Search Climate Insights Directory
405 results
Recovering in Sandy’s wake
Friends of the Earth urges the public to support recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy and encourages voters in the upcoming general election to prioritize candidates with strong records on climate change and clean energy, arguing that the storm was exacerbated by fossil-fuel-driven climate change.
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Document type: Statement
A Good Environment for Jobs
The report argues that investments in clean energy and environmental protection generally create more jobs than the fossil-fuel industries they replace. Through a survey of 36 studies and original analysis using IMPLAN 2009 data, the authors find that non-fossil-fuel sectors have significantly higher job-to-spending ratios. A case study on eliminating coal and nuclear power by 2050 suggests a potential net gain of over 21 million full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs, although it notes that workers in fossil-fuel sectors would face real layoffs and require retraining.
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Document type: Report
Indonesia's Fuel Subsidies: Action plan for reform
The document outlines the fiscal burden of Indonesia's fuel subsidies, noting that IDR 164.7 trillion (US$ 18.1 billion) was spent in 2011. It argues that these subsidies are regressive and inefficient, and it proposes a transition toward clean energy, including a shift from subsidized LPG to electric induction cooking to reduce costs and improve health.
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Document type: Report
International Public Finance for Climate-friendly Investment: Vehicles, availability, and governance
This report provides a guide for policy-makers, particularly in developing countries, on how to use public spending to catalyze private investment for climate-friendly infrastructure and clean energy.
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Document type: Report
A 21st Century Scramble: South Africa, China and the Rare Earth Metals Industry
The document analyses the global rare earth elements (REE) industry, which is dominated by China with a 97% share of upstream production. It examines how China uses export restrictions and production quotas to leverage its monopoly, aiming to induce foreign downstream producers to relocate to China for technology transfer. The paper highlights the strategic importance of REEs for 'green' technology and military applications, and assesses South Africa's potential to re-enter the market through the Steenkampskraal and Zandkopsdrift projects. It also discusses global reactions, including Japan's efforts to reduce REE reliance and the emergence of junior mining companies seeking non-Chinese sources.
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Document type: Research paper
Annual Review of Low-Carbon Development in China (2011-2012)
During the 11th Five-Year Plan, China reduced its energy intensity by 19.06% compared to a 2005 baseline, primarily through the adoption of cleaner technologies and economic structural changes. While administrative and incentive instruments significantly reduced CO2 emissions, total emissions grew by 33.6%, making China the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter. The report highlights that while large enterprises and local governments implemented energy-saving measures, small- and medium-sized enterprises lagged behind, and regional competition often prioritized GDP growth over carbon reduction. Looking toward the 12th FYP, the document warns that rising marginal costs and rapid urbanization will make achieving new energy and carbon intensity targets more challenging.
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Document type: Executive summary
Global Warming’s Six Americas
The report identifies six segments of the U.S. population—Alarmed, Concerned, Cautious, Disengaged, Doubtful, and Dismissive—and tracks their evolving perceptions of global warming. It finds that while the Alarmed and Concerned are convinced of the reality and human cause of climate change, the Dismissive and Doubtful are not. The study also examines the relationship between personal experience with extreme weather and climate beliefs, trust in information sources, and support for specific energy and climate policies.
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Document type: Report
Climate Change in the American Mind
The report finds that majorities of Americans prioritize global warming and clean energy, supporting policies such as renewable energy research, carbon dioxide regulation, and a revenue-neutral tax shift from income to fossil fuels. While there is broad support for environmental protection over economic growth, significant political divisions exist regarding offshore drilling and the Keystone XL pipeline.
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Document type: Report
Public Support for Climate and Energy Policies in September 2012
The report finds broad American support for developing clean energy and reducing global warming, though support for specific policies like CO2 regulation and renewable energy research has declined since 2008. While there is bipartisan agreement on increasing renewable energy use, significant partisan divides exist regarding the reduction of fossil fuels and the priority level of global warming. Americans perceive large campaign contributors and fossil-fuel companies as having the most influence over elected officials' decisions on climate issues.
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Document type: Report
Protecting Public Health from Climate Change: A Global Call to Action
The Global Climate and Health Alliance asserts that climate change is the greatest global health threat of the 21st century, particularly impacting sub-Saharan Africa. The document commits health professionals to reducing the carbon footprint of medical institutions, increasing health system resilience, and advocating for a binding global agreement that prioritizes human health and equitable emissions reductions.
