Search Climate Insights Directory
440 results
HIGHLIGHTS FROM Planetary Economics: Energy, Climate Change and the Three Domains of Sustainable Development
The document outlines a framework called 'Planetary Economics' to address the inadequacy of traditional neoclassical economics in solving climate change. It proposes three domains of socio-economic processes: the First Domain (Satisficing), focusing on human behaviour and efficiency gaps; the Second Domain (Optimising), focusing on market trade-offs and pricing; and the Third Domain (Transforming), focusing on innovation and systemic change. These domains map to three policy pillars: standards and engagement for efficiency, markets and prices for carbon reduction, and strategic investment for infrastructure and innovation. The author concludes that only an integrated strategy combining all three pillars can effectively decarbonise energy systems and overcome systemic 'lock-in' and behavioural inertia.
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Document type: Executive summary
The Climate Deception Dossiers
The report presents seven 'deception dossiers' containing approximately 85 internal documents that reveal how fossil fuel companies and trade associations intentionally spread climate misinformation. It details tactics such as the secret funding of contrarian scientists, the creation of 'astroturf' grassroots groups, and the use of forged letters to Congress to undermine climate science and delay the transition to clean energy.
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Document type: Report
The End of Coal: Ontario’s coal phase-out
Ontario eliminated coal-fired electricity generation by the end of 2014, a process described as the "single largest GHG reduction measure in North America." The transition was primarily driven by public health concerns and the influence of a coalition including the Ontario Medical Association and the Ontario Clean Air Alliance. Key enabling factors included the public ownership of coal plants, which allowed the government to absorb shutdown costs, and the lack of local coal reserves, which minimized economic resistance from producers. While the phase-out significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 34 megatonnes since 2007, the report notes that coal was largely replaced by natural gas rather than renewables. The experience highlights the importance of credible messengers, realistic timelines, and multi-party political consensus in achieving large-scale energy transitions.
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Document type: Report
Delivering on the U.S. Climate Commitment: A 10-Point Plan Toward a Low-Carbon Future
The United States can meet its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26–28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025 through a combination of existing federal laws and state actions. The report proposes a 10-point action plan focusing on the power sector, energy efficiency, HFCs, and methane reduction. For deeper reductions beyond 2025, the authors argue that new legislation, such as a carbon price, could reduce emissions by 40–42 percent by 2030 and 50–53 percent by 2040 without sacrificing robust economic growth.
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Document type: Research paper
Towards a global carbon market: risks of linking the EU ETS to other carbon markets
The policy brief examines the implications of linking the EU ETS with external carbon markets, noting that while it may increase cost-efficiency, it risks undermining the EU's 2030 domestic emissions reduction target of 40%. It highlights the lack of transparency and European Parliament involvement in current negotiations and recommends that any linking be accompanied by higher emission targets and robust safeguards, such as the exclusion of international offsets.
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Document type: Policy brief
TOWARDS A GLOBAL CARBON MARKET
The report examines the feasibility of linking the EU ETS with various global carbon markets, highlighting that success depends on harmonizing design features such as target stringency, offset rules, and price controls. It analyzes the successful California-Quebec linkage and the failed EU-Australia attempt, while evaluating the compatibility of the EU ETS with markets in Switzerland, China, South Korea, New Zealand, Kazakhstan, and the US RGGI. The author recommends that the EU ETS adopt safeguards used elsewhere, such as auction floor prices and banking limits, to address oversupply and price volatility.
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Document type: Report
The International Regulation of Aviation Emissions: Putting Differential Treatment into Practice
The document analyzes the tension between the principle of equal treatment in international aviation and the need for differential treatment for developing nations regarding emissions regulation. It notes that the Kyoto Protocol delegated mitigation measures to the ICAO, which has seen limited success. The authors suggest that reconciling these opposing approaches requires applying differential treatment during the implementation phase through financial, technological, and capacity-building support.
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Document type: Research paper
Emissions Trading in China: An opportunity for renewable energy?
The report examines the potential for China to use revenues from a national emissions trading scheme (ETS), expected by 2016, to fund renewable energy. While experts agree that earmarking is feasible, they suggest that funds should target less mature technologies like tidal and geothermal power rather than established wind and solar PV, which are already well-financed. Short-term revenues from auctioning allowances are expected to be small, but long-term potential exists if political will remains constant. Governance challenges include the need for transparency, the harmonization of monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) rules across regions, and the decision between centralizing or localizing fund management.
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Document type: Report
Towards a Low Carbon, Climate Resilient Ontario: IISD input to MOECC’s Climate Change Discussion Paper
The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) advocates for a stringent cap-and-trade system, the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, and the integration of climate adaptation into infrastructure and building codes to advance Ontario's climate goals.
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Document type: Policy brief
Clean Energy Opportunities in California’s Water Sector
The report identifies the California water sector as a major electricity consumer, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the state's demand. It argues that while growing needs for groundwater pumping, desalination, and water recycling increase energy intensity, utilities can mitigate this by investing in on-site renewables, power purchase agreements, and demand response services. Key barriers include a lack of standardized electricity source data, regulatory misalignment, and financial constraints like Proposition 218.
