Search Climate Insights Directory

The report assesses how a 30% GHG reduction target by 2020 would affect EU energy security compared to a 20% target and a business-as-usual scenario. It finds that more ambitious targets generally improve primary energy security by reducing overall energy demand and fossil fuel imports, particularly oil. However, it notes that the transition may increase risks for specific countries like Poland due to a shift from coal to imported gas, and could negatively impact electricity grid security due to the intermittency of renewables and the need for significant new capacity investments.

The study uses the Imaclim-R model to analyze the economic trade-offs of EU emissions targets. It finds that a -20% target by 2020 may lead to prohibitive costs and negative GDP growth between 2040 and 2050 due to technological inertia and 'lock-in' of carbon-intensive infrastructure. While a more ambitious -30% target can reduce long-term risks and provide energy security co-benefits—especially in oil-constrained scenarios—it may impose significant short-term macroeconomic costs. The authors argue that carbon pricing alone is insufficient for 'inert' sectors like transport and residential buildings, recommending complementary sectoral policies, such as passenger car mobility reduction, to lower overall costs and avoid industrial decline.

The document examines the current investment incentive mix in Lao PDR, highlighting a 'double subsidy' of tax holidays and low-cost land concessions. It argues that these incentives provide minimal returns in tax revenue, job creation, or technology transfer, and recommends replacing them with a uniform corporate tax rate and targeted incentives for green infrastructure, public services, and human capital development.

The paper examines the lack of authoritative IFRS guidance for the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), leading to inconsistent accounting practices. It argues that the prevailing 'net liability approach'—recognizing free allowances at nil—understates assets and hides the economic cost of carbon. The authors advocate for a mandatory fair value approach for initial measurement, combined with a government grant model to avoid 'day-one-gains' and a distinction between allowances held for compliance versus trading to ensure a 'true and fair view' of a company's financial position in a carbon-constrained economy.

The guide outlines a comprehensive checklist for public-sector entities to transition from a 'best value for money' approach to 'best value across the project/product life cycle'. It emphasizes the importance of legal mandates, life-cycle costing (LCC), and e-procurement in integrating environmental and social risks into purchasing decisions. The document argues that the public sector's significant spending power—representing 13-17% of GDP in high-income countries and up to 47% in Brazil—can trigger private sector innovation and the commercialization of green technologies. Key recommendations include using performance-based specifications, negotiating bulk discounts or leasing to offset higher upfront costs, and maintaining dialogue with suppliers to foster green competitiveness.

The document serves as a resource for First Nations in Canada to navigate the economic opportunities and risks of carbon markets. It emphasizes that while global literature on indigenous peoples and carbon markets exists, there is a significant information void specifically regarding First Nations in Canada. The report argues that for indigenous participation to be equitable, governments must recognize carbon rights, obtain free, prior and informed consent, and adopt decentralized governance models that prioritize local employment over simple financial compensation. It also highlights the technical necessity of accurate carbon accounting, particularly in the boreal forest, where factors like insect infestations and soil moisture significantly impact carbon stock measurements.

The report argues that a well-functioning security sector is the foundation of state stability and that defence must be integrated into government-wide structures to be effective. It critiques traditional 'civil-military relations' theories that view the military primarily as a threat to be controlled, suggesting instead that the military should be seen as a public service providing force or the threat of force to support state policy. The author emphasizes a 'task-based' rather than 'threat-based' approach to security policy and advocates for integrated hierarchies in ministries of defence to foster cooperation between civilian and military personnel. The text also details the technical aspects of intelligence collection, the management of defence budgets, and the importance of democratic accountability through parliament and transparency.

The Resources and Energy Analysis Programme (REAP) is an environmental analysis tool that uses an environmentally extended input-output model to assess the global environmental impact of consumption at national, regional, and local levels. It tracks greenhouse gases, ecological footprints, and energy sources across the entire life cycle of products and services, including imports. The tool includes a scenario function to model the effects of political decisions, population changes, and shifts in consumption or transport habits. Originally developed in the UK in 2006, a Swedish version was introduced in April 2011.

The policy brief examines how local climate adaptation lessons are 'upscaled' to inform higher-level decision-making. It introduces a framework based on two axes—epistemology (realism vs. constructionism) and intent of inquiry (universalism vs. contextualism)—to categorize how case studies mediate between local efforts and political goals. By analyzing projects in Sweden, Canada, and Indonesia, the brief demonstrates that methodological choices determine whether research supports planned regulatory policy or non-coercive, self-organized adaptation. It emphasizes the need to balance benefits between community stakeholders, policy makers, and researchers.

