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This briefing by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the potential of municipal solid waste (MSW) as a renewable energy feedstock. It details various conversion technologies, their environmental impacts, the relationship between waste-to-energy and recycling, and the federal policy landscape in the United States.

This 2009 fact sheet by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) examines the potential of unharvested crops and food processing waste as biomass feedstocks for biofuels. It argues that these resources can provide renewable energy and chemicals without competing with food production, highlighting specific waste streams from the potato, orange, and tomato industries and the economic benefits of recycling these materials.

This report analyzes the sustainability of China's electronics and electrical equipment (EEE) product chains, highlighting the environmental impacts of energy-intensive manufacturing and the challenges posed by informal e-waste recycling.

This report analyzes the environmental and social impacts of the global cotton textile product chain, focusing on China's role as a major producer, importer, and exporter. It evaluates the trade-offs between economic growth and environmental degradation, proposing a transition toward sustainable cotton production and the internalization of environmental costs to maintain long-term competitiveness.

This document contains the proceedings of a two-day workshop held in August 2009 by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and EcoSanRes. The workshop focused on the legal, policy, and regulatory frameworks required to promote the sustainable reuse of nutrients from wastewater, human excreta, and greywater across various global regions.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the sustainability of electronics and electrical equipment (EEE) supply chains in China. It examines the environmental and social impacts of the sector, from manufacturing and use to end-of-life disposal, and provides a comprehensive set of policy recommendations to transition China toward a 'green' e-product economy through regulatory reinforcement and international cooperation.

This 2008 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the sustainability of the electronics supply chain in China. It examines the environmental and social impacts of production, use, and end-of-life management, highlighting China's role as a global manufacturing hub and a primary destination for electronic waste. The document proposes three strategic pillars for the Chinese government: a national sustainable electronics strategy, a national e-waste strategy, and an international action plan for e-waste management.

In a 2019 commencement speech at Olin College of Engineering, Amory Lovins outlines the concept of "applied hope," which RMI uses as a framework for creating tangible, scalable solutions to global crises. Lovins distinguishes applied hope from passive optimism, arguing that the most effective way to improve the future is through practical action, integrative design, and resource efficiency to transition away from fossil fuels and environmental degradation.

This report examines the environmental consequences of the rapid expansion of Thailand's electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) sector, driven by trade liberalization and export-led growth. It identifies risks associated with production and e-waste management while proposing policy and industry interventions to improve environmental performance and market competitiveness.

A speech delivered by Amory B. Lovins on August 8, 2007, outlining a vision for a sustainable future achieved through integrative engineering, resource efficiency, and the phasing out of fossil fuels and nuclear energy.

This 2006 report, prepared for the World Bank, provides a framework for establishing a Circular Economy (CE) indicator system in China. It advocates for the use of Material Flow Analysis (MFA) to monitor resource efficiency and decoupling of economic growth from environmental pressure, drawing on experiences from the European Union, the United States, and Japan.

This teaching note, published by the World Resources Institute, provides a case study on the adoption of environmental management practices by Epson (China) Co., Ltd. and its parent company, Seiko Epson Corporation. It focuses on the implementation of ISO 14001 certification in office environments and the challenges of designing a cartridge take-back system in China.

This research paper describes the 'hypercar' concept—an ultralight, hybrid-electric vehicle designed using a system-level optimization approach to minimize lifecycle environmental impacts without sacrificing consumer-valued features like performance and price.

This case study describes the founding and early operational challenges of Deja, Inc., an environmental footwear company established by Julie Lewis. The company aimed to create a sustainable business model by producing shoes from recycled materials, such as pre-consumer disposable diaper waste and plastic bottles, while targeting environmentally conscious consumers in the casual footwear market.

This case study from the World Resources Institute's Sustainable Enterprise Program examines the economic viability of using recycled polymers instead of virgin plastics in BMW vehicles, specifically focusing on the bumpers of the 3-series model.

This document outlines the nine strategic pillars of the Critical Minerals Mission for Sustainable Strategic Advantage (CMMSSA), a framework designed to transform South Africa's critical minerals sector. The strategy focuses on moving from raw mineral exports to local beneficiation, enhancing geoscience mapping, improving infrastructure, and fostering regional integration within Southern Africa to support the global energy transition.

An open letter from a coalition of organizations and individuals to Canadian ministers urging the expansion of the single-use plastics ban to achieve zero plastic waste by 2030.

The Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy for South Africa is a national roadmap designed to transition the country from a raw material supplier to a global hub for processed critical minerals and high-value end products. The strategy focuses on leveraging South Africa's vast reserves of platinum group metals, manganese, and vanadium to support the global energy transition, specifically in sectors like electric vehicles, green hydrogen, and renewable energy. It outlines six strategic pillars—geoscience mapping, value addition, R&D, infrastructure, financial instruments, and regulatory harmonisation—to drive industrialisation, job creation, and economic resilience while navigating complex geopolitical tensions and promoting regional integration within Africa.

This policy brief by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues for the inclusion of trade-related measures as core obligations in a proposed international treaty to end plastic pollution. It highlights the scale of global plastics trade, examines how previous Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) have used trade provisions to achieve environmental goals, and proposes specific trade mechanisms—such as bans, permits, and reporting requirements—to ensure the efficacy of the plastics treaty.

This fact sheet outlines a proposed structural and conceptual framework for a Convention on Plastic Pollution, organized into four 'pillars of action' to address monitoring, prevention, coordination, and support.