Search Climate Insights Directory

This briefing describes the establishment and outcomes of the State, Local and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, created by President Obama via Executive Order 13653 on November 1, 2013. The Task Force, comprising 26 governors, mayors, tribal leaders, and county officials, provided the federal government with 35 key recommendations to improve community climate resilience, emphasizing the need for inter-agency coordination and the integration of climate vulnerabilities into all federal policies and investments.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) issued a statement responding to President Obama's 2014 State of the Union address, supporting the administration's plan to enact new emissions standards for existing power plants and emphasizing the economic benefits of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

This 2013 issue brief by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the funding crisis of the U.S. Highway Trust Fund (HTF), noting that federal fuel taxes have not been adjusted in 20 years. The document analyzes the resulting infrastructure deterioration, the reliance on General Fund transfers to maintain solvency, and various policy options—including inflation indexing, fuel tax increases, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees—to close a $112 billion annual funding gap.

This issue brief from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute examines the role of energy storage technologies in mitigating electricity industry challenges, integrating renewable energy, and improving grid reliability. It details various storage technologies—ranging from pumped hydro and compressed air to advanced batteries and flywheels—and analyzes the impact of U.S. federal policies, specifically FERC orders and Department of Energy (DOE) initiatives, in overcoming implementation barriers.

This policy brief from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) examines the role of energy storage technologies in mitigating electricity industry challenges, integrating renewable energy, and improving grid reliability. It provides a technical overview of various storage methods, analyzes the impact of U.S. federal policies and legislation, and highlights specific large-scale implementation projects across the United States.

This policy brief examines the funding crisis facing the U.S. Highway Trust Fund (HTF), noting that federal fuel taxes have not been adjusted since 1993. It details the resulting infrastructure deterioration, the reliance on General Fund transfers to maintain solvency, and various proposed solutions including inflation indexing, fuel tax increases, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fees.

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Executive Council (EC) report details the process of establishing a tripartite structure for the IAI Executive Directorate involving Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, as well as leadership changes within the EC.

This report by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) examines the state of the advanced biofuels industry in the United States following the 2008 economic recession. It analyzes national policy trends, identifies critical barriers to commercialization—including technological hurdles, market volatility, and regulatory uncertainty—and provides ten specific policy recommendations for state governments to support sustainable, local biofuel development during periods of limited fiscal capacity.

This report by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) analyzes how state climate action plans in the United States incorporate land use, transportation, and green building policies as of July 2009. It finds that while transportation and green building are common, specific 'smart growth' land use practices are the least frequent component of these plans.

This 2009 fact sheet from the World Resources Institute provides data on energy consumption, electricity generation, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions trends in Mississippi, based on 2006 and 2005 data.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute examines the interdependent relationship between water and energy resources in the Southeastern United States. It highlights how electric power production relies heavily on freshwater for cooling, while water treatment and heating require significant energy, proposing policy priorities to improve efficiency in both sectors.

The document is a summary of the 27th meeting of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), held in Toronto, Canada, on May 7-8, 2008. The meeting focused on SAC governance, including the appointment of new leadership, the renewal of committee memberships, and the development of a science-policy proposal. It also detailed updates on IAI Directorate activities, strategic planning priorities, and communication improvements.

This report section details the use of economic incentives—specifically pollution charges, fees, and taxes—to protect the environment in the United States. It examines various instruments including water and air emission fees, solid waste disposal charges, product taxes, and specialized fees for wetlands and grazing, analyzing their roles in raising revenue and incentivizing pollution reduction.

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) outlines federal policy recommendations for coastal climate change adaptation and resilience in the United States. Based on a series of Congressional briefings held between June 2019 and April 2020, the document advocates for community-centered planning, the use of nature-based solutions, and the application of future-climate data to inform federal decision-making and funding.

This report by Energy Innovation analyzes the rising costs of coal-fired power generation in the United States between 2021 and 2024, concluding that coal is becoming increasingly uneconomic compared to alternatives like wind, solar, and natural gas.

A community guide published by Natural Justice in January 2026 regarding Motuoane Energy (Pty) Ltd's application to convert a portion of its existing Exploration Right (ER315) into a Production Right (PR) for helium and methane gas extraction in the Free State province of South Africa.

The document argues that a new industrial revolution is emerging, driven by 'natural capitalism' and integrative design, which aims to increase resource productivity by 10- to 100-fold. The author posits that market-driven green design in human settlements—characterized by high density, pedestrian-centric transport, and resource-efficient buildings—can align commercial profitability with environmental restoration, potentially making traditional government spatial planning obsolete.

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 briefing paper provides a detailed status update as of April 10, 2024, on the climate policies, energy trends, and bilateral engagement between China and the United States. It outlines China's progress toward its 2030 and 2060 carbon goals, the U.S. implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the diplomatic efforts to maintain climate cooperation despite broader geopolitical tensions.

This report by the World Resources Institute (WRI) analyzes the adoption of electric school buses (ESBs) in the United States as of June 30, 2022. It tracks 'committed' buses—those awarded, ordered, delivered, or in operation—and examines the distribution of these vehicles across different states, income levels, and demographics to assess the equity of the transition from diesel-powered fleets.