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The report analyzes how sustainability knowledge—comprising both substantive technical data and process-oriented expertise—influences public policy. Through six case studies, it identifies that policy impact is not linear but occurs through instrumental, interactive, political, and enlightenment models. Key success factors include the presence of high-level political 'champions', the use of stakeholder engagement to build legitimacy, and the development of long-term trust between knowledge providers and policy users. The document concludes with ten general suggestions for researchers to enhance their policy relevance, emphasizing the need to balance independent research with user-led collaboration and to communicate findings in accessible, timely formats.

The statement highlights recent oil spills in the Indian Ocean, the Philippines, and Lebanon, as well as leaks in Alaska, to illustrate the environmental risks and pollution associated with oil production and use.

The document highlights the role of school buses in reducing overall transportation emissions compared to private vehicles, while warning that diesel engine idling consumes significant fuel and poses severe health risks to children. It promotes an idle reduction curriculum developed by the Utah Clean Cities program to mitigate these impacts.

The document examines the high social, economic, and environmental costs of confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in the U.S., contrasting them with 'smart pasture operations' (SPOs) and other mid-size alternatives. It highlights how federal subsidies for grain and waste management have artificially supported CAFOs while externalizing costs such as water pollution, antibiotic resistance, and diminished rural property values. The Union of Concerned Scientists advocates for policy shifts, including the elimination of CAFO waste subsidies and stricter enforcement of the Clean Water Act and antitrust laws, to promote a more sustainable food system.

The document advocates for a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) in the United States, describing it as a market-based mechanism that requires utilities to increase the share of electricity produced from renewable sources. It highlights economic benefits, such as saving consumers money and creating rural jobs, and environmental benefits, including the reduction of carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants.

The report critiques the DfT's cost-benefit analysis for Heathrow expansion, arguing that the projected ₤9 billion in 'generated user benefits' is based on speculative and biased assumptions regarding airfare, fuel costs, and passenger demand. It contends that without these theoretical benefits, the project's costs would outweigh its benefits by ₤3-5 billion. The authors highlight ethical concerns, noting that the benefits accrue primarily to wealthy travelers and aviation investors, while the environmental and social costs are borne by local low-income communities.

The report argues that CAFOs are propped up by taxpayer subsidies and the externalization of costs related to pollution and public health. It highlights that these operations, while producing over 50% of U.S. food animals, create massive manure management problems and antibiotic resistance. The author suggests that medium-sized and pasture-based operations are cost-competitive alternatives that would be more viable if subsidies were redirected and antitrust laws were enforced.

The report analyzes the 'hidden costs' of CAFOs, including taxpayer-funded subsidies and externalized environmental and health damages. It argues that CAFOs are not more efficient than medium-sized or pasture-based alternatives but are favored by government policies and the market power of large meat processors. The document details the pollution caused by manure, the rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and the economic decline of rural communities, while proposing policy reforms to level the playing field for sustainable alternatives.

The document details a formal complaint against the IFC regarding its financing of Nicaragua Sugar Estates Limited, S.A. (NSEL). Complainants allege that NSEL's operations have caused a Chronic Renal Insufficiency (CRI) epidemic among workers, contaminated water supplies, and violated indigenous Sutiaba land rights. The complaint asserts that the IFC failed in its due diligence, miscategorized the project as Category B instead of Category A, and ignored NSEL's history of environmental and labor violations.

The document details the health risks associated with occupational exposure to diesel exhaust, specifically particulate matter, and advocates for the use of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) to retrofit older engines.

The report evaluates the human health impacts of reducing sulphur in marine fuels, comparing a 'no action' scenario with two control options: a 0.1% sulphur limit within 200 nautical miles of coastlines and a global 0.5% sulphur limit. It estimates that these controls could reduce global premature mortality from international shipping by 50-60% by 2012, saving between 41,500 and 50,000 lives annually. Using US EPA cost methodology, the Friends of the Earth International (FOEI) values these societal benefits at approximately $225 to $275 billion per year.

The National Environmental Compliance & Enforcement Report 2007-8 details a significant increase in reported environmental enforcement activities in South Africa, including a tripling of arrests and a five-fold increase in convictions compared to the previous year. It highlights systemic non-compliance across the iron, steel, and refinery sectors, alongside targeted efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade, particularly rhino horn trafficking. The report also outlines judicial precedents regarding environmental directives and the ongoing training of magistrates and prosecutors to improve the adjudication of environmental crimes.

The document is Module 5 of the Foundation Course on Air Quality Management in Asia, focusing on the impacts of common air pollutants. It details the health effects of particulate matter, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, and lead, while explaining exposure assessment and epidemiological study designs. The text also covers the economic valuation of health outcomes, the management of indoor air pollution—particularly from biomass fuels in developing countries—and the environmental effects of pollution on visibility, materials, and vegetation. Additionally, it discusses the Global Burden of Disease approach and the indirect health risks associated with climate change.

A 2007 survey of EPA scientists conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists and Iowa State University reveals widespread political interference, suppression of scientific findings, and restricted communication with the public. The findings indicate that a majority of respondents experienced political pressure, often originating from the White House Office of Management and Budget and commercial interests, leading to decreased job satisfaction and concerns over the agency's overall effectiveness in protecting human health and the environment.

The document argues for the adoption of strict NOx emission standards for ships to protect human health and the environment, proposing a two-tier reduction schedule by 2011 and 2015. It highlights that ocean-going ships contribute 15% to 30% of global NOx emissions and suggests that port States be allowed to deny entry or charge fees to ships that fail to comply with these standards.

The document presents findings from the 'Corbett and Winebrake Study', which estimates that particulate matter (PM) from ocean-going ships caused approximately 60,000 premature deaths globally in 2002. The study indicates that these deaths are expected to increase by 40% by 2012 (or 2020 in some case analyses) due to growth in shipping traffic. Regional analysis shows that Europe and the Mediterranean, East Asia, and South Asia are the most heavily impacted areas. The document argues that the societal cost of these deaths exceeds $300 billion annually based on US EPA valuations, far outweighing the costs of emission reductions. Consequently, it urges the IMO Sub-Committee on Bulk Liquids and Gases to recommend stringent emission limits for the amended MARPOL Annex VI.

Earthjustice blocked Florida Power & Light's proposal for a massive coal-fired power plant at the edge of the Florida Everglades in 2007. The Florida Public Service Commission rejected the project based on evidence regarding climate change, lack of energy conservation, and cost effectiveness. Consequently, Florida Power & Light invested $300 million in a 75 megawatt solar thermal facility, completed in 2010, which became the largest of its kind in the eastern United States.

The document argues that focusing only on new engines is insufficient to prevent a rise in global shipping NOx emissions due to low fleet turnover and rapid growth. It proposes a goal-based approach targeting 70-90% reductions for existing engines, citing technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness compared to land-based reductions. Suggested measures include technical retrofits like Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and water emulsification, as well as operational restrictions and economic incentives for older vessels.

The document explains how wind energy integrates into the New England electricity grid to displace polluting fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, oil, and coal. It highlights the importance of siting turbines in high-wind areas to maximize pollution reduction and discusses policy mechanisms like cap-and-trade and renewable portfolio standards to accelerate the transition to clean energy.

The document advocates for wind power as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and nuclear energy, particularly in New England. It details the severe environmental and health costs of conventional energy—including CO2 emissions, air pollution, water consumption, and land degradation—while positioning wind energy as a low-impact solution with minimal land footprints and no operational emissions.