Search Climate Insights Directory

This policy brief by RMI examines the 'undergrid minigrid' model piloted in Mokoloki, Nigeria, and discusses its potential application to improve electricity reliability for underserved rural communities in India. The model involves a privately owned solar minigrid sharing existing distribution infrastructure with a utility company to provide reliable last-mile service.

The World Resources Institute's 2018 Federal Tax Return (Form 990) details its financial activities, program accomplishments, and governance for the tax year ending September 30, 2019. The organization reported total revenue of $159,318,068 and total functional expenses of $120,793,841. Its primary program services focus on climate, energy, food, forests, water, and oceans, with significant expenditures across these areas and a global operational footprint including offices in Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United States.

This guide from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) provides consumers with strategies for navigating the sustainable fashion market, specifically comparing natural fibres like cotton with synthetic alternatives. It highlights the role of Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSSs) and warns against vague sustainability claims and the blending of natural and synthetic fibres.

The NewClimate Institute's summary report outlines Paris Agreement-compatible sectoral benchmarks for the power, transport, industry, and buildings sectors. It defines 'highest plausible ambition' targets for 2030 and 2050 to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C, providing specific analysis for seven countries and the global level to guide government decarbonisation strategies.

This research paper analyzes the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic and global climate change responses, arguing that the pandemic serves as a 'climate change parable' with systemic similarities. It explores how national recovery efforts can either bolster or undermine the goals of the Paris Agreement and the postponed COP 26 summit, providing recommendations for aligning economic stimulus with green transitions.

The Climate Policy Initiative describes a proposed loan product delivered via a non-banking financial company (NBFC) to enable auto-rickshaw drivers in India to transition from renting conventional vehicles to owning electric ones.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the instruments and public policies used for agricultural risk management in Brazil. It examines the strengths and failures of current systems, including insurance programs and price guarantees, and provides recommendations to improve efficiency and sustainability in the face of climate change.

The report evaluates agricultural risk management in Brazil, finding that while the insurance market has grown, it remains highly concentrated and underfunded compared to rural credit. It highlights that nearly 60% of municipalities lack insurance and suggests redirecting public funds from credit to insurance and expanding the use of Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (ZARC) to improve productivity and land use.

The SEforALL 3-Year Business Plan 2021-2023 outlines the transition to 'SEforALL 3.0,' a strategic shift from global agenda-setting toward an implementation-focused model. The plan prioritizes data-driven decision-making, partnerships with high-impact countries, and the delivery of specific 'Results Offers' across four thematic areas: Energy Diplomacy and Advocacy, Energy Access and Closing the Gap, Energy Transitions and Climate Change, and Intersection with Other SDGs. The organization aims to mobilize USD 58.9 million over three years to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) by 2030.

This research paper, produced by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), examines the financial instability of India's electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. It analyzes how the pandemic exacerbated pre-existing structural issues—such as poor billing, high procurement costs, and inadequate tariff structures—and evaluates the effectiveness of central government stimulus packages and regulatory reforms intended to stabilize the sector and support a sustainable energy transition.

This case study by the World Resources Institute describes how Nav Jivan Hospital in rural India improved its resilience and capacity to treat COVID-19 patients by installing a 10-kilowatt peak (kWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system to mitigate unreliable grid electricity.

India requires $2.5 trillion by 2030 to meet its carbon intensity reduction targets but is currently mobilizing less than 25% of that amount. The Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) identifies the lack of a formal definition of 'Green Finance' as a major barrier to investment. CPI proposes creating a definition based on international practices and stakeholder input to enable better tracking of finance flows and the development of green financial products, serving as a first step toward a comprehensive national green finance strategy.

This report reflects on a June 11, 2020, workshop convened by RMI India, Rocky Mountain Institute, and NITI Aayog with 16 civil society organizations to support India's electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs). It introduces the Discom Transformation Platform, designed to coordinate efforts to overcome barriers to decarbonization and help DISCOMs navigate financial challenges and regulatory changes, including amendments to the Electricity Act.

This testimony by Carroll Muffett, President & CEO of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), delivered to the House Subcommittee on the Environment on July 7, 2020, outlines the systemic risks that the plastic lifecycle poses to human health and the global climate. Muffett argues that plastic production, which is overwhelmingly derived from fossil fuels, creates toxic exposures at every stage—from extraction and refining to consumer use and waste management—and acts as a significant driver of greenhouse gas emissions.

IndoSpace Core issued a green loan of INR1bn (USD14m) on May 13, 2020, to finance and refinance EDGE-certified green buildings in India. This is noted as the first green loan issued by an Indian entity.

This fact sheet by RMI defines green banks as public or quasi-public entities designed to leverage public funds to attract private capital for low-carbon, climate-resilient investments. It outlines their role in filling market gaps, reducing perceived risks for investors, and helping countries implement their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

A case study on the city of Ahmedabad's use of municipal bonds to finance climate-resilient urban development and green infrastructure.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute provides guidance for Ministries of Finance on integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation into COVID-19 economic recovery packages. It argues that aligning stimulus spending with climate goals can maximize long-term economic gains, create more jobs than traditional investments, and reduce future systemic risks.

This perspective piece argues that governments must implement a planned and equitable wind-down of fossil fuel production to meet climate goals and avoid market volatility, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting oil price crash.

This fact sheet details a EUR234 million green bond issued by Bothwell Spain on December 19, 2019, to refinance solar photovoltaic projects.