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The document analyzes how two climate scenarios, Radical Emissions Reduction (RER) and High-end Climate Change (HCC), impact four Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the stability of Saudi Arabia and Nigeria. Under RER, the transition to meet Paris Agreement targets may trigger food-versus-fuel conflicts, gender-based violence from biofuel-driven displacement, and geopolitical instability in oil-dependent states. Conversely, the HCC scenario suggests that climate-driven agricultural failure and water scarcity would exacerbate armed conflicts, global inequality, and the influence of extremist groups. The authors argue that the short-term geopolitical costs of rapid climate action must be integrated into national policy formulation to manage risks effectively.

The document traces the evolution of octane sources in the U.S., from the use of tetraethyl lead to petroleum-based aromatics (BTEX) and ethanol. It details the health risks associated with lead and BTEX, the regulatory phase-outs mandated by the EPA under the Clean Air Act, and the potential for mid-level ethanol blends (E25 to E40) to enable more fuel-efficient engines and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

The document traces the evolution of octane boosters in the United States, from the early use of tetraethyl lead to the current reliance on the BTEX complex and ethanol. It details how health concerns—such as lead poisoning in children and groundwater contamination from MTBE—led to regulatory phase-outs under the Clean Air Act and its amendments. The author argues that increasing ethanol blends (specifically mid-level blends between E25 and E40) can enhance engine efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce the health risks associated with petroleum-based aromatics.

The report identifies significant barriers to the adoption of sustainability certifications for biofuels, particularly for producers using agricultural or forest feedstocks and those operating in developing countries. Key challenges include a lack of flexibility in indicators to meet local conditions, high certification costs without guaranteed market premiums, and auditor inexperience with new social requirements. Conversely, producers using non-agricultural or non-forest wastes find the process simpler. The study recommends regional adaptation of standards and the creation of secure, large-scale markets to incentivize certification.

The FY 2017 budget proposal seeks to increase clean energy R&D funding to $12.8 billion by 2021, featuring a $10.25-per-barrel crude oil tax to fund sustainable transportation and significant increases for the Department of Energy's renewable energy and efficiency programs. It also includes $1.3 billion for the Global Climate Change Initiative and $291 million for Power Africa, while targeting a 83 percent reduction in domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The document analyzes the evolution of ethanol use in the U.S., noting that while E10 blends have reduced oil dependence, corn-based ethanol causes significant environmental damage and can spike global food prices. It argues for a shift toward advanced biofuels derived from wastes, agricultural residues, and perennial crops to lower lifecycle emissions and protect biodiversity. The report forecasts that by 2050, emissions from biorefineries, agriculture, and land use can be substantially reduced through technological optimization and smarter crop choices.

The document highlights a growing problem where U.S. transportation fuels are becoming 'dirtier' as oil companies shift toward unconventional sources like tar sands and use high-emission extraction methods such as fracking. It argues that while vehicle efficiency has improved by 20 percent, these gains are undermined by the increasing emissions associated with extracting and refining oil, which can vary from less than 50 to 250 kilograms of CO2e per barrel. To counter this, the report advocates for eliminating wasteful practices like flaring, requiring better emissions disclosure, and shifting toward advanced biofuels made from wastes and perennial grasses. It also emphasizes the role of electric vehicles, noting that their climate benefit depends on the grid; for example, charging an EV in California produces only 35 percent of the emissions of a conventional vehicle.

The report analyzes pathways for California, Oregon, and Washington to reduce transportation petroleum use by 50% by 2030. It identifies a 'Half the Oil' (HtO) Pathway that distributes reductions across travel demand management, vehicle efficiency, and alternative fuel deployment. While existing policies are projected to reduce consumption by 24% in California and 8% in Oregon and Washington by 2030, achieving the 50% target requires extending and accelerating these measures. The analysis finds that relying on a single category of strategy is insufficient to meet the target, and that Washington faces greater challenges due to a lack of enforceable alternative fuel and zero-emission vehicle policies.

The document outlines expected climate impacts in the Basque Country, including rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and altered precipitation, which threaten public health through heat waves, flooding, and increased pollutants. It identifies 26 adaptation measures, highlighting the cost-effectiveness and co-benefits of ecosystem-based solutions like Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and behavioral changes in transport.

The document argues that international aviation emissions grew by over 75% between 1990 and 2012 and could increase by 300% by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario. It critiques the ICAO's proposed global market-based mechanism (GMBM), which aims for 'carbon neutral growth 2020' starting in 2021, citing concerns over lack of transparency, non-binding goals, and low environmental standards. Carbon Market Watch recommends that the GMBM include mandatory targets, a 'negative list' of ineligible project types (such as fossil fuel power plants and most LULUCF projects), and strict credit quality criteria to ensure real and permanent emission reductions.

