Search Climate Insights Directory

This report details the second phase (2015–2016) of the Breede Catchment Water Stewardship Programme in South Africa's Western Cape, a partnership between WWF-SA, Woolworths, M&S, GIZ, and the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS). The project focused on transitioning from on-farm water risk identification to collective action, specifically addressing urban water quality in townships, invasive alien plant clearing in mountainous areas, and the application of the AWS Standard to agriculture.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted recommendations to the Department of Environmental Affairs to amend the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA): National Appeal Regulations, 2014. The CER argues that the current regulations may violate the right to just administrative action under the Constitution and the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, 2000 (PAJA), specifically regarding restrictive timeframes and procedural fairness for interested and affected parties (I&APs).

This report examines how the Green Climate Fund (GCF) can better support urban areas in achieving a paradigm shift toward low-emission and climate-resilient development. It identifies significant barriers facing cities—particularly in the developing world—including limited technical capacity, restricted access to international finance, and high fiduciary requirements. The authors propose three primary access modalities for GCF funding: utilizing unconventional implementing entities, accrediting cities as implementing entities themselves, and employing an Enhanced Direct Access (EDA) approach, potentially through a National City Facility.

This policy brief by Energy Innovation argues that avoiding catastrophic climate change requires the 20 largest carbon-emitting countries to rapidly implement a specific set of well-designed, sector-specific energy policies. The author emphasizes that the next 15 years are crucial to prevent irreversible damage and runaway feedback loops, suggesting that the use of 'Best Practice Networks' (BPNs) can provide the technical expertise necessary for countries to design and implement these policies effectively.

This research paper argues that regulators should shift from traditional measure-by-measure energy efficiency tracking to outcome-oriented, economy-wide metrics when tying utility compensation to performance. The authors contend that outcome-oriented metrics are more transparent, easier to monitor, and better aligned with broad policy goals, while reducing the administrative burden and regulatory conflict associated with uncertain savings estimates.

This white paper proposes a Performance Incentive Mechanism (PIM) to encourage utilities to prioritize peak load reduction over capital-intensive infrastructure expansion. The author recommends using an outcome-oriented metric—specifically percentage reduction in peak load—and a sloped, symmetrical compensation structure with upper and lower caps to align utility incentives with system efficiency and customer value.

A letter dated March 2, 2016, addressed to Arizona Governor Douglas Ducey from a coalition of energy and environmental organizations, urging the state to maximize energy efficiency investments to meet Clean Power Plan compliance goals cost-effectively.

A letter dated March 2, 2016, addressed to Governor Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, urging the state to maximize investments in energy efficiency to meet Clean Power Plan goals cost-effectively.

A letter dated March 2, 2016, addressed to Governor John Hickenlooper of Colorado, urging the state to maximize investments in energy efficiency to meet Clean Power Plan compliance limits. The letter, signed by a coalition of industry and policy organizations, argues that energy efficiency is the most cost-effective method for reducing emissions and lowering consumer costs.

A letter dated March 2, 2016, addressed to Florida Governor Richard Scott from a coalition of energy and environmental organizations, urging the state to maximize energy efficiency investments to meet Clean Power Plan goals cost-effectively.

A letter dated March 2, 2016, addressed to Governor Nathan Deal of Georgia, urging the state to maximize investments in energy efficiency to meet Clean Power Plan goals cost-effectively.

A letter dated March 2, 2016, addressed to Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner from a coalition of energy and environmental organizations, urging the state to prioritize energy efficiency as the most cost-effective strategy for complying with the Clean Power Plan.

A letter dated March 2, 2016, addressed to Governor Mike Pence of Indiana, urging the state to maximize investments in energy efficiency to meet Clean Power Plan goals cost-effectively.

A letter from a coalition of organizations to the Governor of Kansas urging the state to maximize investments in energy efficiency to meet Clean Power Plan goals cost-effectively.

A letter from a coalition of energy and environmental organizations to Governor Matt Bevin of Kentucky, urging the state to maximize investments in energy efficiency to meet Clean Power Plan goals cost-effectively.

A letter from a coalition of energy and environmental organizations to Governor John Bel Edwards urging Louisiana to maximize investments in energy efficiency to meet Clean Power Plan goals cost-effectively.

A letter from a coalition of organizations to Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan urging the state to maximize energy efficiency investments to meet Clean Power Plan compliance goals cost-effectively.

A letter dated March 2, 2016, addressed to Governor Mark Dayton of Minnesota, urging the state to maximize investments in energy efficiency to meet Clean Power Plan compliance goals cost-effectively.

A letter dated March 2, 2016, addressed to Governor Phil Bryant of Mississippi, urging the state to maximize investments in energy efficiency to meet Clean Power Plan goals cost-effectively.

A letter from a coalition of energy and environmental organizations to the Governor of Montana urging the state to maximize investments in energy efficiency to meet Clean Power Plan compliance limits cost-effectively.