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143 results
A National Cycling Strategy: A Triple Win for Public Health
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) declares its support for a National Cycling Strategy, arguing it would provide a "triple win" for public health by reducing chronic diseases, mitigating air pollution, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
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Document type: Statement
Impacts and mitigation of excess diesel NOx emissions in 11 major vehicle markets
This research paper estimates the global health and environmental damages caused by diesel NOx emissions, highlighting a significant gap between laboratory certification limits and real-world emissions across 11 major vehicle markets.
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Document type: Research paper
Study on International Practices for Low Emission Zone and Congestion Charging
This research paper by the World Resources Institute analyzes international practices for Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and Congestion Charging (CC), focusing on case studies from London, Singapore, and Stockholm to provide recommendations for Chinese cities facing severe air pollution and traffic congestion.
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Document type: Research paper
Flex Cars and Competition in Fuel Retail Markets
This research paper examines how the adoption of flex-fuel vehicles (bi-fuel cars) influenced price competition between ethanol and gasoline retail markets in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 2002 and 2008. Using a theoretical model and panel data from fuel stations, the authors find that increased flex-fuel penetration reduced retail prices and margins for both fuels, though the effect was more pronounced for ethanol. The study concludes that innovations increasing consumer choice can benefit all consumers, including those who do not adopt the new technology.
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Document type: Research paper
Proterra Electric Bus Battery Service Agreements
This case study describes Proterra's battery service agreements, which aim to accelerate the adoption of electric buses by reducing upfront costs and mitigating technology risks for fleet operators.
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Document type: Case study
MOVING CALIFORNIA FORWARD
This report analyzes how smart land use policy can help California achieve its 2030 goal of reducing carbon emissions to at least 40% below 1990 levels. Using the RapidFire model and data from the E3 California Pathways study, the authors demonstrate that compact, transit-oriented development can close the emissions gap left by technological advances alone, while providing significant economic, public health, and environmental co-benefits.
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Document type: Report
MOVING CALIFORNIA FORWARD
This executive summary analyzes the role of smart land use policy in helping California achieve its 2030 goal of reducing carbon emissions by at least 40% below 1990 levels. Using the RapidFire model and E3 California Pathways study, the report demonstrates that compact, transit-oriented development can close the emissions gap left by energy technology alone and provide significant economic, public health, and environmental co-benefits.
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Document type: Executive summary
Vehicle Efficiency and Emissions Standards
This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) outlines the federal fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for light-duty and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in the United States from 2007 to 2027. It details the legislative history starting with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the subsequent regulatory actions by the EPA and NHTSA, and the projected economic and environmental benefits of these standards.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Restoring Blue Skies: Key Insights from 2014 Air Quality Workshop
This briefing outlines key insights and guiding principles for improving air quality in China, developed during a September 2014 workshop in Beijing. It proposes a framework based on ten guiding principles, fiscal policy alignment, robust management systems, full enforcement of laws, and targeted sectoral policies to reduce both air pollutants and greenhouse gases.
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Document type: Briefing
Three Energy Gamechangers for China and the World
This briefing by RMI outlines a strategic framework for China to transition away from fossil fuels by 'reinventing fire' through innovation and leapfrogging traditional industrial paths. The document focuses specifically on the first of three proposed 'gamechangers': achieving oil-free mobility through vehicle lightweighting, electrification, logistics optimization, and the adoption of advanced biofuels and hydrogen.
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Document type: Briefing
Enhancing the Resilience of Manitoba’s Winter Roads System
This case study examines how the province of Manitoba improved the resilience of its winter road network to mitigate the economic and social impacts of warmer winter temperatures and fluctuating ice levels.
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Document type: Case study
2012 Seattle Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
The 2012 Seattle Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, prepared by the Stockholm Environment Institute, analyzes emissions from 1990 to 2012. It distinguishes between 'core' emissions (road transportation, building energy, and waste) and 'expanded' emissions (including industry, air, marine, and rail travel). The report finds that while absolute core emissions declined slightly, per person emissions dropped significantly despite population and job growth.
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Document type: Report
Government of Mexico Introduces Latin America’s First-Ever Fuel-Efficiency Standard for Light Duty Vehicles
A case study detailing the implementation of Mexico's first fuel-efficiency standard for light-duty vehicles in June 2013, developed with support from EMBARQ Mexico and Centro Mario Molina.
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Document type: Case study
The Impacts of Diesel Price Increases on India’s Trucking Industry
This policy brief examines how diesel price increases affect the Indian trucking industry, identifying structural vulnerabilities such as poor road quality, toll delays, and a lack of bargaining power for small operators. It proposes short-term relief through minimum freight rates and toll reductions, and long-term structural reforms including improved fuel efficiency and computerized exchange networks.
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Document type: Policy brief
Issue Brief: Federal Funding for U.S. Transit and Roadway Infrastructure
This 2013 issue brief by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the funding crisis of the U.S. Highway Trust Fund (HTF), noting that federal fuel taxes have not been adjusted in 20 years. The document analyzes the resulting infrastructure deterioration, the reliance on General Fund transfers to maintain solvency, and various policy options—including inflation indexing, fuel tax increases, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees—to close a $112 billion annual funding gap.
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Document type: Briefing
Federal Funding for U.S. Transit and Roadway Infrastructure
This policy brief examines the funding crisis facing the U.S. Highway Trust Fund (HTF), noting that federal fuel taxes have not been adjusted since 1993. It details the resulting infrastructure deterioration, the reliance on General Fund transfers to maintain solvency, and various proposed solutions including inflation indexing, fuel tax increases, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees.
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Document type: Policy brief
Autocomposites Commercialization Launchpad Kickoff Meeting Post Meeting Report
The Autocomposites Commercialization Launchpad Kickoff Meeting, hosted by Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) and Munro & Associates on June 27, 2013, aimed to create a commercialization plan for high-volume carbon fiber (CF) composite automotive parts, specifically focusing on the door inner. The initiative seeks to assemble a manufacturing team to produce a part for a 2018 model year vehicle at a volume of 50,000 units or more, addressing barriers such as high costs and inadequate manufacturing scale.
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Document type: Report
KICKSTARTING THE WIDESPREAD ADOPTION OF AUTOMOTIVE CARBON FIBER COMPOSITES
This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) outlines a strategic framework to increase the adoption of carbon fiber composites in mainstream passenger vehicles to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency. Based on a November 2012 workshop with approximately 40 experts, the report proposes a 'parts-based approach' to avoid the risks of whole-vehicle redesign while scaling the supply chain. It identifies high-value parts for near-term adoption, analyzes the business case for these components, and recommends the creation of an Innovation Hub and a coordinated effort to develop lower-cost precursors to overcome material cost barriers.
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Document type: Report
AUTOCOMPOSITES COMMERCIALIZATION LAUNCHPAD
This briefing document outlines the 'Autocomposites Commercialization Launchpad,' an RMI-led initiative designed to accelerate the adoption of carbon fiber composites in the automotive industry. The strategy focuses on a 'parts approach,' targeting the commercialization of specific, high-value components for mainstream vehicles by model year 2018, rather than attempting whole-vehicle transformation immediately. The document emphasizes the need for a collaborative 'A-Team' across the supply chain—including OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and material producers—to overcome technical barriers and share the significant upfront costs associated with design and tooling.
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Document type: Briefing
SAFE STREETS ACT OF 2013
The Safe Streets Act of 2013 is a legislative proposal designed to mandate that States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) adopt 'complete streets' policies to ensure transportation systems accommodate all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and public transit users.
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Document type: Briefing