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Document type: Statement
Public support for climate & energy policies in November 2011
The report details public opinion in the United States during November 2011, showing broad support for clean energy development and environmental protection. While a majority of Americans view global warming as a priority for federal leadership and support renewable energy research, there is divided support for nuclear power and a majority preference for expanding offshore drilling.
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Document type: Report
Message to Obama: Free America from the Tyranny of Oil
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) advocates against the Keystone XL pipeline, citing the high greenhouse gas emissions of Alberta's tar sands and concerns over political influence in the State Department's permitting process. The statement also details CIEL's efforts to eliminate coal funding in international finance institutions, specifically criticizing World Bank loans for coal projects in South Africa and Kosovo, while referencing IPCC findings that renewables could meet nearly 80 percent of global energy supply by mid-century.
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Document type: Statement
Public Support for Climate & Energy Policies in May 2011
The report finds broad American support for prioritizing global warming and clean energy, with a majority favoring action from corporations, government, and citizens. A significant portion of the population believes environmental protection supports economic growth, and there is strong support for renewable energy research and local sustainability policies, though support for nuclear power remains low, especially at the local level.
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Document type: Executive summary
An Assessment of the Impact of Policy on the Financing of Clean Energy
The document describes a project to assess the impact of policy on clean energy financing, focusing on whether policies encourage a sustainable and cost-effective mix of investments. It highlights the role of risk allocation and the importance of project financing eligibility in determining the overall cost of energy projects. The project aims to analyze debt, equity, venture capital, and mezzanine finance across different technology maturity levels and global regions.
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Document type: Briefing
Climate Change in the American Mind
The report presents survey data from 1,010 American adults on their priorities regarding global warming and clean energy, their views on who should address these issues, and their support for specific policy interventions at national and local levels. It highlights a general preference for clean energy over global warming as a priority and shows strong support for renewable energy research and tax rebates, while revealing significant political polarization on issues like carbon emissions treaties and gasoline taxes.
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Document type: Report
Climate Change in the American Mind: Public Support for Climate & Energy Policies in November 2011
The report presents survey data from 1,000 American adults on their priorities and policy preferences regarding global warming and clean energy. It finds that while a majority of Americans support renewable energy research and tax rebates for energy-efficient vehicles, there is significant political polarization regarding the priority of global warming and the implementation of carbon taxes. The data also indicates a general public belief that environmental protection can improve economic growth.
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Document type: Report
Stopping Coal Exports In Washington State
Earthjustice is representing a coalition of groups to prevent the development of coal export facilities in the Pacific Northwest, specifically targeting projects in Longview, Washington, and Coos Bay, Oregon. The organization argues that these terminals facilitate the export of coal to China, worsening global warming and threatening the health of communities along rail lines. Key actions include the 2011 withdrawal of a permit application by Millennium Bulk Logistics after discrepancies in project scope were discovered and a 2013 petition to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a comprehensive environmental and health review of all proposed terminals in the region.
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Document type: Case study
New Storylines Emerging From Climate Negotiations
The document argues that the United States has lost its leverage in international climate negotiations due to its failure to enact domestic climate legislation and its opposition to the Kyoto Protocol. It highlights a growing divide between the U.S. and developing nations, particularly China, noting that China is investing more aggressively in clean energy despite U.S. pressure for mitigation commitments. The briefing also discusses a trade petition by the United Steelworkers against China's clean energy subsidies, suggesting this could trigger trade conflicts that undermine UNFCCC goals. It concludes by suggesting the U.S. should utilize the Bali Action Plan's carve-out to allow other developed nations to proceed with the Kyoto Protocol's second commitment period.
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Document type: Briefing
CLIMATE INNOVATION CENTRES: TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION TO MEET CLIMATE CHALLENGES
The briefing argues that meeting climate mitigation and adaptation challenges in developing countries requires more than just technology transfer; it requires a 'systems of innovation' approach. It proposes Climate Innovation Centres (CICs) as multi-disciplinary, facilitating organisations located in developing countries to bridge gaps in the innovation chain, such as adapting technologies to local conditions, creating markets, and designing policy regimes. The document highlights that different technologies and countries have unique innovation needs, meaning no 'cookie-cutter' formula exists. It cites India's National Biomass Cookstove Initiative as an illustrative example of this innovation-centered approach.
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Document type: Briefing
American Opinion on Climate Change Warms Up
A June 2010 survey by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication indicates a rebound in American public concern for global warming and increased support for clean energy policies, potentially influenced by economic recovery and the BP oil disaster.
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Document type: Executive summary