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The report details the public health dangers of flooding, including drowning, waterborne diseases, mold-induced respiratory issues, and mental health trauma. It argues that climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation and sea-level rise, exacerbating these risks, particularly in areas with combined sewer overflow systems and high-density floodplain development.

The document highlights the link between a warming climate and the increase in heavy precipitation events across the United States. It emphasizes that while flood impacts are typically measured by property damage and immediate loss of life, there are substantial 'hidden' public health costs. These include waterborne gastrointestinal illnesses from contaminated water, respiratory and neurological problems caused by indoor mold, and increased mental health struggles. The report identifies five specific hidden risks: drowning while driving, contaminated drinking water, sewage backup in homes, contamination of recreational waterways, and toxic indoor mold. It advocates for aggressive carbon emission reductions and the creation of more resilient communities to mitigate these risks.

The research finds that income and price elasticities for passenger transport in the UK were very high in the mid-nineteenth century and have declined continuously, with land transport becoming price inelastic in the 1920s and income inelastic by the early 1940s. Technological transitions, specifically the introduction of cars and airplanes, are found to have delayed the decline of these elasticities by providing higher quality services. The author argues that while future energy transitions in land transport are unlikely to cause the dramatic energy consumption spikes seen in the nineteenth century, they may still shift energy use trends upward, suggesting that carbon pricing should focus on encouraging low-carbon technology rather than reducing overall travel demand.

The report analyzes how the rising demand for vegetable oils, particularly palm and soy, has led to significant tropical deforestation and carbon emissions. It argues that deforestation is not inevitable and suggests alternatives such as increasing crop yields, expanding onto degraded non-forest lands, and substituting high-risk oils with deforestation-free alternatives. The document also evaluates the role of biofuel mandates, sustainability certifications like the RSPO, and corporate commitments in mitigating environmental damage.

The report identifies nine subsidies for oil and gas production in Norway, with six costing approximately NOK 25.5 billion (US$ 4 billion) in 2009. These include tax reimbursements for exploration, accelerated investment deductions, R&D grants, and infrastructure provision by Gassco and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate, as well as special treatment for the Snøhvit field. The analysis focuses on the effects of the three largest subsidies on government revenue, employment, and carbon emissions, while recommending improved transparency for subsidy expenditures.

The CRED v.1.3 model is an integrated assessment tool designed to project global climate and development scenarios over a 300-year period. It focuses on the distribution of climate damages and policy costs across nine global regions, utilizing a Cobb-Douglas production function and a vulnerability index to allocate damages. The model incorporates updated population data, four selectable damage functions, and abatement cost curves based on McKinsey data to inform global climate negotiations.

The report evaluates the design of proposed tax incentives for residential thermal retrofits in Germany, focusing on whether to support single or comprehensive measures, the appropriateness of the KfW 85 standard, the optimal timeframe for project completion, and the risks associated with stepwise implementation. Based on a survey of 78 practitioners, the document argues that comprehensive retrofits are superior for energy savings and comfort, and that a 10-year flexibility period for completion is unnecessary. It also highlights the critical importance of a specific sequence of measures to avoid structural damage and cost increases.

The author asserts that setting CO2 performance standards for coal-fired power plants is the primary environmental and energy policy priority for 2012, as these plants are the largest stationary sources of carbon dioxide. While the Mercury and Air Toxics Rule (MATS) and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) protect public health, they do not reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The document emphasizes that building new plants without carbon controls is unjustifiable and that such standards are necessary for the U.S. to meet its commitment of a 17 percent reduction in emissions below 2005 levels by 2020.

The document examines how Vale leverages its relationship with the Brazilian government to lobby for lenient climate regulations and financial incentives for carbon offsets. It highlights the contradiction between Vale's corporate sustainability claims and its actual operations, specifically citing the Moatize coal project in Mozambique and the TKCSA steel plant in Brazil. The report characterizes these market-based mechanisms, including the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and REDD, as 'false solutions' that facilitate corporate profit while causing social displacement and environmental degradation.

The IAI report for 2011-2012 details the conclusion of the Second Collaborative Research Network (CRNII) and the Small Grants Program for Human Dimensions (SGP-HD), highlighting their roles in enhancing regional scientific capacity and interdisciplinary research. Key research findings focus on land-use change and carbon emissions in the La Plata basin, biodiversity risks in the tropical Andes, and the role of the Patagonian shelf in global CO2 balance. The report also outlines new funding awards for 2012-2018 and capacity-building initiatives in climate health and water management. However, it documents severe operational instability in Brazil, including staffing contract irregularities and unresolved tax disputes involving the Brazilian Revenue Service.

