Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper by Steven Haig of the International Institute for Sustainable Development argues that expanding liquefied natural gas (LNG) production in Canada will increase domestic and global emissions, hinder the transition to renewable energy, and divert public funds from climate solutions.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) assesses a pilot program for Direct Benefit Transfer of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidies in the Mysore district of India. Based on surveys and focus groups conducted in October 2013, the report finds that the scheme faced significant administrative hurdles, caused financial instability for poor households, and led some users to return to biomass fuels, ultimately resulting in the program's suspension by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on January 30, 2014.

This research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) evaluates the effectiveness of residential building energy codes in the United States from 1986 to 2008. Using econometric analysis of state-level energy consumption data, the study finds that building energy codes are associated with a reduction in primary energy use and greenhouse gas emissions per household, while also influencing fuel choice by shifting consumption toward natural gas and away from other fuels like fuel oil.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute, prepared for WWF-Japan, evaluates the potential for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reductions in Japan's power sector between 2000 and 2020. It compares a 'Business As Usual' (BAU) scenario, based on current trends and government projections, with a 'Power Switch' (PS) scenario characterized by aggressive transitions to non-fossil and low-carbon fuels and broad implementation of energy efficiency measures. The analysis demonstrates that the PS scenario can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with a relatively minor net cost to society, primarily by substituting natural gas for coal, phasing out nuclear power, and expanding renewable energy.

This research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative examines how California's Cap and Trade Program, established under the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB32), influences investment decisions in the cement industry. Through financial modeling and stakeholder interviews, the authors analyze the impact of carbon pricing on three primary abatement strategies: energy efficiency, fuel switching, and the blending of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). The study finds that while carbon prices make emissions reductions more financially attractive, significant non-price barriers—including short corporate payback period requirements, fuel supply uncertainty, and prescriptive customer procurement standards—often prevent firms from pursuing cost-effective abatement options.