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This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the viability of hydroelectric power as a low-carbon energy source for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) under the framework of "development without carbon" (DWC). It analyzes the intersection of energy needs, water availability, and climate change, highlighting how shifting precipitation and glacial retreat threaten hydropower reliability. The document advocates for integrated planning using the Water Evaluation And Planning (WEAP) and Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) tools to manage the water-energy nexus.

This report by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the viability of hydroelectric power as a low-carbon energy source for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) under the framework of "development without carbon" (DWC). It analyzes the region's significant untapped hydropower potential against the risks posed by climate change, such as glacier retreat and precipitation uncertainty, and proposes the integration of WEAP and LEAP modeling tools to manage energy-water tradeoffs.

This June 2011 fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute provides estimates for employment in the United States energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors, drawing on data from government agencies and industry associations.

This report analyzes the implementation of the EU's Renewable Energy Directive (RES) and Water Framework Directive (WFD) in Sweden, specifically focusing on the hydropower sector. It examines how the Swedish judicial concession system, which governs hydropower operations, creates conflicts between renewable energy production goals and aquatic biodiversity requirements. The author argues that the current system's lack of incentives and high level of distrust between operators and authorities hinder both the efficiency gains from hydropower refurbishments and the timely implementation of water quality improvements.

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 policy brief examines China's strategic investments in bauxite mining and infrastructure within Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, highlighting the lack of regulatory oversight and the potential for significant transboundary environmental impacts.

This report examines China's economic engagement with Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, highlighting a trade structure dominated by Chinese imports of natural resources and exports of manufactured goods, and the increasing role of Chinese state-owned enterprises in the region's extractive sectors.

This report presents a pilot Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of hydropower development in Viet Nam, conducted by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) for the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT). The study evaluates the hydropower plans within the context of Power Development Plan (PDP) VI, comparing the base scenario against alternatives where hydropower is replaced by thermal power. The SEA concludes that while hydropower is the least-cost option for meeting energy demands, current mitigation measures for social and environmental impacts are inadequate. It proposes a comprehensive mitigation framework based on international best practices, including the Impoverishment, Risk and Reconstruction (IRR) model for displaced people and community forestry for the zones of influence. The report recommends the full institutionalization of SEA into the PDP VII process to internalize external costs and ensure sustainable development.

This policy brief examines China's increasing influence in the agribusiness, hydropower, and mining sectors of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, driven by China's demand for inexpensive natural resources.

This research paper examines the environmental implications of rapid Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) growth in Lao PDR's hydropower, mining, and construction material sectors, highlighting the gap between the scale of investment and the government's capacity to regulate it.

This policy brief examines China's increasing economic influence in the Mekong region, specifically Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. It details how China's domestic demand for natural resources has driven foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade, filling an investment vacuum left by international financial institutions. While providing infrastructure and capital, Chinese investments in hydropower, mining, and agribusiness present significant environmental and social risks due to a lack of adherence to international sustainability standards.

This 2007 research paper, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and IUCN, examines the environmental and social impacts of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Laos, specifically focusing on hydropower, mining, and construction. It analyzes the tension between the government's goal of attracting investment for economic growth and the resulting environmental degradation and social displacement.

This briefing details the FY 2008 appropriations for the Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE/RE) programs, highlighting that both the House and Senate proposed funding levels significantly higher than the Administration's request.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute provides an overview of hydropower technology, its economic and environmental benefits, and the challenges associated with its implementation and operation in the United States.

This 1992 report by the Stockholm Environment Institute evaluates the technical, financial, and socio-economic impacts of rural electrification projects implemented by the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO). The study finds that while electrification has provided substantial individual benefits—such as improved lighting and security—it has largely failed to achieve wider macro-economic goals, including the promotion of agro-industry and the reduction of deforestation. The report highlights severe financial losses in isolated diesel-powered areas, low supply reliability, and administrative weaknesses, recommending a restructuring of TANESCO's organization and a revision of tariff policies to improve sustainability.

This briefing, written by Lailai Li of the Stockholm Environment Institute for the Climate and Development Knowledge Network, reviews the IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy and Climate Change Mitigation (SRREN) with a focus on challenges and responses in Asian countries. It examines national renewable energy targets in the Greater Mekong Sub-region and China, the role of legal instruments and financing mechanisms like revolving funds, and the need for capacity building to manage renewable energy technologies.

This briefing note presents an economic assessment of Uganda's energy sector supply and demand projections to 2050, utilizing the LEAP model to evaluate the impacts of climate change and potential adaptation strategies.

This fact sheet presents an economic assessment of Uganda's energy sector supply and demand through 2050, utilizing the LEAP model to evaluate climate change impacts and adaptation strategies. It highlights a critical projected deficit in biomass and the financial requirements for transitioning to alternative energy sources and expanding electricity generation.

This fact sheet explains the Climate Bonds Initiative's (CBI) Hydropower Bond Criteria, which provide a standardized framework for investors to identify hydropower projects aligned with the Paris Agreement. The criteria require projects to pass both a greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation screen and an adaptation and resilience (A&R) assessment to qualify for certification as a Climate Bond.

The Reservoir Methane Capture Mechanism is a 'methane-as-a-service' financial structure designed to commercialize methane capture technologies at hydropower plants, specifically targeting the Brazilian market to reduce emissions and increase electricity production.