Search Climate Insights Directory

This report evaluates information tools used to reduce energy demand in existing residential buildings, specifically focusing on thermal retrofits in Germany and internationally. It categorizes tools into three groups: those that raise awareness of benefits (e.g., detailed billing, smart meters, local leadership programs), those that assist in planning and investment (e.g., energy audits, online tools), and those that train professionals (e.g., certification schemes). Key findings indicate that normative feedback in billing and peer-to-peer networks are cost-effective, while the effectiveness of smart meters depends heavily on user education. The report emphasizes that the quality and independence of professional advice are critical for homeowner trust and investment decisions.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the extent and cost-effectiveness of government support for the ethanol and biodiesel industries in Australia. It analyzes various subsidies, including excise tax rebates, capital grants, and research funding, concluding that the level of assistance is high relative to other industries and often fails to deliver cost-effective greenhouse gas reductions or energy security compared to alternative policy options.

This report explores the development of environment and sustainable development (ESD) policies in K–12 schools in Manitoba and across Canada. It identifies three primary approaches to policy development: government-led "whole school" initiatives, independent certification and award programs, and individual school district policy development. The document highlights a gap between the advanced sustainability policy frameworks in the tertiary education sector and the more sporadic, often fragmented approach in K–12 education, particularly in Manitoba where many schools act without district-level mandates.

This 2007 IISD report analyzes the compatibility of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and other market mechanisms for sustainable development (MMSD) with various proposed post-2012 climate regimes. It identifies that while the current project-based CDM works in regimes with differentiated targets, it would be incompatible with a system where all countries have binding targets. In such cases, the report suggests a shift toward Joint Implementation (JI)-style mechanisms or 'expanded CDM' models that include sectoral and policy-based crediting. The report emphasizes the need to balance the developed world's demand for low-cost, additional credits with the developing world's need for sustainable development dividends and equitable access to investment.

This RMI fact sheet presents several case studies of green building projects across residential, commercial, and urban redevelopment sectors, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable design, such as energy savings, increased property value, and reduced marketing costs.

This report, produced for the South African Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), provides an international review of air emission standards to support the implementation of Section 21 of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (NEM:AQA). It analyzes regulatory frameworks in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia (specifically New South Wales), with additional references to India, Japan, Poland, and China. The document recommends a phased approach to listing industrial activities and setting minimum emission standards based on Best Available Technology (BAT), while suggesting the integration of command-and-control measures with market-based mechanisms like emissions trading.

Ember provides a submission on the Climate Change Bill 2022 and the Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022, arguing that Australia's emissions targets are implausible without aggressive action on coal mine methane (CMM). The document highlights that CMM dominates Australia's energy sector methane emissions and suggests that official figures may be significantly underestimated.

This research paper by Bill Bowen analyzes the political economy of Australia's unilateral trade and economic reforms from the 1970s through the early 2000s. It examines how the country transitioned from a highly protected 'fixed price country' to a competitive global economy, highlighting the roles of independent research bodies, political leadership, and social compensation mechanisms. The document is intended to provide lessons for South Africa as it considers similar reform paths.

This fact sheet from the World Resources Institute explainsL explains Energy Savings Certificates (ESCs), which are tradable certificates representing energy savings—typically one megawatt-hour (MWh)—used by utilities to meet energy efficiency targets in compliance and voluntary markets.