Search Climate Insights Directory

This document provides a collection of case studies and resources intended to help State Energy Offices (SEOs) design and implement home energy rebate programs under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). It highlights specific tools, frameworks, and programs that address equity, workforce development, consumer education, and supply chain coordination to optimize residential energy retrofits and electrification.

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 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.

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 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.

This guide by RMI explores how Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) can leverage their extensive rooftop and parking assets to drive solar development, reducing greenhouse gas emissions while increasing shareholder value. It identifies significant untapped capacity, outlines the financial and regulatory barriers to adoption, and proposes community solar as a viable solution to overcome these challenges.

This RMI briefing outlines how US Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) can use grid-enhancing technologies (GETs) to resolve transmission bottlenecks that are delaying the interconnection of renewable energy. It identifies regulatory 'gold plating' and 'capex bias' as primary barriers and proposes four strategies—knowledge building, planning mandates, financial incentive reforms, and FERC engagement—to accelerate the deployment of these cost-effective solutions.

This briefing by RMI examines the debate over emissions accounting methods in New York State, specifically focusing on the shift to a 20-year global warming potential (GWP20) timeframe and the inclusion of upstream and biogenic emissions. The author argues that this 'new climate math' increases climate benefits without necessarily increasing costs, as physical emissions remain constant regardless of the accounting timeframe used.

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.

This report by Ember proposes an ambitious wind and solar expansion plan for Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries to improve energy security and lower electricity prices. Using the PyPSA-CEE model, the study argues that accelerating renewables deployment could reduce wholesale power prices by 29% and make the region electricity self-sufficient by 2030.

This briefing by RMI argues that current global oil price benchmarks fail to account for the varying greenhouse gas emissions intensities of different crude oils, creating perverse market incentives. The author proposes incorporating emissions data, specifically via the Oil Climate Index plus Gas (OCI+), into benchmark pricing to reflect the true climate cost of production and encourage operators to reduce emissions.

This fact sheet by RMI explains the concept of embodied carbon in building materials, detailing how it is calculated, strategies for its reduction, and the role of policy and industry in decarbonizing construction.

This research paper by the World Resources Institute analyzes version 1.0 of the White House Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST). While the update identifies more disadvantaged communities than the beta version, the authors argue it fails to account for cumulative burdens—where multiple environmental, health, and socioeconomic stressors overlap—which disproportionately affect communities of color.

This report by Energy Innovation and RMI evaluates the impact of five key state-level energy policies on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across six U.S. states using the Energy Policy Simulator (EPS). The analysis demonstrates that a coordinated policy approach can significantly reduce emissions, create jobs, and improve public health outcomes.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes energy efficiency (EE) mechanisms for electricity-intensive consumers, comparing international experiences from the European Union, USA, China, and other nations with the current policy landscape in Brazil. It identifies direct and indirect benefits of EE, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased industrial competitiveness, and evaluates various regulatory, fiscal, and market-based instruments to provide recommendations for improving Brazil's energy efficiency framework.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that Canada is unlikely to be the last country to sell oil due to a combination of declining global demand, price volatility, and higher production costs compared to Middle Eastern competitors. While Canada's heavy reliance on U.S. refineries provides a temporary buffer, the document suggests that ESG credentials will not protect market share and that the sector faces an existential threat as the world moves toward a post-peak oil market around 2030.

This policy brief by RMI argues that US airports are strategically positioned to host multi-megawatt fast-charging hubs to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption, particularly for high-mileage commercial ridehail and taxi drivers. Using a model based on Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), RMI suggests that these hubs can be financially viable with investment payback periods under 10 years, provided there is close coordination with local utilities to manage infrastructure costs and capacity.

This guide by the World Resources Institute (WRI) examines the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) school buses to electric school buses (ESBs) in the United States. It analyzes how the shift in cost structures—from lower upfront costs and higher operating expenses to higher upfront costs and lower operating expenses—creates a need for new business models to manage capital, risk, and infrastructure.

This report by Energy Innovation analyzes the building sector provisions of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), detailing how rebates, tax credits, and funding for building codes can accelerate decarbonization. It provides a roadmap for federal, state, and local policymakers to implement these incentives, emphasizing the need for complementary regulations—such as updated appliance standards and building codes—to overcome the challenge of slow building stock turnover and meet 2030 climate goals.