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In 2008, Illinois imported 94 percent of the coal used in its power plants, resulting in a net expenditure of $683 million. The document highlights that Midwest Generation and the Baldwin Energy Complex are major contributors to this import dependency. To mitigate these costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the report advocates for the state's energy efficiency resource standard and its renewable energy goals, noting that Illinois has the technical potential to generate over five times its 2008 electricity needs from renewable sources, primarily wind and bioenergy.

In 2008, Texas imported 63 percent of the coal used for its electricity generation, primarily from Wyoming, resulting in $1.91 billion leaving the state. While Texas leads the US in wind energy capacity, the document argues that its energy efficiency targets remain modest compared to other states and that the state possesses significant untapped renewable energy potential.

In 2008, Wisconsin spent $853 million to import all the coal used by its power plants from nine other states. The state is the 5th most dependent on net imports as a share of total power use (68%). We Energies is the largest importer, spending $313 million, with its Pleasant Prairie facility being the most import-dependent site. To reduce this dependence, the document suggests expanding energy efficiency resource standards and leveraging renewable energy, noting that Wisconsin has the technical potential to generate 4.2 times its 2008 electricity needs from renewables, primarily wind and bioenergy.

The report argues that Argentina's energy security has been compromised by the shift of investment decisions from the state to the private sector following 1990s privatizations. This led to a reliance on natural gas for electricity generation and a failure to diversify the energy matrix. The author highlights how multinational companies, specifically Repsol-YPF, prioritized global investments over local supply security. Despite recent government efforts to promote renewables and nuclear power, the report concludes that supply security will remain precarious in the short term due to fiscal constraints, distorted price signals, and dependence on imports from Bolivia and Brazil.

The report analyzes a global energy regime in transition, driven by energy security, economic efficiency, and climate change. It highlights a 'business as usual' scenario where primary energy demand increases by 40% by 2030, dominated by fossil fuels, versus a low-carbon growth scenario requiring US$10.5 trillion in additional investments. The document emphasizes the critical roles of the U.S. and China in shaping this transition, noting that while China leads in public green investment, the U.S. focuses on 'clean energy jobs' and reducing oil dependence. It argues that a clear carbon price signal is essential to drive the private investment needed for a systemic shift toward carbon-free technologies.

The report identifies that while Ghana has a target of 10% renewable energy in its energy mix by 2020, progress is hindered by implementation and roll-out barriers, including weak domestic technical capacity, inadequate regulatory frameworks, and limited access to long-term finance. It suggests a combination of market-mandated policies, the use of the Clean Development Mechanism, and the establishment of innovation centres to accelerate technology adoption. The study estimates that removing these barriers with international support could avoid at least 14 million tonnes of CO2 emissions from renewable energy projects and 70,000 tonnes from energy efficiency activities.

The Union of Concerned Scientists advocates for a dual policy approach in the U.S., pairing a national renewable electricity standard with an economy-wide carbon cap. The document asserts that while carbon caps are essential, they are insufficient on their own to overcome market barriers such as high upfront costs and grid interconnection rules. According to UCS analysis, a 25% national renewable standard by 2025 would reduce power plant CO2 emissions by 277 million metric tons per year and save consumers $64 billion. Furthermore, integrating such standards with a carbon cap can lower energy bills by reducing reliance on natural gas and enhancing overall economic savings.

The document highlights the success of renewable electricity standards in 28 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, noting they are projected to add 76,750 MW of new capacity and reduce annual CO2 emissions by over 183 million metric tons by 2025. It further advocates for a national 20 percent by 2020 standard, which would increase total renewable power to 117,000 MW and reduce projected power plant CO2 growth by 63 percent.

The document examines the dual role of intellectual property as both an incentive and a barrier to the transfer of climate-related technologies. It highlights the potential of TRIPS flexibilities—such as compulsory licensing and patentability exemptions—to facilitate technology access in developing countries. It also suggests exploring financial mechanisms and guidelines for publicly funded research within the UNFCCC framework to enhance the post-Kyoto climate regime.

The document advocates for a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) in the United States, describing it as a market-based mechanism that requires utilities to increase the share of electricity produced from renewable sources. It highlights economic benefits, such as saving consumers money and creating rural jobs, and environmental benefits, including the reduction of carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants.

