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MODELS AND METHODS OF MEASURING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PERFORMANCE
The report evaluates several North American indicator projects—including those in Alberta, Oregon, Colorado, Seattle, and Jacksonville—to extract best practices for a provincial sustainable development initiative in Manitoba. It argues that current models often lack causal linkages and institutional security. To address this, the authors propose the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework to connect societal pressures, environmental states, and policy responses. The document outlines a three-stage selection process (preparatory, selection-linking-target setting, and institutionalization) and emphasizes the need for quantitative measurability, stakeholder participation, and long-term data series to establish valid trends for decision-making.
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Document type: Research paper
EUROPEAN UNION CARBON TAX
The document is a teaching guide designed to simulate negotiations over a proposed European Union carbon tax. It combines negotiation theory—drawing on works by Raiffa, Bazerman, Neale, Fisher, and Ury—with a technical game-theory model to show how cooperation can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. The guide discusses the challenges of unilateral climate policy, specifically the risk of 'leakage' where emissions shift outside the EU, and the potential for carbon tax revenues to be used for fiscal reform to reduce unemployment.
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Document type: Guide
Supercars
The paper proposes replacing conventional steel cars with 'supercars' that combine ultralight composite bodies, aerodynamic optimization, and hybrid-electric powertrains. The authors argue that such vehicles could achieve fuel efficiencies of <1.6 litres per 100 km in the near term and 0.8-1.0 litres per 100 km ultimately, without sacrificing safety or performance. This transition would require a shift from capital-intensive steel stamping to flexible, low-tooling composite moulding and a move toward direct-to-consumer marketing, potentially disrupting the existing industrial structure of the global auto industry.
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Document type: Research paper
COMPETITIVE SUSTAINABILITY
The authors propose 'competitive sustainability' to resolve the conflict between international trade and environmental protection. They argue that the current status quo allows countries with weak environmental laws to maintain a competitive cost advantage, effectively subsidizing unsustainable production. To counter this, the paper suggests implementing environmental countervailing duties to internalize external costs and encourage the adoption of higher standards. The authors advocate for a 'carrot-and-stick' approach, combining these duties with trade incentives and technology transfers, particularly for developing nations. Furthermore, they propose reforming GATT's standard of review to give more deference to environmental goals and expanding the role of NGOs and private companies in trade dispute resolution to ensure ecological accountability.
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Document type: Research paper
Profitably Stabilizing Global Climate
The editorial contends that anthropogenic climate change is a result of economically inefficient resource use and that modern technologies in energy, farming, and forestry can stabilize the climate while saving money. It rebuts ten common myths, asserting that 'no-regrets' actions make scientific uncertainty irrelevant to policy and that abatement is a profitable investment rather than a cost. The author argues that market failures, not a lack of cost-effective technology, hinder progress, and that these efficiencies are essential for equitable global development.
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Document type: Statement
The AES Corporation (A)
The AES Corporation, an independent power producer, faced a conflict between its strategy of using low-cost coal for electricity generation and its commitment to social responsibility, specifically regarding greenhouse gas emissions. For its Thames plant in Connecticut, which was projected to emit over 15 million tons of carbon over 40 years, the company evaluated four offset alternatives: promoting energy conservation through lighting retrofits, employing carbon scrubbing technology, implementing reforestation projects in tropical developing countries, or shifting its long-term strategy toward natural gas and renewables. While natural gas and renewables offered lower emissions, they presented higher operating costs or intermittency issues. Reforestation was identified as a cost-effective method to sequester carbon while providing additional social benefits.
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Document type: Case study
The Choice: The Guatemala Reforestation Project
The document outlines a proposal by AES Corporation, advised by the World Resources Institute (WRI), to implement a reforestation project in a tropical developing country. The project was designed to offset carbon dioxide emissions contributing to greenhouse gas buildup and global climate change, with the goal of maintaining AES's position as a low-cost supplier of clean coal-fired power while providing positive social implications.
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Document type: Case study
The Negawatt Revolution: Electric Efficiency and Asian Development
The paper contrasts the 'business-as-usual' approach of Asian utilities, which focus on increasing electricity sales and capacity, with a model adopted by some U.S. utilities that prioritizes customer efficiency and renewable energy. The authors argue that investing in efficient technologies—such as compact-fluorescent lamps and 'superwindows'—is significantly cheaper than building power plants and is essential for sustainable economic development in Asia.
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Document type: Research paper
AMERICA'S ENERGY CHOICES
The report analyzes four energy scenarios for the US up to 2030: a Reference case, a Market case, an Environmental case, and a Climate Stabilization case. It finds that shifting toward efficiency and renewables can lead to net economic savings of up to $2.3 trillion and dramatic reductions in CO2 emissions. The authors propose a comprehensive policy framework based on harnessing market forces, establishing efficiency standards, and increasing R&D investment to move the US away from its current reliance on polluting fossil fuels.
