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The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of the Life After Coal Campaign, asserts that the CSIR's alternative IRP and the DoE's draft IRP omit substantial externalities associated with coal and nuclear energy. The letter highlights an estimated R33 billion annual economic cost from air pollution due to coal-fired generation and argues that water consumption figures are underestimated or based on inaccurate data. It further notes that the circulating fluidised bed combustion technology planned for the Thabametsi power station results in significant nitrous oxide emissions, making it 60% worse in GHG emission intensity than the Medupi and Kusile stations. Finally, the CER demands the inclusion of nuclear decommissioning, fuel storage, and insurance costs to ensure a fair assessment of energy options.

The document examines the state of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), detailing the differences between battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). It highlights the U.S. market's heavy reliance on California due to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program and specific state incentives. The text analyzes the economic benefits of PEVs, noting lower fuel and maintenance costs compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, and discusses the critical role of charging infrastructure and falling battery prices. Globally, it notes the leadership of China and Europe in PEV sales and the aspirational phase-out targets for gasoline cars in countries like Norway and India.

The report analyzes the challenges facing Shanxi province as it transitions away from coal, highlighting the tension between national environmental goals and provincial economic dependence. It uses international case studies to argue that successful transition requires a comprehensive approach combining economic diversification, infrastructure investment, and social welfare to prevent long-term regional decline.

Scientists for Global Responsibility urges UK political leaders to prioritize climate action through home energy conservation, renewable energy, and energy storage, while ending subsidies for fossil fuels and new nuclear power commitments.

The document argues against the year-round use of E15 (15% ethanol, 85% gasoline), stating that increasing ethanol proportions during the ozone season leads to higher smog and ground-level ozone, which impairs lung function. It further claims that corn ethanol production has caused the loss of over 7 million acres of grassland, degraded water quality via farm runoff, and may have higher life-cycle GHG emissions than gasoline unless specific biomass heat sources are used in biorefineries.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) advocates for a National Cycling Strategy to address three public health crises: the rise of chronic diseases, the health costs of air pollution, and the global threat of climate change. The document highlights that active transportation can integrate exercise into daily routines, reduce the $10 billion annual cost of air pollution in Canada, and lower emissions from the transportation sector, which accounts for approximately 25% of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions.

The document details the health impacts of oil and gas industry air pollution in Texas, noting that toxic emissions increase cancer risks in 82 counties and ozone smog causes approximately 145,000 annual asthma attacks in children. It highlights that 2.3 million Texans and over 900 schools are located within a half-mile of active operations, and argues that the suspension of EPA standards for leak inspections further endangers the population.

The report exposes the destructive nature of irresponsible rayon production, detailing water and air pollution, worker fatalities, and severe health issues in Asia. It identifies a direct link between these polluting factories—operated by conglomerates like Aditya Birla and Lenzing—and major global brands such as H&M, Zara, and ASOS. The document argues that while rayon is often marketed as a 'green' alternative, its current chemical-intensive production is unsustainable, and calls for brands to use their purchasing power to force a transition to closed-loop, non-toxic manufacturing systems.

The report exposes severe pollution from viscose production in Asia, where manufacturers dump untreated wastewater and emit toxic gases, impacting local health and ecosystems. It identifies direct sourcing links between these polluting sites and major brands like H&M and Zara, arguing that the 'green' image of viscose is misleading due to the use of hazardous chemicals like carbon disulphide. The authors call for a transition to closed-loop production systems and mandatory supply chain due diligence.

The report details how the viscose industry in China, India, and Indonesia causes severe water and air pollution, leading to health crises like cancer and birth deformities in local communities. It identifies a lack of transparency in fashion supply chains and argues that a small group of dominant producers, pressured by major brands, could rapidly transition the industry toward closed-loop, non-toxic production systems.

The report details how the rapid growth of the viscose industry in China, India, and Indonesia has led to severe water and air pollution, causing health crises such as cancer and birth defects in local communities. It identifies a lack of transparency in the fashion supply chain and finds that major brands, including H&M, Zara (Inditex), and ASOS, source materials from these polluting factories. The document argues that because the industry is highly concentrated—with 70% of global viscose produced by ten factories—major brands have the leverage to force a transition toward closed-loop production systems and less toxic chemicals.

The report examines the challenges of coal transition in Shanxi, China, where high economic dependence on coal conflicts with national environmental goals. It analyzes international experiences—specifically South Wales (UK), Asturias (Spain), and Kentucky (USA)—to suggest a comprehensive approach that balances economic diversification, infrastructure improvement, and social protection to mitigate unemployment and community decline.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) is calling for a meeting with the Department of Environmental Affairs to address evidence of widespread non-compliance by Eskom power stations with their atmospheric emission licences (AELs). Based on a report by Professor Eugene Cairncross analyzing data from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016, the CER identifies multiple stations likely exceeding PM10, NOx, and SO2 limits. The CER argues that Eskom is the largest emitter in the Highveld Priority Area and recommends stricter reporting requirements, including the use of daily average concentrations rather than monthly aggregates, to accurately monitor compliance.

The study finds that a significant portion of diesel vehicle emissions in 11 major markets exceed certification limits, contributing to 38,000 premature deaths globally in 2015. Heavy-duty vehicles are the primary source of these excess emissions. Implementing next-generation standards beyond Euro 6/VI could avoid approximately 174,000 premature deaths by 2040.

The document analyzes two clean energy scenarios for Bangladesh: a short-term 'Clean Energy Policy 1' and a long-term 'Clean Energy Policy 2'. It finds that transitioning to clean energy can significantly reduce emissions, create thousands of jobs, and save lives by reducing air pollution, all while remaining cost-effective relative to conventional fossil fuel generation.

The report identifies 15 subsidy policies for Indonesia's coal industry, estimating subsidies at US$946 million in 2014 and US$644 million in 2015. In contrast, renewable energy subsidies were US$36 million in 2014 and US$133 million in 2015. While per-unit subsidies are similar, the report argues that coal's true cost is much higher when external costs from air pollution and carbon emissions—estimated at US$6 cents per kWh—are included. It concludes that Indonesia's energy policy should shift toward a larger share of renewables to reduce long-term societal costs.

The report finds that while coal may appear cheaper on a per-unit basis when considering only generation costs and subsidies, its "true cost" is significantly higher than that of renewable energy once environmental and health externalities are included. In 2015, subsidies to coal were estimated at USD 644 million, nearly five times the USD 133 million provided to renewables. The authors argue that Indonesia's energy policy should shift toward increasing the share of renewable energy and reducing coal to lower the long-term cost to society.

A coalition of medical experts and environmental advocates calls on Greater Manchester mayoral candidates to prioritize public health by meeting legal air pollution limits by 2020. The letter highlights the severe health impacts of air pollution in the region, noting that legal limits are exceeded in every local authority from Wigan to Stockport. The authors propose the implementation of Clean Air Zones and increased investment in public transport, walking, and cycling, while calling for a new national Clean Air Act to establish the right to breathe clean air in UK law.

A coalition of medical experts and environmental organizations calls on Liverpool City Region mayoral candidates to prioritize public health by ensuring the region meets legal air pollution limits by 2020 through the use of Clean Air Zones and increased investment in sustainable transport.

A coalition of health and environmental experts calls on West Midlands mayoral candidates to implement Clean Air Zones and invest in sustainable transport to address widespread air pollution. The letter highlights that legal pollution limits are exceeded in every local authority in the region, contributing to cardiovascular disease and asthma, and urges candidates to support a new national Clean Air Act.