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The document challenges the narrative that Portugal's sovereign debt crisis was solely caused by national misgovernment, instead highlighting three structural weaknesses: low education levels, a low-value-added economic specialisation profile, and a peripheral geographic position. It argues that EU-level decisions—such as the process of nominal convergence and the management of the euro—exacerbated these issues. The author contends that the current adjustment program, focused on austerity and internal devaluation through wage cuts, is pro-cyclical and risks deepening the recession while undermining long-term competitiveness by cutting investments in education and infrastructure.

The report evaluates advanced nuclear reactor designs to provide affordable, low-carbon energy. It focuses on small modular light water reactors (smLWRs) for their deployment flexibility and safety; high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) for their high thermal efficiency and process heat applications; and fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactors (FHRs) for their potential for breakthrough economics due to compact size and high power density.

The document critiques the application of carbon trading in Africa, asserting that the continent remains marginal to the global market. It highlights how the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) creates perverse incentives, such as rewarding illegal gas flaring in Nigeria or subsidising fossil fuel dependence, while providing minimal financial benefit to local communities. The author argues that carbon offsets act as an 'avoided responsibility mechanism' for the global North and recommends shifting toward more just forms of climate finance.

South Africa has long served as a primary entry point for international companies into Africa due to its sophisticated economy, financial hubs, and infrastructure. However, the document argues that its status is being challenged by the rise of regional gateways, increasing competition from other African ports and airlines, and internal issues including labour unrest, high port costs, and power price hikes.

The document argues that Hong Kong serves as a critical hub for South African entry into China due to its free-market economy, legal framework, and logistics infrastructure. It examines the broader China-South Africa strategic partnership, noting that while trade has grown significantly, South Africa struggles with a trade imbalance and a lack of mineral beneficiation. The author suggests that while Hong Kong will remain a key gateway for at least ten years, South Africa should expand its diplomatic presence in other Chinese cities to maintain competitiveness as new regional hubs emerge.

The report identifies nine subsidies for oil and gas production in Norway, with six costing approximately NOK 25.5 billion (US$ 4 billion) in 2009. These include tax reimbursements for exploration, accelerated investment deductions, R&D grants, and infrastructure provision by Gassco and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, as well as special treatment for the Snøhvit field. The analysis focuses on the effects of the three largest subsidies on government revenue, employment, and carbon emissions, while recommending improved transparency for subsidy expenditures.

During the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-2010), China achieved a 19.06 percent reduction in energy intensity against a 2005 baseline, driven primarily by technological development and structural adjustments. Despite these efficiency gains, total emissions increased by 33.6 percent, making China the world's largest emitter in 2007. The government deployed significant investment, totaling 1.73 trillion yuan in new and renewable energy and 859.2 billion yuan in energy efficiency, though these efforts primarily benefited large state-owned enterprises over small and medium enterprises. Looking toward the 12th Five-Year Plan, the document identifies challenges in meeting ambitious energy and carbon intensity targets due to rapid urbanization, rising marginal costs of conservation, and the continued prioritization of GDP growth by local governments.

The report argues that the EU ETS has failed to provide a sufficient carbon price signal for low-carbon investment due to a massive surplus of allowances caused by the recession and complementary energy policies. It proposes a triad of measures: setting aside allowances to recalibrate the market, implementing a rising reserve price on auctions to create a price floor, and accelerating negotiations for 2030 climate goals.

The report investigates the feasibility of producing biomethane from organic waste and energy crops in Harju County, Estonia. It compares two primary scenarios for the Hinnu pig farm: using biogas for combined heat and power (CHP) or upgrading it to biomethane for transport fuel. The analysis concludes that while CHP may offer higher immediate business profitability due to feed-in tariffs, upgrading to biomethane provides greater overall social and environmental benefits, particularly when considering the EU Emissions Trading System.

The report investigates the feasibility of producing biomethane from waste in Lääne-Viru County, Estonia. It identifies a total biomethane production potential of up to 24.4 million m3/a by 2020, with energy crops as the largest resource. The study proposes a pilot plant in Rakvere using wet digestion technology and amine scrubbing for purification. While combined heat and power (CHP) is more profitable for a private operator due to feed-in tariffs, the report concludes that using biomethane as motor fuel provides higher social and environmental benefits for society as a whole.

The Rocky Mountain Institute contends that the U.S. government has historically provided far more subsidies to fossil fuels than to renewables, citing $72 billion for fossil fuels versus $29 billion for renewables between 2002 and 2008. The document argues that wind and solar are rapidly becoming cost-competitive, noting a 43% decline in solar PV installed costs from 1998 to 2010. It further highlights the economic burden of fossil fuel externalities, estimated at $63 billion annually, and dismisses the Keystone XL pipeline as a viable energy security solution because it does not support the electricity system.

