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A group of economists argues that California's clean energy policies, specifically AB 32, provide economic benefits through innovation, job creation, and reduced health costs, and that delaying these actions during an economic recession would be more costly than proceeding.

The document outlines how transitioning away from fossil fuels reduces health costs via three primary channels: mitigating air and water pollution, reducing obesity through active transportation, and lowering climate change risks. It provides specific 2005 cost estimates for health damages from coal-fired plants ($62 billion), natural gas plants ($740 million), and vehicles ($56 billion). The text emphasizes that obesity currently represents a larger health cost burden in the United States than air quality impacts and suggests that energy policies should be evaluated based on total costs and benefits per unit of energy or distance.

The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that current U.S. biofuel policies are costly and ineffective, primarily supporting mature corn ethanol industries while cellulosic biofuels remain stalled. The report proposes 'The Billion Gallon Challenge' to provide investment tax credits and loan guarantees for 10 to 20 new commercial-scale cellulosic facilities. Additionally, it suggests replacing existing tax credits with a 'Biofuels Performance Tax Credit' that rewards fuels based on their ability to replace oil and reduce global warming emissions. Together, these measures could reduce global warming emissions by nearly 100 million metric tons annually by 2022.

The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that cellulosic biofuel production in the U.S. is failing to meet government mandates due to a lack of investment capital and high risks for first-movers. To address this, they propose the 'Billion Gallon Challenge,' which would provide a 30-percent investment tax credit and loan guarantees to establish 10 to 20 commercial-scale facilities with a combined capacity of 1 billion gallons per year. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between current Energy Information Administration forecasts and the Renewable Fuel Standard's 2022 goal of 16 billion gallons, potentially saving 7 billion gallons of gasoline and reducing global warming emissions by 45 million metric tons annually by 2022.

The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that current U.S. biofuels tax credits, particularly the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC), are ineffective because they primarily benefit oil companies and fail to stimulate additional production beyond the requirements of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The document proposes a Biofuels Performance Tax Credit of $10 per million Btu, which would reward producers based on their ability to reduce global warming emissions and replace oil. This proposed shift could save $5 billion annually starting in 2011 and reduce global warming emissions by up to 50 million metric tons per year by 2022.

In 2008, Arkansas imported all the coal used by its power plants, resulting in $463 million leaving the state, primarily to Wyoming. The state's electricity mix was 47.5% coal, with Entergy Arkansas and its White Bluff plant being the largest importers. The document argues that Arkansas could reduce this dependence and stimulate its local economy by adopting energy efficiency resource standards and renewable electricity standards, leveraging its potential for wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass energy.

In 2008, Michigan imported all the coal used by its power plants, resulting in an economic drain of $1.36 billion. The state's electricity generation relied on coal for over 60% of its needs, with Detroit Edison's Monroe facility identified as the most import-dependent plant. To reduce this dependence and stimulate the local economy, the document advocates for investments in energy efficiency and homegrown renewable energy, noting that Michigan has the technical potential to produce nearly twice its 2008 electricity needs from renewables, primarily wind and bioenergy.

South Carolina spent $1.1 billion on net coal imports in 2008, ranking 11th highest in total net imports in the U.S. The state relies on coal for 40.6% of its electricity generation despite having no in-state coal supplies. The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that investing in energy efficiency and homegrown renewables, such as offshore wind and solar, could redirect funds back into the local economy and improve energy independence.

The report finds that significant greenhouse gas mitigation is possible in developing countries at low or negative costs, primarily through energy efficiency and forestry. While macroeconomic analyses for countries like Mexico and South Africa suggest that low-carbon transitions can be net-positive for GDP, the report warns that technical cost curves often omit significant implementation and transaction costs. It emphasizes that low-income countries (LICs) have different drivers, focusing on co-benefits like health and energy security rather than absolute emission cuts. The document also highlights a critical knowledge gap regarding 'climate resilient growth'—how to structure economies to reduce long-term vulnerability—and calls for better integration of adaptation and mitigation strategies to avoid trade-offs.

In a 2010 statement, Lesetja Kganyago, Director General of the National Treasury, discusses the role of the rand's exchange rate in South Africa's economy. He argues that while a depreciated currency can support exports, it is not a 'silver bullet' and must be accompanied by low inflation and productivity growth to be effective. Kganyago defends the managed float regime as a necessary shock absorber and warns against a fixed exchange rate, which would sacrifice monetary sovereignty. He emphasizes that long-term competitiveness requires microeconomic reforms, including infrastructure development and education, to address structural rigidities.

