Search Climate Insights Directory

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the role of trade and investment agreements in the critical minerals boom, highlighting the tension between importing countries' desire for stable raw material access and exporting countries' goals for domestic value addition and sustainability.

The report argues that the European Union's 2020 hydrogen strategy was overly ambitious and requires recalibration to align with market realities. It advocates for a pragmatic, implementation-focused approach that prioritizes 'hard-to-electrify' sectors—such as steel, maritime, and fertilizers—while utilizing a combination of mandates ('sticks') and targeted funding ('carrots') to bridge the cost gap between renewable hydrogen and fossil-based alternatives.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) submitted comments on March 6, 2025, regarding proposed amendments to the Pest Control Products Fees and Charges Regulations (Annual Charge). While supporting the Pest Management Regulatory Agency's (PMRA) need for more resources, CAPE argues the proposed fee increases are inadequate and fail to achieve full cost recovery or align with the polluter-pays principle.

This report by Ember analyzes the accelerating deployment of battery storage and solar power in the United States, highlighting how batteries are enabling higher solar penetration and displacing fossil fuels, particularly in California and Texas.

In 2024, wind and solar combined to produce 17% of US electricity, surpassing coal for the first time nationwide. This shift is driven by market dynamics, cost-effective renewables, and state-level policies, with 24 states now generating more electricity from wind and solar than from coal.

The report analyzes how extreme heatwaves in 2024 increased electricity demand and fossil fuel generation in the world's three largest electricity markets: China, the United States, and India. Using a population-weighted temperature methodology, Ember found that cooling needs significantly drove demand spikes during critical summer months, leading to increased reliance on coal and gas to fill generation gaps.

The North Plains Connector (NPC) is a proposed 420-mile, 525 kilovolt high-voltage direct current transmission line designed to connect the western and eastern electricity grids between eastern Montana and central North Dakota. Developed by North Plains Connector LLC (a subsidiary of Grid United), the project aims to add 3,000 megawatts of bi-directional transfer capacity to improve reliability and economic benefits across the US. The project is distinguished by a "landowner-first" engagement strategy, avoiding eminent domain and modifying its route by adding 50 miles to accommodate local preferences, thereby reducing community opposition.

This research paper by the Center for International Environmental Law argues that private insurance companies in California are avoiding the costs of climate-driven disasters—specifically the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires—by shifting risk to the public and the state-supported FAIR Plan, while simultaneously profiting from investments in the fossil fuel industry.

This report by Ember analyzes the impact of the UK government's Clean Power 2030 Action Plan on energy import reliance. It finds that while the plan significantly reduces gas imports for electricity generation, the wider UK economy remains vulnerable due to continued reliance on imported oil for transport and gas for domestic heating. The report argues that comprehensive electrification of heating and transport is necessary to fully stabilize energy bills and enhance national energy security.

This briefing analyzes the US Treasury's final 45V guidance for electrolytic hydrogen projects, which establishes a tax credit framework based on three pillars: incrementality, temporality, and deliverability. The guidance provides a transition period for annual matching until 2030, after which hourly matching is required, and introduces flexibility by allowing emissions calculations per hour and per electrolyzer to avoid 'all or nothing' credit losses.

The report 'Clean Air, Healthy Lives' outlines a strategic framework for health ministries to address the global air pollution crisis, which causes 7 million premature deaths annually. It advocates for the use of Health Impact Assessments (HIA) and tools like WHO's AirQ+ to quantify health burdens and drive policy. Through case studies from India, Singapore, the Philippines, South Africa, and Trinidad and Tobago, the document demonstrates the efficacy of solarising health centers, establishing inter-agency task forces, and using community-led litigation to enforce clean air standards.

The report "Aire limpio, vidas saludables" provides a policy roadmap for health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to integrate air pollution responses. It emphasizes the role of health ministries in leading intersectoral collaboration, utilizing health impact assessments, and strengthening infrastructure to mitigate the severe health and economic burdens of air pollution.

This document is Appendix A of a report by Energy Innovation, detailing the modeling methodology used to assess the impacts of repealing federal energy tax credits. It provides a comprehensive table mapping specific sections of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to their inclusion in 'Business as Usual' (BAU) and 'IRA Repeal' scenarios, explaining the calculations for credits related to renewable energy, electric vehicles, carbon sequestration, and agricultural conservation.

This report by Energy Innovation uses the Energy Policy Simulator to analyze the economic and environmental impacts of repealing federal clean energy tax credits and funding programs, specifically those established under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The analysis compares a 'Current Policies' scenario against a 'Repeal' scenario starting in 2025, finding that such a repeal would lead to significant job losses, increased household energy costs, reduced GDP, and higher air pollution.

This executive summary presents a meta-analysis of research from nonpartisan groups, universities, and government agencies regarding the impact of federal technology-neutral electricity tax credits (§45Y and §48E) on consumerSS. United States household energy bills. The document argues that these credits lower electricity costs by reducing the investment costs for wind, solar, battery, nuclear, and geothermal projects, with utilities passing these savings to consumers. It warns that repealing these credits would increase energy bills for households and businesses, particularly as electricity demand grows due to factors such as data center expansion.

This briefing by Global Energy Monitor examines the growth potential of geothermal power in the United States under the Trump administration, noting that while wind and solar face challenges, geothermal energy has bipartisan support and technological advancements that position it for rapid expansion.

This report provides a comprehensive assessment of Bhutan's mining policy framework against the standards of the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF). Conducted between February and August 2024, the assessment evaluates Bhutan's readiness to implement sustainable mining practices across five themes: laws and institutions, financial benefits, socio-economic benefits, environmental management, and post-mining transition. While the report highlights Bhutan's strong constitutional commitment to environmental conservation and the integration of Gross National Happiness (GNH) into its development philosophy, it identifies critical gaps in legislative coherence, community engagement, and the technical capacity for monitoring and enforcement.

The Manila Tool Kit, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in March 2025, provides a practical framework for policy-makers in developing countries to achieve horizontal coherence between investment governance and other policy areas. It guides governments in aligning investment treaties, national laws, and contracts with international commitments related to sustainable development, climate action, and human rights to reduce regulatory inconsistencies and litigation risks.

The Manila Investment Policy Forum Tool Kit is a practical guide developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to help national and regional policymakers improve horizontal coherence between investment governance and other policy areas. It provides a two-step framework to align investment treaties, laws, and contracts with international sustainable development commitments, such as those related to climate, human rights, and public health.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the necessity of reforming investment treaties and the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system. It argues that traditional treaties, which prioritize investor protection, often conflict with sustainable development goals, create significant financial burdens for states, and discourage necessary public interest regulations, particularly regarding the energy transition.