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The document examines the strategic importance of rare earth minerals (REMs) for clean technologies and the geopolitical friction caused by China's dominance of their production. It highlights how China's shift toward environmental regulation and energy security has led to export restrictions, triggering WTO disputes with the USA, Japan, and the EU. The author argues that the REM case reveals the inadequacy of current international trade governance in balancing short-term economic priorities with long-term sustainability and resource scarcity.

The briefing critiques the EU's Energy Roadmap 2050 for providing only a "superficial treatment" of energy security, primarily limiting its analysis to import dependency and grid stability. The authors argue that energy security is a complex concept encompassing not only security of supply but also security of demand, economic and political risks, and environmental threats. They highlight that the roadmap relies on implicit assumptions—such as the guaranteed expansion of transmission infrastructure and the resolution of nuclear security issues—which may conceal potential challenges in the transition to a low-carbon system. The document advocates for a shift from purely quantitative metrics to a framework that includes qualitative assessments and considers the perspectives of various actors, including households and industries.

The PEDRA research group focuses on the human dimensions of environmental and socio-economic risks in Asia, employing systems-oriented approaches to promote inclusive governance and resilient development. Its current work includes nine diverse projects addressing climate change adaptation in peri-urban Southeast Asia, gender inequalities in environmental conditions, disaster risk reduction in WASH systems, and the governance of the Bali Cultural Landscape.

The Living Planet Report 2014 highlights a critical decline in global vertebrate populations and an ecological overshoot where humanity requires 1.5 Earths to sustain its current consumption. It emphasizes the interdependence of food, water, and energy security with healthy ecosystems and proposes a 'One Planet Perspective' to align human development with planetary boundaries.

The document defends the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), stating it has reduced petroleum dependence by displacing gasoline with over 59 billion gallons of renewable ethanol and 2.7 billion gallons of biodiesel between 2008 and 2012. While acknowledging issues like land use change and GHG emissions from nitrogen fertilizer, it argues these are better addressed through the Farm Bill than RFS reform. The author highlights the growth of next-generation biofuels, noting 160 commercial-scale advanced biofuel projects representing nearly $5 billion in private investment since 2007, and warns that changing the statute now would halt this progress and prolong petroleum dependence.

The report examines how China can transition from relying on electricity surcharges to using environmental taxes and carbon pricing to fund renewable energy. By analyzing eight international case studies, it argues that EFR measures can be pro-growth if revenues are recycled effectively and that earmarking revenues increases transparency and investor confidence. The document suggests that China should consider a carbon tax and natural resource taxes to provide stable, long-term funding for its renewable energy targets, while implementing governance structures to ensure accountability and avoid the 'stop and go' investment cycles seen in some other jurisdictions.

The document examines the oil industry in South Sudan following the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the country's 2011 independence. It argues that oil revenues have been mismanaged by political elites, leading to endemic corruption and a failure to provide basic services to a population where 90% earn less than a dollar a day. The paper details the economic crisis caused by the January 2012 oil production shutdown, the subsequent austerity measures, and the diplomatic pressure from the US and China that led to the resumption of oil flow in 2013.

The report assesses the economic and environmental impacts of UK biofuel policies in 2011, highlighting the financial support provided to the industry, the varying carbon abatement costs between ethanol and biodiesel, and the range of jobs created by the sector.

The report assesses the economic and environmental impact of Spain's biofuel industry in 2011, finding high carbon abatement costs for ethanol and net emission increases for conventional biodiesel. It highlights a significant reliance on imported biodiesel and feedstock, primarily from Argentina and Indonesia, which undermines energy security. Additionally, it notes a wide variance in employment estimates for the sector.

The document analyzes ethanol fuel transitions in Brazil, Malawi, and Sweden, treating them as pioneer countries. It examines how these nations developed physical and institutional infrastructure through the interaction of niche, regime, and landscape levels, while considering spatial and temporal path dependencies.

The report analyzes the costs and benefits of France's biofuel policies in 2011, finding that while bioethanol provides some emission reductions, conventional biodiesel often leads to net emission increases due to indirect land-use change (ILUC). Financial support for the sector, primarily through blending mandates and excise tax exemptions, is estimated between €782 million and €1.01 billion. The study also notes that biodiesel's reliance on imported feedstocks limits its contribution to energy security compared to bioethanol.

