Search Climate Insights Directory

This fact sheet explains the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) regulation adopted by California in 2020, which requires original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles to increase the percentage of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) and near-zero-emissions vehicles (NZEVs) in their annual sales from 2024 to 2035.

This case study describes a pilot project in Kiguna, Nigeria, where a solar-hybrid minigrid powers a 3-ton walk-in cold room to reduce post-harvest fish losses and increase incomes for artisanal fishers and traders.

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 policy brief by RMI argues that a circular battery economy—focused on repurposing and recycling electric vehicle (EV) batteries—is essential to mitigate human rights abuses, environmental degradation, and supply chain vulnerabilities. The document outlines five critical policy areas: supply chain traceability, material transport and storage, manufacturing and production, recycling, and reuse, emphasizing that cohesive national and international policies are required to make these processes economically viable and scalable.

This guide explains the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulation in California, which aims to reduce light-duty vehicle emissions by 50 percent by 2040. The regulation mandates that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) increase the sale of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), culminating in a requirement that 100 percent of sales be ZEVs or PHEVs by 2035.

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 briefing by RMI discusses the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment (EIR) Program, a Department of Energy (DOE) loan initiative under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). RMI argues that investor-owned utilities (IOUs) can use these low-interest loans to accelerate clean energy transitions, increase shareholder returns, and lower costs for ratepayers, though the program is currently underutilized and rarely mentioned in utility earnings calls.

This guide explains the 'book and claim' model, a chain of custody system designed to decarbonize heavy industry and transport by decoupling the environmental benefits of low-emissions fuels and materials from their physical delivery.

This guide by RMI outlines three primary federal funding mechanisms available for clean industrial projects in the United States: grants from the Office of Clean Energy Demonstration (OCED), loans from the Loan Programs Office (LPO), and tax credits administered by the Department of the Treasury under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

This briefing by RMI argues that transparency in reporting the types of scrap used in metal production—specifically distinguishing between pre-consumer and post-consumer scrap—is essential for achieving 1.5°C climate-aligned decarbonization goals in the steel and aluminum sectors.

This case study describes RMI's efforts to make rooftop solar more accessible to low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities through inclusive Solarize campaigns. Between 2021 and 2022, RMI organized cohorts of 27 cities to implement bulk-purchasing programs combined with grants and community partnerships to reduce financial and administrative barriers to solar adoption.

This guide by RMI provides a comprehensive overview of the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain, detailing the four stages of production: upstream (mining), midstream (processing and cell manufacturing), downstream (assembly), and end-of-life. It examines the current global dominance of China, the risks associated with supply chain concentration, and the human rights and environmental challenges inherent in mineral extraction. The document also analyzes US legislative efforts, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, aimed at diversifying the supply chain, increasing domestic production, and ensuring ethical sourcing.

This policy brief by RMI argues that Colorado can simultaneously address its housing shortage and climate goals by implementing transit-oriented development (TOD) and 'missing middle housing' reforms. The document highlights the link between scarce affordable housing and suburban sprawl, which increases car dependence and greenhouse gas emissions.

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 policy brief argues that US 'Buy Clean' standards for steel must be flexible and based on recycled content reporting to avoid bankrupting primary steel producers. It suggests a sliding-scale emissions target to incentivize the transition toward green hydrogen and zero-carbon electricity without causing emissions leakage or industry bifurcation.

This policy brief by RMI examines the economic competitiveness of renewable energy versus natural gas in Texas, specifically analyzing the impact of the expired Chapter 313 tax incentive program and proposed legislation (HB 5) that would exclude renewables from its successor.

This report by RMI examines how reforming urban land use policies in the United States can mitigate climate change, increase housing supply, and reduce ecological harm by moving away from car-centric, single-family zoning.

The Aluminum Emission Reporting Guidance, published by RMI in April 2023, provides a standardized methodology for aluminum producers to report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the product level. The guide aims to increase transparency and enable the development of a market for low-carbon aluminum by establishing fixed system boundaries and requiring the use of primary data to ensure comparability across the supply chain.

This RMI fact sheet explains the technology, benefits, and market opportunities for geothermal heat pumps (also known as ground-source heat pumps) in the United States. It highlights their efficiency in both hot and cold climates, their role in reducing building emissions, and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on lowering installation costs.

This report by RMI examines the cradle-to-gate (CtG) embodied carbon emissions associated with new low-rise residential construction in the United States, highlighting the potential for significant emissions reductions using existing, cost-effective materials.