Can Global De-Carbonization Inhibit Developing-Country Industrialization?

Center for Global Development (Working Paper 188) by Aaditya Mattoo, Arvind Subramanian, Dominique van der Mensbrugghe, and Jianwu He http://tinyurl.com/yfeenl4 [Abstract] Most economic analyses of climate change have focused on the aggregate impact on countries of mitigation actions. We depart first in disaggregating the impact by sector, focusing particularly on manufacturing output and exports because [...]

Reconciling Climate Change and Trade Policy

Center for Global Development (Working Paper 189) / by Aaditya Mattoo, Arvind Subramanian, Dominique van der Mensbrugghe, and Jianwu He http://tinyurl.com/yg79lx6 [Abstract] There is growing clamor in industrial countries for additional border taxes on imports from countries with lower carbon prices. A key factor affecting the impact of these taxes is whether they are based [...]

World Ocean Database 2009

US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/OC5/indprod.html [Press release] NOAA today released the World Ocean Database 2009, the largest, most comprehensive collection of scientific information about the oceans with records dating as far back as 1800. This product is part of the climate services provided by NOAA. The 2009 database, updated from the 2005 edition, [...]

Guidance on Water and Adaptation to Climate Change

UN Economic Commission for Europe http://www.unece.org/env/documents/2009/Wat/mp_wat/ECE_MP.WAT_30_E.pdf [Press release] The main points of the Guidance are: Water resources are extremely vulnerable to the climate change. Many countries in UNECE region has been negatively affected by “severe impacts from extreme events and disasters”. Transboundary nature of water resources in the region presents shared risks and challenges thus [...]

State of the States 2009 : Renewable Energy Development and the Role of Policy

National Renewable Energy Laboratory http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy10osti/46667.pdf [Press release] An exclusive state-by-state analysis by the U.S Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows that clean energy development is spreading rapidly throughout the country, often in conjunction with public policies designed to spur such growth… While states such as California and Texas with abundant resources continue to [...]

Integrating Biofuels into Comprehensive Climate Policy – An Overview of Biofuels Policy Options

Climate Change Policy Partnership, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University / by Christopher  Galik,  Wyley Hodgson, Craig Raborn, and Patrick Bean http://nicholas.duke.edu/ccpp/ccpp_pdfs/biofuels.11.09.pdf [Press release] Based on an in-depth analysis of policy and scientitic literature, the report examines a wide range of existing biofuel policies from a greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation perspective. It provides decision [...]

Household Actions Can Provide a Behavioral Wedge to Rapidly Reduce U.S. Carbon Emissions

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, (November 17, 2009) v106  n46 p.18452-18456 / by Thomas Dietza, Gerald T. Gardnerb, Jonathan Gilliganc, Paul C. Sternd, and Michael P. Vandenberghe http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/10/23/0908738106.full.pdf+html [Dot Earth] A new study out this week suggests that the United States could reduce its greenhouse emissions by nearly 8 percent in the next [...]

Creating a Climate Policy Review Mechanism

Belfer Center, Kennedy School, Harvard University / by Michael A. Levi http://tinyurl.com/ydun7c6 [Abstract] International climate negotiations are becoming increasingly focused on suites of emissions-cutting policies and measures, rather than solely on traditional targets and timetables, particularly for developing countries. This approach raises at least two important challenges for negotiators and policymakers. First, how can negotiators [...]

Quarterly SO2 Emissions Tracking

US EPA http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/quarterlytracking.html [Press release] New interactive tracking tools are now available on EPA’s Web site to help the public follow nation-wide changes in sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from coal-fired power plants. Using interactive charts and Google Earth satellite maps, the public can now observe recent changes in SO2 emissions and other indicators at individual [...]

Economic Impacts from the Promotion of Renewable Energies: the German Experience

Institute of Energy Research (Germany) / by Dr. Manuel Frondel, Nolan Ritter, Prof. Colin Vance, Ph.D. (Project management) http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/germany/Germany_Study_-_FINAL.pdf [Abstract] The allure of an environmentally benign, abundant, and cost-effective energy source has led an increasing number of industrialized countries to back public financing of renewable energies. Germany’s experience with renewable energy promotion is often cited [...]