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The Paris Agreement: Should the U.S. Stay or Should It Go?
The World Resources Institute outlines five primary reasons why the United States should maintain its participation in the Paris Agreement, asserting that withdrawal would harm U.S. diplomatic standing, business interests, and job growth in the clean energy sector. The author highlights that 71 percent of Americans support staying in the Agreement and notes that the U.S. clean energy workforce is expanding significantly faster than the coal sector. Furthermore, the document argues that remaining in the Agreement allows the U.S. to maintain leverage over transparency requirements and the development of the Agreement's rulebook.
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Document type: Statement
10 key signs of climate change
The document outlines twelve key signs of climate change, including rising global, ocean, and soil temperatures, increasing ocean acidity, and rising sea levels. It attributes these phenomena to the buildup of heat-trapping gases caused by the burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of tropical forests. The text highlights specific regional impacts, such as the rapid warming of the Gulf of Maine and the thawing of permafrost in the Arctic, and notes the resulting increase in extreme weather events and shifts in species ranges.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Decarbonization of Indian Railways: Assessing Balancing Costs and Policy Risks
The report finds that 100% decarbonization of Indian Railways' traction electricity demand in Madhya Pradesh would be 26-28% cheaper than the business-as-usual pathway by 2030. This cost-effectiveness is driven by falling renewable energy and battery storage costs, contrasted with rising fossil fuel costs. The study emphasizes that an optimal mix of wind and solar power is essential to minimize balancing costs, which are expected to account for 5-8% of total costs by 2030. However, the report warns of significant policy and regulatory risks, particularly the lack of recognition of Indian Railways' deemed transmission and distribution licensee status by state governments and the difficulty in securing power banking arrangements.
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Document type: Report
Consideration of funding proposals – Addendum I Funding proposal package for FP038
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is requesting USD 265 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF)—USD 250 million for an investment vehicle and USD 15 million for a technical assistance facility—to launch GEEREF NeXt. Structured as a fund-of-funds, the programme aims for a total size of USD 750 million, blending GCF public seed capital with USD 500 million in private sector finance. The programme targets the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) projects in emerging markets, expecting to finance over 200 projects and add up to 18 GW of clean energy capacity. By using a two-tier capital structure with a 'first-loss' mechanism for public capital, GEEREF NeXt intends to mitigate risk for private investors and achieve a projected 50x multiplier, potentially mobilising USD 30 billion in total project financing. The programme will be managed by the EIB Group, leveraging the experience of its predecessor, the Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund (GEEREF).
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Document type: Report
ENERGY CHALLENGES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA: BALANCING RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCE OPTIONS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
The document examines the DRC's energy crisis, characterized by an 11% electricity access rate and a heavy reliance on traditional biomass. It analyzes the complexities of the Grand Inga hydropower project, including financial hurdles, governance failures within the state utility SNEL, and socio-environmental concerns. The author argues for a 'two-track strategy' that combines large-scale hydro with diversified, small-scale renewable energy sources (RES) such as solar, wind, and geothermal, supported by the 2014 electricity law to attract private investment. Regionally, the paper highlights the role of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) and the potential for the DRC to act as a strategic energy hub for Southern, Central, and Eastern Africa.
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Document type: Research paper
Clean Energy Momentum State Ranking
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) developed the Clean Energy Momentum State Ranking to evaluate how US states are driving the transition to clean energy. The ranking uses 12 metrics across three categories: technical progress (renewable energy generation, energy savings, and electric vehicle sales), direct effects (job creation and pollution reduction), and future-oriented policies (renewable energy, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction). California is identified as the overall leader, while Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Hawaii also rank in the top five. The analysis concludes that state-level leadership is critical for national momentum, particularly in creating jobs and improving public health, and recommends that states facilitate business involvement and improve energy equity for low-income communities.
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Document type: Executive summary
Clean Energy Momentum Ranking State Progress
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) created the Clean Energy Momentum State Ranking to evaluate how US states are advancing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and vehicle electrification. California, Vermont, and Massachusetts are identified as top overall leaders. The report emphasizes that state-level policy is a critical driver of progress, particularly in the absence of consistent federal leadership, and that clean energy momentum creates jobs and improves public health by reducing power plant emissions.
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Document type: Report
Resumen ejecutivo Clasificación del avance de los estados
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) evaluated the 50 US states using 12 indicators to rank their progress in clean energy, focusing on renewable energy generation, energy efficiency, and transport electrification. California leads the ranking, followed by Vermont and Massachusetts. The analysis highlights that clean energy progress is tangible across the US, with wind farms in 41 states and over half a million electric vehicles on the road. The report argues that state-level leadership is critical for job creation and public health improvements, and recommends that states adopt multi-dimensional policies, facilitate corporate participation, and improve energy equity for low-income and minority communities.
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Document type: Executive summary
A Solar Journey: Reaching the remotest villages
The document reports on the deployment of solar energy in Sarda Village, Odisha, India, highlighting how the village's remote location in a dense forest hinders market linkages and the accessibility of electricity and basic services such as healthcare, education, and lighting.
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Document type: Research paper
A Good Start for Massachusetts on Clean Energy, but Lots More to Do
The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) supports Massachusetts' proposed technology-neutral Clean Energy Standard, which includes nuclear power and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) to help achieve an 80% reduction in grid carbon emissions by 2050. However, CATF argues that the proposed power plant emissions caps are not deep enough and fail to account for the 'maximum technologically feasible reductions' required by law. Additionally, the document criticizes the state's methane reduction proposals for being too narrow, focusing only on certain leaky distribution pipelines for three years while ignoring larger transmission and storage facilities.
