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Electricity Transition in 2022
In 2022, global electricity reached its lowest emissions intensity ever at 436 gCO2/kWh, with wind and solar hitting a record 12% of generation. Despite this, total power sector CO2 emissions reached a record high of 12,431 mtCO2 because wind and solar growth could not fully keep pace with a 2.5% increase in global electricity demand. This gap was filled by coal and other fossils, with coal generation rising by 108 TWh to a record 10,186 TWh. While clean electricity sources other than wind and solar saw their first year-on-year decline since 2011 due to nuclear outages and droughts, 2022 is characterized as an 'accelerator year' due to policy shifts like the EU's REPowerEU and the US Inflation Reduction Act.
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Document type: Report
Le dernier rapport sur la tarification du carbone du DPB présente de grosses lacunes
The Canadian Climate Institute argues that the Parliamentary Budget Officer's (PBO) analysis of carbon pricing is flawed because it ignores the economic costs of climate change and the global shift toward carbon neutrality. While acknowledging the PBO's finding that 80% of households in most provinces benefit from rebates, the Institute asserts that the PBO uses a fictitious scenario of zero climate consequences and fails to account for the risk to Canada's competitiveness and exports in a world where 92% of global GDP comes from countries targeting carbon neutrality.
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Document type: Statement
Climate Solutions Reporting Guide
The guide argues that climate coverage must move beyond focusing solely on the problem to show that the crisis is solvable, emphasizing evidence-based solutions journalism. It outlines a framework for reporting on government policies, business practices, technological mitigation and adaptation, civil society actions, and cultural influences. The document warns reporters to prioritize the political and economic battles over 'techno-fixes' and to highlight the urgency for marginalized communities who suffer disproportionately from climate impacts.
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Document type: Guide
Closing the Gap: Delivering on the U.S. Nationally Determined Contribution
The U.S. aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030. While the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provide significant reductions, a gap of approximately 810 million tonnes CO2e remains. The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) proposes a 'high impact' scenario leveraging Clean Air Act regulatory authority and agriculture/forestry spending to close this gap.
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Document type: Report
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Frequently Asked Questions
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) presents a critical overview of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), asserting that the technology overpromises on emission reductions while introducing significant safety risks and high costs. The document highlights the 'energy penalty'—the extra energy required to power capture equipment—and notes that most existing projects are used for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), which can increase overall emissions. It warns that a large-scale CCS buildout in the United States would require an unrealistic and dangerous expansion of pipeline infrastructure. Furthermore, the text argues that CCS is unnecessary for 'hard to abate' industrial sectors, where electrification and demand reduction are more viable, and critiques 'blue hydrogen' as a means to prolong fossil fuel dependence. The document concludes that global capture capacity is negligible compared to total emissions and that public subsidies, such as the US 45Q tax credit, inappropriately support the fossil fuel economy.
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Document type: Fact sheet
The Future of the Trucking Industry: Electric Semi-Trucks
The document outlines the transition of the U.S. trucking industry toward electric semi-trucks, highlighting public health benefits and lower total cost of ownership against challenges like high upfront costs and limited charging infrastructure. It details how federal laws, such as the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as well as state-level initiatives, are working to achieve cost parity with diesel vehicles and expand charging networks.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Global Electricity Review 2023
In 2022, wind and solar reached a record 12% share of global electricity, driving carbon intensity to a record low of 436 gCO2/kWh. However, absolute power sector emissions reached an all-time high of 12,431 mtCO2 because clean power growth did not fully meet rising global demand, which grew by 2.5% (+694 TWh). While coal generation rose by 1.1% to a record 10,186 TWh, the report forecasts that 2023 could be the first year of structural decline in fossil generation and the peak for power sector emissions. The analysis highlights a significant gap between current growth and the IEA NZE pathway, which requires wind and solar to reach 41% of global generation by 2030.
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Document type: Report
NATIONWIDE IMPACTS OF CALIFORNIA’S ADVANCED CLEAN CARS II RULE
The report finds that if all 177 States adopting California's standards implement the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) rule, U.S. emissions could be reduced by 1,310 million metric tons of CO2e by 2050. This adoption would lead to three-quarters of U.S. cars being electric vehicles (EVs) by 2050, creating nearly 300,000 jobs and saving households an average of $238 annually. The analysis emphasizes that while the IRA provides near-term incentives, the ACC II mandate is necessary for long-term electrification goals. Case studies for Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York highlight significant state-level benefits, including substantial reductions in asthma attacks and premature deaths, particularly in communities of color.
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Document type: Report
SMART DESIGN OF 45V HYDROGEN PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT WILL REDUCE EMISSIONS AND GROW THE INDUSTRY
The report examines the implementation of the Section 45V hydrogen production tax credit from the Inflation Reduction Act. It argues that loose guidance on emissions accounting could lead to significant increases in greenhouse gas emissions and create an industry reliant on subsidies. The authors propose a framework based on three principles: additionality (requiring new clean energy sources), deliverability (requiring local, physically deliverable power), and time-matching (requiring hourly alignment of production and generation). Financial analysis of test sites in Texas, Minnesota, and Houston suggests that projects adhering to these strict standards remain profitable, particularly in regions with high wind and solar resource quality.
