Search Climate Insights Directory

This executive summary, based on a 2009 report prepared for the Swedish Government Offices, outlines an integrated approach for the European Union to combine climate change mitigation and energy security with economic competitiveness. It advocates for an 'eco-efficient economy' through resource efficiency, the development of new technology markets, and the establishment of stable global carbon prices.

This policy brief, produced by the Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn Centre as part of the NORSTRAT project, examines the transmission grid developments required to transition the Baltic States to a carbon-neutral power sector by 2050. The research focuses on the feasibility of replacing oil shale and fossil fuel dependency with renewable energy sources, specifically wind and biomass, through increased interconnection with the Nordic Power System and Continental Europe.

This research paper evaluates the impact of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) on nitrous oxide (N2O) abatement in the adipic acid sector. While the carbon market successfully incentivized abatement levels of 98% to 100%, which exceed previous technical benchmarks, the authors find that the CDM created significant economic incentives that led to carbon leakage. Specifically, production shifted from non-CDM plants to CDM plants during the 2008-2009 economic downturn, resulting in an estimated 13.5 MtCO2e of issued credits that did not represent real emission reductions.

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute evaluates the environmental integrity of Joint Implementation (JI) during the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. The authors conclude that approximately three-quarters of JI offsets likely did not represent additional emissions reductions, potentially increasing global greenhouse gas emissions by 600 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

This working paper, produced by the Agreement on Climate Transformation 2015 (ACT 2015) consortium, proposes a framework for the 2015 Paris Agreement. It suggests a structure based on two long-term goals, three continuous improvement cycles (mitigation, adaptation, and support), and a foundation of transparency and accountability to drive a global transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.

This executive summary from the World Resources Institute (WRI) analyzes the global availability of freshwater in relation to shale gas and tight oil development. Using geospatial analysis and the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas, the report identifies significant water stress in many regions with high technically recoverable shale resources, highlighting potential business risks and social conflicts arising from competition for water between the energy industry, agriculture, and municipal users.