China has significantly increased and diversified its agricultural investments in Africa since 2000, driven by domestic food security concerns, market demand for commodities and biofuels, and a strategic 'going out' policy. These investments manifest as foreign direct investment (FDI), aid projects, infrastructure development, and technology transfer. While China's own success in poverty reduction through agricultural reform offers potential lessons, the paper notes that the effectiveness of these investments in Africa depends on local institutional environments and the adaptation of technology to specific African conditions.

Indian mining companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) operate on a small to medium scale compared to Western and Chinese firms, primarily growing through profit reinvestment rather than state or external capital. While companies like Rubamin, Chemaf, and Somika contribute to copper and cobalt output in Katanga, they face criticism over environmental pollution and labor conditions. Mining Mineral Resources (MMR) is strategically positioning itself as a producer of 'conflict-free' tin and tantalum through tagging and the construction of a domestic smelter. The primary risk to these operations is political instability following the departure of Katanga's governor, Moïse Katumbi.

The briefing proposes that the US congressional super committee avoid austerity cuts to social services and environmental enforcement by targeting "environmentally harmful spending" and generating revenue through a carbon tax and other levies. It highlights the "Green Scissors 2011" report, which identifies up to $380 billion in potential savings over five years from subsidies to the oil, gas, coal, nuclear, and biofuels industries. Additionally, the authors suggest a carbon tax could generate significant revenue, citing a proposal that could have yielded $600 billion over 10 years, alongside potential taxes on sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions and a currency transaction levy.

The document analyzes historical energy price trends, specifically in the United Kingdom, to argue that while energy prices can be volatile, the long-term trend for energy services (such as heating and lighting) is downward due to efficiency gains. It posits that fossil fuel reserves remain abundant relative to current consumption, suggesting that future price trends may remain stable or decline despite short-term peaks. The author emphasizes that focusing on energy prices alone underestimates consumer welfare gains and misleads climate change and energy demand modeling.

The document analyzes the cement industry's response to carbon pricing, highlighting that while short-term impacts involve limited cost pass-through to consumers, long-term risks include the relocation of production to non-constrained regions. It argues that border adjustment measures (BAM) are more effective than free allowances at preserving carbon price signals and deterring investment leakage, particularly given the capital-intensive nature of the industry and high regional variations in production costs.

The report examines the gap between Germany's thermal retrofit targets and current progress, identifying that the retrofit rate for residential outer walls is approximately 0.8% per year against a 2% target. It argues that deep retrofits are most economically viable when integrated into general building renovations. The analysis breaks down the homeowner decision process into three stages—encouraging interest, planning/deciding, and implementation—and maps corresponding policy instruments including information tools, KfW financial incentives, and contractor certification.

The document examines the role of services in SADC economies, noting that while the sector is a primary driver of GDP and employment, it is often characterized by inefficiency and high costs. It compares two primary regulatory frameworks: the EU-SADC EPA, which is described as more ambitious and driven by EU interests, and the SADC Protocol on Trade in Services, which is viewed as less ambitious and unlikely to push member states beyond existing WTO commitments. The authors argue that external agreements may provide the necessary stimulus for domestic regulatory reform where political or capacity constraints hinder unilateral action.

The authors argue that the EPA's cost-benefit analysis for cooling water intake structures (CWISs) is fundamentally flawed due to the systematic underestimation of environmental benefits and the overestimation of costs. By incorporating a wider range of non-use values, correcting recreational value estimates based on the Bay Shore Power Plant study, and using revised cost estimates from Powers Engineering, the authors demonstrate that the most stringent regulatory options (Options 2 and 3) can yield positive net benefits. They further contend that the economic impact on electricity rates would be minimal and that stricter regulation would actually be more beneficial for national GDP and employment. Finally, they strongly oppose the use of site-specific calculations, suggesting instead a national standard with a higher threshold (e.g., 500 MGD) to protect smaller facilities while maintaining high environmental benefits.

The document examines the economic crisis in Malawi, noting that while the country saw an average of 7% growth over five years driven by debt relief and aid, these funds were largely spent on consumption and a fertilizer subsidy rather than productive capacity. This led to a trade deficit reaching 21% of GDP in 2010 and severe foreign exchange shortages. The author argues that the resulting economic instability, combined with electricity cuts and a poor tobacco season, created the conditions for the 2011 protests.