Search Climate Insights Directory
55 results
Vehicle Efficiency and Emissions Standards
The document details the evolution of U.S. vehicle efficiency standards, starting with the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. It highlights the collaboration between the EPA, NHTSA, and auto manufacturers to implement standards for light-duty vehicles and two phases of standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The standards aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower oil consumption, and save consumers and vehicle owners billions of dollars by 2027.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Governance of Innovation for Sustainable Transport Biofuels in Sweden 1990-2010
The report assesses the Swedish biofuels innovation system from 1990 to 2010, finding that while it functioned well overall—increasing the market share of first-generation biofuels—it remained heavily dependent on public governance. The analysis highlights a strategic imbalance where over-attention to market formation for first-generation fuels (ethanol and biodiesel) may have hindered the research and development of more sustainable second-generation alternatives. External factors, including oil price fluctuations and evolving climate debates, significantly moderated the effectiveness of governance policies.
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Document type: Report
The Menu A list of actions that leaders can take to make their community a plug-in pioneer
The document outlines a 'menu' of 'must have' and 'nice to have' actions for municipal governments, utilities, civic groups, and businesses to facilitate the transition to plug-in vehicles. It uses a hypothetical city modeled on Denver, Colorado, to estimate that achieving a goal of 10,000 plug-in vehicles (2% of registered vehicles) over five years would result in a net cost of approximately $10 million and create 250 net new jobs, while avoiding 2 million gallons of oil annually by 2014.
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Document type: Guide
ENERGY LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF NEED: A BLUEPRINT FOR STATES
The document argues that U.S. states must implement rapid responsive strategies to counter the economic impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which is projected to increase energy bills by $170 billion and cost 790,000 jobs by 2035. Specifically focusing on electric transportation, it highlights that while federal incentives for EVs and charging end in September 2025, states can maintain progress by addressing barriers such as high upfront costs, inequitable charging access, and slow interconnection. The guide proposes a toolkit of no-regrets actions, including financial incentives, clean fuel standards, the establishment of a State Charging Infrastructure Coordinator, EV-ready building codes, and government fleet electrification.
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Document type: Guide
Electric-vehicles-as-a-service A viable fleet transition model in South Africa
The document argues that EVaaS—a bundled subscription model covering vehicles, charging infrastructure, and maintenance—can make electric vehicle (EV) adoption more attractive for South African fleet managers by removing high upfront capital costs. Using a theoretical case of 50 panel vans, it demonstrates that EVaaS is financially viable compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles if monthly subscriptions are priced at or below R16,000 per vehicle. It highlights a real-world application by Everlectric with Woolworths and DSV, noting significant operational cost reductions and CO2 savings, while identifying a lack of accurate residual value data from banks as a primary financial hurdle for EVaaS providers.
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Document type: Briefing
SHIFT Calculator - Methodology
The SHIFT Calculator estimates induced travel—the increase in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) following road capacity expansions—using empirical elasticities. It applies a 1.0 ratio for interstate highways and 0.75 for other freeways and arterials, predicting that a 1% increase in lane mileage leads to a corresponding increase in VMT over 5 to 10 years. The tool also calculates cumulative greenhouse gas emissions through 2050 based on two scenarios: a business-as-usual case and one aligned with the US Nationally Determined Commitment (NDC), which assumes 100% electrification of new passenger vehicles by 2035.
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Document type: Guide
Decarbonizing China’s Road Transport Sector: Strategies Toward Carbon Neutrality
The study assesses the potential for China's road transport sector to peak greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and petroleum demand, estimating that emissions could be reduced by 50-95% by 2060 compared to 2020 levels. It highlights that freight transport requires more significant emission reductions than passenger transport, specifically a cumulative 19,367 million tonnes of CO2eq from 2020 to 2060. The research identifies vehicle electrification, structural changes, and fuel efficiency as critical drivers, with total low-carbon investment needs estimated between CNY 39-83 trillion through 2060.
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Document type: Research paper
Completing the Trip: Establishing a Global Quantified Climate Goal for the Transport Sector
The document argues for a collective global commitment to decarbonize transport through a system approach. It proposes a specific 2035 target consisting of a 35 percent shift to green fuels and a 25 percent reduction in transport energy consumption relative to 2022 levels. This goal is intended to complement the COP28 global stocktake, which called for a transition away from fossil fuels but lacked a quantified target for the transport sector.
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Document type: Briefing
Recommended Total Cost of Ownership Parameters for Electric School Buses: Summary of Methods and Data
The document serves as a guide for school districts and fleet operators to calculate the total cost of ownership (TCO) for electric school buses (ESBs) versus diesel buses. It addresses the lack of consistent, centralized public data by providing recommended default specifications for parameters including purchase costs, maintenance, fuel economies, and charger installation. The guide also notes the upcoming expiration of the 45W and 30C tax credits due to a July 2025 budget reconciliation bill.
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Document type: Guide
Steering a Green, Healthy, and Inclusive Recovery Through Transport
The report analyzes approximately US$298 billion in global transport stimulus funds committed between March 2020 and February 2021, finding that roughly 44% were directed toward subsectors with positive climate and sustainability implications. It identifies five key action areas for decarbonization and public-private participation: public transport, walking and bicycling, vehicle electrification, rail, and research and development (R&D).
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Document type: Report
Improving School Infrastructure for Healthier Students and Communities
Public school infrastructure in the United States suffers from decades of underinvestment, leading to poor indoor air quality and health issues like asthma, which disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color. While recent funding and tax credits have provided some relief, the document urges Congress and governors to further prioritize clean energy, energy efficiency, electric school buses, and green school grounds to modernize facilities and create community resilience hubs.
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Document type: Briefing
Technical Note for a Dataset Modeling the Societal Health and Climate Benefits Associated With Transitioning the US School Bus Fleet From Diesel to Electric
The document outlines a research effort to model the health and climate impacts of replacing aging diesel school buses with new diesel or electric alternatives across the contiguous United States. It details a dataset that provides monetized unit and total impacts for each county, focusing on the reduction of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.
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Document type: Research paper
24/7 CFE Analysis: Data Sourcing and Collection Process
The document outlines a data-intensive process for local governments to match electricity demand with carbon-free energy resources on an hourly basis. It identifies three essential datasets: hourly load data, hourly grid mix and emissions data, and hourly generation data from additional energy procurements. The guide details four methods for obtaining load data—ranging from actual meter readings to machine learning models—and directs users to resources like the EIA and NREL for grid and emissions information.
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Document type: Guide
WRI and e-Mobility
The transport sector accounts for 24% of global CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, with road transport comprising nearly three-quarters of that total. To limit global warming to 1.5 °C, the IPCC projects the transport sector must be zero-emission by 2050. WRI employs a systems-thinking approach to decarbonization, focusing on eight key areas: clean energy integration, roadmapping and policy, fleet electrification, sustainable e-mobility, integrated climate planning, equitable transition, consumer behavior, and sustainable materials. WRI's global team of over 100 experts provides research, implementation support, and stakeholder coordination to ensure the transition enhances social equity and minimizes ecological damage.
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Document type: Fact sheet
ELECTRIC SCHOOL BUS INITIATIVE Technical Assistance Menu
The World Resources Institute (WRI) offers a comprehensive technical assistance menu for school districts transitioning to electric school buses, covering five stages: foundation setting, planning and procurement, charging infrastructure, testing and training, and deployment and scaling. The initiative aims for an equitable transition of the U.S. school bus fleet to electric by 2030, prioritizing districts in underserved communities.
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Document type: Fact sheet