Search Climate Insights Directory

This briefing by RMI analyzes the potential for the Great Lakes region to lead the electric vehicle (EV) and battery supply chain. While the region possesses historical automotive strengths and significant R&D capacity, it faces competition from the 'Battery Belt' in the Deep South and gaps in state-level industrial policies. The document outlines the four stages of the supply chain—upstream, midstream, downstream, and reuse/recycling—and provides a gap analysis of regional policies compared to federal initiatives, urging Great Lakes states to coordinate on strategic coordination, production incentives, and end-of-life regulations to maintain competitiveness.

This briefing by RMI explains the role of Community Benefits Plans (CBPs) and Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) in the United States energy transition, specifically focusing on the requirements set by the Department of Energy (DOE) for funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022.

A statement from the World Resources Institute (WRI) regarding the United Auto Workers (UAW) strikes against Ford, Stellantis, and General Motors, emphasizing the need for worker protections and unionization during the transition to electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing in the United States.

This guide by the World Resources Institute outlines five strategies for U.S. local governments to equitably expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, aiming to prevent 'charging deserts' in historically disadvantaged, rural, and low-income communities.

This report by the World Resources Institute (WRI) analyzes the adoption of electric school buses (ESBs) in the United States as of June 2023. It tracks the number of committed vehicles, the impact of federal and state funding, and the distribution of these buses across different demographics and environmental conditions, highlighting a trend toward more equitable deployment in low-income and high-pollution areas.

This briefing by the NewClimate Institute evaluates the progress of 16 countries against 1.5°C-aligned benchmarks for decarbonising the power sector. It argues that a global transition to clean power must be achieved within a generation, requiring the phase-out of coal and fossil gas by 2040, with developed nations moving faster. While some countries show progress in coal phase-outs and renewables, the briefing highlights a critical lack of explicit fossil gas phase-out plans and concerns over China's coal plant permitting.

This case study by RMI examines the Mississippi Clean Hydrogen Hub (MCHH), developed in collaboration with Hy Stor Energy, to demonstrate how large-scale geological storage of green hydrogen can enhance energy security and resiliency for the United States and its international partners. The document details how the MCHH can provide a secure, zero-carbon energy supply to critical industrial sectors, reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets and imported commodities, and support strategic trade partners in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

This report by Ember analyses Chinese customs data from the first half of 2023, detailing a 34% increase in solar module exports. It highlights that while global manufacturing capacity is sufficient to meet 1.5C climate pathways, bottlenecks in installation and grid integration are leading to an accumulation of solar panel stocks in warehouses, particularly in Europe.

This policy brief by RMI argues that the United States does not need further studies to justify expanding interregional electricity transmission, as the need is already well-documented. The author contends that current grid bottlenecks are delaying clean energy projects and increasing vulnerability to extreme weather, urging Congress to implement minimum transfer requirements, mandate proactive planning, and streamline permitting processes.

An analysis by Ember on per capita coal power emissions across G20 economies from 2015 to 2022, highlighting that while over half of these nations have seen declines, Australia and South Korea remain the highest polluters per capita.

The Corporate Climate Finance Playbook provides a framework for companies to strategically deploy, manage, and raise capital to meet climate goals. It categorizes instruments into capital deployment, management, and raising, emphasizing the need to match financial tools to the innovation stage of climate initiatives. Through case studies from companies like Microsoft, Autodesk, and Salesforce, it demonstrates how blending philanthropy, venture capital, and sustainability bonds can accelerate the transition to net zero.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) explains the nature, benefits, and regulatory support for mass timber—engineered wood materials used for large-scale construction. It highlights mass timber's potential to reduce building emissions, store carbon, and support sustainable forest management, while addressing concerns regarding fire safety and moisture.

The Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights 2023 report by Ember analyses global electricity generation from January to June 2023. It finds that global power sector emissions plateaued, increasing by only 0.2%, as significant growth in wind and solar was offset by a historic decline in hydropower generation caused by droughts.

This report by Energy Innovation argues that while the economics of clean energy are now competitive with fossil fuels, non-financial risks—specifically project development and market uncertainty—are hindering deployment in the United States. The authors propose 'investment-grade policies' to reduce these risks, focusing on transmission access, streamlined siting and permitting, and long-term cost-recovery schedules to lower the cost of capital for developers.

This policy paper maps the landscape of standards and initiatives related to plastic pollution to support international cooperation. It categorizes instruments into government regulations, voluntary multistakeholder standards, and non-governmental initiatives. The paper highlights the role of these standards in the ongoing negotiations for a global plastics treaty (INC) and the WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution (DPP), emphasizing the need for inclusiveness for developing countries and the identification of 'standards gaps' across the plastics life cycle.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) is leading an initiative to transition the U.S. school bus fleet to electric by 2030 to eliminate carcinogenic diesel exhaust and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 9 million metric tons annually. The initiative focuses on equitable deployment in low-income communities and communities of color, while collaborating with manufacturers, utilities, and policymakers to overcome infrastructure and funding barriers.

This interim report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the investment needs and barriers associated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), focusing on low-income and disadvantaged communities (LIDCs).

This research paper analyzes the dynamics of Zimbabwe's August 23, 2023, general elections, focusing on the contest between incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa (ZANU-PF) and challenger Nelson Chamisa (CCC). The author examines the electoral system, campaign strategies, and the systemic barriers facing the opposition, while highlighting the election's significance for Zimbabwe's international re-engagement and its role in the global critical minerals market.

A report by Energy Innovation finds that leasing an electric vehicle (EV) is currently the most affordable option for new car buyers in the United States, outperforming the costs of buying or leasing internal combustion engine vehicles.

This report by Energy Innovation argues that while zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) trucks have significant potential for greenhouse gas reductions and public health improvements, current adoption rates are insufficient to meet climate goals without more ambitious policy interventions.