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Document type: Report
Putting a Price on Carbon: A Handbook for U.S. Policymakers
The document examines carbon pricing mechanisms, specifically carbon taxes and cap-and-trade programs, as a core strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. It details design features such as scope, point of regulation, and cost-containment mechanisms, while analyzing various ways to utilize generated revenues—including tax cuts, deficit reduction, and dividends—to offset economic impacts and increase political viability. The authors argue that a well-designed carbon price can provide a 'double dividend' of environmental benefit and economic efficiency.
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Document type: Research paper
TARGET 2030: TOP FOUR CLIMATE POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CALIFORNIA
Energy Innovation proposes a post-2020 policy framework for California centered on a 2030 statewide carbon cap of 40 percent below 1990 levels. The recommendations include decarbonizing the electricity sector through carbon standards and a 50 percent renewable energy target, expanding transportation policies via the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and vehicle electrification, and establishing global benchmarks for methane emission standards in oil and gas operations.
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Document type: Policy brief
CHARTING CALIFORNIA’S CARBON COURSE: WHY AND HOW THE STATE SHOULD SET A 2030 TARGET OF 40% BELOW THE 1990 LEVEL OF CARBON EMISSIONS
The report proposes a 2030 target for California to reduce carbon emissions to 40% below 1990 levels, asserting that this is technically feasible and economically viable. It recommends maintaining a policy portfolio where a broad cap-and-trade program acts as an emissions ceiling over sector-specific policies. To manage costs and uncertainty, the author suggests extending current cost-containment tools, including a three-tiered allowance reserve and a forward-borrowing mechanism. The analysis incorporates both capped emissions and uncapped sectors—such as agriculture and waste—predicting that the state can reach the target through commercially available technology and induced innovation in clean tech industries.
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Document type: Report
China’s Low-Carbon Competitiveness and National Technical and Economic Zones
The report examines how China's industrial development zones (IDZs), which account for approximately 35% of total national emissions, are responding to a shift from growth-oriented policies to low-carbon mandates. It identifies a trend toward market-based instruments, such as the national cap-and-trade system, and highlights the role of eco-industrial park certifications in improving resource efficiency. Based on a survey of 230 firms, the document reveals significant gaps in GHG inventory management and policy awareness, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises. It recommends streamlining administrative procedures, increasing transparency in carbon trading, and establishing a capacity-building platform called 'Low Carbon, 2030' to support the national goal of peaking emissions by 2030.
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Document type: Report
中国低碳竞争力与国家级经济技术开发区
The report identifies a shift in China's low-carbon policy landscape from rigid administrative commands to more flexible, market-based economic instruments. Based on an analysis of over 100 policies, it highlights the increasing importance of emissions trading systems, energy efficiency standards, and greenhouse gas auditing for industrial zones. It emphasizes that while national goals are set centrally, implementation is increasingly distributed, creating a complex regulatory environment for enterprises.
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Document type: Report
Policy Trends and Drivers of Low-Carbon Development in China’s Industrial Zones
The report analyzes the evolving policy landscape for low-carbon development in China's industrial zones, highlighting a shift from rigid command-and-control regulations toward more flexible economic instruments and performance standards. It examines the role of the 12th Five-Year Plan and the cascading effect of national directives from the State Council and NDRC to provincial and municipal levels, specifically focusing on regional emissions trading pilots and the increasing importance of GHG inventories and auditing.
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Document type: Report
TomorrowNow— Manitoba’s Green Plan: Toward a New Provincial Climate Change and Green Economy Plan Consultations Background Paper
The document serves as a guide for public and stakeholder consultations to update Manitoba's climate strategy. It reviews the province's failure to meet its 2012 GHG reduction targets, analyzes sectoral emission drivers—notably the high relative contribution of agriculture—and proposes principles for a new plan that integrates mitigation with a stronger focus on adaptation. It also highlights opportunities for a green economy based on Manitoba's clean energy resources and bioproducts potential.
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Document type: Briefing
TomorrowNow— Manitoba’s Green Plan: Toward a New Provincial Climate Change and Green Economy Plan Consultations Background Paper
The document outlines Manitoba's current emissions profile, its history of climate action, and the need for a new integrated plan for mitigation and adaptation. It examines policies from other jurisdictions regarding larger emitters and proposes principles for Manitoba's future strategy, including the development of mandatory GHG reporting regulations.
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Document type: Briefing
Can We Catch-Up? How the UK is falling behind on Environmental Law
The document argues that the UK is falling behind global standards in environmental law enforcement and advocates for systemic legal reforms to increase citizen access to justice and the use of strategic litigation to protect the environment.
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Document type: Statement
Differential treatment in the UNFCCC
The document analyzes the conflict between the principle of differential treatment (CBDRRC) used in climate law and the principle of equal treatment central to international aviation law. It argues that a 'contextual treatment' approach—which differentiates based on changing national circumstances and implementation assistance—is more viable for regulating aviation emissions than the rigid binary divisions of the Kyoto Protocol. The brief notes a shift toward this approach within the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the European Union (EU), suggesting that such flexibility is key to establishing a global market-based emissions reduction mechanism.
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Document type: Policy brief