Search Climate Insights Directory

The report finds that the 2025 Reconciliation bill would significantly increase household energy costs, lead to substantial job losses, and increase greenhouse gas emissions by repealing clean energy incentives and EPA standards. Despite proposed increases in oil and gas production, the analysis suggests that higher demand for fossil fuels and the loss of low-cost renewable capacity would raise overall energy spending and decrease GDP.

The Build Back Better Act's methane fee is projected to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions by 172 million metric tons of CO2e annually by 2050, accounting for 65 percent of the Act's total industrial GHG reductions. The fee is expected to create approximately 70,000 jobs and add over $250 billion to the U.S. GDP by 2050. With abatement costs for over 95 percent of the potential being under $40/ton CO2e, the total cost to the oil and gas industry—including fee payments and abatement measures—is estimated at $133 billion, representing only 0.77 percent of projected industry revenues.

The report finds that 15.3% of global agricultural production, approximately 1.2 billion tonnes, is lost at the farm stage, with an estimated economic value of $370 billion. It challenges the assumption that losses are primarily a low-income country issue, noting that higher- and middle-income countries are responsible for 58% of global harvest losses. Environmental impacts are significant, including 2.2 gigatonnes of CO2 eq. emissions, 760 km3 of freshwater withdrawals, and 4.4 million km2 of land use, with meat and animal products having a disproportionately high impact. The report identifies a complex web of direct drivers (biological, agronomic, and technological) and indirect drivers (market structure, governance, and human factors) and argues for synchronized, holistic interventions rather than isolated technical fixes.

The report highlights a critical gap in Brazil's Feasibility Studies (EVTEA) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), which often ignore indirect environmental effects of transportation projects. Using a 'market access' approach, the authors demonstrate that infrastructure improvements can drive deforestation far from the project site by reducing freight costs and incentivizing agricultural expansion. For example, while the Ferrogrão railroad may reduce direct carbon emissions, its indirect impact is estimated to increase deforestation by 2,000 km², releasing over 60 million tCOe. The report recommends that policymakers use geoprocessing and statistical tools to identify these broader areas of influence to ensure sustainable infrastructure development.

The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that over one-third of US nuclear plants are unprofitable or scheduled to close, primarily due to low natural gas prices. Without new policies, early retirements could increase power sector carbon emissions by 4% to 6% by 2035 as plants are replaced by natural gas and coal. The report argues that national carbon pricing or a low-carbon electricity standard would preserve existing nuclear capacity, diversify the energy mix, and significantly reduce emissions with minimal impact on household electricity bills. It further recommends that any financial support for distressed plants be contingent on high safety performance ratings from the NRC and transparency in financial reporting.

The report proposes a two-step strategy to improve the efficiency of Class-8 tractor-trailers. Step 1 focuses on technological improvements in aerodynamics, tire rolling resistance, and powertrain efficiency, which could increase fuel economy from 6.5 to 12.3 mpg. Step 2 examines the use of 'turnpike doubles'—long combination vehicles (LCVs) with two 48-foot trailers and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 120,000 pounds—to increase freight productivity. Together, these measures could raise ton-mile efficiency by a factor of approximately 2.5, potentially saving 4 billion gallons of diesel fuel and 45 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually for the U.S. fleet.