The document argues that international aviation emissions grew by over 75% between 1990 and 2012 and could increase by up to 300% by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario. It critiques the ICAO's proposed global market-based mechanism (GMBM), specifically the 'carbon neutral growth 2020' goal, for lacking binding targets and sufficient environmental standards for offset credits. Carbon Market Watch recommends that the GMBM include a mandatory target to limit warming to 1.5°C, a review clause every three years, and a 'negative list' to ban low-quality offset projects such as large hydro and REDD+. The toolkit urges NGOs to lobby governments and airlines ahead of the 39th ICAO General Assembly in October 2016 to ensure transparency and environmental integrity in the aviation sector's climate response.

The policy brief argues that while modern bioscience is gradually entering Eastern Africa's agricultural sector, structural and policy constraints—rather than technical knowledge—hinder its impact. It advocates for a 'triple helix' model of collaboration between the public R&D sector, private sector, and government, emphasizing that public institutions must move beyond basic research to act as innovation hubs that link technologies to markets.

The report defines the bioeconomy as the part of the business sector based on biomass resources, estimating its 2013 value at approximately 5% of Sweden's GDP. It explores four future scenarios for 2050—ranging from global circular welfare to regional self-sufficiency—concluding that while biomass demand will likely increase, sustainable growth requires strong public-private cooperation, investment in biorefineries, and a shift toward circular material flows.

The document provides a technical appendix describing the life cycle emissions modeling for urban buses in California, comparing diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG), hydrogen fuel cell, and battery electric options. It details modifications to the CA-GREET 2.0 and Vision 2.0 models to better reflect California-specific fuel pathways and electricity grid mixes. Key findings include the significant reduction of global warming emissions when using 100% renewable energy for electric buses and the role of biomass and coal in the grid's particulate matter emissions. The analysis also examines the impact of low-carbon biofuels and low-NOx engines on overall emissions profiles.

The report finds that Indonesia's current tax system does not incentivize sustainable land use in the palm oil industry, characterized by low tax-to-GDP ratios and minimal revenue redistribution to local governments. It proposes six fiscal reforms, including increasing land taxes and tying revenue sharing to sustainability indicators, to reduce deforestation and improve land productivity.

This collection of papers analyzes regional integration efforts in three key areas: South America, Southern Africa, and Russia. It argues that while traditional trade-led integration has often stalled, new drivers such as regional value chains (RVCs), energy pooling, and strategic investment shifts offer paths toward deeper cooperation. In South America, the report finds a lack of a clear 'hub country' and significant infrastructure gaps hindering RVCs. In Southern Africa, it highlights the potential of the Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) and the dual role of South Africa as both a catalyst and a diverter of regional investment. In Russia, the analysis focuses on a strategic 'turn to the East,' shifting investment focus from Europe toward the Asia-Pacific region and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU).

The document examines China's shift from extractive industries toward diversified economic co-operation in West Africa, specifically in agriculture. It contrasts Chinese assistance with Western aid, highlighting a 'win-win' South-South model based on China's own domestic agricultural success. While traditionally focused on technical assistance and food crops, recent trends show an increase in state-owned enterprise (SOE) involvement in cash crops and biofuels. The authors recommend that China focus on equitable investments and that West African governments encourage agro-industrial upgrading to add value to the regional agro-business chain.

The document critiques industrial agriculture as a primary driver of climate change and social inequality, while presenting agroecology as a viable, small-scale alternative. It specifically attacks 'Climate Smart Agriculture' (CSA) as a corporate-led 'false solution' designed to greenwash industrial practices. The text advocates for a transition toward food sovereignty and the relocalisation of food systems, highlighting the role of women and traditional knowledge in building climate resilience.

The document analyzes the economic value and operational gaps in Central Kalimantan's oil palm sector, highlighting significant under-utilization of midstream mill capacity and limited downstream refining. It identifies a wide range of business models, from smallholder farmers to fully integrated multinationals, and argues that integrated models are better equipped to manage financial, production, and market risks. The authors recommend a 'landscape management approach' via the PALM Program to transition the sector toward sustainable, high-productivity practices without further deforestation.

The Green Climate Fund (GCF), an operating entity of the UNFCCC, aims to support low-emission and climate-resilient development in developing countries. It operates through a 24-member Board divided equally between developed and developing nations and distributes funds via 'Accredited Entities' rather than directly. The fund maintains a 50/50 aspirational split between adaptation and mitigation, with half of adaptation funds targeted at particularly vulnerable countries. However, the document highlights concerns regarding the lack of an explicit exclusion list for fossil fuels, the potential for funding 'false solutions', and the limited requirements for national designated authorities (NDAs) to engage with civil society and affected communities.