Search Climate Insights Directory

This report presents a Sustainable Asset Valuation (SAVi) assessment of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) implemented in Kigali, Rwanda, as part of the SUNCASA project. Using an integrated cost-benefit analysis (CBA) for the period 2025–2050, the study quantifies the economic, social, and environmental impacts of interventions such as afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, and urban tree planting. The assessment finds that these NbS interventions are economically viable, providing significant avoided costs related to flood damage and health, alongside added value from carbon sequestration and employment.

An analysis of hybrid solar potential in Türkiye indicates that adding solar capacity to existing wind and hydroelectric sites could add between 8 GW and 25.6 GW of capacity, potentially making solar the largest energy source by installed capacity in the country.

This report by Ember analyzes how the decline in Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) costs can accelerate the phase-down of coal power in India between 2024 and 2032. Using a least-cost optimized (LCO) model, the authors identify that while solar growth is rapid, the transition is limited by the cost-effectiveness of storage for non-solar hours. The report argues that BESS costs must fall by 15% annually to limit new coal capacity to levels projected in the 14th National Electricity Plan (NEP), and must drop by over 50% from current levels to potentially eliminate the need for any new coal additions.

The Madagascar Integrated Energy Access Planning (IEP) Electrification Report provides a geospatial, least-cost strategy to achieve universal electricity access. It evaluates four primary modalities: grid densification, grid expansion, mini-grids (MV and LV), and standalone solar systems (SSS). The report outlines two primary timelines: a baseline scenario for universal access by 2030 and a more conservative scenario for 2040, detailing the technical requirements and financing needed to bridge the access gap for over 18 million people.

This final report, commissioned by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support, provides a comprehensive analysis of scenarios for Estonia to achieve climate-neutral electricity production by 2050. The study evaluates eight scenarios—one baseline and seven climate-neutral—comparing them based on costs, risks, socio-economic impacts, and technical feasibility. The report recommends a strategy based on either 'All Technologies' or 'Renewables and Storage' as the most balanced paths forward, while cautioning against a heavy reliance on nuclear energy or carbon capture and utilization (CCU) due to high risks or poor economic outcomes.

This research paper examines how battery cost floors and climate policies influence the global adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the resulting impact on passenger road-transport emissions.

This research report assesses the impact of including two coal-fired independent power producer (IPP) projects—Thabametsi and Khanyisa—in South Africa's electricity system from 2022 to 2052. Using the South African Times Model (SATIM), the study finds that these plants are not necessary to meet demand and would increase both total system costs and greenhouse gas emissions across all analysed scenarios, potentially offsetting national energy efficiency and carbon tax mitigation efforts.

This research report assesses the impact of including two coal-fired independent power producer (IPP) projects—Thabametsi and Khanyisa—in South Africa's electricity system from 2022 to 2052. Using the South African Times Model (SATIM), the study finds that these plants are not necessary to meet demand and would increase both total system costs and greenhouse gas emissions across all analyzed scenarios, potentially offsetting national energy efficiency and carbon tax mitigation efforts.

This executive summary describes a project commissioned by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) to establish a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reference case and identify mitigation options for Pakistan. The project aimed to improve the evidence base for national climate planning, such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), as the previous complete emissions inventory was nearly 20 years old at the time of the study. The analysis includes a baseline projection of emissions to 2030 and a sectoral evaluation of low-carbon development options across agriculture, forestry, energy, industry, transport, and waste.

This briefing note presents a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reference case projection for Pakistan, developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN). The reference case establishes a business-as-usual (BAU) baseline of historical emissions from 2000 to 2012/13 and projects annual emissions to 2030 to assess the potential of future low-carbon development options.

A life cycle assessment of fuel ethanol production from cane molasses in Indonesia, evaluating greenhouse gas emissions, energy inputs, and the impact of cogeneration and waste management.

This research paper describes an integrated hydrology and water operations simulation model developed using the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) platform to assess the impacts of climate change on water supply reliability in the Tuolumne and Merced River Basins of California.

This research paper evaluates the potential economic impact of Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs) on Chinese exports, specifically focusing on proposed schemes from the United States and the European Union. Using 2007 input-output tables and IPCC methodology, the authors analyze how different carbon pricing, product coverage, and emission calculation methods (direct vs. embodied) affect the vulnerability of various industrial sectors.

The City of Boulder Climate Action Plan Analysis Report, prepared by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in May 2012, evaluates the cost-effectiveness and emissions impact of 19 demand-side management programs funded by the Climate Action Plan (CAP) tax. The analysis finds that while Boulder has achieved significant energy savings, it will not meet its 2012 Kyoto Protocol-based emissions reduction targets through current programs alone. RMI recommends transitioning toward more comprehensive, integrated, and long-term energy efficiency strategies and suggests that municipalization of the energy supply could significantly enhance the city's ability to reach its goals.

This research paper analyzes the treatment of climate damages within the FUND model, specifically focusing on its agricultural projections and the technical validity of its temperature-yield equations.

This research paper introduces a hybrid "EZ-DICE" model that implements Epstein-Zin recursive utility into the Dynamic Integrated Climate-Economy (DICE) model. The authors aim to separate risk aversion from time preference, a conflation present in standard expected-utility frameworks that often leads to a perverse relationship where higher risk aversion implies less concern for future outcomes.

H.R. 2401, titled the 'Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act of 2011', is a bill that proposes the creation of a presidential committee to analyze the cumulative and incremental economic and operational impacts of specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules and actions on energy and manufacturing in the United States.

This research paper examines the DICE model to explain why economic models of climate change often recommend minimal policy action despite the severity of the problem. The authors identify three specific model assumptions that lead to timid policy recommendations and suggest that cost-effectiveness analysis may be more useful than economic optimization modelling.

This report describes a Monte-Carlo analysis conducted to quantify error margins and parameter uncertainty within a multi-region input-output (MRIO) model used to calculate carbon dioxide emissions embedded in UK trade flows.

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute evaluates whether the Stern Review underestimated climate damages for the United States and the world. By revising parameters in the PAGE2002 model—specifically regarding adaptation, catastrophic risk, and the damage function—the authors argue that business-as-usual damages in 2100 could be significantly higher than the Stern Review's estimates, rising from 2.2 percent of global GDP to 10.8 percent.