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The document details the EPA's trajectory in regulating greenhouse gases (GHGs) following the 2007 Supreme Court ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA. It outlines key milestones including the 2009 Endangerment Finding, the development of fuel economy standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, and the introduction of the Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon pollution from power plants. The timeline also tracks critical judicial decisions that have both affirmed and limited the EPA's authority under the Clean Air Act.

The policy brief analyzes the effectiveness of coal-fired electricity regulations in Canada and the United States. It finds that the U.S. approach, which targets the broader electricity sector and existing plants, will deliver significantly higher national emission reductions by 2020 and 2030 than the Canadian approach, which focuses on new plants and those reaching the end of their useful life. Despite these policies, neither country is projected to meet its Copenhagen Accord target of a 17% reduction in emissions by 2020 relative to 2005 levels.

The report examines the 'peace potential' of oil and gas resources, analyzing how joint development, revenue sharing, and infrastructure projects like pipelines can either mitigate or fuel conflict. It contrasts successful cooperation, such as the Saudi-Kuwaiti Partitioned Neutral Zone and Turkey-Iraqi Kurdish relations, with failures in the Caucasus and disputes in the South China Sea and Eastern Mediterranean. The study also addresses the role of international environmental law and the climate impact of transitioning from coal to natural gas.

The Clean Air Task Force asserts that while efforts have been made to reduce methane from oil and gas production, local gas distribution systems—particularly aboveground equipment like city gates and metering stations—have been neglected. Citing EPA data, the author notes that emissions from these large stations are larger than those from outdated underground pipes and can be fixed cheaply. The document emphasizes that reducing methane is critical for slowing the rate of warming in the coming decades, complementing the primary priority of reducing CO2 from power plants.

The document evaluates the EU's climate policy instruments, finding that while 2020 targets are likely to be met, the reductions were driven more by the economic crisis than by policy. It highlights low cost-effectiveness due to a lack of uniform carbon pricing and notes that energy efficiency targets are at risk.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) identifies a significant opportunity for the United States to utilize agricultural residues and manure to reduce oil and coal dependence. By 2030, the U.S. could tap 155 million tons of residues and nearly 60 million tons of manure, which could generate over 10 billion gallons of ethanol or 166 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. The document emphasizes that sustainable use requires balancing energy needs with soil health, suggesting that no-till farming and cover crops can mitigate erosion. Geographically, a small number of states, led by Iowa, hold the majority of this potential, with specific opportunities identified in Arkansas, Texas, and California based on their dominant crops and livestock.

The author contends that voluntary programs like Natural Gas STAR are insufficient to achieve necessary methane reductions in the U.S. oil and gas sector, as emissions are projected to increase by 4.5% by 2018. Citing studies from NOAA, Harvard, and the University of Texas, the text asserts that actual methane leaks are substantially higher than EPA inventories suggest. Because proven reduction technologies are cheap or provide negative costs through captured gas, the author argues that federal regulation is required to move these 'best' practices to 'standard' practice by overcoming market barriers such as diverse ownership and lack of incentive.

The Kenyan agricultural sector, which accounts for over a fifth of the GDP, is highly sensitive to climate change, facing risks from unpredictable rainfall, droughts, and pests. While the sector is a significant emitter of greenhouse gases—primarily from livestock—the document emphasizes that adaptation to ensure food security and export earnings is the priority. It suggests climate-smart practices such as agroforestry and conservation tillage to build resilience and reduce emissions, while noting that the carbon market currently offers limited financial benefits due to high monitoring costs.

The report analyzes the cost-effectiveness of using infrared cameras for leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs in the oil and gas sector, based on data from over 4,000 surveys in North America.

The report analyzes data from 4,293 surveys of oil and gas facilities to determine the economic viability of LDAR programs. It finds that while many individual facilities may experience a net cost, the aggregate abatement cost for gas plants and compressor stations is negative (net benefit), and remains very low for well sites. The study concludes that the vast majority of leaks are economic to repair once identified, and that increasing survey frequency further reduces emissions while keeping abatement costs relatively low.

The analysis compares a 'No-Policy' scenario with a 'Policy Proposal' scenario for 2020, focusing on the upstream emissions from the production, processing, and transport of fuels. Under the base case using EPA figures, the policy proposal is projected to increase total upstream greenhouse gas emissions by 9.9 million metric tons (MMT) of CO2e, consisting of a 9.6 Tg increase in CO2 and a 0.3 Tg CO2e increase in methane. A sensitivity 'high case', which assumes non-hydraulic fracturing methane emissions are twice the EPA's 2011 reports, projects a total increase of 16.9 MMT CO2e. The document notes that upstream CO2 emissions are higher for natural gas (ratio of 0.108 to stack CO2) than for coal (ratio of 0.0193 to stack CO2).

