Search Climate Insights Directory
21 results
Mitigating Landfill Methane Key Strategies and Policy Levers to Drive Emissions Reductions
This briefing by RMI outlines strategies and policy levers to reduce methane emissions from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills in the United States. It proposes a two-pronged approach: improving the monitoring and control of existing waste and preventing new methane generation by diverting organic waste from landfills. The document advocates for stronger federal standards from the EPA to scale these reductions and protect adjacent communities.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
Five Steps to Electrify Your Home: From Heat Pumps to Solar Panels and Induction Stoves
A guide by RMI providing a five-step framework for homeowners to decarbonize and electrify their residences, emphasizing energy efficiency, the use of heat pumps and induction stoves, and the utilization of incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Guide
Bringing Cities and Their Utilities into the 21st Century
This guide by RMI provides strategic advice for municipalities to renegotiate franchise agreements with electric and gas utilities to advance climate, equity, and resilience goals. It emphasizes moving beyond narrow legal scopes to incorporate specific climate actions, equitable funding, and infrastructure resilience, while highlighting the importance of overcoming informational asymmetries during negotiations.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Guide
Six Innovative Funding Methods to Achieve Climate Action and Equity in US Cities
This briefing by RMI outlines six innovative funding mechanisms used by US cities to finance climate mitigation, resilience, and environmental justice, emphasizing the integration of equity to support marginalized communities.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
Colorado Developers Lead the Way on Affordable, All-Electric Housing
This case study by RMI examines how developers in Colorado are implementing all-electric, affordable housing projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower long-term costs, and improve resident health. Through examples like Oxford Vista, Kestrel, and 30 Pearl Street, the document demonstrates that avoiding fossil fuel infrastructure can offset higher upfront costs for electric systems, providing a scalable model for sustainable urban development.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Case study
We Have New Leadership and a New Year—We Need New Housing, Too
This statement from RMI argues that reforming housing and zoning policies in the United States is a critical but overlooked component of climate strategy. The author contends that the current housing shortage and exclusionary zoning drive carbon emissions by forcing sprawl and auto-dependency, while simultaneously exacerbating economic and health inequities. The document calls for a shift toward infill, multi-family, and mixed-use development to reduce transportation emissions and improve affordability.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement
How to Stay Cool while Saving Energy
This guide by RMI provides strategies for maintaining cool indoor temperatures while reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, particularly during heat waves. It outlines passive cooling methods, natural ventilation techniques, and efficient cooling technologies, supported by two case studies of net-zero and super-insulated homes in Colorado.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Guide
An Existing Building Portfolio on a Path to Net-Zero Energy
This case study describes how the John Madden Company (JMC), a family-owned business in Colorado, implemented a large-scale energy efficiency project across two buildings in its portfolio. By utilizing Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing and bundling various efficiency measures, JMC achieved significant energy savings without upfront capital costs for the landlord or increased costs for tenants.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Case study
COMMUNITY ENERGY RESOURCE GUIDE
The Community Energy Resource Guide, published by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in December 2015, provides a comprehensive roadmap for U.S. communities to develop energy action plans. It outlines a collaborative planning process, methods for analyzing energy landscapes, and specific tactics across the buildings, electricity, transportation, and industry sectors to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Guide
DEEP ENERGY RETROFITS USING ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS: SUCCESS STORIES
This report by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) details eight case studies of deep energy retrofits implemented via Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) in federal and municipal settings. It identifies six best practices for achieving significant energy reductions—averaging 58% across the highlighted projects—without upfront capital costs or Congressional appropriations.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Minutas del EC-XXIII
The document contains the minutes of the 23rd Meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on December 9-10, 2006, in Panama City, Panama. The meeting focused on strategic institutional expansion, the transition between the Collaborative Research Network (CRN) I and II programs, financial status, and the scientific reorientation of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) to better integrate human dimensions and policy relevance.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Informe de la Dirección Ejecutiva del IAI
The IAI Executive Directorate report for May-August 2005 outlines the appointment of a new Executive Director and Program Manager, the pursuit of observer status with the UNFCCC, and the management of scientific projects including CRN I and II. It details the organization of training institutes in Paraguay and Jamaica, the integration of the Amazon Andean GIS Web Portal into the IAI-DIS, and the approval of key administrative manuals.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Minutes of the Seventeenth Meeting of the IAI Executive Council (EC)
The document contains the minutes of the Seventeenth Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC), held on June 2-3, 2003, in Boulder, Colorado. The meeting focused on reviewing the IAI's science programs, financial status, and administrative rules, while approving a revised Science Agenda to be forwarded to the Conference of Parties (CoP X).
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Adenda 1_Documento 13 CE-XVII & CoP-X
This briefing document from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) proposes renaming the Financial and Administrative Working Group (FAWG) to the Ad Hoc Financial and Administrative Committee (FAC) and outlines its revised mandate and operational procedures.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
Action List Day 2: December 3
The Action List from the second day of the Sixteenth Meeting of the IAI Executive Council (EC) details administrative approvals, committee restructuring, and the scheduling of future meetings.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
Lista de Acciones DÌa 2: 3 de diciembre
This document is a list of actions approved during the second day of the Sixteenth Meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on December 3, 2002, in Panama City, Panama.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
decisions-ec-16-824749a2cf00d0b1.pdf
The document is an action list from the Sixteenth Meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC), held on December 2-3, 2002, in Panama City, Panama. It records administrative decisions, approvals of financial and working group reports, and the scheduling of future meetings.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
decisions-ec-16-sp-ab7934eca771969d.pdf
This document is a list of actions and decisions from the 16th Meeting of the Executive Council (EC) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held on December 2-3, 2002, in Panama City, Panama.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
Paying for Growth, Prospering from Development
The report argues that community growth often creates fiscal deficits and social problems, whereas 'sustainable development'—focused on efficiency and local resource optimization—can create prosperity without expanding a community's size.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Visitor’s Guide to the Lovins Bioshelter
The Lovins Bioshelter is an experimental 4,000-square-foot residence and research center designed for extreme resource efficiency. Built between 1982 and 1984, it utilizes passive solar design, superinsulation (R-40 walls, R-80 roof), and advanced 'superwindows' to eliminate the need for a conventional heating system. The building generates a significant portion of its electricity via photovoltaic panels and uses high-efficiency appliances to reduce electricity and water consumption to a fraction of typical household levels.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Guide