The report finds that Spain's biofuel policies, particularly for biodiesel, have often resulted in marginal benefits and net emission increases due to a high reliance on imported fuels and feedstocks. While ethanol provided modest emission savings, the overall sector saw a GDP contraction in 2011. The study highlights that conventional biodiesel is a costly and environmentally damaging option compared to other renewable energy technologies, and recommends phasing out support for first-generation biofuels in favor of low-carbon alternatives.

The report analyzes the costs and benefits of U.K. biofuel policies, focusing on the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) for the 2011/2012 period. It finds that total support for biofuels ranged between £359 million and £445 million, with biodiesel receiving the bulk of this support due to excise tax exemptions for used cooking oil (UCO). While UCO-based biodiesel offers the lowest carbon abatement costs, conventional biodiesel can lead to net emission increases due to indirect land-use change (ILUC). The report also notes that employment gains are difficult to quantify and that the U.K.'s reliance on U.S. corn for bioethanol may pose energy security risks.

The report examines the transition of U.S. Navy bases in the Southwest toward microgrids to enhance energy security and integrate renewables. It identifies five key findings: the need for more granular design requirements, a conflict between utility-scale renewable goals and microgrid security, the immediate value of enhanced control systems, the complexities of participating in California's electricity markets, and internal Navy bureaucratic barriers. The document recommends that the Navy, grid operators, and regulators collaborate to define reliability needs, quantify the business case, and remove regulatory hurdles to enable microgrid adoption.

The report posits that national climate change legislation acts as an enabler for international agreements by building government confidence, knowledge, and a desire for competitive parity. Using examples like South Korea, Mexico, and the UK, the authors suggest that domestic targets inform a country's international position and create the political space necessary for a global deal.

The report analyzes the energy landscape of Central America, noting a contradictory trend where the region leads in geothermal and hydroelectric power but faces increasing dependence on imported fossil fuels. It argues that while the region has the potential to meet 100% of its electricity needs through renewables, significant gaps in data, administrative inefficiency, and fossil fuel subsidies hinder progress. The document recommends integrating technical resource assessments with socio-economic analysis (LCOE+), simplifying bureaucratic processes through 'single-window' permitting, and strengthening regional interconnection via SIEPAC to manage variability in wind and solar power.

The document examines the evolution of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) from a cooperative pool to a competitive regional electricity market (REM). It highlights the role of the SADC Energy Protocol and the integration of independent power producers (IPPs) and renewable energy sources (RES), using South Africa's REIPPPP as a primary example of private sector participation. The analysis identifies significant challenges, including the lack of political will among member states, disparities in national energy policies, and infrastructure deficits, while noting the potential for regional integration through shared hydropower and thermal resources.

The document examines Mozambique's transition from aid dependence to potential resource-based sovereignty following the discovery of over 100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the Rovuma Basin. It argues that while the 'gas boom' offers a significant opportunity for poverty alleviation and industrialization, the country faces risks of the 'resource curse' and 'Dutch disease' due to high levels of corruption and a history of 'mega-projects' that have failed to provide broad-based benefits. The author emphasizes the need for transparent governance, the renegotiation of inequitable contracts, and a strategic balance between LNG exports and domestic industrial use to ensure tangible benefits for the general population.

The paper examines Russian interests in Barents Sea oil and gas, using the Shtokman field as a case study. It argues that turning hydrocarbon deposits into resources requires a supportive societal context, including technology, markets, and legal frameworks. The analysis highlights the tension between the Russian state's geopolitical goals and the commercial viability concerns of companies like Gazprom and foreign partners. Ultimately, the Shtokman project was postponed indefinitely due to high costs, falling European demand, and competition from North American shale gas.

The document argues that strong national climate legislation acts as an enabler for more ambitious international agreements by increasing competitiveness, confidence, and knowledge. It highlights that domestic laws can provide the 'legal force' required for future UNFCCC outcomes and recommends strengthening the role of legislators through capacity building and better engagement with executive negotiators.