The report argues that public procurement, representing a significant portion of GDP in many nations, can catalyze green growth by creating secure demand for sustainable products and services. It emphasizes that while incremental improvements are common, 'transformative change' is necessary to decouple economic growth from natural capital depletion. Through case studies in the US, Brazil, China, Denmark, India, and Vietnam, the document illustrates different approaches to Green Public Procurement (GPP), such as the EPEAT rating system for electronics and Denmark's use of output-based specifications. The report concludes that aligning procurement with R&D investment, adopting life cycle costing (LCC), and utilizing performance-based specifications are essential for triggering systemic green innovation.

The document examines Indonesia's energy subsidy regime, focusing on petroleum products, electricity, and coal. It argues that these subsidies primarily benefit high-income groups rather than the poor, create fiscal vulnerability to global oil price volatility, and discourage investment in clean energy. The guide provides evidence from international experiences to suggest a comprehensive reform strategy involving gradual price phase-outs, targeted cash transfers, and improved governance to mitigate social and economic shocks.

The 2012 SAIIA Young Leaders Declaration calls for international and national action on environmental sustainability, the eradication of poverty in Least Developed Countries, and the transition to renewable energy in South Africa. It further advocates for universal education through improved infrastructure and teacher support, and proposes a specific structural reform of the UN Security Council to ensure fairer regional representation, particularly for Africa.

The report identifies significant risks of cumulative supply deficits for indium, tellurium, and neodymium by 2035, which could hinder the deployment of low-carbon technologies like photovoltaics and electric vehicles. Using a scenario calculator based on IEA and WEF frameworks, the study finds that indium and tellurium face severe risks, while cobalt and lithium show limited risk. The photovoltaic industry is highlighted as particularly vulnerable, specifically second-generation thin-film technologies. Proposed mitigation strategies include material substitution, vertical integration, and increased recycling, though the latter faces technical and economic hurdles. The report argues that current government policies often treat scarcity as a technological issue, neglecting the geopolitical and economic risks that can exacerbate supply bottlenecks.

The document argues for the implementation of strict EPA standards on coal-fired power plant emissions, specifically targeting mercury, benzene, and arsenic. It highlights the public health risks of mercury, the ability of many plants to already adopt pollution controls, and the potential for clean energy sources like wind and solar to replace polluting plants.

The Shrimp Aquaculture Dialogue (ShAD) has developed a comprehensive set of standards for shrimp farming, focusing on seven core principles: legal compliance, biodiversity conservation, community relations, responsible labor, shrimp health and welfare, broodstock management, and resource efficiency. The standards aim to reward the top 20% of producers by setting ambitious yet practical performance thresholds. Key requirements include the use of Biodiversity Environmental Impact Assessments (B-EIA) and participatory Social Impact Assessments (p-SIA), strict prohibitions on the use of transgenic shrimp and certain antibiotics, and mandates for the sustainable sourcing of feed ingredients. The standards apply to all scales of shrimp farming worldwide, specifically targeting species in the genus Liptopenaeus and Penaeus.

South Africa hosted COP 17 in 2011 with the goal of establishing legal guidelines for carbon emission reductions and advancing a post-2012 global climate regime. The document highlights the tension between developed and developing nations regarding binding targets, specifically the stalemate over the Kyoto Protocol. South Africa aims to act as a bridge-builder, championing African agency and adaptation needs while coordinating with the BASIC alliance. Domestically, the document notes that South Africa must finalize policies on carbon taxes and renewable energy tariffs to lead by example, as it is the world's 13th highest greenhouse-gas emitter.

The report finds that U.S. power plants withdraw massive volumes of freshwater, with coal and nuclear plants being the most water-intensive. This demand contributes to water-supply stress in hundreds of watersheds and is exacerbated by droughts and heat waves. The authors highlight significant gaps and inaccuracies in EIA reporting and advocate for 'water-smart' energy choices, such as dry cooling and low-water renewables, to ensure energy reliability and water security.

The Clean Air Task Force argues against the 'zero-sum' race metaphor between the US and China regarding clean energy, suggesting instead that China's capacity for large-scale demonstration and investment provides a 'test bed' that can benefit the US through 'reverse innovation' and capital flow. While acknowledging trade disputes and IP theft, the author suggests the US focus on high-end design and systems integration rather than low-end commodity manufacturing, which is increasingly automated or cost-prohibitive to ship.

The report argues that the Levy and Vogtle nuclear projects carry significant financial risks for ratepayers and taxpayers due to potential cost escalations and delays. It finds that both Florida and Georgia could meet their projected energy demand growth more cost-effectively through aggressive energy efficiency targets and the development of renewable energy resources, which are presented as lower-risk and lower-cost alternatives to the Westinghouse AP1000 reactor design.