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This executive summary from the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) outlines the need for new business models for distributed solar photovoltaics (DPV) in the United States to move beyond customer-centric value toward system-wide optimization. It proposes three 'bridge' building blocks—increased access, treating DPV as a grid resource, and technology bundling—to align the interests of utilities, solar companies, and customers while transitioning toward broader regulatory reform.

Friends of the Earth International expresses solidarity with protesters against the Testet Dam in France and calls for an investigation into the death of 21-year-old Rémi Fraisse during a protest on October 25, 2014.

This report by IISD-GSI provides the Nordic Council of Ministers with options and recommendations for increasing Nordic cooperation to phase out fossil-fuel subsidies in developing countries, highlighting the economic and environmental costs of these subsidies.

ACT 2015 proposes five key structural elements for the 2015 global climate agreement: a clear long-term goal (including net zero by 2050), a commitment to non-regressive strengthening of national targets, five-year update cycles, the use of independent expert facts, and a formal progress assessment process.

This technical report by ECOFYS for the World Resources Institute analyzes the potential for energy efficiency and renewable energy to reduce the European Union's dependence on natural gas imports by 2030. It examines the buildings, industry, and energy supply sectors, comparing a business-as-usual scenario with the EU's 2030 framework and a more ambitious 'Energy Independence 2030' scenario.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submitted a statement to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) opposing Eskom's applications to postpone compliance with Minimum Emission Standards (MES). The CER argues that Eskom failed to provide required health impact assessments and future compliance plans, while monitoring data indicates that Eskom's emissions cause frequent, year-round exceedances of air quality guidelines, contributing to significant regional health risks.

Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park delivered remarks at a United Nations session on Sustainable Energy for All, detailing the efforts of Music for Relief and the 'Power The World' initiative to combat energy poverty and climate change.

An open letter from 11 civil society and community organisations to South Africa's Minister of Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa, urging the government to reject requests for exemptions from air pollution standards by Sasol and the National Petroleum Refiners of SA (Natref).

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.

This executive summary details a civil society event held on September 22, 2014, in New York, which brought together global health leaders to discuss the intersection of climate change and public health. The event focused on how health-centric decision-making can drive mitigation efforts across the agriculture, transportation, and energy sectors to improve human well-being and sustainable development.

This document consists of a formal submission by the Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) and an accompanying independent peer review by Carin Bosman Sustainable Solutions (CBSS). It critiques the Integrated Water Use Licence Application (IWULA) Report prepared by Jones and Wagner for KiPower's proposed 600 MW coal-fired power station in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The CER and CBSS conclude that the IWULA is 'Inadequate' due to significant procedural and substantive failures, including the absence of a practical Integrated Water and Waste Management Plan (IWWMP) Action Plan and a failure to adequately assess impacts on groundwater and other water users.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) submitted a statement to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) arguing that the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could undermine environmental and public health protections. CIEL expresses concern that 'regulatory coherence' mechanisms and the prioritization of trade impacts over public interest could create a 'chilling effect' on the development of new laws and the implementation of existing ones, particularly regarding toxic chemicals, endocrine disruptors, and nanomaterials.

A joint statement urging the United Nations Human Rights Council to increase its focus on the human rights impacts of international financial institutions (IFIs), including multilateral development banks like the World Bank.

A policy brief by the Center for International Environmental Law analyzing a leaked 'chemicals annex' from the European Commission regarding the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The document argues that the proposed regulatory cooperation favors chemical industry interests over public health and environmental protections, potentially freezing the implementation of stronger laws and erasing the more protective standards currently found in the EU.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development compares the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impacts of electricity sector regulations in Canada and the United States, specifically focusing on coal-fired power plants. It analyzes how these policies contribute to each country's Copenhagen Accord pledge to reduce 2020 emissions to 17 per cent below 2005 levels.

A 2014 civil society statement from the WHO Health and Climate Conference calling for the health sector to declare climate change a global public health emergency and lead a transition away from fossil fuels through a 'divest-invest' framework to protect human health and reduce healthcare costs.

This research paper analyzes the potential costs and benefits for Ethiopia of joining the COMESA Free Trade Area (FTA). It finds that Ethiopia's infant manufacturing sector is not yet competitive and that joining the FTA could increase net unemployment. However, it notes that Ethiopia is successfully expanding economic cooperation in energy and transport with neighbors such as Kenya, Sudan, Djibouti, and South Sudan, suggesting that bilateral relations may be more beneficial than formal trade liberalization.

The authors of a Nature Climate Change article respond to a critique by Dr. Michael Levi regarding their analysis of the Keystone XL pipeline's impact on global emissions. They defend their use of a simple, transparent global oil model over complex 'black box' models, arguing that their approach allows for the examination of alternative assumptions and a range of possible supply responses.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) presents its operating budget request for the 2014/2015 fiscal year and a preliminary request for 2015-2017. The budget focuses on maintaining current service levels, monitoring scientific programs, and managing the transition of the Directorate's headquarters to Montevideo.

The Financial and Administrative Ad Hoc Committee (FAC) reviewed the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) core budget request for 2014-2015, recommending its approval by the Executive Council and Council of the Parties. The report addresses a proposed increase in country contributions, an audit of the 2012-13 financial statements, concerns regarding member arrears, and the renewal of the FAC charter.