Search Climate Insights Directory

This research paper analyzes the PROINFA feed-in tariff scheme in Brazil, finding that its nonlinear pricing structure incentivized wind farm operators to misreport capacity factors. This led to a 14% shortfall in expected energy production and 12% over-payments in the first year of operation. The authors demonstrate through modeling that while a linear price would increase over-reporting, an interest rate penalty of 1% on overpayments would effectively eliminate the incentive to misreport.

A study by the NewClimate Institute assessing whether the domestic climate and energy policies of major greenhouse gas emitting countries are sufficient to meet their 2020 emission reduction pledges.

This executive summary analyzes the impact of capacity factor (FC) estimation manipulation within Brazil's Programa de Incentivo a Fontes Alternativas (PROINFA), a feed-in tariff (FiT) scheme. The authors find that project developers systematically inflated FC estimates to secure higher payments and larger contracted energy volumes, leading to financial overpayments and lower-than-planned energy generation. The report suggests that a simple 1% interest penalty on excess payments would have eliminated these incentives for manipulation.

This executive summary analyzes the Incentive Program to Alternative Sources (PROINFA), a feed-in tariff (FiT) implemented in Brazil in the early 2000s. While the program successfully increased installed wind capacity from 29 MW in 2004 to 2,010 MW in 2012, the authors find that flaws in contract design led to systematic misreporting of capacity factors (CF) by project developers. This misreporting resulted in overpayments and a shortfall in delivered energy, suggesting that simple design changes, such as interest rate penalties on overpayments, could improve the cost-effectiveness of similar renewable energy policies.

This conference report from the Green Economy Coalition details discussions held at Wilton Park in February 2014 regarding 'Real Green Economies'. The document critiques the macro-economic, top-down models of 'green growth' promoted by international institutions, arguing that they often ignore social justice and the needs of the poor. It advocates for a transition based on diverse, community-led pathways and the integration of social equity into green policy from the outset.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) analyzes the trade dynamics between South Africa and its BRICS partners (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) from 1995 to 2011. It examines trade value, intensity, complementarity, and structure, noting a significant shift in South Africa's trade balance and a growing reliance on primary commodity exports to meet the demand of emerging economies, particularly China.

This research paper assesses the risks and mechanisms of double counting emission reductions within the UNFCCC framework. It identifies four primary types of double counting—double issuance, double claiming, double use, and double purpose—and evaluates current rules under the Kyoto Protocol and various voluntary schemes. The authors propose a comprehensive framework for a post-2020 climate regime, recommending a 'net flows' accounting approach, specific mechanism design principles to prevent double issuance, and the use of globally unique serial numbers for unit tracking.

An open letter from a coalition of social movements, NGOs, and activists to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, urging a revision of the official definition of 'forests' to better reflect the biological diversity and the needs of forest-dependent communities.

This research paper analyzes the proposed New Development Bank (NDB) led by the BRICS nations, examining its potential funding models, spending priorities, and currency choices. The author argues that a democratic governance structure with equal contributions is the most viable path to ensure the bank's legitimacy and facilitate the entry of other emerging economies.

This briefing by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network examines the necessity and methods of integrating climate change into the post-2015 development agenda. It argues that climate change poses a grave threat to poverty eradication and sustainable development, while suggesting that 'climate-smart' goals and targets can simultaneously address development and environmental objectives.

This report provides a comparative analysis of the trade policies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It examines their political coordination, their specific roles and proposals during the Doha Round negotiations, and their use of trade instruments such as tariffs, subsidies, and anti-dumping measures. The document highlights areas of convergence, particularly in defending the interests of developing countries, and areas of divergence stemming from different economic growth models.

This research paper by Carlos Milani analyzes the evolution of Brazilian foreign policy, specifically its South–South co-operation (SSC) strategies. It argues for a shift in conceptualizing foreign policy as a 'public policy' rather than a static state policy, reflecting a plurality of domestic actors and interests. The document details Brazil's engagement with Africa and other developing nations through technical co-operation, trade, and political coalitions like BRICS and IBSA, while noting the strategic role of both state agencies and private corporations in these efforts.

The paper argues that single-year emissions targets are fundamentally flawed compared to continuous multi-year targets because they create uncertainty regarding cumulative emissions, are more susceptible to annual variability, and are incompatible with domestic emissions trading schemes. The authors highlight that the use of tradable units can further reduce the ambition of single-year targets, potentially allowing countries to meet goals without domestic mitigation. They recommend that future international agreements mandate continuous multi-year targets to ensure comparability and align with global carbon budgets.

This report, authored by Jessica Robinson of the Asia Sustainable Investment Association (ASrIA) for the 'Greening China's Financial Markets' project, examines how policy and regulatory innovations can incentivize the investment industry to integrate sustainability, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their strategies. It identifies systemic barriers such as 'short-termism' and a lack of standardized data, and proposes solutions including the reform of compensation structures, the implementation of carbon pricing, and the use of green investment banks to mobilize private capital for a low-carbon transition.

This research paper evaluates the G-20's financial regulation and development agenda between 2011 and 2012, finding that while general G-20 documents rarely mention Africa explicitly, they address broader developing country needs. Key areas of relevance include financial inclusion, agricultural finance, and local currency bond markets. The author argues that while the G-20 recognizes the need to adapt international standards to developing contexts, greater active participation and regional coordination by African states are necessary to ensure their specific needs are met.

This research paper examines the development of green economies within the BRICS nations, analyzing how individual national economic priorities and policy approaches have led to varying levels of adoption and skepticism toward green growth.

This research paper identifies three primary pressure points affecting the South African mining sector: a challenging macro-economic and global environment, structural and political risks including infrastructure gaps and labor unrest, and the need to better leverage existing competitive advantages such as reserve size and financial services.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes policy failures in the governance, accountability, and transparency of financial market actors and proposes policy innovations to advance green finance, specifically focusing on how China can adopt these measures to green its financial markets.

This executive summary adapts the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report for Latin American decision-makers. It details observed warming (0.7–1°C since the 1970s) and shifting rainfall patterns that threaten water availability and food production. The report emphasizes that further warming is inevitable and highlights the need for integrated adaptation and mitigation strategies, such as sustainable urban planning and payment for ecosystem services. It concludes that international cooperation and financial support from developed countries are critical for the region to build resilience and pursue low-carbon development.

This briefing, produced by the European Capacity Building Initiative (ecbi) for the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group, analyzes strategies for the LDC Group to increase global ambition for climate mitigation within the negotiations for a new climate agreement intended to enter into force in 2020.