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This briefing from the Stockholm Environment Institute argues that sustainable development and the transition to a 'green economy' cannot be achieved without explicitly addressing gender equality and social equity, particularly within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It highlights how systemic gender-based barriers—ranging from legal discrimination to unequal access to finance—limit the potential of women as workers and entrepreneurs, thereby hindering overall economic and environmental sustainability.

This report by WWF South Africa examines the potential and progress of renewable energy (RE) in South Africa, focusing on the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REI4P) and the challenges posed by the state utility Eskom's dominance and the country's historical dependence on coal.

This RMI briefing discusses the significant electricity demand generated by the legal marijuana industry in the United States and proposes strategies for utilities and regulators to manage this load. It suggests that energy efficiency investments, on-site renewables, and time-varying rates to shift consumption to periods of low net load can help integrate renewable energy and reduce operating costs for growers.

This case study describes how the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) in northern New Mexico established a voluntary goal to meet 100 percent of its summer peak electricity demand with solar power by 2023.

This research paper examines the infrastructure financing challenges facing 54 African nations, specifically contrasting the needs and capacities of low-income countries (LICs) and middle-income countries (MICs). It argues that while multilateral development banks (MDBs) provide critical low-interest loans and technical expertise, they face increasing competition from private and bilateral investors and must tailor their bureaucratic processes and financial offerings to the specific economic realities of individual sovereign states to remain relevant.

This commentary discusses the necessary elements for an effective implementation of the pan-Canadian Framework on Climate Change and Clean Growth to meet 2030 international climate commitments.

RMI's briefing outlines a market-driven pathway to limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C by the end of the century. The analysis suggests that a nearly 100 percent renewable energy system is feasible by the mid-2050s if the adoption of clean energy follows the disruptive S-curve patterns seen in previous industrial revolutions, such as the rise of the automobile.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted a request to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on 7 December 2016 for records concerning the proposed Yzermyn underground coal mine in the Mabola Protected Environment.

This case study by the Center for International Environmental Law examines how coal mining in South Africa's Mpumalanga province threatens access to clean water and food, disproportionately impacting women. It highlights the gap between protective legal frameworks and the reality of corporate impunity and government failure to enforce environmental laws.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the financing requirements for India to reach its target of 175 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2022. It identifies a significant gap between expected and required investment, particularly in equity, and evaluates how domestic and foreign institutional investors can bridge this gap through specific financial instruments and policy reforms.

This research paper examines how the adoption of flex-fuel vehicles (bi-fuel cars) influenced price competition between ethanol and gasoline retail markets in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 2002 and 2008. Using a theoretical model and panel data from fuel stations, the authors find that increased flex-fuel penetration reduced retail prices and margins for both fuels, though the effect was more pronounced for ethanol. The study concludes that innovations increasing consumer choice can benefit all consumers, including those who do not adopt the new technology.

This briefing by Friends of the Earth International examines the financial and regulatory impacts of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms on countries negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). It argues that ISDS allows foreign corporations to sue governments over public interest regulations, creating significant financial burdens and a 'regulatory chill' that undermines democracy and the right to regulate.

This 2016 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) evaluates the legal and policy framework of the mining sector in Senegal. The assessment, conducted between April and August 2016, measures the country's readiness to implement the IGF Mining Policy Framework across six thematic areas: legal and policy environment, financial benefits, socio-economic benefits, environmental management, post-mining transition, and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). The report identifies a general 'medium' level of progress, noting that while legislative frameworks are relatively strong, significant challenges remain in field application, institutional monitoring, and the formalization of the ASM sector.

This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) examines the barriers to transit data interoperability in the United States and proposes a multistakeholder consortium to develop industry-wide data standards. The authors argue that interoperable data is essential for 'mobility as a service' (MaaS), which allows users to seamlessly combine various transportation modes. The report identifies significant market potential for improved data sharing and provides a detailed set of minimum data requirements for transportation service providers (TSPs) to enable a complete multimodal user experience.

This briefing by RMI, authored by WattTime co-founder Gavin McCormick, argues that managing climate change requires shifting from average to marginal carbon emissions measurements for electricity. The author explains that because the grid's marginal resource changes every 5 to 15 minutes, timing and locating energy use and generation based on real-time marginal data can significantly reduce CO2 emissions without requiring new infrastructure investments.

A statement by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) welcoming the November 2016 announcements by the Canadian federal government and the Government of Alberta to phase out coal-fired power plants by 2030, highlighting the expected public health and environmental benefits.

This research paper evaluates the output performance and geographical distribution of 52 climate actions launched at the 2014 UN Climate Summit in New York, finding that while energy and industry actions are performing well, a significant implementation gap persists in developing countries.

This report, prepared by GCS Water and Environment (Pty) Ltd for the Centre for Environmental Rights, reviews the Integrated Water Use License Application (IWULA) and the resulting Integrated Water Use License (IWUL) issued to Atha-Africa Ventures (Pty) Ltd for the proposed Yzermyn underground coal mine in Mpumalanga. The review identifies significant gaps in the specialist studies regarding hydrogeology, wetlands, and hydrology, concluding that the IWUL was issued without a full understanding of the environmental impacts and the interconnection between water resources.

This report examines fossil fuel subsidy reform and the adoption of policy instruments to promote renewable energy, focusing on specific case studies from Ethiopia, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, and Nordic countries.

A statement from RMI asserting that the market-based transition to energy efficiency and renewables will continue despite political uncertainty in the United States following the 2016 election.