Search Climate Insights Directory

This briefing note from the International Institute for Sustainable Development outlines fiscal policy instruments as tools to facilitate the transition to a green economy, providing case studies from Germany and Canada to illustrate how taxes, subsidies, and levies can incentivize sustainable practices.

This issue brief from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the role of energy storage technologies in mitigating electricity industry challenges, integrating renewable energy, and improving grid reliability. It details various storage technologies—ranging from pumped hydro and compressed air to advanced batteries and flywheels—and analyzes the impact of U.S. federal policies, specifically FERC orders and Department of Energy (DOE) initiatives, in overcoming implementation barriers.

This policy brief from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) examines the role of energy storage technologies in mitigating electricity industry challenges, integrating renewable energy, and improving grid reliability. It provides a technical overview of various storage methods, analyzes the impact of U.S. federal policies and legislation, and highlights specific large-scale implementation projects across the United States.

Carroll Muffett, President and CEO of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), provided testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives on July 24, 2013, regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The statement argues that TTIP could undermine public health and environmental protections, particularly in the chemicals sector, by prioritizing the removal of regulatory barriers over safety standards. Muffett advocates for the retention of national rights to determine health protection levels and the exclusion of investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms.

Carroll Muffett, President and CEO of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), provided testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives on July 24, 2013, regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Representing CIEL, Friends of the Earth, and the Sierra Club, Muffett argued that the agreement's focus on reducing regulatory barriers could undermine public health and environmental protections, particularly in the chemicals sector, by favoring industry interests over safety standards.

This progress report from the EC Chair of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details the transition to a tripartite Directorate structure across Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, as well as challenges regarding the election of members to the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).

This progress report from the President of the Executive Council (CE) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) details the transition to a tripartite governance structure, the status of regional offices, and challenges regarding the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative compares energy efficiency policies for buildings in China, Germany, and the United States. It analyzes four primary policy intervention points—new construction, building retrofit, equipment, and operations—and examines how different national building stocks, climatic conditions, and economic environments shape the priorities and effectiveness of these policies.

This research paper by RMI explores the transition of the U.S. electricity sector from a traditional value chain to a 'value constellation' at the distribution edge. It examines how the rise of distributed energy resources (DERs) challenges existing utility business models and proposes new regulatory and economic frameworks to better integrate these resources for improved system efficiency, resilience, and reliability.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the legal principles and methods used to determine compensation for the expropriation of foreign investments. It examines the tension between customary international law and Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), highlighting how vague treaty language often leaves the calculation of compensation to the discretion of arbitral tribunals and accounting firms. The document provides recommendations for States to draft more precise BIT clauses to protect public funds and maintain regulatory space for public interest legislation.

This guide by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes the legal principles and methods for calculating compensation in cases of expropriation of foreign investments. It examines the differences between customary international law and Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), highlighting the challenges of valuing indirect expropriation and the risks associated with various valuation methods used by arbitral tribunals.

This document is a Question and Answer (Q&A) briefing issued by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) to clarify the terms of an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for project AAGL-0030a. It provides detailed guidance for potential bidders regarding the role of the 'Global Learning Partner', budget allocations for local partners, expectations for conference participation at the Resilient Cities Congress, and the internal review process for publications.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the drivers and challenges associated with Climate-Compatible Development (CCD). It defines CCD as a "development first" approach aimed at minimizing climate damage while maximizing human development opportunities in a low-carbon, resilient future. The document identifies five primary socio-political drivers—national awareness of adaptation, energy security, economic opportunities, access to climate finance, and government leadership—and seven key implementation challenges, including high costs, political opposition, and institutional limitations.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the drivers and challenges associated with Climate Compatible Development (CCD), defined as a "development first" approach that minimizes climate harm while maximizing human development opportunities in a low-emissions, resilient future. Drawing on experience from over 40 countries, the paper identifies key sociopolitical drivers—such as national resilience needs, energy security, and economic opportunities—and outlines significant barriers, including high implementation costs, political resistance, and institutional capacity gaps.

This research paper by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) examines the drivers and obstacles associated with Climate Compatible Development (CCD). It defines CCD as a strategy that minimizes climate impact damage while maximizing human development opportunities in a low-emission future. The document identifies five key sociopolitical drivers—national resilience needs, energy security, economic opportunities, climate finance access, and strong government leadership—and seven primary implementation challenges, including high opportunity costs, political resistance, and institutional constraints.

This report details the third annual Climate Knowledge Brokers (CKB) workshop held in June 2013 in Bonn, Germany. The event focused on forging collaborative links between online knowledge brokers specializing in climate and development, sharing lessons on user engagement and internet marketing, and developing shared technical tools to improve information discoverability.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute evaluates the implementation of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) from 2007 to 2013 and assesses proposed reforms for the post-2013 period. It argues that the CAP has had limited success in reducing environmental impacts and suggests that future reforms should better embrace the region's agricultural diversity and foster transboundary cooperation to protect common water bodies.

This executive summary by the World Resources Institute (WRI) analyzes the 'fast-start' climate finance pledges made by developed countries following the 2010 Cancun Agreements. The document evaluates whether these pledges meet international criteria regarding the balance between adaptation and mitigation, additionality, and prioritization of vulnerable nations, while highlighting significant gaps in reporting transparency and consistency.

This executive summary from the Climate Policy Initiative assesses climate finance flows in Germany for the year 2010. It maps the sources, intermediaries, and sectors of investment to understand the current level of funding and the role of public policy in mobilizing private capital for the energy transition (Energiewende).

This executive summary from the Climate Policy Initiative provides a snapshot of climate finance in Germany for the year 2010. It analyzes the volume of investments, the primary sources of funding, and the effectiveness of policy instruments, while highlighting significant gaps in data collection and monitoring (MRV) systems.