Search Climate Insights Directory

This document is an industry submission from April 2009 regarding a draft notice and schedule for Section 21 of the Air Quality Act (AQA). It proposes minimum emission standards, transitional arrangements, and reporting requirements for various industrial activities, including combustion, petroleum, metallurgical, and chemical industries.

This document is a General Notice (No. 1001) published in the Government Gazette of South Africa on 24 July 2009 by the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs. It outlines a proposed list of activities that result in atmospheric emissions which may have significant detrimental effects on the environment, health, social, economic, ecological, or cultural conditions, as well as their associated minimum emission standards (MES) under section 21 of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004.

This report by Sasol outlines the company's proposal to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) regarding hydrogen sulphide (H2S) emission standards for its Synfuels facility in Secunda. Sasol argues that the published 2010 standard of 1,000 mg/Nm³ is unachievable within the required timeframes due to technical constraints, the uniqueness of the Sasol process, and market limitations for sulphuric acid. The company proposes alternative standards based on stack averaging and specific points of compliance to ensure practical and sustainable air quality improvement.

This document is a submission from Eskom to Working Group 5 of the SABS Sub-Committee 146A regarding the setting of Minimum Emission Standards. The proposal, adapted from European Union Directive 2001/80/EC, outlines Eskom's recommendations for emission monitoring, reporting, and compliance assessment, specifically tailored for the power generation sector in South Africa.

A letter from National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (Natref) to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) dated September 1, 2011, detailing the refinery's air quality compliance status and proposing amendments to the Minimum Emission Standards (MES). Natref argues that the proposed 2015 SO2 limits are unachievable and requests that the DEA recognize the emissions reductions achieved through its Residual Crude Desulphurization (RCD) unit.

This research paper by the Center for International Environmental Law and EURONATURA proposes a two-tiered compliance regime for the Kyoto Protocol, distinguishing between a facilitative approach during the first commitment period and an enforcement phase following it. The authors argue for a system that prioritizes capacity building and 'making the climate whole' through mechanisms like a Clean Development Fund and compliance reserves to address substantive non-compliance.

This research paper critiques a utilitarian (Millsian) approach to the intersection of international trade and environmental protection, arguing instead for a Kantian framework. The author contends that environmental imperatives—such as species preservation—are categorical duties that should not be balanced against economic benefits. The paper proposes a model of "competitive sustainability" to harmonize environmental standards upward through market incentives and trade rule reforms.

This research paper proposes a 'combined strategy' to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by integrating international marketable permits, emissions fees, and country commitments. The author argues that while industrial countries are the primary source of emissions, a successful global regime must balance the economic stability of industrial nations with the development needs and fairness concerns of developing countries.

This research paper analyzes the allocation of responsibility for non-compliance within the Kyoto Protocol's four cooperative implementation (CI) mechanisms: joint fulfillment, joint implementation, the Clean Development Mechanism, and international emissions trading. The authors propose a 'traffic light' (green/yellow/red) hybrid responsibility model to balance market efficiency with environmental integrity, arguing that shifting risk to buyers during periods of implementation doubt creates stronger market incentives for sellers to comply.

A joint statement by over 200 organizations, including Climate Action Network (CAN) and YOUNGO, calling for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to address power imbalances, corporate capture, and a lack of accountability in climate negotiations.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) and Amazônia 2030 analyzes the potential for carbon capture through forest restoration in the Brazilian Amazon. It proposes the Reversing Deforestation Mechanism (RDM), a jurisdictional payment system for net carbon removals, as a way to generate significant economic revenue and help Brazil meet its climate goals (NDC). The report argues that combining the RDM with other financial mechanisms like JREDD+ and the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) can create a comprehensive financial architecture to protect standing forests and restore degraded lands.

This fact sheet by the Climate Policy Initiative proposes the creation of a California Green Bank to leverage private capital for clean energy technologies. It suggests using revenues from carbon emissions allowance auctions to fund a quasi-public institution that would address financing gaps for homeowners, small businesses, and innovators, thereby accelerating the state's transition to a low-carbon economy.

This fact sheet by the Climate Policy Initiative explores how a proposed California green bank could use carbon emissions allowance revenues to accelerate renewable energy and energy efficiency. It identifies opportunities to expand financing for underserved homeowners, support small businesses and public entities, and scale up clean energy innovations, such as electric grid storage.

This report by Climate Policy Initiative/PUC-RIO and Amazon 2030 analyzes the potential for carbon sequestration through forest restoration in the Brazilian Amazon. It proposes the Reversing Deforestation Mechanism (RDM), a jurisdictional results-based payment system, as a way to mobilize significant investment and align land use with climate goals. The report compares the RDM with other financial mechanisms like JREDD+ and the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), arguing that a complementary approach to conservation, avoided deforestation, and restoration is essential for Brazil to meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

This fact sheet describes H.R. 3190, the PREPARE Act, a legislative proposal introduced by Congressmen Matt Cartwright and Leonard Lance to improve the federal government's ability to manage financial risks and operational preparedness associated with extreme weather events.

This report by Energy Innovation argues that the traditional electric utility business model in the United States is facing a 'death spiral' due to technological advances, declining energy demand, and climate regulations. The author proposes a shift toward 'performance-based regulation,' where utilities are rewarded for achieving goals in reliability, affordability, and environmental performance rather than for the volume of electricity sold.

This report proposes the creation of an "energy park" in Pueblo, Colorado, as an economic development strategy to replace the retiring Comanche coal plant. The strategy involves a diversified portfolio of clean energy resources and "flexible" industrial technologies to maintain tax revenue and grid reliability while reducing costs for electricity customers.

Friends of the Earth International provides policy recommendations and targets for the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) to be determined at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP15 meeting in December 2022.

This report by Friends of the Earth International argues that community forest management and agroecology are interconnected political proposals that offer superior alternatives to industrial agriculture and top-down conservation for protecting biodiversity and ensuring food security.

The 'People Power Now' manifesto, published by Friends of the Earth International, outlines ten demands for a just transition of the global energy system. It argues that the current capitalist economic model has caused biodiversity collapse, the climate crisis, and extreme inequality, which were further highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The document calls for a systemic shift away from neoliberalism and fossil fuel dependency toward a people-centered energy system based on energy sufficiency, democratic control, and social justice.