The report examines the tension between Sweden's goals for renewable energy expansion (RES) and the restoration of aquatic ecosystems (WFD). It finds that the current judicial concession system, characterized by a lack of trust between operators and authorities, hinders both the efficiency gains from hydropower refurbishments and the timely implementation of environmental improvements. The author suggests that a general environmental compensation scheme could resolve these conflicts by removing the financial disincentives for operators to undergo concession reviews.

The document details a workshop held at the Stockholm Resilience Centre involving approximately 35 participants. It examines social learning across four primary domains: natural resource management, climate change adaptation, social learning platforms, and the intersection of education and society. The proceedings highlight the definitional complexity of 'social learning', the influence of power dynamics, and the challenges of measuring learning outcomes in time-bound participatory projects. Key discussions emphasize the need for multi-level learning to build adaptive capacity in social-ecological systems and the role of 'shadow spaces' in facilitating international governance.

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.

The report examines the Swedish hybrid-electric vehicle TIS between 1990 and 2010, finding that while early efforts were driven by urban air quality and concept vehicles, later developments shifted toward fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction. It highlights the role of state-funded R&D programs in maintaining technical knowledge and the significant impact of international dynamics, such as the success of the Toyota Prius and EU emission directives, over national governance in driving commercialization.

The report examines how local climate adaptation lessons are 'upscaled' to inform national or sub-national policy. It introduces a sense-making framework based on two axes—epistemology (realism vs. constructionism) and intent of inquiry (universalism vs. contextualism)—to categorize how research connects with policy. By analyzing three case studies (Stockholm, Niagara, and the Mahakam Delta), the authors demonstrate that methodological choices determine whether research supports 'planned policy' (regulatory/coercive) or 'self-organised adaptation' (non-coercive). The report argues that case studies can serve as platforms to challenge disabling governance structures and leverage stakeholder competencies to reinvent institutions.

The document critiques carbon trading as an unreliable mechanism that shifts the burden of mitigation to developing countries and benefits the Northern financial industry. It proposes a comprehensive package of alternatives: for mitigation, it suggests global feed-in tariffs for renewables, energy efficiency standards, sustainable small-scale agriculture, and the protection of Indigenous forest rights. For climate finance, it identifies a potential US$420 billion per year in new funding through a global Financial Transaction Tax, cracking down on tax evasion, redirecting fossil-fuel producer subsidies, issuing new Special Drawing Rights, and implementing carbon and energy taxes.

The report critiques carbon trading as a 'risky, irresponsible and dangerous' tool that diverts attention from viable solutions. It proposes a comprehensive package of alternatives: investing US$100 billion annually in renewable energy feed-in tariffs, transitioning to small-scale sustainable agriculture, protecting forests by addressing drivers like agrofuels, and implementing international industrial standards for the 'best available technologies'. For climate finance, it suggests a combination of a global financial transaction tax, combating tax evasion, redirecting fossil fuel subsidies, issuing Special Drawing Rights, and implementing carbon and energy taxes, which could collectively provide at least US$420 billion annually for developing nations.

The study examines the tension between combating financial crimes—such as money laundering and terrorist financing—and maintaining the speed, low cost, and accessibility of informal remittance systems like Hawala. It contrasts 'registration' regimes (UK, Sweden) with 'licensing' regimes (Germany, Netherlands, Norway), finding that more lenient registration frameworks generally lead to lower consumer prices and higher market accessibility. The paper also analyzes the impact of the EU Payment Services Directive (PSD) and argues that IVTS are highly integrated with the formal economy, suggesting that a 'light touch' regulatory approach is most effective for bringing these systems into the formal sphere.

The report examines the gender gap in the Norwegian Armed Forces (NAF) and other NATO countries, arguing that while national recruitment is a prerequisite for female participation in international missions, it is not sufficient on its own. Despite implementing numerous initiatives, Norway has seen slow growth in female personnel, trailing behind countries like Canada, France, and the United States. The author analyzes NATO's recommended best practices across recruitment, employment, operational planning, and quality of life, noting that many states prioritize equal rights over the instrumental operational value of women. The report specifically highlights Canada's 'employer of choice' strategy as a successful model for Norway to consider, while cautioning that mandatory conscription for women in Norway may be premature without a deeper understanding of female motivation for military service.

The report analyzes Chile's transition toward non-conventional renewable energy (NCRE), noting that while installed capacity in the Central Interconnected Grid (SIC) nearly doubled between 2007 and 2009, the sector remains hindered by high market concentration and financial risks. It details the impact of Law No. 20.257, which mandates a clean energy quota of 5% by 2010 and 10% by 2024, and evaluates CORFO's incentive programs. The document highlights a critical tension between the growth of clean energy and a simultaneous increase in coal-fired generation, which threatens Chile's climate goals and long-term competitiveness.

The report details the financial structure of Stora Enso as of late 2009, noting that shareholders and bondholders are the primary sources of capital. It identifies key institutional investors, banks providing loans, and the company's participation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.