Search Climate Insights Directory
1,077 results
People, Power, and Pipelines
The report analyzes the management of revenues from Peru's Camisea natural gas project, finding that while subnational governments (SNGs) increased infrastructure spending, they suffered from weak strategic planning and insufficient transparency. It argues that IFIs should withhold support for extractive projects until governance capacity is sufficient and should actively fund SNG capacity building in strategic planning and accountability.
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Document type: Report
U.S. Electricity Markets Increasingly Favor Alternatives to Coal
The U.S. electric power system is transitioning away from coal, with coal's share of total generation dropping below 40% for the first time since 1978 in late 2011. While some companies attribute plant retirements to EPA regulations like the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), the document argues that market forces—including low natural gas prices and the competitiveness of renewables—are the primary drivers.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Southeast Energy Consumption by Fuel, 2006
In 2006, the Southeast region's energy consumption was approximately 80 percent dependent on fossil fuels, which was slightly lower than the national average of 85 percent. The regional mix was characterized by higher proportions of coal and nuclear energy and a lower proportion of natural gas relative to the national average.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Testimony of Dr. Jonathan Pershing before the Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe
Dr. Jonathan Pershing of the World Resources Institute argues that energy security and climate goals are often aligned but require an integrated policy framework to avoid conflicts. He proposes effectiveness and political feasibility criteria to evaluate policies, noting that while efficiency and renewables offer 'double wins,' other options like natural gas imports or corn-based biofuels can create security risks or environmental damage. The testimony provides specific policy recommendations for the US regarding cap-and-trade, production tax credits, transportation, and biofuels, while also highlighting the vulnerability of developing nations and the risk of climate-induced conflict and migration.
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Document type: Statement
How Pennsylvania Can Meet Its Clean Power Plan Targets
Pennsylvania can meet or exceed its Clean Power Plan targets by 2030 by expanding its energy efficiency and renewable energy standards, optimizing the operation of existing natural gas and coal plants, and adopting a carbon pricing program. Specifically, increasing the energy efficiency target to 13.2 percent cumulative annual savings and the Tier I alternative energy standard to 18 percent by 2030 could reduce CO2 emissions by 46 percent below 2012 levels. The document highlights that utilizing existing natural gas combined cycle plants at 75 percent capacity, compared to 65 percent in 2013, would further cut emissions.
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Document type: Fact sheet
How Virginia Can Meet Its Clean Power Plan Targets
Virginia can achieve nearly one-third of its required emission reductions between 2012 and 2030 through planned coal retirements and clean energy investments. To close the remaining gap and surpass targets, the state can pursue a 10 percent reduction in electricity consumption by 2022, a 15 percent renewable energy goal by 2025, and increased utilization of its existing natural gas fleet to 75 percent capacity. The document suggests that adopting a market-based carbon pricing program with a $10 per short ton price for interstate allowances could generate over $100 million in annual revenue between 2022 and 2030. Additionally, robust energy efficiency policies could increase Virginia's GDP by $286 million and add 38,000 jobs by 2030.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Managing Environmental Impact
The document examines the consequences of environmental and social risk management in overseas investments through six case studies of multinational companies. It argues that strong risk management benefits companies, while failure leads to financial loss and reputational damage. It provides specific strategic advice for Chinese companies to mitigate these risks by adhering to host country laws, understanding local cultures, engaging stakeholders, and adopting international best practices. Additionally, it offers policy recommendations for the Chinese government, financial institutions, NGOs, and media to improve the oversight and impact of China's outward foreign direct investment.
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Document type: Research paper
U.S. Energy Abundance: Exports and the Changing Global Energy Landscape
The document argues that reducing upstream methane leakage is critical for the U.S. to meet greenhouse gas emissions goals. It warns that LNG exports are likely to increase domestic emissions and proposes several policy interventions, including expanded Department of Energy research, updated emissions factors, and the implementation of a clean energy standard or carbon pricing.
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Document type: Briefing
How U.S. Federal Climate Policy Could Affect Chemicals’ Credit Risk
The report analyzes the potential credit impacts of the American Power Act (APA) and EPA regulations on the U.S. chemicals industry. Under the APA, most subsectors would be eligible for free emissions allowances, mitigating direct compliance costs, though some would face higher production costs due to increased natural gas prices. The study highlights that company-level credit risk varies based on emissions intensity relative to peers, fuel mix, and the ability to pass costs to customers. Compared to EPA regulation, a cap-and-trade system offers more cash flow flexibility and potential revenue from selling excess allowances, but requires more complex management strategies.
