Search Climate Insights Directory

The research paper "The Negawatt Revolution: Electric Efficiency and Asian Development" argues that Asian development is hindered by the adoption of inefficient electrical equipment and a utility business model focused on increasing sales rather than customer satisfaction. The authors contrast this with a shift in the U.S. utility sector toward "negawatts"—saving electricity through efficiency and renewables—which is presented as a significantly cheaper and more sustainable alternative to building new power plants.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) details the outcomes of the UNFCCC climate change negotiations held in Bonn in June and August 2009. It outlines the progress and persistent divisions between developed and developing nations across four key pillars—mitigation, adaptation, technology, and finance—as they worked toward a global post-2012 agreement intended for adoption at COP-15 in Copenhagen.

This report chapter explores 'green development,' demonstrating how the integration of resource efficiency, environmental sensitivity, and human well-being can lead to superior financial performance in real estate. Through various case studies of commercial buildings, residential developments, and hotels, the text argues that intelligent design reduces operating costs, increases labor productivity, and enhances property value while restoring community and ecological health.

This fact sheet describes the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), an international non-profit research organization focused on sustainability, climate change, and environmental policy. It outlines SEI's organizational structure, its commitment to open access and collaborative research, and the specific thematic focuses of its eight global centers.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute reviews the regulatory landscape of air quality in Thailand. It identifies a fragmented, siloed approach to policymaking across various ministries as a primary barrier to effective enforcement. While some pollutants have decreased over the last decade, national standards remain weaker than World Health Organization guidelines, and monitoring is insufficient to capture the full extent of the problem. The document advocates for the creation of a single, overarching national regulatory body to coordinate multi-sectoral efforts and better integrate climate commitments with air quality goals.

This policy brief, published by the Stockholm Environment Institute, outlines the process and benefits of 'mainstreaming' climate change adaptation—integrating it into existing development policies, plans, and practices. Drawing on studies from 13 Asian countries and the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Knowledge Platform for Asia (AKP), the document argues that mainstreaming is the most effective way to scale up adaptation across the Asia and Pacific region by avoiding policy conflicts and leveraging larger financial flows.

This SEI briefing summarizes a regional foresight workshop held in Bangkok in December 2023, conducted as part of a UNEP strategic foresight initiative. The workshop involved 42 academics and practitioners from 15 countries in Asia and the Pacific to analyze plausible future scenarios for the region leading up to 2050, focusing on the intersections of technology, cultural values, economic power, and environmental sustainability.

This fact sheet describes the strategic communication efforts of SEI Asia, based in Bangkok, which aim to bridge scientific research and policy-making. The organization utilizes a variety of multimedia products, media partnerships, and inclusive dialogue to make complex environmental data accessible to policymakers, media, and marginalized communities in Asia.

This report assesses electricity governance in Thailand, focusing on the dominance of government-owned enterprises and the resulting inefficiencies, consumer burdens, and social conflicts.