Search Climate Insights Directory

This insight brief by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) provides a systemic framework for understanding sustainable finance, specifically focusing on the global energy transition to a low-carbon future. It decomposes financial transactions into five core elements and identifies three primary categories of barriers—risk/return, information, and scale—that impede the flow of capital into sustainability initiatives. The document proposes a matrix of 26 broad strategies, utilizing both policy and non-policy approaches, and applies this framework to case studies on U.S. residential solar and electric vehicles (EVs).

This briefing by RMI explores the potential of residential demand charges as a tool for electricity rate design. It argues that as distributed energy resources (DERs) like rooftop solar and electric vehicles increase load variability among residential customers, traditional energy-only charges become inequitable. Demand charges, which bill based on the maximum power used in a cycle, can more accurately reflect grid infrastructure costs, promote customer equity, and provide price signals that encourage load shifting and the adoption of demand-management technologies.

This document introduces a review of international fuel pricing systems intended to support Indonesia in strengthening its 2015 pricing mechanism and protecting consumers from price volatility. It also briefly mentions discussions on Indonesia's battery electric vehicle ecosystem, carbon pricing progress in Southeast Asia, and the scale of Indonesia's energy subsidies in 2024.

This policy brief by Energy Innovation outlines four primary recommendations to ensure California's emissions trajectory aligns with its 2050 carbon goals. The recommendations focus on establishing a 2030 statewide carbon cap, decarbonizing the electricity sector, expanding transportation sector policies, and setting performance standards for methane emissions.

This briefing by RMI outlines a strategic framework for China to transition away from fossil fuels by 'reinventing fire' through innovation and leapfrogging traditional industrial paths. The document focuses specifically on the first of three proposed 'gamechangers': achieving oil-free mobility through vehicle lightweighting, electrification, logistics optimization, and the adoption of advanced biofuels and hydrogen.

As of June 2014, the U.S. plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market was characterized by rapid growth, with sales increasing 85% between 2012 and 2013. The market was dominated by the Nissan LEAF, Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Prius Plug-in, and Tesla Model S. While PEVs offer zero tailpipe emissions and lower total cost of ownership due to cheaper fuel, challenges remain regarding the availability of public charging infrastructure (8,000 stations vs 150,000 gas stations) and high battery costs. Federal tax credits up to $7,500 and various state-level incentives in places like California, Colorado, and Georgia are used to drive adoption.

This report by Energy Innovation outlines policy recommendations to help California achieve its goal of an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2050. The authors argue that while the state is on track for its 2020 goals, it must accelerate policy development in electricity, buildings, transportation, and methane emissions, while expanding cooperation with other U.S. states and China.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) proposes a transformative energy strategy for China termed "Reinventing Fire." The authors argue that China can decouple economic growth from fossil fuel dependence by focusing on three "gamechangers": oil-free mobility, integrative design for radical efficiency in buildings and industry, and a redefined, more distributed electric grid.

This fact sheet details the Obama administration's fiscal year (FY) 2014 budget proposal regarding sustainable energy, clean energy technology, and energy efficiency across multiple federal agencies.

This briefing document outlines the 'Autocomposites Commercialization Launchpad,' an RMI-led initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of carbon fiber composites in the automotive industry. The strategy focuses on a 'parts approach,' targeting the commercialization of specific, high-value components for mainstream vehicles by model year 2018, rather than attempting whole-vehicle transformation immediately. The document emphasizes the need for a collaborative 'A-Team' across the supply chain—including OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and material producers—to overcome technical barriers and share the significant upfront costs associated with design and tooling.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute describes the status and strategies for deploying plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) in the United States as of October 2012. It details federal, state, and local initiatives to build charging infrastructure, the role of 'model communities' in scaling adoption, and the integration of PEVs into government and commercial fleets to reduce petroleum dependence and greenhouse gas emissions.

John Waters discusses a battery fire involving a Chevy Volt at a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) facility, arguing that such incidents serve as catalysts for engineering advancement and global leadership in electric vehicle safety.

This report, prepared by the Stockholm Environment Institute and partners for the City of Seattle, develops a 'Carbon Neutral' scenario to demonstrate a pathway for the city to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. The analysis focuses on 'core' emissions—buildings, transportation, and waste—where the city has the most direct policy influence. The scenario suggests that aggressive implementation of efficiency and fuel-switching strategies could reduce per capita GHG emissions by 90% by 2050 relative to 2008 levels.

This 2011 policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute evaluates transport and mobility trends in Estonia, concluding that current trends are unsustainable due to rising private car use and road freight. The document analyzes three development scenarios (BASE, TECHNO, and EFFECT) to meet EU greenhouse gas (GHG) emission limits by 2020 and provides recommendations for land use planning, financial measures, and mobility management to transition toward a more sustainable transport system.

This 2010 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute explores pathways for the United Kingdom to achieve a zero-carbon transport system by 2050. It compares a Business-as-usual (BAU) scenario with a Maximum Impact (MI) scenario, quantifying the potential CO2 reductions from spatial planning, fiscal measures, behavioural changes, and technological shifts across road, rail, aviation, and shipping sectors.

Friends of the Earth criticizes Chrysler for abandoning its electric vehicle production goals after receiving $15.3 billion in taxpayer-funded bailout money, warning of significant increases in carbon dioxide emissions.

This technical feasibility study by the Stockholm Environment Institute explores two energy scenarios for China from 2005 to 2050. The Baseline scenario projects a nearly four-fold increase in energy sector CO2 emissions, while the Deep Carbon Reduction Scenario (DCRS) examines the possibility of limiting cumulative emissions to 229 GT CO2 to align with the Greenhouse Development Rights (GDRs) framework and a global goal of keeping temperature increases below 2°C.

The Menu is a guide published by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) that provides a framework of actions for community leaders to prepare their cities for the adoption of electrified vehicles (plug-ins). It categorizes actions into "must have" and "nice to have" tiers, targeting a goal of having plug-ins account for 2% of total registered vehicles within five years.

The Smart Garage Charrette Report, published by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in December 2008, outlines a vision for integrating electrified vehicles (xEVs), net-zero buildings, and a smart renewable grid. Based on a design workshop (charrette) involving 80 experts from 25 organizations, the report identifies a near-term path toward 'V1G' (smart one-way charging) as a faster, less complex first step than 'V2G' (bi-directional charging). It details the ecosystem's stakeholders—automakers, utilities, charging providers, connectors, and consumers—and proposes specific projects to overcome critical barriers such as uncertain consumer demand, high battery costs, and fragmented utility regulation.

This 2008 fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) defines plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and outlines their potential to reduce U.S. oil dependence and greenhouse gas emissions. It details different PEV types, the economic and environmental advantages of electrification, and the battery technology challenges facing manufacturers aiming for 2010 production targets.