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Decomposition Reports
The document explains the use of decomposition reports in LEAP to analyze trends in scenarios using the IPAT and Kaya identity frameworks. It details the configuration of these reports, the ability to decompose various indicators such as GHG emissions or air pollutants, and the available visualization options, including waterfall charts and time-series bar charts.
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Document type: Guide
Development without Carbon as Climate Policy
The paper examines the 'energy-poverty-climate' nexus, arguing that global climate policy must support 'development without carbon' to be equitable and viable. It contends that current climate-economics models often assume pessimistic, low-growth scenarios for the poorest countries, which artificially increases the 'emissions space' available for rich nations and reduces the urgency for their mitigation. The author advocates for a framework of 'common but differentiated responsibilities,' where high-income countries bear the financial burden of decarbonizing development in low-income regions to avoid a zero-sum conflict between poverty eradication and the 2°C temperature goal.
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Document type: Research paper
State of Charge: Technical Appendix
The document provides the technical basis for estimating EV charging emissions and costs in the US. It explains the use of average emissions intensity based on EPA eGRID data, adjusted for transmission losses and upstream feedstock emissions. It also describes a modified Oak Ridge Competitive Electricity Dispatch (ORCED) model used for hourly emissions estimates. Additionally, it outlines the process for calculating residential charging costs across 50 US cities, accounting for tiered rates, time-of-use (TOU) plans, and specific utility data.
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Document type: Report
Freshwater Use by U.S. Power Plants: Electricity’s Thirst for a Precious Resource
The document details the construction of the EW3 database, which integrates 2008 Energy Information Administration (EIA) data with NREL and Argonne National Laboratory water coefficients to estimate freshwater withdrawals and consumption. It describes the process of mapping cooling systems to specific generators, using Google Earth to verify cooling types, and applying the Water Supply Stress Index (WaSSI) to identify watersheds where electricity generation significantly increases water stress. The methodology also covers the projection of water use through 2036 using the Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) model and the calculation of water and carbon intensities for the top 15 U.S. electricity providers.
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Document type: Report
Integration of an Energy Modeling Tool in a State’s Power Sector Planning Process—A Tamil Nadu Case Study
The document examines the application of the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) in Tamil Nadu to help state planners design low-carbon energy pathways. It highlights Tamil Nadu's significant renewable energy potential and current capacity, while warning that continuing current trends without intervention will lead to a sharp increase in emissions due to thermal energy generation. The study argues for an integrated planning approach that includes phasing down inefficient thermal plants, managing capacity additions to avoid surpluses, and implementing demand-side energy-efficiency measures.
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Document type: Case study
Green Energy Policy In China
The document evaluates China's pledges to reduce carbon intensity and increase non-fossil fuel energy use by 2020, arguing these goals are achievable but require policies beyond 'business as usual'. It highlights the importance of a new biannual emissions reporting system and advocates for sustained U.S.-China bilateral cooperation in clean energy research and technology deployment.
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Document type: Briefing
A Tool for Designing Policies to Achieve India’s Climate Targets
The India Energy Policy Simulator (EPS-India), developed by Energy Innovation LLC and the World Resources Institute, is a System Dynamics computer model used to provide quantitative analysis of policy packages. It aims to support India in achieving its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reduce emissions intensity per unit of GDP by 33 to 35 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.
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Document type: Briefing
Translating Targets into Numbers: Quantifying the Greenhouse Gas Targets of the G20 Countries
The document examines the varied forms of greenhouse gas targets set by G20 countries, noting that many do not explicitly state absolute future emissions. To improve clarity, the paper converts these targets into absolute emissions levels for the years 2020, 2025, and 2030 and provides visual representations of these limits.
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Document type: Research paper
The Transformation of China's Energy System
The testimony outlines China's progress in reducing energy intensity and increasing non-fossil fuel use, highlighting the targets of the 12th Five-Year Plan and the potential for U.S. and international investment in China's clean technology sector.
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Document type: Statement
Shifting Currents: Opportunities For Low-Carbon Electric Cities In The Global South
The analysis identifies 105 cities with populations over one million across 34 Global South countries where electrification is currently a viable low-carbon strategy. Suitability is determined by a minimum 90 percent urban electricity access rate and a carbon intensity of electricity supply below 600 tCO2e/GWh. While all South American cities meet these criteria, suitability is significantly lower in sub-Saharan Africa (3 out of 40 cities) and South and East Asia (26 out of 202 cities).