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Document type: Statement
Decarbonization of Indian Railways
The report assesses the decarbonization of Indian Railways (IR), the world's second largest railway network and India's largest electricity consumer. It identifies that transitioning to an electrified network is a prerequisite for decarbonization. The study compares eight pathways based on procurement (captive generation vs. purchasing), rate (accelerated by 2020 vs. normal by 2030), and technology (solar vs. solar-wind mix). Findings indicate that accelerated captive generation is the most cost-effective pathway for both traction and non-traction segments, offering savings of 32% and 61% respectively over business-as-usual scenarios. Implementation challenges include inconsistent state policies on net metering and open access, as well as the need for load balancing technologies like power banking and pumped hydro storage.
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Document type: Report
RETHINKING INFRASTRUCTURE IN AFRICA
The document assesses Africa's infrastructure gaps in electricity, water, sanitation, and transport, noting that while funding from public, private, and donor sources has increased, systemic governance failures hinder progress. It highlights that inefficiencies in project preparation, a lack of maintenance, and corruption result in significant value loss. The author argues for a shift in focus toward governance interventions, including better regulatory environments, enhanced domestic resource mobilisation, and the adoption of innovative, localised technologies to ensure sustainable development and regional integration.
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Document type: Research paper
Trump Voters and Global Warming
The report finds that a significant portion of Trump voters acknowledge global warming and support various clean energy and climate policies, including renewable energy development on public lands and carbon taxation, despite the skepticism expressed by President Trump.
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Document type: Executive summary
Commodity prices and investment prospects for African countries in a brave new world
The paper argues that African countries should pivot away from fossil fuels and nuclear energy toward minerals and metals essential for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as copper and platinum. It highlights a decline in mineral exploration in Africa, particularly South Africa, and warns against the 'resource curse' associated with oil wealth. The author contends that the falling cost of renewables and the rise of smart technologies make fossil fuel investments risky, urging African policymakers to align industrial policies with the demand for green energy minerals to avoid premature de-industrialisation.
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Document type: Research paper
REI Takes Its Stewardship of the Outdoors to the Next Level: A Net-Zero-Energy Distribution Center
REI constructed a 400,000-square-foot distribution center in Goodyear, Arizona, which is the only facility of its type in the U.S. to achieve both LEED Platinum certification and net-zero energy. Developed with RMI through an integrative design charrette, the facility combines aggressive efficiency measures—such as LED lighting, motion sensors, and air-cooled chillers—with a 2.2-megawatt rooftop PV system. The solar array generates 25–30 percent more energy than the building consumes, providing a return on investment through approximately 20 years of free power. The project also integrates advanced automation and employee-centric climate controls, such as hyperchairs, to balance operational efficiency with workforce comfort.
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Document type: Case study
Climate and Development Outlook
Ethiopia is positioned as a climate leader, being the first Least Developed Country to submit an Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC). The government aims to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions from 150 Mt CO2eq in 2010 to 145 Mt CO2eq by 2030. To support these goals, CDKN has assisted the Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation (MoFEC) in achieving accreditation as a National Implementing Entity for the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund in March 2016. Infrastructure investments include a 34-km light rail transit in Addis Ababa and a 750-km railway to Djibouti. Additionally, CDKN is supporting the development of geothermal risk insurance and research into greening the industrial sector, specifically leather, garments, and cement.
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Document type: Report
Grüne Verbriefungen: Eröffnung von Finanzierungsmöglichkeiten für kleinere kohlenstoffsparende Projekte
The document examines the growth and potential of green asset-backed securities (ABS), which convert pools of non-liquid carbon-saving assets into tradable securities. It highlights that green ABS accounted for approximately USD 5 billion (6% market share) of green securities issued in 2016, growing from USD 1.9 billion in 2014. The OECD estimates that annual issuance for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-emission vehicles could reach USD 280-380 billion by 2035. The briefing identifies key benefits, such as the ability to bundle small projects to reach bond market volumes and the potential for lower capital costs compared to bank financing. It also addresses risks stemming from the 2008 financial crisis and recommends public sector interventions, including the development of uniform 'green' asset definitions, financial support for data collection, and guarantees for junior or mezzanine tranches to attract institutional investors.
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Document type: Briefing
Green Covered Bonds
The document explains how green covered bonds, which utilize a dual recourse structure and dedicated asset pools, can provide banks with cheaper, long-term funding for low carbon projects. It highlights early examples like BerlinHyp's green Pfandbrief and the Bank of China's dual recourse bond, while arguing that standardizing green asset definitions and expanding legal frameworks to include renewable energy leases would scale the market.
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Document type: Briefing
Clean Energy Jobs Growth in the United States
The document reports significant job growth in the U.S. clean energy sector as of early 2016. It highlights that solar and wind industries are expanding rapidly, with solar jobs growing 17 times faster than the overall economy and wind-turbine technicians projected as the fastest-growing occupation. Energy efficiency employs the largest volume of workers at 2.2 million. Geographically, Texas leads in wind jobs, while California leads in solar and energy efficiency jobs.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Perry Should Focus on Clean Energy to Grow U.S. Economy and Cut Emissions
The World Resources Institute argues that the U.S. Secretary of Energy should leverage the falling costs of wind and solar energy to position the United States as a global leader in clean technology. The statement highlights Texas's growth in wind power under Rick Perry's governorship as a model for national energy development.
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Document type: Statement