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A briefing from Friends of the Earth arguing that a congressional super committee can reduce the US deficit without harming the environment by eliminating subsidies for polluting industries and implementing a carbon tax.

A fact sheet by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) outlining the current state of the United States energy landscape and the potential economic and efficiency gains achievable by 2050 through the 'Reinventing Fire' approach, which emphasizes efficiency and renewables over fossil fuels and nuclear power.

This research paper examines the role of Industrial Development Zones (IDZs) and special trade zones in attracting investment and stimulating exports, comparing South Africa's approach with that of major global trading partners and providing recommendations for further incentives to attract foreign direct investment.

This research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) evaluates the effectiveness of residential building energy codes in the United States from 1986 to 2008. Using econometric analysis of state-level energy consumption data, the study finds that building energy codes are associated with a reduction in primary energy use and greenhouse gas emissions per household, while also influencing fuel choice by shifting consumption toward natural gas and away from other fuels like fuel oil.

This 2011 fact sheet explains district energy systems, which use central plants and underground pipes to provide efficient heating and cooling to clusters of buildings. It highlights the role of combined heat and power (CHP) and renewable energy in these systems, noting that while over 700 such systems exist in the U.S., high upfront costs and policy gaps remain barriers to further expansion.

This 2011 commentary evaluates the 2008 Austrian Model Investment Treaty, noting its efforts to modernize by including sustainable development goals and carve-outs for public welfare regulations. However, it warns that the treaty remains overly broad in its investor protections, lacks transparency in dispute settlement, and fails to impose enforceable obligations on investors or home states.

This briefing proposes the "Deep Energy Efficiency Pays" (DEEP) program, a new demand-side management (DSM) approach designed to encourage whole-building retrofits over single-measure upgrades. By offering additional incentives for projects that meet a specific energy savings threshold, the program aims to align the interests of utilities, building owners, and energy service providers to achieve significant energy reductions and market transformation.

This research paper analyzes the marginalization of the African Union (AU) during the 2011 Libyan crisis, arguing that the organization lost a critical opportunity to lead the peace process due to a lack of diplomatic escalation, insufficient political will, and the prioritization of Western and Arab League interests under UN Resolution 1973.

A statement by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) calling on President Obama to reject the Keystone XL pipeline and urging a global transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.

The Stockholm Environment Institute critiques the EPA's cost-benefit analysis for cooling water intake regulations, arguing that monetized benefits are severely underestimated due to the exclusion of non-use values and errors in baseline mortality data. The authors suggest that when benefits are properly calculated and costs are reassessed, the regulations yield positive net benefits with minimal impact on electricity rates and a positive effect on employment and GDP. They strongly advise against site-specific calculations, recommending instead a national standard with a higher threshold for compliance.

This policy brief analyzes the potential economic risks to South African exporters if the United States and European Union implement Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs). Using 2009 trade data and a hypothetical carbon price of US$20/tonne, the report estimates significant annual charges for South African exports, particularly in the non-ferrous metals and iron and steel sectors.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) reviews information instruments designed to promote energy efficiency retrofits in the residential building stock, with a primary focus on Germany and supporting evidence from international case studies. The document categorizes these tools based on the stage of the homeowner's decision-making process: moving uninterested households toward consideration, assisting those in the planning phase, and training the professionals who implement the retrofits.

A letter dated July 27, 2011, from a coalition of 21 organizations to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee urging the rejection of funding cuts to Farm Bill energy programs proposed in H.R. 2112 (the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2012).

China is the world's largest producer, consumer, and exporter of seafood. While its aquatic trading system is strong in aquaculture scale and adaptive supply chains, it faces sustainability challenges regarding traceability, coral reef fish imports, and aquaculture practices. The report examines the economic impact on livelihoods and the potential limits of growth in harvesting and aquaculture.

This research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative examines the implementation of nodal pricing in power markets, primarily drawing on experiences from US Independent System Operators (ISOs) and the Iberian power market. It addresses the costs of transition, mechanisms for hedging locational price differences, the role of ISOs in system security, and the integration of variable renewables like wind and hydro power.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative evaluates the potential for tax incentives to support thermal retrofits in Germany, comparing them with existing KfW loan and grant programs and international experiences from Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute describes the energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and its branches. It details strategic goals for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force to reduce fossil fuel reliance, improve operational security, and meet federal mandates for greenhouse gas reductions and renewable energy procurement.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute outlines the timeline and regulatory framework for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) authority to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the Clean Air Act, detailing specific permitting thresholds and future standards for industrial sources.

This policy brief from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the potential for high-performance manufactured housing to provide sustainable, affordable housing in the United States. It highlights the energy inefficiency of older mobile homes, the advantages of factory-built construction, and recommends federal actions to update energy standards and improve financing options.

This report by Friends of the Earth International (FOEI) documents global struggles and achievements in building food sovereignty and protecting biodiversity. Through case studies from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe, it highlights the conflict between industrial agricultural models—characterized by monocultures, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and land grabbing—and community-led agroecological practices. The document emphasizes the critical role of indigenous and peasant communities, particularly women, in conserving native seeds and managing forests to ensure sustainable local food systems.