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) argues that current proposed fracking regulations in South Africa are inadequate because they rely on industry standards and are housed under the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) rather than comprehensive environmental laws. The document advocates for a regulatory regime based on the Constitution and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), calling for a specialised inter-departmental unit to oversee authorisations and enforcement. Key recommendations include mandatory baseline environmental measurements, public disclosure of fracking fluid chemicals, a prohibition on using potable water, and the implementation of 'green completions' to eliminate gas venting and flaring. The CER emphasizes that fracking should only be permitted if it can be proven to contribute to sustainable development without causing irreparable harm to water resources or disadvantaged communities.

The briefing outlines a strategic policy framework for California to maintain its climate leadership and reach its 2050 emissions targets. It emphasizes the need for a 2030 carbon cap to provide investment certainty and recommends specific reforms: transitioning utilities to performance-based regulation, implementing energy labels for existing buildings, enhancing the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and establishing 'gold standard' methane emissions regulations. The authors also advocate for regional cooperation with other U.S. states and technical collaboration with China to scale clean energy technologies globally.

The document outlines a method for capturing methane emissions from the seal oil degassing process in centrifugal compressors. By installing high-pressure separators and demisters, operators can recover up to 99% of entrained gas for use as fuel or for reinjection into the system. The analysis indicates that these systems are a cost-effective alternative to retrofitting compressors with dry seals, offering rapid payback periods and significant reductions in atmospheric venting.

The report analyzes data from 4,293 surveys to determine the economic viability of LDAR programs. It finds that while many individual facilities may face a net cost for a survey, the aggregate effect across a group of facilities is positive due to the high value of repairing major leaks. The study concludes that LDAR using IR cameras is a low-cost abatement method for methane and VOCs, with the most economic strategy being to repair almost all identified leaks.

The study examines pig production in the Neman/Nemunas river basin, covering Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and Kaliningrad (Russia). It highlights a shift toward large-scale industrial farming, which now constitutes 70-85% of the sector, while noting the continued importance of household farms for food security. The report identifies significant water pollution risks from manure management, particularly diffuse-source pollution, and notes a lack of transboundary coordination. Key recommendations include promoting nutrient reuse by linking pig and crop farms, improving manure handling through technologies like biogas plants and deep-litter housing, and strengthening regulatory frameworks to include small-scale producers.

The report identifies systemic waste in global land use, highlighting beef production as the most inefficient sector in terms of land, biomass, and emissions. It argues that the 'nutrition transition' toward animal products is a primary driver of land demand rather than population growth. Through GTAP modeling, the authors demonstrate that shifting diets from beef to chicken could significantly reduce pastureland and cropland needs, freeing land for reforestation and sustainable bioenergy. The report recommends carbon pricing on land-based products, holistic land use planning, and a move away from inflexible biofuel mandates to achieve a more climate-friendly and less wasteful planet.

The report examines the risks associated with unconventional oil and gas development, specifically hydraulic fracturing, in the United States. It identifies significant threats to groundwater and surface water quality, air pollution, and induced seismic activity from wastewater injection. The authors highlight how corporate and political interference—including 'trade secret' exemptions and non-disclosure agreements—hampers scientific research and public knowledge. It critiques the 'patchwork' of state laws and federal loopholes, such as the 'Halliburton loophole,' and recommends mandatory baseline monitoring, full chemical disclosure, and the closing of federal regulatory gaps to protect public health and the environment.

The document serves as a guide for citizens and officials to navigate the complexities of unconventional oil and gas development. It outlines the technical process of fracking, identifies critical environmental and social risks—including water contamination, air pollution, and infrastructure strain—and provides a framework for assessing the reliability of scientific information. Additionally, it lists key stakeholders and potential regulatory responses at the federal, state, and local levels, while highlighting case studies of community-led actions in the United States.

Earthjustice evaluates President Obama's 2013 Climate Action Plan (CAP), noting its focus on coal-fired power plants and energy efficiency but criticizing its 'overly soft approach' to methane emissions and the omission of carbon limits for oil refineries, shipping, and aviation.