pricing models are adopted.

This report provides an economic assessment of climate change impacts on Uganda's infrastructure sector, focusing on the costs of increasing resilience and the damages caused by extreme weather events. It estimates the additional costs for new construction and maintenance across residential, public, and transport infrastructure through 2050, while modeling the financial risks of floods and droughts based on historical data and future GDP projections.

This executive summary describes a study commissioned by the Government of Nepal to assess the economic impacts of climate change on agriculture, hydroelectricity, and water-induced disasters. It estimates that current climate variability already costs Nepal 1.5% to 2% of its GDP annually, with future costs potentially adding another 2% to 3% of current GDP by mid-century.

This research paper examines the potential for fossil-fuel subsidy reform in Emerging and Developing Asia—specifically Southeast Asia, India, and China—to provide fiscal space and revenue for financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It argues that current subsidies are regressive, inefficient, and detrimental to environmental and health goals, and advocates for their phase-out in favor of targeted social welfare systems and corrective taxation.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) proposes a transformative energy strategy for China termed "Reinventing Fire." The authors argue that China can decouple economic growth from fossil fuel dependence by focusing on three "gamechangers": oil-free mobility, integrative design for radical efficiency in buildings and industry, and a redefined, more distributed electric grid.