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Document type: Report
URBAN RESEARCH AT BC3
The document presents a portfolio of BC3's urban research, focusing on the socio-economic and ecological implications of climate change. Key studies include an analysis of Bilbao's Sustainable Energy Action Plan, flood-risk assessments in Bilbao, Zurich, and Zaragoza, and the evaluation of heat-health warning systems and green roofs in Madrid.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Letter to Sen. Schumer on Climate & AI
The letter argues that large language models (LLMs) increase carbon emissions through high energy demands and accelerate the spread of climate disinformation. It calls for mandatory reporting on energy use, emissions, and critical mineral consumption, as well as safeguards against AI-generated disinformation.
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Document type: Statement
Superhot Rock Geothermal in Australia
The document highlights that just 1% of Australia's superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 624 GW of energy capacity, potentially meeting the country's projected 2050 electricity demand of 436,281 GWh. It argues that this technology offers a low-land-footprint alternative to other renewables and a transition pathway for the oil and gas workforce.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Superhot Rock Geothermal in Austria
The document highlights that just 1% of Austria's superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 31 GW of capacity, exceeding the country's 2021 electricity demand and potentially replacing all fossil fuel and electricity imports.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Superhot Rock Geothermal in China
The document highlights that just 1% of China's superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 10,513 GW of energy capacity, potentially replacing all fossil fuels used for electricity production and reducing carbon emissions by approximately 5,943 megatonnes. It argues that this energy source offers a low land-use footprint, provides reliable 24/7 power, and allows for a transition of the existing oil and gas workforce into the zero-carbon sector.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Superhot Rock Geothermal in Egypt
The document highlights that just 1% of Egypt's superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 740 GW of energy capacity, potentially meeting the country's projected 2050 electricity demand of 590,070 GWh. It argues that this technology could replace fossil fuel imports, significantly reduce CO2 emissions from the electricity sector, and require far less land than solar or wind power.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Superhot Rock Geothermal in Hungary
The document highlights that just 1% of Hungary's estimated superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 34 GW of energy capacity, generating over 285,013 GWh of electricity. This amount is eight times the country's 2021 electricity consumption and could theoretically replace all coal and gas used for electricity production, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 10 megatonnes. Such a transition would significantly enhance energy security, as Hungary currently imports 63% of its coal, 67% of its natural gas, and 55% of its electricity. Additionally, superhot rock geothermal is noted for its high energy density, requiring only 12 km² of land per 1 GW, compared to much larger footprints for solar, wind, and biomass.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Superhot Rock Geothermal in Italy
The document highlights that just 1% of Italy's estimated superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 131 GW of energy capacity, exceeding the country's 2021 electricity demand of 289,064 GWh. This resource could theoretically replace all coal, gas, and electricity imports used for power generation, reducing electricity sector emissions by approximately 93 megatonnes of CO2eq. Additionally, superhot rock geothermal is noted for its low land-use footprint, requiring roughly 12 km² per 1 GW, and its ability to provide 24/7 firm power, which reduces the need for extensive new transmission infrastructure.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Superhot Rock Geothermal in Japan
The document highlights that just 1% of Japan's superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 700 GW of energy capacity, potentially replacing all coal and gas used for electricity production and meeting projected 2050 electricity demand. It argues that this technology offers a low-land-footprint, firm power alternative to fossil fuel imports from Australia and Malaysia, though it is unlikely to reach commercial scale by 2030.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Superhot Rock Geothermal in Mongolia
The document highlights that just 1% of Mongolia's estimated superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 3,159 GW of energy capacity, far exceeding the country's 2021 electricity consumption of 7,432 GWh. This resource could theoretically replace all coal and gas used for electricity production, reducing emissions by approximately 15 megatonnes of CO2eq, which represents 72% of Mongolia's NDC goal. Additionally, it could eliminate the 25% of electricity that Mongolia currently imports, while requiring significantly less land (12 km² per 1 GW) than solar, wind, or biomass.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Superhot Rock Geothermal in New Zealand
The document highlights that just 1% of New Zealand's superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 72 GW of capacity, far exceeding the country's 2021 electricity consumption of 44,606 GWh. This resource could theoretically replace all coal, oil, and gas used for electricity production, reducing emissions by approximately 6 megatonnes of CO2eq and enhancing energy security by replacing coal imports, primarily from Indonesia. Additionally, superhot rock geothermal is noted for its low land footprint, requiring roughly 12 km² per 1 GW, and its ability to leverage New Zealand's existing conventional geothermal expertise.
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Document type: Fact sheet