The report evaluates the effectiveness of a new GSI notification template using Germany as a case study. It finds that Germany significantly under-reports its subsidies to the WTO; while official 2006 notifications listed 11 subsidies totaling €1.25 billion, the study's application of the GSI template identified 180 specific subsidy programmes totaling €10.8 billion. The authors propose the introduction of a Unique Subsidy Identifier (USI) to improve tracking and suggest that regional subsidies be reported separately to prevent them from masking sector-specific aid. The document argues that technical improvements to notification formats are necessary but insufficient without addressing the political economy of the ASCM, such as the lack of de minimis rules and the fear of self-incrimination.

The document argues that sub-Saharan Africa is disproportionately vulnerable to climate change due to its reliance on rain-fed agriculture and limited institutional capacity, yet it contributes minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights a tension between the high initial costs of carbon-efficient development and immediate poverty reduction needs. The author proposes 'development-led' and 'no-regrets' approaches—such as the Mad’Etole wind project in Madagascar—to align environmental sustainability with economic growth. The paper also examines financial mechanisms like the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and the World Bank's Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) as tools for funding, while noting that international financial support for adaptation has remained insufficient.

The document outlines how U.S. consumers can support renewable energy via green pricing, green marketing, and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). It contrasts the environmental benefits of renewables—such as wind, solar, and geothermal—against the pollution and health risks associated with coal, oil, nuclear power, and natural gas. It also provides tools for verifying green power claims, including the Green-e certification and the Power Scorecard tool.

As of early 2006, the U.S. wind industry had a generating capacity of 9,149 MW, with 2005 seeing a 35 percent growth in capacity. The document details various federal incentives, including the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and Clean Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBS), as well as state-level mechanisms like Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) and Public Benefit Funds (PBF). It highlights the potential for wind energy to provide up to 20 percent of the U.S. power supply if natural gas prices remain above $4 per thousand cubic feet.

The report evaluates the use of solar PV, wind, mini-hydro, and biomass for rural electrification in developing countries, concluding that technology choice must be driven by local needs and productive use. It highlights that while solar PV is best for low loads, biomass and mini-hydro support more significant economic activities. The document argues that donor agencies should prioritize projects based on poverty alleviation and productive electricity use, support national energy policies, and accept higher risks for technology adaptation and workforce development.

The document assesses South Africa's energy sector, primarily its electricity supply industry (ESI), through the lens of sustainable development. It analyzes the transition of Eskom from a vertically integrated monopoly to a corporatized entity and the government's efforts to liberalize the market while maintaining social equity. Key findings highlight the environmental burden of coal-dependency, the success of national electrification programs in expanding access to the poor, and the necessity of restructuring the ESI to optimize future investment and integrate renewable energy sources.

The report examines the legal, ecological, and social frameworks for coastal management in Estonia, with a detailed focus on Saaremaa and Ruhnu. It establishes a zoning methodology based on international guidelines (HELCOM, VASAB 2010) to balance public access and private interests. The text analyzes coastal erosion and dynamics, particularly on the Harilaid peninsula, and compares Estonian planning with the more restrictive private ownership models in Finland and Sweden. A specific case study on Ruhnu island uses historical maps from 1688 and 1871 to track land-use changes and surveys Swedish landowners to assess their views on the island's future.

The report examines subsidies within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), focusing on South Africa's manufacturing, agriculture, and energy sectors. It finds that most domestic incentives are WTO-compliant, though the Duty Credit Certification Scheme for textiles is an exception. The agricultural sector has seen significant deregulation since the 1980s, resulting in low Producer Support Estimates (PSE) for most commodities. However, the region remains vulnerable to foreign subsidies, particularly the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the U.S. Farm Bill, which distort markets for sugar and beef. In the energy sector, South Africa's heavy reliance on coal creates high carbon intensity and a lack of incentives for renewable energy due to low coal prices.

The Union of Concerned Scientists asserts that the United States can meet 20% of its electricity needs via renewables by 2020, saving consumers $440 billion and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by two-thirds compared to business-as-usual forecasts. The report suggests this approach would avoid the need for 975 new power plants and significantly decrease reliance on coal and natural gas.

The report analyzes Ecuador's energy sector, focusing on its heavy reliance on oil and the potential for reducing CO2 emissions. It proposes a mitigation scenario involving increased energy efficiency in households, industry, and transport, alongside a shift toward renewable energy in power generation.