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Technical and economic pre-feasibility of biomass waste utilization for production of sustainable aviation fuel by PetroSA
The study evaluates the feasibility of supplying 300 million litres of ethanol annually to PetroSA's Conversion of Olefins to Distillate (COD) plant. It compares three primary feedstock pathways: first-generation (1G) molasses, second-generation (2G) lignocellulosic biomass (primarily invasive alien plants and garden waste), and third-generation (3G) industrial off-gases. The analysis finds that molasses-based ethanol is the most cost-effective and carbon-efficient option, while lignocellulosic ethanol is the most expensive due to high acquisition and processing costs. However, the report suggests that a diversified sourcing strategy incorporating invasive alien plants (IAPs) could meet broader socio-economic goals, such as job creation and drought resilience, at an additional cost of approximately R1 billion per year.
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Document type: Report
How to Fix Flaring for a Quick Emissions Win
The document highlights the environmental impact of natural gas flaring, particularly in the US, and outlines a seven-step framework for abatement including prohibiting routine flaring, increasing transparency, and implementing carbon pricing.
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Document type: Guide
Mining faces an historic reckoning: the time is now for leaders with courage to step up
The document calls for a shift from a destructive extractive model to one that prioritises human well-being and environmental preservation. It highlights the severe impacts of mining on water, soil, and air, and emphasizes that global coal use must drop by 80% in the next decade to maintain a 1.5°C temperature limit. In South Africa, failure to adapt could lead to interior temperature increases of up to 7°C by 2100, threatening health and agriculture.
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Document type: Statement
Industry brief 2021
The City of Cape Town (CCT) is transitioning from landfilling wastewater sludge to anaerobic digestion at bio-solids beneficiation facilities (BBFs) due to national and provincial landfill bans on liquid and organic wastes. The CCT generates approximately 199 dry tonnes of dewatered sludge per day, which it currently spends ~R60 million annually to dispose of or apply to land. The city plans to establish two regional BBFs over the next 15 years to produce A1a class treated digestate cake and recover energy and nutrients. Potential circular economy options include agricultural use, energy recovery (biogas, combustion, pyrolysis), and commercial applications like brick manufacturing. Additionally, the CCT is exploring broader organic waste diversion for garden greens, animal carcasses, and household food waste to meet a 100% organic waste landfill diversion target by 2027.
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Document type: Briefing
Poland’s second BEŁCHATÓW
The report finds that Poland was responsible for 70% of methane leaks from Europe's operational coal mines in 2018. These emissions, totaling 659 kilotonnes, have a 20-year climate impact equivalent to 56.7 million tonnes of CO2, which exceeds the 2018 CO2 emissions of the Belchatów power plant. The analysis identifies two companies, JSW and PGG, as responsible for 90% of leaks from operational hard coal mines, with the Budryk deep mine identified as the largest emitter in Europe. The report recommends accelerating methane reduction plans, prioritizing the closure of methane-intensive mines, banning the release of captured methane, and integrating coal mine methane into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme by 2030.
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Document type: Report
Protecting Colorado’s Mountain Backcountry
Earthjustice is challenging plans by Arch Coal to expand mining operations in the Sunset Roadless Area adjacent to the West Elk Wilderness. The case focuses on the illegality of roadbuilding exemptions under the 2012 Colorado Roadless Rule and the environmental impact of venting methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from the West Elk mine, which is identified as the largest industrial source of methane in Colorado.
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Document type: Case study
Air pollution and its impact on human health
The document highlights the critical link between air pollution, human health, and climate change, specifically focusing on short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). It argues that because air pollution has a more immediate and tangible impact on public health than long-term climate change, it can serve as a powerful catalyst for policy action. The brief details the health burdens of PM2.5 and tropospheric ozone, including millions of asthma-related hospital visits and pre-term births. To facilitate this, the Stockholm Environment Institute promotes the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) and Integrated Benefits Calculator (IBC) to help cities and nations model emission projections and quantify health and climate benefits simultaneously.
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Document type: Policy brief
Come on, Florida. It’s Time to Help More Citizens With Energy Efficiency
The author contends that Florida utilities rank near the bottom of all US states in providing energy efficiency programs, which increases power bills and reliance on coal and gas plants. The text highlights that the Florida Public Service Commission continues to use an energy efficiency formula from the 1990s and notes that in 2019, utilities proposed a 10-year energy efficiency goal of zero. Earthjustice, representing the League of United Latin American Citizens and the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida, is urging the Commission to hold new public hearings to update these goals, particularly to benefit low-income customers.
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Document type: Statement
RMI Joins Major Oil and Gas Companies to Support Methane Monitoring
RMI and several major oil and gas companies, including BP, Equinor, Exxon, and Shell, have condemned the US EPA's decision to stop methane emissions monitoring. RMI argues that monitoring and abatement are essential for natural gas to have any future role in the energy system, as methane is a powerful greenhouse gas with 28-36x the warming potential of carbon dioxide over 100 years. The document asserts that affordable detection technologies, such as optical gas imaging cameras, are available and that regulation is necessary to ensure all operators meet performance standards.
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Document type: Statement
SUPPLEMENTARY SUBMISSIONS ON THE DRAFT UPSTREAM PETROLEUM RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT BILL, 2019
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submits that the draft Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill, 2019 is deficient in its approach to the climate crisis and community welfare. The CER argues that gas exploration and production pose severe risks to climate, air, water, and marine environments, and that the Bill's consultation processes are 'woefully inadequate'. Furthermore, the CER criticizes the lack of a robust Social and Labour Plan (SLP) framework to ensure benefits reach affected communities, noting that a proposed 20% state carried interest is an insufficient substitute for local development. The submission also calls for stronger administrative penalties to ensure corporate compliance with environmental laws.
