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The report analyzes the extensive network of U.S. government subsidies for liquid biofuels, finding that support is pervasive across the entire supply chain. It estimates that annualized subsidies for ethanol range between $6.3 and $8.7 billion, while biodiesel support ranges from $1.7 to $2.3 billion. The author argues that these subsidies are often inefficient, particularly in terms of greenhouse gas mitigation and fossil fuel displacement, and warns that the rapid growth of the industry—driven by these incentives—may be unsustainable.

The document outlines various financial mechanisms to transition the U.S. bus fleet away from diesel. It details federal programs managed by the DOT, DOE, and EPA, as well as state-specific initiatives in Texas, California, and New York, emphasizing that combining different grants can significantly reduce the incremental cost of advanced technologies like hybrid-electric buses.

The 2006 School Bus Pollution Report Card by the Union of Concerned Scientists finds that U.S. school buses are among the oldest vehicles on the road, with an average age of nine years, and emit nearly twice as much soot per mile as tractor-trailer trucks. The report grades states on tailpipe soot emissions, smog-forming pollution, and the success of their cleanup programs. While some states like California and Washington have made significant strides in reducing soot through retrofits and cleaner fuels, national soot pollution from school buses has only decreased by more than two percent. The document highlights the vulnerability of children to diesel exhaust, which is linked to asthma and lung growth deficits, and argues that substantial federal and state investment is needed for bus replacement and the installation of particulate traps.

The document reports that engine crankcase emissions are the primary source of PM2.5 mass in conventional school bus cabins, while the tailpipe is the main source of ultrafine particles, black carbon, and particulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Research across four US cities indicates that while diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) reduce ultrafines and black carbon to ambient levels, they do not significantly reduce PM2.5. The installation of a closed-crankcase filtration device, specifically the Donaldson Spiracle™, was found to be critical and necessary to reduce cabin PM2.5 levels to near ambient levels across all tested bus and fuel combinations.

The report evaluates U.S. school bus emissions, finding that older diesel buses release significantly more soot than modern alternatives, posing health risks to children. It grades states on soot emissions, cleanup programs, and smog-forming pollution, noting wide performance gaps. The authors recommend a strategy of 'the five Rs'—retrofitting, refueling, replacement, repair, and reduced idling—and call for strengthened federal standards and increased funding to modernize fleets.

The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) outlines immediate strategies to lower U.S. crude oil demand, arguing that a 5% to 9% reduction would remove 1.0 to 1.8 million barrels per day from the global market. Proposed measures include reducing speed limits for non-Class 8 vehicles to 60 MPH, increasing the federal Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) for trucks to 110,000 lbs, and mandating Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) for new Class 8 tractors. RMI suggests these actions, combined with increased biofuel procurement and the adoption of 'total-flex' vehicle technology, would restore global excess capacity to 2.5 to 3.8 million barrels per day, thereby reducing price volatility.

The report quantifies the health damages caused by diesel particulate matter (PM2.5) and other emissions across the U.S., highlighting significant risks of premature death, lung cancer, and respiratory illness. It estimates that 21,000 people die prematurely each year in the U.S. due to mobile diesel sources. The document proposes a three-phase retrofit strategy to reduce diesel PM by 85% by 2020, which could avoid approximately 91,000 premature deaths by 2030. It identifies urban areas and 'hotspots'—such as near bus depots and highways—as having significantly higher risks than rural areas. The report also details the effectiveness of retrofit technologies, such as diesel particulate filters (DPF) and closed crankcase filtration, particularly for improving air quality inside school buses.

The document examines the ongoing WTO negotiations on environmental goods, noting that current proposed lists of goods for liberalization primarily benefit developed countries, who account for 79 per cent of exports. To create a more balanced outcome, the author suggests expanding the definition of environmental goods to include environmentally preferable products (EPPs) of export interest to developing countries—specifically non-timber forest products and natural fibre products—and implementing Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) provisions such as delayed compliance and less-than-full reciprocity.

The document outlines various biomass sources, including residues and perennial energy crops like switchgrass, and describes conversion technologies ranging from direct combustion to fuel cells. It argues that expanding biomass production can revitalize rural economies and protect land quality while potentially providing a significant share of U.S. electricity and motor fuel.

The guide outlines a 45-minute workshop designed to initiate local idle reduction programs in school districts. It argues that while school buses are safer and more efficient than private cars, diesel exhaust poses significant health risks, particularly to children. The curriculum focuses on debunking myths about idling, explaining the health impacts of particulate matter, and providing implementation strategies such as policy enforcement and the use of auxiliary heaters.

The document analyzes the French corporate duty of vigilance law passed on March 23, 2017, which requires large companies to prevent human rights and environmental violations in their supply chains. It uses case studies involving Total's palm oil biorefinery, Société Générale's financing of LNG terminals in the US, and French supermarkets' banana sourcing in Ecuador to demonstrate the law's necessity. The report concludes by advocating for a binding UN treaty to internationalize these standards and ensure victims' access to justice globally.

The report examines the ecohydrological impacts of agricultural expansion in the La Plata Basin. In the Pampas, it identifies optimal groundwater depths for corn, soybean, and wheat, and suggests that replacing pastures with annual crops increases flooding risk. In the Chaco-Espinal region, agricultural conversion has led to deep groundwater recharge, salt mobilization, and the emergence of 'new rivers'. In Paraguay, deforestation of the Atlantic Forest increased river water yield from 40% to nearly 70% of rainfall inputs. The report also argues that harvesting biomass from fire-prone dry forests for bioelectricity is more carbon-efficient than soybean biodiesel, which causes significant emissions due to land-use change.

The report outlines a pathway for Lao PDR to reach net zero emissions by 2050, utilizing LEAP and NEMO modelling to compare a Baseline Scenario with a transformative Net Zero Scenario. Key findings highlight the necessity of diversifying the energy mix beyond hydropower, electrifying transport and cooking, and implementing carbon removal technologies. The analysis emphasizes that while hydropower remains dominant, the country must scale up solar, wind, and biomass to ensure resilience against climate-induced droughts. Achieving the target requires significant infrastructure upgrades, including grid modernization and the deployment of direct air capture (DAC) to offset residual industrial and agricultural emissions. The report also addresses critical economic challenges, such as high public debt and currency depreciation, and recommends strengthening regional cooperation through the ASEAN Power Grid and the APAEC framework.

The report analyzes the energy transition of the Galápagos Islands, focusing on the total elimination of fossil fuels by 2040. It evaluates four demand sectors—residential, commercial/public, land transport, and maritime transport—and proposes three levels of policy ambition (Low, Medium, and High). Key strategies include replacing LPG with induction stoves and solar water heaters, electrifying land transport, and implementing a mix of slow steaming, wind-assisted propulsion, and biofuels for the maritime fleet. On the supply side, the report models the transition to 100% renewable electricity using solar PV, wind, Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), and geothermal energy. It concludes that while technological substitutions are generally cost-effective, structural infrastructure changes in buildings are not. The report also highlights the role of national subsidies and proposes an 'Eco Tax' for tourists to fund the transition.