Search Climate Insights Directory

The playbook offers a structured set of questions for advocates and regulators to use across pre-filing, planning, and ratemaking proceedings. It emphasizes the need to clarify who bears the cost of distribution investments, especially when load or distributed energy resource (DER) forecasts are inaccurate, and suggests the use of guardrails like cost caps and reconciliation rules to protect residential customers.

The document provides a comprehensive introduction to the ETS2, a 'cap and trade' system starting in 2027 to reduce emissions in buildings and road transport by 42% relative to 2005 levels by 2030. It details the market mechanisms, including the Linear Reduction Factor and the Market Stability Reserve (MSR2), and emphasizes that carbon pricing must be paired with complementary policies—such as building renovations and EV electrification—to prevent price volatility and ensure a just transition. The guide also describes the Social Climate Fund (SCF), a €65 billion mechanism designed to support vulnerable households facing energy and transport poverty, and analyzes the distribution and potential misuse of ETS2 revenues among member states.

The WWF Nedbank Green Trust Manual outlines the procedures for requesting information and managing personal data under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) and the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). The Trust, founded in October 1990 and managed by WWF South Africa, focuses on community-based conservation and endangered species. It specifies that annual financial statements are available without a formal request, while other records—including administration, financial, and governance documents—require a prescribed application and a request fee of R140.00 for non-personal requesters. The document also details the categories of personal information processed, the conditions for trans-border data flows, and the mechanisms for data subjects to object to processing or request the correction and deletion of their information.

The EU Digital Services Act (DSA), fully in force as of 17 February 2024, establishes a systemic online safety framework for digital intermediary services. It imposes tiered obligations based on societal impact, with the most stringent requirements applied to Very Large Online Platforms and Search Engines (VLOPs and VLOSEs)—those with 45 million or more monthly EU users. These entities must conduct annual risk assessments and implement mitigation measures against systemic risks, including illegal content and negative effects on civic discourse. The DSA introduces transparency mandates for advertising and recommender systems, and establishes a crisis response mechanism for threats to public security or health. Enforcement is shared between the European Commission and national Digital Services Coordinators (DSCs), with potential fines reaching 6 percent of annual turnover.

The document argues that traditional cost-of-service regulation (COSR) creates perverse incentives—such as 'gold plating' and 'capex bias'—that hinder the affordable deployment of clean energy and demand-side management. It proposes a transition toward Performance-Based Regulation (PBR), which compensates utilities based on target outcomes rather than costs. The guide details a 'Four Pillars Model' for comprehensive PBR: incentivizing cost-efficiency, removing the throughput incentive, equalizing capex and opex incentives, and incentivizing targeted outcomes. Key tools discussed include revenue decoupling, multi-year rate plans (MYRPs), and performance incentive mechanisms (PIMs). The text contrasts incremental PBR, which layers tools onto COSR, with comprehensive PBR, which fundamentally restructures the regulatory framework, citing Hawaii's 2020 framework as a comprehensive example.

The document outlines several key EV-related policies. In California, the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation targets light- and medium-duty vehicle OEMs, while the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule requires OEMs of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to sell ZEVs or NZEVs as an increasing percentage of sales from 2024 to 2035. The Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation mandates ZEV adoption for fleets with over 50 trucks, certain private companies, and public agencies. The Clean Miles Standard (CMS) requires ridehailing providers with over 5 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per year to reach zero emissions from passenger miles and 90 percent EV-powered VMT by 2030. The Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) uses a market-based mechanism to cap the carbon intensity of transportation fuels. At the federal level, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 provides incentives for EV procurement and infrastructure. Additionally, proposed EPA regulations aim to reduce emissions for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, with light-duty targets projecting an average of 82 grams/mile of CO2 by model year 2032.

The Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation aims to phase out internal combustion engine medium- and heavy-duty trucks in California to achieve a zero-emissions transport system by 2045. The regulation mandates ZEV adoption for high-priority, drayage, and public fleets through various schedules and milestones, with CARB providing extensions for infrastructure, electrical, and delivery delays. The regulation is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 25 million metric tons between 2024 and 2041.

The Clean Miles Standard (CMS) is a California regulation requiring transportation network companies (TNCs) and autonomous vehicle (AV) providers with over 5 million annual vehicle miles traveled to transition to zero-emissions vehicles. By 2030, the regulation mandates that emissions from passenger miles traveled must be zero and 90 percent of all vehicle miles traveled must be powered by electric vehicles. To support this transition, the regulation establishes the Drivers Assistance Program (DAP) to provide financial and educational support to low- and moderate-income drivers, ensuring they are not disproportionately burdened by the shift. Compliance is monitored by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC), with mechanisms for over-compliance and optional credits for infrastructure investment or public transit integration.

The Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation aims to reduce light-duty vehicle emissions in California by 50% by 2040, mandating that 100% of new vehicle sales be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) by 2035. The regulation applies to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) selling more than 4,500 light- and medium-duty vehicles annually, utilizing a 'vehicle value' accounting system to track compliance. OEMs can accrue value through ZEV and PHEV sales, environmental justice credits, and flexibility measures such as trading, banking, and pooling values.

