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The report examines the feasibility of sectoral agreements for GHG emission reductions in the steel sectors of China and India. It argues that while these countries are already achieving reductions beyond simple stock turnover, further abatement requires national approaches that address both price and non-price barriers. The study suggests that targeting specific abatement categories may be more realistic than a single sector-wide target due to uncertainties in costs and business-as-usual emissions, though it would offer less flexibility.

The author contends that nuclear power is economically unviable and inherently linked to proliferation, suggesting that a shift toward 'micropower' and energy efficiency provides a superior, profitable path to energy security and climate mitigation.

The author contends that the perceived intractability of nuclear proliferation, climate change, and oil dependence stems from a mistaken assumption that climate protection and oil displacement are costly. By applying 'integrative design' and 'micropower' (cogeneration and renewables), the author argues that energy efficiency and distributed generation are more profitable, faster to deploy, and more effective than nuclear power. Specifically, the paper asserts that phasing out nuclear power is a necessary condition for nonproliferation because civilian nuclear infrastructure provides the materials and knowledge required for weapons. The author proposes that the U.S. should reform the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) by redefining the obligations under Article IV to provide developing nations with efficient, non-nuclear energy security rather than nuclear technology.

The report analyzes how carbon pricing may affect the US Midwest, a region characterized by high carbon intensity due to coal dependency and a large manufacturing base. While carbon pricing could increase short-term costs for energy-intensive industries, the report argues it presents a long-term opportunity for the region to lead in low-carbon production and 'green collar' jobs. It highlights the Midwest's significant mitigation potential and the role of the Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord in driving this transition.

The report assesses the impact of carbon pricing on Poland's industrial competitiveness, noting that while Poland has benefited from a favorable 1990 emissions baseline and the EU ETS, certain carbon-intensive sectors remain at risk. Due to significant data constraints, the authors identify six specific sectors for further detailed analysis to prevent carbon leakage and economic loss.

The document analyzes a body of literature from Canadian think tanks, identifying a tension between a 'climate view' (top-down carbon pricing) and an 'energy view' (market-driven supply). It argues for a forward-looking national energy strategy that reconciles Canadian supply expansion with global clean energy demand, emphasizing the need for intergovernmental cooperation between federal, provincial, and territorial governments to overcome regulatory fragmentation and protect trade interests, particularly with the United States.

The report analyzes a global energy regime in transition, driven by energy security, economic efficiency, and climate change. It highlights a 'business as usual' scenario where primary energy demand increases by 40% by 2030, dominated by fossil fuels, versus a low-carbon growth scenario requiring US$10.5 trillion in additional investments. The document emphasizes the critical roles of the U.S. and China in shaping this transition, noting that while China leads in public green investment, the U.S. focuses on 'clean energy jobs' and reducing oil dependence. It argues that a clear carbon price signal is essential to drive the private investment needed for a systemic shift toward carbon-free technologies.

The briefing outlines three strategic pillars for leaders to address the dual challenges of climate change and poverty: utilizing sound scientific evidence to drive political action, establishing a comprehensive global climate agreement, and correcting market failures through emissions pricing and redistribution from developed to developing nations.

The author, a Shell executive, asserts that achieving a sustainable energy future requires integrating sustainable development into business decisions and establishing a collaborative relationship between governments and industry. Shell utilizes 'scenarios' to navigate energy uncertainty and advocates for the 'Blueprints' model, which emphasizes anticipation of environmental issues. The paper highlights carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a critical technology for large emitters, noting that public policy and financial support, such as carbon pricing, are essential for its commercial viability. Using examples from Wyoming and Brazil, the author demonstrates how industry can manage environmental risks and community concerns. Finally, the document emphasizes that governments must appreciate the immense costs, long lead times, and technical challenges of energy production—exemplified by the Perdido project—to set workable regulations.

The document analyzes a draft text for international climate cooperation, emphasizing the need for domestic emission targets in Annex 1 countries to avoid loopholes and provide investment certainty. It argues that non-Annex I countries must develop low-emission plans and Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs), supported by developed countries' resources and carbon pricing on aviation and shipping. Finally, it calls for a political transition from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to tailored NAMA support to prevent carbon-intensive lock-in and incentivize domestic regulation.