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Document type: Statement
When is a Win More than a Win?
The author highlights several 2020 court rulings that overturned Trump Administration environmental rollbacks, emphasizing that the U.S. EPA and Bureau of Land Management must prioritize science and public health over industry costs. The text argues these legal wins are critical for protecting marginalized communities, particularly Black and brown people and Tribal lands, from pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
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Document type: Statement
Revisiones de la Agencia Científica
The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) has proposed a revised Scientific Agenda to its Conference of the Parties. This update aligns the agenda with the IAI Strategic Plan, emphasizing transdisciplinary science and the integration of human systems. The proposed agenda is organized into four primary research themes: human dimensions and policy consequences, climate variability in the Americas, ecosystems and biodiversity, and the chemical composition of the atmosphere, oceans, and freshwater. These themes aim to address regional sustainability, including food and water security, climate adaptation, and biodiversity conservation across the Americas.
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Document type: Briefing
Emission Inventory Tool Côte d’Ivoire
The document details the use of the GAPF-EI tool in Côte d’Ivoire, highlighting its ability to capture emission sources specific to low- and middle-income countries, such as biomass cooking and vegetation fires, to support integrated air quality and climate change mitigation strategies.
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Document type: Research paper
REGIONAL EXPERIENCE SHARING WORKSHOP ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONALLY DETERMINED CONTRIBUTIONS AND MONITORING, REPORTING AND VERIFICATION (MRV) TRAINING FOR THE WASTE SECTOR 17-21 FEBRUARY 2O2O, ABIDJAN, COTE D’IVOIRE
The report details a five-day event in February 2020 focused on waste sector climate mitigation in West Africa. It highlights the development of national biogas and compost strategies in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, shares biodigester success from Burkina Faso and waste recovery projects from Madagascar, and outlines a technical training program on GHG MRV systems to ensure transparency in NDC implementation.
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Document type: Report
Public Statement on Supporting Science for the Benefit of All Citizens
The document consists of three open letters from members of the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The 2025 statement warns that the US scientific enterprise is being 'decimated' by the Trump administration through funding cuts, censorship, and the removal of public access to data. It highlights a 'climate of fear' where researchers remove terms like 'climate change' from papers to avoid funding risks. The 2018 and 2016 letters specifically address the dangers of human-caused climate change and criticize the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, asserting that climate change is a 'physical reality' and that the US risks losing its global leadership and economic edge by ignoring scientific evidence.
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Document type: Statement
Fractures in the Bridge
The report argues that unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development, specifically hydraulic fracturing, poses significant risks to human health, water and air quality, and climate stability. It highlights strong evidence linking UOG to adverse birth outcomes and asthma, while noting that methane leakage undermines the role of natural gas as a 'bridge fuel'. The document calls for a rapid transition to renewable energy and recommends that Canadian provinces and territories implement moratoria on new fracking development.
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Document type: Report
Une transition fracturée : CHANGEMENTS CLIMATIQUES, SANTÉ ET FRACTURATION HYDRAULIQUE
The report examines the risks associated with unconventional oil and gas extraction (PGNC), specifically hydraulic fracturing. It details significant health concerns, including adverse birth outcomes, asthma exacerbation, and potential links to childhood leukemia. Environmental risks identified include water contamination, air pollution (specifically benzene and ozone precursors), and induced seismicity. The document highlights the disproportionate impact on Indigenous populations and argues that methane leaks undermine the role of natural gas as a transition fuel, calling for a moratorium on new projects and a strategic phase-out to meet Paris Agreement goals.
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Document type: Report
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Block 3B/4B EIA Report available for comment
The document outlines proposed oil and gas exploration activities by a joint venture (Africa Oil SA Corp, Ricocure (Pty) Ltd, and Azinam Limited) in Block 3B/4B off South Africa's west coast. It details the planned drilling of up to five wells, the associated logistics involving ports and helicopters, and the potential environmental and social risks. Key concerns include impacts on marine biodiversity, noise pollution, disruptions to fishing and tourism livelihoods, and the contribution of fossil fuel expansion to the climate crisis. Conversely, it notes potential short-term economic gains and job creation. The guide provides a timeline for the EIA process and instructions for the public to submit comments by 8 February 2024.
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Document type: Guide
Por qué un enfoque equitativo es la única manera práctica de abordar la crisis climática
Sivan Kartha warns that failing to address the climate crisis could lead to a catastrophic 5-degree Celsius increase in global temperatures, comparable in scale to the transition out of the last Ice Age. He asserts that while the technology and finance to avoid this exist, they are concentrated among the wealthiest 10% of the population. Kartha concludes that the only practical path to net-zero emissions is for the most privileged to lead the reduction and support the rest of the world in doing the same.
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Document type: Statement
Why an equitable approach is the only practical way to address the climate crisis
Sivan Kartha highlights the catastrophic potential of a 5-degree Celsius increase in global temperatures, comparing it to the scale of change that ended the last Ice Age. He asserts that while the technology and funds to stop fossil fuel reliance exist, they are concentrated among the wealthiest 10% of the population. Kartha concludes that achieving net-zero emissions globally requires the most privileged societies to eliminate their own emissions and provide support to less privileged populations to enable a collective transition.
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Document type: Statement