The 2023 Community Biocultural Protocol of Fokontany Ampangalantsary establishes a framework for external actors to access genetic resources and traditional knowledge. It outlines a mandatory process for obtaining prior informed consent through community meetings, defines the roles of local leadership (such as the President of the Fokontany and Tangalamena), and details the community's traditional taboos and customary land rights. The protocol emphasizes the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, preferring non-financial contributions like infrastructure development, and maintains community registers to document medicinal, cosmetic, agricultural, and food-related genetic resources.

The document explains the balance between removing invasive eucalyptus species to protect biodiversity and water resources and maintaining these trees as critical nectar sources for the honeybee industry. It details the specific categories of invasive species, the legal requirements for removal in sensitive areas, and the process for obtaining permits to retain certain trees for beekeeping purposes.

The document explains that while six eucalyptus species are classified as invasive in South Africa and must be removed from sensitive areas, gum trees are critical to the beekeeping industry, providing an estimated 50% of the national honey crop. It details the Alien and Invasive Species regulations under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004, specifying that all gum species must be removed from riparian areas due to high water usage, regardless of invasiveness. Landowners are guided on how to apply for Category 2 permits to retain listed gums for specific functions like bee forage, and are provided with best practices for safe tree removal and the establishment of indigenous pollinator-friendly habitats.

The document outlines the strategic importance of groundwater in South Africa, detailing the legal requirements under the National Water Act and providing technical recommendations for borehole monitoring to prevent depletion and contamination.

The document outlines the framework for green panda bonds—yuan-denominated bonds issued in mainland China by foreign entities to fund green projects. It details the regulatory roles of the PBoC, CSRC, and NDRC, the requirements for foreign issuers (such as solvency and credit reputation), and the specific steps for issuance, including the need for green asset identification and post-issuance reporting. It highlights that while the market is growing, with China being the second largest green bond market as of October 2018, green panda bonds represent less than 1% of China's total green bonds. The guide also notes the dominance of commercial banks as investors and the role of external verifiers in ensuring alignment with both Chinese and international standards.

The document outlines the framework for 'green panda bonds'—RMB-denominated bonds issued by overseas entities in mainland China for green projects. It details the regulatory landscape involving the PBoC, CSRC, and NDRC, and provides a four-step issuance process: preparation, application for approval, issuance, and continuous disclosure. As of October 2018, China's green bond market reached 60.9 billion USD, with renewable energy accounting for over 60% of supported projects. The guide highlights the role of domestic investors, particularly commercial banks (85% of bond trading), and the alignment of Chinese standards with international benchmarks like the Green Bond Principles and Climate Bonds Standard, while noting differences regarding fossil fuel power generation.

The document outlines the process for foreign entities to issue green panda bonds—RMB-denominated bonds issued in mainland China with proceeds earmarked for green projects. It details the regulatory landscape, involving the PBoC, CSRC, and NDRC, and explains the dual requirement to follow both panda bond and green bond guidelines. The guide highlights the growth of China's green bond market, the role of domestic investors (primarily commercial banks), and the increasing use of RMB for cross-border settlements, particularly within the Belt and Road Initiative. It provides a step-by-step issuance process and lists key regulatory requirements for different market segments.

The document outlines the framework for green panda bonds—Renminbi-denominated bonds issued in mainland China by foreign entities for green projects. It details the regulatory roles of the PBoC, CSRC, and NDRC, the requirements for foreign issuers, and the step-by-step process for issuance, including the need for green frameworks and external reviews. As of October 2018, China was the second largest green bond market globally, with renewable energy accounting for over 60% of allocations.

The 2017 National Framework for Air Quality Management serves as the operational blueprint for the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (AQA) in South Africa. It defines the roles of national, provincial, and municipal governments in managing atmospheric emissions and outlines a governance cycle comprising information management, problem identification, strategy development, standard setting, and enforcement. Key tools introduced include the South African Air Quality Information System (SAAQIS) and the South African Atmospheric Emission Licence and Inventory Portal (SAAELIP). The framework also details the process for declaring priority areas, managing listed activities through Atmospheric Emission Licences (AELs), and fulfilling international obligations regarding greenhouse gases, ozone-depleting substances, and persistent organic pollutants.

The document provides a visual guide for the environmental regularization of small rural properties (≤ 4 fiscal modules), detailing the requirements for Permanent Preservation Areas (APP), Legal Reserves, and Restricted Use Areas. It specifies the paths for properties with consolidated areas prior to July 22, 2008, and May 28, 2012, including the use of the Environmental Rural Registry (CAR) and the Environmental Regularization Program (PRA).

The document outlines the regulatory steps for rural properties in Bahia to achieve environmental compliance, focusing on the registration in the CEFIR system and the management of Permanent Preservation Areas (APP) and Legal Reserves (RL). It details the requirements for vegetation recovery, the use of Environmental Recovery Plans (PRA and PRAD), and options for compensating legal reserve deficits through Environmental Reserve Quotes (CRA) or environmental easements.