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The report assesses four fleet scenarios for the Tallinn Bus Company (TAK) up to 2020: continuing with conventional diesel, or transitioning to bioethanol (ED95), biodiesel (B100), or diesel-electric hybrids. While alternative fuels significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and external costs, they are more expensive to operate than conventional diesel. The study finds that the most cost-effective way to reduce local air pollution (PM and NOx) is simply replacing old buses with new Euro V and VI diesel models, as the emission gap between new diesel and alternative technologies has narrowed. Biodiesel offers the highest CO2 reduction potential, while hybrids provide the best fuel economy. The report recommends a diversified technology approach to mitigate risks associated with fuel prices and supply.

The document argues for the implementation of strict EPA standards on coal-fired power plant emissions, specifically targeting mercury, benzene, and arsenic. It highlights the public health risks of mercury, the ability of many plants to already adopt pollution controls, and the potential for clean energy sources like wind and solar to replace polluting plants.

The Clean Air Task Force criticizes a proposed EPA update to air emissions limits for the oil and natural gas industry, stating that while the rules make progress, they fail to directly regulate methane. The author asserts that the industry is the largest man-made source of methane in the US and that cost-effective measures to stop leaks and dumping could provide climate benefits equivalent to retiring hundreds of coal-fired generators while saving the industry over $30 million annually.

The Uniform World Model (UWM) is a simplified environmental impact assessment tool designed to calculate health impacts and damage costs from air pollution. It uses a few key input parameters and assumes a uniform distribution of receptors to provide a transparent alternative to complex 'black-box' software. The author validates the UWM by comparing its results with established models like CALPUFF, ISC3, EMEP, and GAINS across various scales and regions, including Europe, China, India, and the USA. Findings indicate that the UWM is robust, typically falling within a ±50% deviation range, and is particularly accurate for regional or continental estimates and tall stack emissions.

The document analyzes the relationship between the demand for environmental quality, government legislation, and energy transitions. Using five historical British case studies—ranging from the 17th century to the late 20th century—it argues that while markets can drive transitions under specific conditions, effective shifts to low-polluting energy sources typically require strong, sustained public demand and creative pressure groups to ensure legislation is introduced, enforced, and maintained. The author concludes that the transition to a low-carbon economy will likely require similar conditions, as current demand for climate stability may not yet be powerful enough to overcome economic counter-lobbying and political reluctance.

The document analyzes China's rapid expansion in wind power, highlighting the role of the 2006 Renewable Energy Law, the transition from concession bidding to feed-in tariffs, and the growth of domestic manufacturing.

The report analyzes transport-related emissions in Tallinn from 2000 to 2009, noting a significant increase in CO2e emissions driven primarily by private car usage. It evaluates various fiscal and regulatory measures to mitigate these impacts, with a specific focus on municipal service vehicles. The study finds that implementing eco-driving training for municipal fleets could reduce CO2e emissions by 1,330 to 2,660 tons annually and save between 0.5 and 1 million euros in fuel costs. Despite strategic goals for sustainable transport, the report concludes that Tallinn's actual progress is hindered by a continued focus on car-centric infrastructure.

The authors propose a global Pigouvian tax scheme combined with international side-payments to achieve Pareto-optimal climate policy. They argue that treating climate policy as an 'impure public good'—which provides both global climate stabilisation and local ancillary benefits (e.g., reduced air pollution)—increases the attractiveness of mitigation and provides immediate financial payback for investments. Numerical simulations show that while ancillary benefits only moderately increase the required tax rates, they expand the financial scope for international transfers. The study concludes that these immediate local benefits are critical for political support, especially for countries with high public debt, as primary climate benefits are delayed by approximately half a century.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted a report to the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) following a series of community workshops in the Karoo. The CER argues that public participation by Shell's consultants, Golder Associates, was insufficient, as only 14% of workshop attendees had participated in those meetings. The document details widespread community concerns regarding water contamination, food security, and health, while noting a regional divide where some Eastern Karoo residents welcome potential economic benefits. The CER recommends additional consultation and the creation of simplified information brochures to ensure disadvantaged communities can exercise their constitutional rights.

