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Transitional Policies to Assist the Poor While Phasing Out Inefficient Fossil Fuel Subsidies That Encourage Wasteful Consumption
The report argues that Bangladesh's state-dominated oil market and ad-hoc pricing policy create severe fiscal burdens, hinder investment, and encourage carbon emissions. It finds that oil subsidies primarily benefit the rich and upper-middle classes rather than the poor. To address these issues, the authors recommend a phased transition toward market-based pricing, the deregulation of all oil market segments to encourage private investment, and the implementation of targeted cash transfers to protect vulnerable populations from price increases.
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Document type: Research paper
Combating Climate Change by Measuring Carbon Emissions Correctly
The briefing explains that measuring electricity emissions through average factors often misrepresents the actual environmental impact of energy use. By adopting technology that tracks marginal emissions—the rate at which emissions change with a small change in load—consumers and corporations can optimize the timing and location of electricity use to maximize carbon reductions. The author highlights that harnessing end-use flexibility can make devices run 15 percent cleaner on average without cost or quality impacts. Practical applications include timing electric vehicle charging to avoid peaking plants and valuing renewable energy projects based on their specific carbon reduction potential rather than treating all megawatt-hours as equal.
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Document type: Briefing
SUBMISSION OF COMMENTS FOR THE ESIA STUDY FOR THE LAMU-GARISSA ROAD SECTION OF THE LAMU PORT SOUTHERN SUDAN-ETHIOPIA TRANSPORT (LAPSSET) PROJECT
The document critiques the ESIA for the 250km Lamu-Garissa road, highlighting risks to the critically endangered Hirola antelope and the Tana River ecosystem. It argues that the preferred route (Alternative I-1) lacks species-specific wildlife crossing data and fails to allocate budget for wildlife protection in its management plan. Additionally, the authors identify failures in stormwater management planning, a lack of impact analysis for the extraction of approximately 1.375 million cubic meters of construction materials, and procedural violations of Kenyan law regarding public participation and gazette notices.
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Document type: Statement
Progress on the New York Declaration on Forests
The 2016 NYDF Progress Assessment indicates a complex trend where annual net forest loss is declining, but gross tree cover loss remains steady or increasing. While corporate commitments to deforestation-free supply chains are growing, particularly for palm oil and wood, cattle and soy remain under-addressed. Restoration pledges under the Bonn Challenge and UNFCCC have increased significantly, and the Paris Agreement has formally integrated land-use and REDD+ into global climate mitigation. However, financial disbursements for results-based payments lag behind pledges, and forest governance remains a critical challenge, evidenced by a record number of killings of land and environment defenders in 2015.
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Document type: Report
Subsidies to Coal Power Generation in China
The report identifies 14 subsidy schemes for coal-fired power in China, quantifying the total value at CNY 252.4 billion (USD 37.7 billion) in 2014 and CNY 120.8 billion (USD 18 billion) in 2015. Key support mechanisms include power purchase guarantees, premiums for low-emission plants, and infrastructure investments in rail and grids. The authors argue that these subsidies provide coal an advantage over renewables and should be integrated into G20 fossil fuel subsidy review processes.
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Document type: Report
DEVELOPING THE SAINT LUCIA ENERGY ROADMAP
The National Energy Transition Strategy (NETS) for Saint Lucia identifies an optimal energy portfolio consisting of solar, wind, energy storage, energy efficiency, and existing diesel generation. This combination is projected to reduce diesel expenditures by 42% and carbon emissions by 40% by 2025. The report emphasizes that utility ownership generally leads to lower customer rates and that energy efficiency is the most cost-effective resource for minimizing system costs. While geothermal energy offers significant base-load potential, its viability depends on concessional financing and successful exploration. The strategy also highlights the need for regulatory reform, specifically decoupling utility revenues from sales to incentivize energy efficiency and avoiding 'rate shock' associated with certain independent power producer (IPP) arrangements.