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Document type: Research paper
A Roadmap for a Secure, Low-Carbon Energy Economy
The document outlines a strategic roadmap developed by CSIS and WRI to transition the United States to a secure, low-carbon energy economy. It argues that energy security and climate goals must be integrated into all policymaking to avoid the instability caused by either continued fossil fuel dependence or the premature adoption of unreliable low-carbon alternatives. The proposed framework emphasizes establishing a long-term vision, resetting the energy system through carbon pricing and financial commitments, and managing the transition by balancing short-term demand with long-term decarbonization.
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Document type: Briefing
Summary of Relative Subsector-Level Vulnerability under the American Power Act
The analysis indicates that while most subsectors face modest direct compliance and energy purchase costs under the American Power Act, vulnerability varies based on feedstock dependence. Subsectors relying on natural gas-derived raw materials face higher cost risks due to projected price increases, whereas those relying on petroleum, coal, and electricity-derived materials face limited risk as prices are projected to be lower compared to a no-policy scenario.
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Document type: Executive summary
Power Sector Opportunities for Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Missouri
Missouri can meet approximately 70 percent of the EPA's emission rate target for 2020-2030 by utilizing existing policies and infrastructure, including energy efficiency targets, renewable energy standards, and increased utilization of natural gas and combined heat and power. To close the remaining gap and exceed targets, the document suggests increasing energy efficiency goals to 2 percent of sales from 2015 onward and expanding the Renewable Energy Standard to all utilities with a target of 20 percent of total generation by 2030.
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Document type: Fact sheet
中国和美国的现状
The document provides a comprehensive overview of the climate and energy landscapes in China and the United States. For China, it highlights a 4.7% increase in CO2 emissions in 2023, the growth of non-fossil fuel power capacity to 53.9% of the total, and the implementation of the 'Carbon Peak' pilot program and the restart of the CCER market. For the United States, it notes a projected 1.9% decrease in emissions for 2023, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the focus on decarbonizing the power sector by 2035. The briefing also details the 'Sunnylands Statement' as a framework for bilateral cooperation on methane and energy transition, while noting tensions regarding trade policies and the potential impact of the 2024 US election.
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Document type: Briefing
How Michigan Can Meet Its Clean Power Plan Targets
Michigan can achieve 98 percent of its Clean Power Plan emission reductions through existing clean energy policies, with the remainder achievable via better use of natural gas and coal plant efficiency. The state could further increase reductions by raising its renewable energy and energy efficiency standards, and potentially generate over $160 million annually through a market-based carbon pricing program.
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Document type: Fact sheet
PUTTING A PRICE ON CARBON: REDUCING EMISSIONS
The document examines how a national carbon price would induce emissions reductions across the U.S. economy, with the most immediate and significant impacts occurring in the electricity sector. It argues that while U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts are conservative, empirical evidence from places like British Columbia suggests that carbon pricing can drive substantial behavioral changes and technological innovation. The authors advocate for a combination of carbon pricing and complementary policies, such as R&D funding and energy-efficiency standards, to overcome market barriers and achieve a target of reducing emissions by more than 80 percent by 2050.
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Document type: Briefing
SEEING IS BELIEVING: STATUS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE UNITED STATES
The document highlights that wind power purchase agreements (PPAs) are cheaper than new coal and natural gas plants across most U.S. regions, even without federal tax incentives. It provides specific examples of solar PV projects outcompeting fossil fuels in states like Utah, Colorado, and Georgia. To sustain these trends, the text recommends increasing federal R&D funding, reforming tax incentives to be refundable, and establishing long-term regulatory certainty through carbon pricing or greenhouse gas standards.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Fossil gas
The document examines the role of fossil gas in South Africa, detailing its current use in power generation and chemical feedstock, while arguing against its use as a 'bridge fuel'. It highlights the high global warming potential of methane leaks, the risk of stranded assets, and the availability of cheaper renewable alternatives combined with energy storage. The author concludes that South Africa should avoid new gas exploration and infrastructure to align with the 1.5°C warming limit and its own 2050 net-zero target.
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Document type: Fact sheet