The document analyzes the challenges facing the U.S. advanced biofuels industry, including the 'valley of death' between pilot projects and commercialization, volatile petroleum prices, and regulatory uncertainties. It argues that while the federal government provides essential broad-scale support, state governments are uniquely positioned to guide the industry by leveraging local geography and resources. The report proposes ten specific policy options for states, ranging from resource inventorying and sustainable feedstock guidelines to the implementation of low carbon fuel standards and interagency cooperation, highlighting examples from states like California, Oregon, and Tennessee.

The document analyzes the relationship between agricultural trade policies and food security, specifically focusing on the vulnerabilities of net food-importing developing countries (NFIDCs) during the Doha Round of WTO negotiations. It argues that while some Doha Round flexibilities primarily benefit food-producing nations, the reduction of trade-distorting domestic support in developed countries could provide long-term food security by stabilizing prices and reducing biofuel-driven crop diversion.

The author contends that nuclear power is economically unviable and inherently linked to proliferation, suggesting that a shift toward 'micropower' and energy efficiency provides a superior, profitable path to energy security and climate mitigation.

The paper examines the potential for a 'resource curse' in Ghana, noting that while strong civil society and a history of fair elections provide a democratic foundation, risks such as 'Dutch Disease', budget volatility, and a lack of transparency in oil contracts persist. It argues that the impact of oil on Ghana's democracy is ambiguous and depends on the government's ability to manage revenues through stabilisation funds and industrial policies that support economic diversification, particularly in agriculture.

The report analyzes how carbon pricing may affect the US Midwest, a region characterized by high carbon intensity due to coal dependency and a large manufacturing base. While carbon pricing could increase short-term costs for energy-intensive industries, the report argues it presents a long-term opportunity for the region to lead in low-carbon production and 'green collar' jobs. It highlights the Midwest's significant mitigation potential and the role of the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord in driving this transition.

The report assesses the impact of carbon pricing on Poland's industrial competitiveness, noting that while Poland has benefited from a favorable 1990 emissions baseline and the EU ETS, certain carbon-intensive sectors remain at risk. Due to significant data constraints, the authors identify six specific sectors for further detailed analysis to prevent carbon leakage and economic loss.

The document argues that China's reliance on resource-intensive, low-tech exports has created an environmental reputation that now acts as an economic liability. It analyzes the impact of Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures from the EU, US, and Japan, noting significant financial losses in the mechanical, electrical, textile, and agricultural sectors. The paper highlights the rise of private voluntary standards (such as ISO 14001 and HACCP) as de facto conditions of sale and recommends that the Chinese government strengthen its domestic standards regime, improve information dissemination to exporters, and foster partnerships with the private sector to transition toward a sustainable trade model.

The report argues that Argentina's energy security has been compromised by the shift of investment decisions from the state to the private sector following 1990s privatizations. This led to a reliance on natural gas for electricity generation and a failure to diversify the energy matrix. The author highlights how multinational companies, specifically Repsol-YPF, prioritized global investments over local supply security. Despite recent government efforts to promote renewables and nuclear power, the report concludes that supply security will remain precarious in the short term due to fiscal constraints, distorted price signals, and dependence on imports from Bolivia and Brazil.

The report analyzes a global energy regime in transition, driven by energy security, economic efficiency, and climate change. It highlights a 'business as usual' scenario where primary energy demand increases by 40% by 2030, dominated by fossil fuels, versus a low-carbon growth scenario requiring US$10.5 trillion in additional investments. The document emphasizes the critical roles of the U.S. and China in shaping this transition, noting that while China leads in public green investment, the U.S. focuses on 'clean energy jobs' and reducing oil dependence. It argues that a clear carbon price signal is essential to drive the private investment needed for a systemic shift toward carbon-free technologies.

The report examines energy security in Southern Africa, focusing on the need to expand electricity generation capacity and diversify away from coal. It identifies the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) as a key mechanism for regional cooperation to exploit vast hydropower potential in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mozambique. However, the report notes that urgent short-term power shortages often lead countries, especially South Africa, to rely on quicker, coal-fired solutions, creating a 'lock-in' effect. It argues that for SAPP to succeed, the region must overcome significant regulatory risks, high upfront capital costs for hydropower, and a lack of cost-reflective pricing in national utilities.