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Document type: Report
The Climate Accountability Scorecard Ranking Major Fossil Fuel Companies on Climate Deception, Disclosure, and Action
The Union of Concerned Scientists evaluated eight major fossil fuel companies—Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP, Royal Dutch Shell, ConocoPhillips, Peabody Energy, CONSOL Energy, and Arch Coal—across four key areas of climate responsibility. The analysis found that all eight companies maintain memberships in trade associations that spread climate disinformation and none have developed a company-wide plan to align their business models with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. While BP and Shell were noted for affirming climate science in direct communications, and BP and ConocoPhillips scored 'good' on general political spending oversight, the report concludes that the industry as a whole fails to take appropriate responsibility for the climate impacts of its products.
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Document type: Report
The Clean Power Plan is bold policy that will benefit the economy
The We Mean Business Coalition advocates for the implementation of the U.S. Clean Power Plan, stating it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 and save consumers US$155 billion between 2020 and 2030. The author contends that the plan is supported by the private sector because it removes barriers to scaling clean energy and reduces business risk, countering claims that the policy would harm the economy.
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Document type: Statement
Bounded Regulation
The document defends the Clean Power Plan against claims that the EPA overstepped its authority. It asserts that the Plan adheres to the limits of Section 111 of the Clean Air Act, which requires the agency to avoid excessive costs, consider energy supply impacts, and use adequately demonstrated reduction techniques.
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Document type: Policy brief
REINVENTING FIRE: CHINA
The 'Reinventing Fire: China' roadmap proposes a transition to a low-carbon energy system by 2050, focusing on demand reduction and a shift to non-fossil fuels. The analysis compares a 'Reference Scenario' with a 'Reinventing Fire Scenario,' finding that the latter can support 600% incremental GDP growth while keeping 2050 primary energy demand within 1% of 2010 levels. Key strategies include aggressive efficiency gains in industry, buildings, and transportation, alongside a power sector transition where 82% of electricity is non-fossil by 2050. The roadmap estimates a net present value savings of 21 trillion RMB and significant reductions in CO2, SO2, and NOX emissions.
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Document type: Executive summary
15 SIGNALS: EVIDENCE THE ENERGY TRANSITION IS UNDERWAY
The report identifies 15 'signals' indicating a global energy transition, including the rapid growth of renewable energy capacity, falling solar PV costs, and record investments in green energy. It highlights China's leading role in renewable investment and the decline of the coal industry. The document also notes the rise of city-level climate actions and the growth of the green bond market, while advocating for a 'just transition' that addresses energy poverty and social equity.
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Document type: Report
Weniger ist mehr: Ressourceneffizienz im europäischen Drogeriehandel
The report finds that European drugstore retailers generally fail to implement strategic planning for resource efficiency, with most lacking overarching goals to reduce the resource footprint of their product ranges. While some companies implement isolated measures, such as using recycled paper or reducing plastic bags, there is a systemic lack of transparent, annual reporting on results. The document highlights that a 20% reduction in resource consumption for daily goods is already possible through the adoption of existing alternatives like concentrated detergents and compressed deodorants.
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Document type: Report
IMPROVING EFFICIENCY IN CHINESE TRUCKING AND LOGISTICS
The report analyzes the fragmented state of Chinese logistics, where low barriers to entry and poor regulatory enforcement lead to overloading and low truck utilization. It argues that improving efficiency could save the Chinese economy up to RMB 1T annually and prevent freight emissions from growing from 4% to 16% of total CO2 emissions. The document proposes five key solutions: logistics information platforms, best-practice sharing mechanisms, equipment standardization, urban logistics master planning, and tax/toll reform.
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Document type: Report
Evaluating Automaker Leaders and Laggards
The Union of Concerned Scientists analysis finds a significant disparity in how automakers deploy electric vehicles (EVs) across the United States. While BMW, General Motors, Nissan, and Tesla are identified as leaders, others like Honda, Toyota, and Fiat Chrysler are labeled laggards due to limited model availability or a lack of plug-in offerings. The report highlights a stark geographic divide, noting that California's Zero Emission Vehicle policy has made it the only state where all available US EV models are offered, while consumers in other regions face severe shortages of EVs at dealerships.
