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This research paper by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) analyzes the gap in industrial electric productivity across the United States. It argues that while exogenous factors like electricity prices and state incentives play a role, the primary constraints are internal business barriers. By addressing these barriers through holistic design and policy support, the U.S. industrial sector could save 300,000 GWh annually.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) examines how traditional building project delivery methods hinder sustainability and proposes that specific contracting stipulations, particularly through Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), can overcome these barriers to improve energy efficiency and project outcomes.

This report chapter argues that the solution to global freshwater scarcity is not increasing supply through costly and environmentally damaging infrastructure, but radically increasing water productivity through efficiency and demand-side management across agriculture, landscaping, buildings, and industry.

This report chapter outlines the 'Hypercar' concept—an ultralight, hybrid-electric vehicle designed to drastically reduce resource consumption and environmental impact. It argues that by combining carbon-fiber composites, aerodynamic streamlining, and hydrogen fuel cells, the automotive industry can move beyond the 'Iron Age' of steel-based manufacturing. The text further asserts that technological efficiency must be paired with urban planning and land-use reforms to reduce overall dependence on driving and mitigate social costs like congestion and sprawl.

This briefing by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) outlines 17 federal energy policy goals designed to reduce U.S. oil use and greenhouse gas emissions by 50% each within 10 years. The strategy prioritizes reducing energy demand through efficiency in buildings, transport, and industry before substituting supply with renewables and a 'Smart Grid'. RMI estimates these goals could create over three million jobs by 2012.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) analyzes opportunities to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Canadian Class-8 truck fleet through the adoption of aerodynamic retrofits, low rolling-resistance tires, and auxiliary power units (APUs). It argues that government leadership, technical guidance, and financial incentives are necessary to overcome industry inertia and the fuel-efficiency losses caused by emissions regulations.

This report by the Alliance for Renewable Electrification (ARE) and UNIDO ITPO Germany examines the role of decentralised renewable energy (DRE) in enhancing agricultural productivity and addressing global food system challenges. It identifies key barriers to productivity, such as lack of access to finance and clean energy, and presents 15 case studies from emerging markets demonstrating the application of solar PV, hybrid systems, and biomass technologies for irrigation, cooling, and processing.

This report by the Alliance for Renewable Electrification (ARE) and UNIDO ITPO Germany explores the integration of decentralised renewable energy (DRE) in the mining sector to decarbonise operations and provide electricity to underserved surrounding communities. It advocates for a 'shared use' approach to infrastructure to address energy poverty and environmental impacts while enhancing the sustainability of mineral supply chains.

This report by ENGIE Energy Access argues that current grant funding for energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa is fragmented, insufficient, and misaligned with market realities. It proposes a strategic roadmap to refocus funding on core household electrification, optimize grant instruments for different market segments, increase the total volume and share of grants in the capital mix, and transition toward coordinated programmatic platforms to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) by 2030.

The 2012 SAIIA Young Leaders Declaration is a statement negotiated by South African youth at the 1st South African Institute of International Affairs Young Leaders Conference. The document outlines youth-led recommendations for the international community, the African continent, and the South African government across three primary themes: climate change and sustainable development, universal education, and the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The South African Durban Youth and Children’s Protocol is a statement negotiated and agreed upon by South African youth and children during the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 17) in November 2011. The document outlines recommendations for the global community, African peers, the South African national government, and youth themselves to address climate change and environmental sustainability.

This policy note, published by the South African Institute of International Affairs in October 2025, advocates for a shift from incremental to transformational climate adaptation in Africa. It outlines the conceptual differences between these approaches, identifies systemic barriers to implementation across the continent, and provides strategic recommendations for South Africa's G20 presidency to champion scalable, just, and context-specific adaptation frameworks.

This policy brief by the Brookings Institution, published via the South African Institute of International Affairs, argues for strengthening the G20 Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable (GSDR) to address unsustainable debt in the Global South. The authors propose reforming the Common Framework for Debt Treatments (CF), integrating climate financing into debt management, and addressing the systemic drivers of high debt service costs, particularly for African nations.

The Reimagine our Future Declaration is a statement by over 150 South African children and youth (aged 14-24) outlining their vision for a future characterized by climate resilience, social equality, and active youth participation in governance. The document identifies systemic failures in economic support, environmental management, and social services, while providing specific recommendations for government and private sector action to ensure a just transition and inclusive development.

This executive summary, published by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), updates the 2018 'Chilling Prospects' study by analyzing cooling access across 52 climate-exposed countries. It advocates for a needs-based approach to sustainable cooling to protect vulnerable populations, ensure food and medicine security, and align with the Kigali Amendment and the Paris Agreement.

This report by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) examines the cooling landscape in Ghana, highlighting the critical need for sustainable cooling to support healthcare, agriculture, and human safety. It identifies significant access gaps, with millions of people at high or medium risk due to heat exposure and lack of electricity. The document provides a roadmap for a just transition, recommending passive cooling strategies, higher energy efficiency standards, the phase-out of HFC refrigerants, and the decarbonization of the power sector to align with Ghana's net-zero emissions target by 2060.

This executive summary, prepared by Friends of the Earth Europe based on a Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) study, outlines a technically feasible pathway for the European Union to achieve domestic greenhouse gas emission reductions of 40% by 2020 and 90% by 2050. The document advocates for a 'climate justice' approach, combining aggressive domestic decarbonization—excluding nuclear power, carbon capture and storage, and offsetting—with significant financial support for developing nations to meet their development needs in a carbon-free manner.

This fact sheet by the Stockholm Environment Institute describes the threats to biodiversity and local livelihoods in the Chindwin River Basin of Myanmar, identifying key vulnerable areas and providing policy recommendations for integrated water resources management and institutional coordination.

This executive summary, based on a 2009 report prepared for the Swedish Government Offices, outlines an integrated approach for the European Union to combine climate change mitigation and energy security with economic competitiveness. It advocates for an 'eco-efficient economy' through resource efficiency, the development of new technology markets, and the establishment of stable global carbon prices.

This position paper, submitted to UNCSD2012 by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the Brazilian Foundation for Sustainable Development (FBDS), outlines a global assessment on sustainable energy for all. It argues that energy access must evolve from basic poverty alleviation to supporting productive economic development while remaining within the 'safe operating space' of planetary boundaries to avoid catastrophic environmental disruption.