Climate Change and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS): Looking to 2020

Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/R41049/ A Phase 3 will begin in 2013 designed to reduce emissions by 21% from 2005 levels. Several positive results from the Phase 1 “learning by doing” exercise assisted the ETS in making the Phase 2 process run more smoothly, including: (1) greatly improving emissions data, (2) encouraging development of the Kyoto [...]

Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Issues in the 111th Congress

Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/R40172/ …The 111th Congress may oversee implementation of the MSFCMA (the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act) as well as address individual habitat and management concerns for U.S. commercial and sport fisheries to achieve a sustainable balance between resource use and protection. Current concerns include whether additional effort should be taken to [...]

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the 111th Congress: Conflicting Values and Difficult Choices

Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/R40185/ …In the first session of the 111th Congress, P.L. 111-8 contained language authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to withdraw or reissue (1) revisions to the ESA Section 7 consultation regulations promulgated by the Bush Administration and (2) a December 2008 special rule that outlined protections afforded polar bears. In addition, [...]

Paying for Biodiversity: Enhancing the Cost-Effectiveness of Payments for Ecosystem Services

OECD (available to RFFers on OECD iLibrary — see the library landing page upper left corner if prompted for a username and password) http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/environment/paying-for-biodiversity_9789264090279-en Biodiversity and ecosystem services provide tangible benefits for society, such as food provisioning, water purification, genetic resources or climate regulation. These services provide critical life support functions and contribute to human [...]

Transport Energy Efficiency Implementation of IEA Recommendations since 2009 and Next Steps

International Energy Agency www.iea.org/papers/2010/transport_energy_efficiency.pdf Transport is the sector with the highest final energy consumption and, without any significant policy changes, is forecast to remain so. In 2008, the IEA published 25 energy efficiency recommendations, among which four are for the transport sector. The recommendations focus on road transport and include policies on improving tyre energy [...]

Norway – Sustainable Development: Climate Change and Fisheries Policies

OECD / by Paul O’Brien http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/5km68fzsk9xs-en Sustainable development is a key theme in policy making in Norway. Although it owes a considerable part of its wealth to the carbon-based economy, Norway gives priority to the objectives embodied in the OECD Green Growth Strategy and sees itself as a pioneer in some areas. The sustainable development [...]

Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles: Issues in Congress

Congressional Research Service / Brent D. Yacobucci http://opencrs.com/document/R40168/2010-09-22/download/1013/ Summary: Alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles are seen by proponents as integral to improving urban air quality, decreasing dependence on foreign oil, and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. However, major barriers–especially economics–currently prevent the widespread use of these fuels and technologies. Because of these barriers, and [...]

Flood Inundation Mapping Product: Now Available for the Flint River in Georgia

US Geological Survey http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2620 The creation of the Flint River Flood Inundation Map tool is a result of a national pilot project between the USGS and NWS, and is the first of its kind to be completed in Georgia. USGS Associate Director for Water, Bill Werkheiser, explains: “This new flood preparedness tool highlights how these [...]

Empirical Data and Decomposition Analysis of U.S. Corn Use for Ethanol Production from 2001-2008

US Dept. of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory http://www.arb.ca.gov/fuels/lcfs/workgroups/ewg/101410decomposition.pdf A new report presented at a California Air Resources Board meeting disagrees with California’s method of scoring the greenhouse gas footprint of biofuels, specifically corn ethanol… The study disputes the theory, pushed by some California regulators and environmental groups, that corn grown for ethanol displaces other [...]

Combating Climate Change through Quality Education

Brookings Institution / Allison Anderson http://tinyurl.com/2bd36n4 Introduction: Climate change threatens to undo and even reverse the progress made toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and poses one of the most serious challenges to reducing global poverty for the international community. However, the education sector offers a currently untapped opportunity to combat climate change. There [...]