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Document type: Executive summary
Electrifying the Vehicle Market
The report analyzes the US electric vehicle (EV) market as of 2016, finding that while cumulative sales were nearing 500,000, progress among automakers is uneven. BMW, General Motors, Nissan, and Tesla are identified as leaders, while Honda, Toyota, and Fiat Chrysler are characterized as laggards. A significant disparity in vehicle availability exists between California and the rest of the US, largely attributed to California's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program. The authors argue that limited model availability and poor dealership inventory outside California hinder the national transition to electric transportation.
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Document type: Report
catf_filings_biomass_engoresponselettersecretaryvilsack-97da7f21c3360d4f.pdf
The document argues that biomass energy, specifically wood pellets exported from the U.S. to the UK, does not provide significant greenhouse gas benefits and may actually increase carbon pollution. It disputes USDA claims regarding forest growth in the Southern U.S., attributing reported increases to changes in surveying and categorization rather than new planting. Additionally, it warns that the demand for wood pellets threatens southeastern bottomland hardwood forests and misrepresents modeling studies as retrospective evidence of forest growth.
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Document type: Statement
Render Unto Science: Biomass Carbon Emissions Should Be Determined by Science, Not Congressional Fiat
The Clean Air Task Force criticizes a June 2016 Senate Appropriations Committee bill that requires the US Environmental Protection Agency to treat forest biomass-based energy generation as carbon neutral. The author contends that this 'attempt to legislate science' ignores research showing that biomass combustion typically increases atmospheric carbon dioxide levels for decades. The document calls for a scientifically-defensible approach to carbon accounting, noting that while some specific bioenergy systems like co-generation using harvest residues may offer benefits, burning forest biomass generally emits more carbon dioxide per unit of electricity than coal or natural gas.
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Document type: Statement
The Health Benefits of the Clean Power Plan
The document argues that transitioning from fossil fuel-based electric power to clean renewable energy is a public health imperative. It details how climate change exacerbates respiratory, cardiovascular, and mental health issues, and how the Clean Power Plan's goal to reduce carbon pollution by 32% below 2005 levels by 2030 will prevent thousands of premature deaths and asthma attacks. The toolkit provides clinicians with messaging and model letters to influence state policymakers, while explicitly arguing against nuclear power due to radiation risks and waste management failures.
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Document type: Guide
MOVING TOWARD VALUE IN UTILITY COMPENSATION PART 2 – REGULATORY ALTERNATIVES
The paper argues that traditional Cost of Service Regulation (COSR) creates a capital bias that motivates utilities to pursue expensive infrastructure projects over more cost-effective, non-utility-owned, or distributed energy resource (DER) alternatives. Through three case studies—distribution circuit upgrades, grid modernization, and regional capacity requirements—the author demonstrates that COSR often misaligns shareholder value with public interest. The analysis finds that multiyear revenue caps, particularly those with 'stretch factors' to encourage efficiency, and Performance Incentive Mechanisms (PIMs) targeting specific outcomes like CO2 reduction or peak demand, are more effective at aligning utility motivation with societal goals. The document recommends a gradual transition toward these PBR tools to manage investor risk while accelerating the energy transition.
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Document type: Research paper
DEBUNKING FOUR MYTHS ABOUT THE CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION
The document addresses four perceived barriers to the clean energy transition: the 'duck curve' ramping problem, the necessity of curtailing excess generation, the high cost of renewables, and the role of natural gas in emissions reductions. It argues that demand response and battery storage can manage variability, regional electricity trading can prevent waste, and energy efficiency combined with falling technology costs keeps customer bills low. Finally, it asserts that renewable energy and energy efficiency have contributed more to U.S. carbon emission declines since 2007 than the shift to natural gas.
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Document type: Report