Search Climate Insights Directory

This policy briefing examines the evolving relationship between the United States and Brazil, noting that while the US now recognizes Brazil as a genuine emerging power and a vital player in global politics, translating this awareness into a concrete 'special relationship' is hindered by divergent priorities in security, trade, and regional leadership.

This case study by Amory B. Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute examines Cuba's transition from a fragile, centralized electricity system to a more resilient model based on energy efficiency and distributed micropower. Following severe blackouts in 2004 and 2005, the Cuban government launched 'La Revolución Energética' in 2006, which combined mass deployment of efficient appliances, inverted electricity tariffs, and the installation of thousands of microgenerators to eliminate blackouts by 2007 and improve grid resilience against natural disasters.

This research paper examines the potential impact of oil discovery on Ghana's democratic consolidation and economic stability. It weighs the country's strong civil society and history of fair elections against risks such as 'Dutch Disease', lack of absorptive capacity, and legislative delays in managing oil revenues.

This research paper examines the evolving landscape of energy efficiency intermediaries within the European Union, analyzing the shift from government and utility-led programs to a diverse array of new actors and the implications of integrating energy efficiency into broader sustainability agendas.

This report analyzes the opportunities and barriers for clean energy, specifically Non-Conventional Renewable Energies (NCRE), in Chile's electricity sector. It examines the current energy matrix, regulatory frameworks, investment trends, and the impact of climate change policies, identifying a transition from a fossil-fuel-dependent system toward a more diversified one supported by legal quotas and financial incentives.

This research paper argues that nuclear proliferation, climate change, and oil dependence are interconnected problems that can be solved simultaneously by shifting energy strategy away from nuclear power and fossil fuels toward energy efficiency and 'micropower' (distributed renewables and cogeneration). The author contends that nuclear power is economically unviable and inherently linked to proliferation risks, while integrative design and renewable technologies offer more profitable and faster paths to energy security and carbon reduction.

This research paper describes a model for assessing transitions to sustainable mobility, combining agent-based modelling with system dynamics to evaluate different societal pathways.

The Greenhouse Development Rights (GDR) framework is a proposed climate regime architecture designed to balance emission reductions with the development needs of developing countries by defining national obligations based on responsibility and capacity relative to a 'development threshold'.

This case study examines a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) judgment regarding competing applications for prospecting rights in Limpopo Province. The court focused on whether internal appeal processes under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) must be exhausted before seeking a judicial review under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA).

This case study examines the legal dispute between the Sanwild Wildlife Trust and Maranda Mining Co (Pty) Ltd regarding the right of access to land for mining operations. The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) addressed whether a mining rights holder's right to access land is contingent upon public participation and consultation processes under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002.

This report, an excerpt from a paper presented at the Banff Dialogue in April 2010, reviews 57 reports from Canadian think tanks to identify common recommendations and research gaps regarding a national clean energy strategy. It highlights a fundamental tension between a 'climate view'—which prioritizes top-down carbon pricing to drive energy choices—and an 'energy view'—which emphasizes market-driven supply and investment certainty.

This report, an excerpt from a paper presented at the Banff Dialogue in April 2010, argues for the creation of a coherent national energy strategy for Canada to better manage its diverse energy resources and navigate its heavy trade dependence on the United States while transitioning toward low-carbon energy.

This 2010 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the challenges and opportunities for energy security and integration in South America, focusing on the pivotal role of Brazil. The author argues that while the region possesses vast energy resources, national regulations and a lack of multilateral frameworks create insecurity and underutilization of low-cost resources. The report proposes a Multilateral Energy Security Reserve (RMSE) treaty to stabilize supply and suggests that Brazil's market size and leadership in renewables make it the ideal coordinator for a secure, competitive regional energy market.

This 2010 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the causes of energy insecurity in Argentina, focusing on the long-term impacts of 1990s privatization and macroeconomic reforms. It details how a shift toward private investment and a reliance on natural gas for electricity generation created a precarious supply system, exacerbated by the strategies of multinational corporations like Repsol-YPF and the failure of regional gas agreements.

This 2010 report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the tensions between South Africa's reliance on coal for energy security and its commitments to climate change mitigation. It analyzes the dominance of the state utility Eskom, the challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, and the potential for regional energy cooperation within Southern Africa to diversify the electricity supply mix.

The report proposes the creation of the Federal Freight Efficiency Authority (FFEA), a U.S. government agency designed to reduce oil dependence by improving the fuel efficiency of Class-8 heavy-duty trucks. The FFEA would provide default risk insurance on lease payments for independent owner-operators and small fleets, enabling them to transition from inefficient used trucks to new, high-efficiency vehicles.

This report argues that electric utilities must shift from a traditional model of managing uncontrollable demand with large 'baseload' plants to a new paradigm using a diversified portfolio of smaller, variable resources, including energy efficiency and renewables, to maintain reliability and cost-effectiveness.

The 2010 Sustainable Transport Report, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute on behalf of the Sustainable Development Commission, analyzes transport and mobility trends in Estonia. It concludes that current trends are unsustainable, characterized by rapid growth in car use and road freight that outpaces economic growth, leading to increased energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The report proposes three scenarios for 2010–2020: a baseline (BAAS) scenario continuing current trends, a technology-focused (TEHNO) scenario emphasizing vehicle efficiency, and an effect-focused (EFEKT) scenario prioritizing mobility management and sustainable transport modes. It recommends integrating fiscal measures, such as CO2-based vehicle taxes, with systemic urban planning and investments in public transport and active mobility to meet EU climate targets.

This policy brief examines the evolution of India's approach to climate change, noting a shift from a rigid stance based on historical equity toward a more pragmatic, constructive engagement in international diplomacy. This transition is driven by the desire to enhance international status and strengthen strategic relationships with the United States and China, while domestic climate action remains primarily motivated by development goals, energy security, and poverty alleviation.

This guide provides technical and institutional recommendations for using human urine as a liquid fertilizer in crop production. It details the nutrient composition of urine, application strategies to maximize yield and minimize ammonia loss, and a multi-barrier health risk management approach based on WHO guidelines. The document also offers a framework for developing local guidelines and presents case studies from Sweden, Burkina Faso, and Niger.