The 30th IAI Executive Council meeting focused on governance, strategic planning, and member engagement. Key outcomes included the election of a new Board, the establishment of a working group for a new Strategic Plan, and efforts to revitalize relationships with non-participatory member countries. The Council also discussed the synthesis of the CRN Program, balancing the continuity of established research networks with the need to recruit new scientific groups, and coordinated potential activities at the UNFCCC in Cancún.

The document outlines the financial hazards of investing in new or retrofitted coal plants in the U.S., citing competition from natural gas and renewables, rising fuel costs, and the likelihood of future carbon pricing. It highlights that coal is no longer the low-cost option it once was and that many existing plants are inefficient and ripe for retirement. The report suggests that the U.S. can replace most coal power with renewable energy, demand reduction, and natural gas within 15 to 20 years.

The report documents the negative impacts of Holcim's cement and mining activities in Latin America, focusing on the destruction of aquifers and landscapes, air pollution, and health crises. It highlights the use of 'co-processing' to incinerate hazardous waste and criticizes the role of Free Trade Agreements and international arbitration (CIADI) in protecting corporate interests over community rights. Specific cases include the criminalization of Maya Kaqchikel communities in Guatemala, the degradation of the Tunjuelo River in Bogotá, and neurotoxic acrylates emissions in Mexico. The document concludes by detailing a 2010 complaint filed against Holcim at the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal in Madrid.

The research examines the long-run dynamics of external costs associated with coal in the United Kingdom from 1700 to 2000. It finds that during the nineteenth century, the externalization of social costs rose significantly, peaking in 1891 when damages were estimated at £17.5 billion (2000 prices), or 17.3% of GDP. The author argues that this period represents a massive market failure where marginal social costs far outweighed marginal social benefits, and that government failure delayed optimal mitigation by fifty years. The paper uses this historical case to caution that current greenhouse gas emissions may follow a similar pattern of delayed government action and high social costs.

The document asserts that environmental regulations in the United States generally cost far less than predicted by industry and the EPA, while providing substantial economic and public health benefits. It challenges claims that such regulations cause widespread job losses or force firms to relocate to 'pollution havens,' citing data that environmental spending creates jobs and that actual compliance costs are often lowered by technological innovation.

The report documents a regional trend of violence against environmental defenders in Mexico and Central America linked to industrial mining. It argues that this violence stems from state failure to manage environmental impacts and a lack of protection for defenders, often exacerbated by the influence of foreign mining companies from Canada and the United States. Through case studies in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Panama, the document details threats, kidnappings, and assassinations, while recommending stronger institutional protections, the implementation of free, prior, and informed consent, and greater accountability for home states of foreign corporations.

The report documents a growing trend of repression and violence against environmental defenders in Mexico and Central America, linked to the expansion of industrial mining. It argues that this violence stems from state failure to manage environmental impacts and a lack of protection for human rights defenders, often characterized by high levels of impunity in both host and home countries of mining companies.

The report documents a regional trend of violence against environmental defenders in Mexico and Central America, linking these abuses to the social and environmental impacts of industrial mining and the failure of states to protect human rights. It provides case studies from five countries and recommends strengthening institutional protection, environmental regulations, and the right to free, prior, and informed consent.

The Institute for Policy Integrity supports the EPA's proposed actions to reduce toxic emissions from boilers and incinerators but argues that the agency should refine its cost-benefit analysis to allow for more stringent standards. The organization recommends that the EPA implement periodic energy audits, adopt a longer time horizon for analysis, and more thoroughly evaluate regulatory alternatives such as switching to cleaner fuels to maximize public health and economic benefits.

A group of economists argues that California's clean energy policies, specifically AB 32, provide economic benefits through innovation, job creation, and reduced health costs, and that delaying these actions during an economic recession would be more costly than proceeding.

A reworked analysis by the Institute for Policy Integrity indicates that transitioning large buildings in New York City away from residual heating oil could save up to 259 lives annually. The report utilizes three distinct methodologies—including nickel concentration comparisons and city data—to arrive at consistent estimates regarding the health impacts of soot and toxic chemicals released by residual oil boilers.