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Reducing Nitrogen Losses in US Row-Crop Agriculture: Challenges, Solutions, and Policy Pathways
The paper identifies that nitrous oxide from agricultural soils constitutes about half of U.S. agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, with a combined soil and fertilizer production footprint of 346 million tonnes of CO2e in 2022. It proposes a technical toolkit for reducing losses—including soil testing, precision application, and cover crops—and suggests reducing nitrogen-intensive end uses like corn for ethanol. To scale these efforts, the author recommends a philanthropy-backed coalition (CLEAR) and a federal National Nitrogen Initiative that updates NRCS Practice 590 to tie payments to verified outcomes based on nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen balance.
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Document type: Research paper
A Roadmap for Michigan’s EV Future: An Assessment of the Employment Effects and Just Transition Needs
The report analyzes the economic and health impacts of the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) in Michigan, projecting significant job growth and consumer savings if the state proactively adopts supportive policies. While the overall state economy is expected to grow, the transition will cause job shifts away from internal combustion engine manufacturing and maintenance, necessitating targeted policies to ensure an equitable transition for workers and low-income communities.
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Document type: Report
Reducing Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Development: Strategies for State-level Policymakers
The document argues that reducing natural gas leakage to 1% or less of total production is a cost-effective and achievable benchmark that ensures natural gas remains less climate-intensive than coal, diesel, and gasoline. It emphasizes that the rapid increase in US natural gas production, driven by hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, necessitates state and federal regulation across the supply chain to address climate and air quality concerns. The paper offers practical solutions, case studies, and model rules to help state officials structure policies and comply with Clean Air Act standards.
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Document type: Research paper
Driving Forward on a Clean Ride for Kids
The document argues that electric school buses (ESBs) improve air quality and reduce operating costs compared to diesel buses, which contribute to respiratory illnesses and school absenteeism. It highlights the Clean School Bus Program (CSBP) as the primary driver of deployment, having announced nearly $3 billion for 966 awards as of June 2024. To sustain progress, the author recommends that the EPA disburse all awarded funds, Congress preserve specific tax credits, and state governments provide complementary funding, infrastructure support, and workforce training.
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Document type: Briefing
Creating Value Through Ecosystem Service Management in Urban and Suburban Landscapes
The document argues that conventional landscaping practices in the United States fail to leverage the full range of ecosystem services provided by managed landscapes, such as residential lawns and golf courses. It proposes a conceptual framework to quantify and value seven specific ecosystem services—including carbon sequestration and water retention—to guide design and management decisions.
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Document type: Briefing
International Case Studies on Public Communication and Consultation Strategies for Low Emission Zones and Congestion Charging Schemes
The document examines public communication strategies for Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and Congestion Charging (CC) across 10 cases in Europe, Asia, and the United States. It identifies two primary consultation types—scientific/professional and consultative/political—and emphasizes that communication must be integrated into the policy design process from the feasibility stage. The paper provides a set of recommendations for implementing these schemes in China, highlighting the need for proactive public education, early stakeholder engagement, and the use of exemptions to manage opposing views.
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Document type: Research paper
Agriculture and Climate Change
The document provides recommendations for the 2007 Farm Bill to better integrate greenhouse gas mitigation into U.S. agricultural policy, specifically calling for the inclusion of nitrous oxide and methane reductions and the assessment of environmental tradeoffs in conservation programs.
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Document type: Fact sheet
WRI and e-Mobility
The transport sector accounts for 24% of global CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, with road transport comprising nearly three-quarters of that total. To limit global warming to 1.5 °C, the IPCC projects the transport sector must be zero-emission by 2050. WRI employs a systems-thinking approach to decarbonization, focusing on eight key areas: clean energy integration, roadmapping and policy, fleet electrification, sustainable e-mobility, integrated climate planning, equitable transition, consumer behavior, and sustainable materials. WRI's global team of over 100 experts provides research, implementation support, and stakeholder coordination to ensure the transition enhances social equity and minimizes ecological damage.
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Document type: Fact sheet
THE PROMISE OF AN URBAN WORLD
The WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities employs an integrated approach combining data-driven research and long-term city partnerships to address urban challenges in land use, mobility, and energy efficiency. The organization focuses on the global south, implementing projects such as low-emission zones in Beijing, sustainable housing standards in Brazil, and last-mile mobility solutions in Bengaluru. Its strategy emphasizes scaling road-tested solutions through national policy guidance and global coalitions to help cities decarbonize and improve equitable access to core services.
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Document type: Report