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Document type: Report
Who is most supportive of the Inflation Reduction Act?
The report finds that while a majority of Americans (57%) have heard little or nothing about the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), 68% of registered voters support it after learning about its goals. Support is particularly high among Black Americans (78%), Gen Z/Millennials (78%), and women (75%), groups that were also among the least familiar with the law. Politically, support is strongest among liberal Democrats (97%) and moderate/conservative Democrats (91%), while conservative Republicans are the least supportive (23%) despite having relatively high initial awareness.
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Document type: Research paper
Who is most supportive of the IRA?
The report finds that while a majority of registered voters (57%) have heard little or nothing about the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), 68% support the law after learning about its goals. Support is particularly high among Black Americans, women, Gen Z/Millennials, and lower-income individuals, who are also among the groups least familiar with the legislation. Politically, the IRA sees strong support from liberal Democrats (97%), moderate/conservative Democrats (91%), and liberal/moderate Republicans (66%), while conservative Republicans are the least supportive (23%).
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Document type: Report
Clean Energy 101: Geothermal Heat Pumps
Geothermal heat pumps (GHPs) use the constant temperature of the earth to provide efficient heating and cooling with zero direct emissions. While installation costs are higher than fossil fuel alternatives, the Inflation Reduction Act provides tax credits and rebates that can reduce these costs by up to 50%. In the U.S. Midwest, GHPs can reduce emissions by 85-90% compared to gas or propane furnaces and use approximately 80% less energy annually. The document highlights 'networked geothermal' systems for campuses and neighborhoods as a way to achieve over 500% efficiency and lower individual costs through economies of scale.
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Document type: Fact sheet
NGO letter against MERP repeal HR 1
The document is a letter from various NGOs to the U.S. House of Representatives arguing against the repeal of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP). The authors contend that MERP is essential for cutting oil and gas methane emissions, protecting public health, and stimulating economic growth through a waste emissions charge and $1.55 billion in funding for emission controls.
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Document type: Statement
Embodied carbon 101
Embodied carbon, which accounts for 11 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, refers to the emissions released during the lifecycle of building materials. Reduction strategies include using carbon-storing materials like mass timber, adopting 3D printing and robotic automation, and implementing material efficiency through modular construction. In the US, the Inflation Reduction Act provides nearly $10 billion for reducing embodied carbon, while several states have adopted 'Buy Clean' laws. RMI research indicates that low-cost embodied carbon solutions can reduce emissions by 19 to 46 percent with cost premiums under 1 percent.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Les priorités environnementales à surveiller dans le budget 2023
The Canadian Climate Institute identifies two main priorities for the 2023 federal budget: attracting clean investment to compete with the US Inflation Reduction Act and expanding the electrical grid. It recommends using carbon contracts for difference instead of direct subsidies and implementing an 'electro-federalism' approach to coordinate grid improvements with provinces.
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Document type: Statement
Advancing Zero-Emission Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles and Environmental Justice Through the Inflation Reduction Act
The document details various funding mechanisms under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) aimed at decarbonizing medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDV) and reducing pollution in disadvantaged communities. It categorizes these incentives into EPA-administered grants—including $3 billion for port equipment, $1 billion for clean heavy-duty vehicles, and $26.97 billion for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund—and IRS-administered tax credits for commercial clean vehicles and refueling infrastructure.
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Document type: Guide
NGO letter against MERP repeal bill
A coalition of NGOs opposes the repeal of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP) via H.R. 1141, arguing that the program's waste emissions charge and funding for mitigation are essential for climate goals, public health, and job creation.
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Document type: Statement
Optimiser la boîte à outils politique du Canada pour viser la croissance propre
The author contends that while carbon pricing is a vital tool, Canada needs a broader strategic framework to address market failures—such as fossil fuel subsidies and high initial capital costs—and to respond to international competition like the US Inflation Reduction Act. The paper suggests combining carbon pricing with targeted public incentives, a clean investment taxonomy, and sector-specific growth strategies to attract private capital efficiently without excessive or scattered public spending.
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Document type: Research paper
Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics & Policy
The report finds broad support among registered U.S. voters for clean energy research, tax rebates for energy efficiency, and conservation policies, though views on offshore drilling and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 vary by political affiliation. While many voters believe corporations and government should do more to address global warming, few have engaged in significant political action in the past year, and only 11% believe the U.S. government is responding well to the issue.
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Document type: Report
Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics & Policy
A survey of 861 registered U.S. voters in Spring 2023 reveals broad support for clean energy research, tax rebates for energy efficiency, and local climate-friendly infrastructure. While 71% support the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 after reading a description, only 11% believe the U.S. government is responding well to global warming. There is a significant gap between the willingness of voters to take political action and their actual engagement over the past year.
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Document type: Report