Search Climate Insights Directory

This guide, produced through a partnership between the Stockholm Environment Institute and the Vatican, outlines the interconnected ecological and social crises facing the planet. Inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical Laudato si’, the document identifies the fossil-fuel-driven economic system as the primary cause of global warming and biodiversity loss, while calling for urgent systemic changes in energy, agriculture, and consumption to protect the 'common home' and ensure social justice.

This policy brief, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute, examines the barriers to the growth of the clean cooking market in India. Based on a 2011-2012 socio-economic study in Haryana and atmospheric research in New Delhi, the document argues that the traditional biomass-burning 'chulha' remains dominant due to a lack of user-centric design in improved stoves and systemic failures in finance, distribution, and sector-wide knowledge. It recommends shifting focus from consumer subsidies toward supporting producers and integrating clean cooking as a cross-government priority.

This report details a study of household environmental problems in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), Ghana, focusing on the intersection of poverty, urban growth, and public health. Based on a survey of 1,000 households and physical testing of water and air, the study examines deficiencies in water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, pest control, food safety, and indoor air quality. It finds that poor households bear a disproportionate burden of environmental risks, which are strongly associated with childhood diarrhoea and respiratory infections.

This guide, a joint initiative by the Holy See and the Stockholm Environment Institute, provides a framework for environmental stewardship inspired by Pope Francis's encyclical 'Laudato si’'. It outlines the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, arguing that these are rooted in excessive consumption and fossil-fuel-based economic models. The document calls for a fundamental transformation of societal behaviors and economies to ensure social justice and the survival of the planet.

This media briefing by Trend Asia argues for the revocation of the permit for the Ombilin Coal-Fired Power Plant (PLTU Ombilin) in Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, citing repeated environmental violations, health impacts on local children, and a lack of transparency in government sanctions.

This report by Trend Asia, CELIOS, and CREA identifies the 20 most toxic coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) in Indonesia, termed the "Toxic Twenty." It analyzes the severe public health, economic, and environmental costs associated with these facilities, arguing that current government retirement roadmaps are insufficient and often delayed by a reliance on unproven technologies like co-firing and CCS/CCUS. The report provides detailed case studies for several plants, documenting widespread respiratory illnesses, loss of traditional livelihoods in fisheries and agriculture, and significant negative impacts on regional GDP.

This report by Trend Asia examines the planned construction of the Jawa 9 and 10 coal-fired power plants (PLTU) in Cilegon, Banten, funded by South Korean financial institutions. The document argues that the project is economically unviable, environmentally destructive, and a threat to public health, while highlighting a contradiction between South Korea's domestic climate commitments and its overseas investments in coal.

This report by Trend Asia argues that the construction of the Java 9 and 10 Coal Power Plants (CPP) in Cilegon, Banten, is a 'forced investment' that is economically unviable, environmentally destructive, and a threat to public health. The document calls for South Korean financial institutions to withdraw funding, citing a contradiction between this project and South Korea's domestic 'Green New Deal' and climate commitments.

The report 'TOXIC TWENTY' identifies the 20 most dangerous coal-fired power plants (PLTU) in Indonesia, analyzing their severe impacts on public health, the economy, and the environment. It argues that current government commitments to renewable energy are inconsistent with the continued operation and expansion of these plants. The study quantifies massive health costs and economic losses, advocating for an accelerated, just phase-out of these facilities to avoid thousands of premature deaths and billions of dollars in economic damage by 2050.

This report by Trend Asia and WALHI Jambi argues against the construction of the Jambi 1 and 2 mine-mouth coal-fired power plants (CFPP), citing an existing electricity oversupply in the region and the severe social and ecological risks associated with coal mining and power generation.

This zine by Trend Asia critiques the current state of public transportation in Jakarta, arguing that mobility is a basic human right currently undermined by political will and budget cuts. It contrasts the daily struggle of commuters with a vision of an integrated, accessible, and human-centric city, while proposing electric buses as a cost-effective alternative to diesel.

This Technical Note serves as a reference guide for conducting total cost of ownership (TCO) analyses for diesel and electric school buses, providing recommended default specifications for parameters such as procurement, maintenance, and operating costs to assist school districts and policymakers in the United States.

A World Resources Institute analysis outlines low-cost policy options for Mexico to meet its Paris Agreement commitments and long-term climate goals, highlighting significant public health and financial benefits from reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

This working paper examines zero-emission delivery zones (ZEDZs)—areas restricting unrestricted access to zero-emission delivery vehicles—as a tool to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of urban freight in U.S. and Netherlands cities.

A case study by EMBARQ/WRI and local partners analyzing the impact of different transport master plan scenarios on air pollutants and CO2 emissions in Hanoi, Vietnam.

This technical note describes the methodology for a World Resources Institute (WRI) dataset tracking electric school bus (ESB) adoption across the United States, including commitment levels, bus details, and school district socio-economic data.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute and the Beijing Transportation Institute examines Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and Congestion Charging (CC) practices in London, Singapore, and Stockholm to provide recommendations for Chinese cities seeking to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

This research paper benchmarks Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in China against international standards using 30 of 38 BRT indicators. Based on data from 59 cities across 21 countries, the paper identifies 11 design areas where Chinese systems underperform and provides recommendations to help China reach its national goal of 5,000 kilometers of BRT by 2020.

This briefing analyzes 23 subnational case studies from Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America to provide recommendations for developing electric mobility (e-mobility) roadmaps in Vietnamese cities, specifically Da Nang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City.

A report by the World Resources Institute and Equitable Cities analyzing the relationship between school bus fleet age, fuel type, and the socioeconomic characteristics of the communities they serve in the United States, with a focus on the equitable distribution of electric school buses (ESBs).