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Document type: Research paper
GHG Mitigation in India
The document examines India's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through international commitments and the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). While India is likely to meet its goal of reducing GDP emissions intensity by 20–25 percent from 2005 levels by 2020, the paper highlights significant implementation gaps. It emphasizes the need for improved financing, institutional capacity, and coordination across different levels of government and ministries to ensure mitigation goals are achieved.
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Document type: Research paper
简报文件 5——能源效率
The document analyzes energy efficiency as a 'first fuel' for decarbonization, detailing the historical decline in energy intensity for both the US and China. It outlines specific national targets, such as China's goal to reduce energy intensity by 13.5% by 2025 and the US goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Additionally, it reviews the history of US-China bilateral cooperation, including the Energy Efficiency Action Plan and the US-China Clean Energy Research Center, noting a recent agreement in November 2023 to restart the US-China Energy Efficiency Forum.
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Document type: Briefing
中国和美国的现状
The document provides a comprehensive overview of the climate and energy landscapes in China and the United States. For China, it highlights a 4.7% increase in CO2 emissions in 2023, the growth of non-fossil fuel power capacity to 53.9% of the total, and the implementation of the 'Carbon Peak' pilot program and the restart of the CCER market. For the United States, it notes a projected 1.9% decrease in emissions for 2023, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the focus on decarbonizing the power sector by 2035. The briefing also details the 'Sunnylands Statement' as a framework for bilateral cooperation on methane and energy transition, while noting tensions regarding trade policies and the potential impact of the 2024 US election.
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Document type: Briefing
24/7 CFE Analysis: Data Sourcing and Collection Process
The document outlines a data-intensive process for local governments to match electricity demand with carbon-free energy resources on an hourly basis. It identifies three essential datasets: hourly load data, hourly grid mix and emissions data, and hourly generation data from additional energy procurements. The guide details four methods for obtaining load data—ranging from actual meter readings to machine learning models—and directs users to resources like the EIA and NREL for grid and emissions information.
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Document type: Guide
China Energy Efficiency Financing
The China Energy Efficiency Financing project, led by the World Resources Institute (WRI), addresses the lack of access to reasonable financing for industrial energy efficiency (EE) projects in China. While the top 1,000 energy-using enterprises receive significant attention, smaller industrial companies struggle with internal capacity to identify financeable projects and securing external funding. To resolve this, WRI and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) are exploring a model to bundle individual EE projects into a portfolio to facilitate financing in Shanghai, with plans to replicate the model in one or two other provinces.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Testimony Before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Getting to Yes on Climate Change
Jonathan Lash, President of the World Resources Institute, testifies that the United States is currently missing an opportunity to lead a clean energy revolution while other nations, including major emitters like China, India, and Brazil, are already implementing significant climate actions. He argues that U.S. legislation is the essential prerequisite for a successful global agreement, as other countries are reluctant to commit without a clear U.S. pledge. Using China as a primary example, Lash asserts that the shift toward clean energy is driven by local needs—such as energy security and pollution control—rather than global charity, creating a massive market for clean technology that the U.S. risks losing if it does not put a price on carbon and support clean energy development.
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Document type: Statement
No Food Left Behind Part 1: Underutilized Produce Ripe for Alternative Markets
The report analyzes on-farm losses of specialty crops in the US, finding significant waste in fresh produce like romaine lettuce (56%) and tomatoes (40%) during the 2017-2018 season. It identifies drivers of loss including strict retail cosmetic standards, labor shortages, and unpredictable weather. The document argues that improving supply chain transparency, diversifying markets (e.g., frozen and canned), and reforming buyer-seller contracts could reduce environmental impacts and address food insecurity.
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Document type: Report
wwf_carbon_tax_qanda_final-0d4a0eb6b0e02e9e.pdf
The document outlines the South African government's plan to implement a carbon tax in January 2019 to shift the social costs of emissions to polluters. While it acknowledges the tax as a cost-effective tool for economic reorientation, WWF South Africa argues that the initial rate of R120 per tonne, combined with allowances of 60% to 95%, is insufficient to incentivize emission reductions. The document recommends a higher tax rate of R162 to R433 per tonne and suggests that revenues be used for pro-poor programs in energy and transport.
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Document type: Fact sheet