The report examines the steel sector's role in global emissions, specifically focusing on China and India. It identifies six abatement categories, noting that while new plants often meet best available technology (BAT) standards, significant potential remains in closing obsolete plants, improving efficiency in existing facilities, and increasing scrap recycling. The study suggests that a national approach combining carbon pricing with non-price incentives (like investment capital) is more viable than transnational trading. Initial modelling indicates that with a carbon price of $25/tCO2, China could abate up to 150 MtCO2/year and India up to 40 MtCO2/year, potentially generating significant financial flows through credits.

The document examines the steel sector's role in global emissions, focusing on abatement opportunities in China and India. It identifies four currently available abatement categories—closing inefficient plants, improving efficiency in existing plants, using best available technology (BAT) for new builds, and increasing scrap recycling—and notes that deep cuts will require carbon capture and storage (CCS) or breakthrough technologies after 2020. The report argues that carbon pricing alone is insufficient to overcome barriers like high capital costs and lack of policy, suggesting that Sectoral Approaches and Agreements should combine price and non-price incentives. Initial modelling suggests that with a carbon price of $25/tCO2, China could abate up to 150 MtCO2/year and India up to 40 MtCO2/year, potentially generating $2bn and $0.5bn in annual credits respectively.

The document examines how a hypothetical carbon price of 3000¥/t would affect Japanese industry, identifying 17 subsectors at risk. While findings align with similar studies in the UK, Germany, and USA, the Japanese pig iron subsector is noted as being disproportionately affected. However, the overall impact on the competitiveness of final products like flat steel is expected to be minimal compared to other trade influences.

The paper analyzes the technical and political requirements for linking cap-and-trade systems in North America, specifically focusing on the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It argues that while linking reduces overall carbon costs and GDP impacts, it may not significantly mitigate production leakage. The authors identify critical design elements requiring harmonization—such as cap type, offset limits, and enforcement quality—and conclude that divergent national interests make a fully integrated system unlikely, with a minimal U.S.-Canada link and a more significant U.S.-Mexico link being the most probable outcome.

The 2009 Research Highlights from Climate Strategies provides a comprehensive overview of projects addressing the operational challenges of the EU ETS, the feasibility of linking emissions trading schemes, and the design of financial mechanisms for the UNFCCC. It specifically investigates carbon leakage in energy-intensive sectors like cement and steel, the potential for 'Green Investment Schemes' in Central and Eastern Europe, and the implementation of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) in countries including Ghana, South Africa, Brazil, and India. The document also assesses the impact of carbon pricing on the chemical sector and the evolving climate policy landscape in Russia.

The report examines the EU ETS, concluding that while it successfully reduced emissions and had minimal macroeconomic impact, it faced challenges with price volatility and windfall profits due to free allocation. It argues that competitiveness risks are concentrated in a few carbon-intensive sectors and recommends maximizing auctioning and pursuing multilateral agreements for border adjustments to minimize economic distortions.

The document outlines ten key insights from the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), arguing that while the system is effective at reducing emissions and has a minimal impact on GDP, its design—particularly regarding allowance allocation and carbon leakage—requires careful calibration to avoid economic inefficiencies and 'windfall profits'. It recommends a phased approach to system improvement and a gradual shift toward auctioning allowances to maximize economic rationality and fund low-carbon innovation.

Amory Lovins argues that nuclear power is an obsolete and costly technology that retards climate protection by diverting resources from more effective alternatives. He challenges the 'baseload' myth, asserting that grid reliability is a collective attribute of all plants rather than an individual requirement. He further disputes the 'footprint' myth, providing evidence that nuclear power's total land use—including the fuel cycle—is significantly higher than that of wind and solar. Lovins contends that a diverse portfolio of energy efficiency and distributed renewables is more cost-effective and faster to deploy than nuclear power, which he claims is failing in the global marketplace due to a lack of private investment and escalating costs.

The paper analyzes the DICE model's tendency to recommend minimal climate action, finding that the discount rate, assumed benefits of moderate warming, and the integration of climate science drive this 'timidity'. Modifying these assumptions leads to a higher marginal carbon price, though the authors argue that cost-effectiveness analysis may be more useful than economic optimization modelling due to long-run uncertainties.

The document examines 'carbon leakage'—where EU production moves to non-EU territories lacking carbon pricing—and critiques the European Commission's broad identification of 'at risk' sectors. While the EU ETS aims to stimulate low-carbon investment, the author argues that excessive free allocation of allowances may undermine the carbon price signal and encourage lobbying. The briefing suggests a more targeted screening process for high-emitters and proposes a portfolio of measures, including border adjustments based on CO2 emissions and sectoral agreements, to maintain competitiveness without sacrificing climate goals.