Publications
Unburnable Carbon 2013: Wasted capital and stranded assets
Our first report, in 2011, showed that based on current understanding of an allowable carbon budget to keep below two degrees of global warming, there is more fossil fuel listed … read more »
Options for structural measures to improve the European Union Emissions Trading System: response to a European Commission consultation
Main points The impact of ‘back-loading’, a short-term measure, will be limited. ‘Back-loading’ is unlikely to have a significant impact on the price of emissions allowances, unless the ‘back-loaded’ allowances … read more »
An Independent National Adaptation Programme for England
An Independent National Adaptation Programme for England read more »
A UK ‘dash’ for smart gas
Shifting from coal to natural gas for electricity generation can help the UK power sector to decarbonise in the near term. With good planning and investment, natural gas can support the development of a low-carbon power sector by providing essential backup for intermittent renewables, but could only play a bigger role longer-term if fitted with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
However, a new UK ‘dash’ for gas on the assumption of low prices is a risky economic and environmental option. A lower risk option is a ‘dash’ for smart gas; using natural gas in those areas where it offers the greatest value in decarbonising the power sector. read more »
The GLOBE Climate Legislation Study: a review of climate change legislation in 33 countries
Note: New and updated 2015 edition is available Terry Townshend, Sam Fankhauser, Rafael Aybar, Murray Collins, Tucker Landesman, Michal Nachmany and Carolina Pavese [Eds.]), third Edition – External link to … read more »
Recklessly slow or a rapid transition to a low-carbon economy? Time to decide
Executive Summary The world is heading in a difficult and dangerous direction. A range of estimates based on current plans and intentions arrive at similar conclusions: at best, global emissions … read more »
The Future of Green Infrastructure Investment
All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group Panel presentation, House of Commons, November 2012 – External link to presentation
Less pain, more gain: the potential of carbon pricing to reduce Europe’s fiscal deficits
An overriding challenge for many European governments and policy-makers is to reduce major fiscal deficits with the least collateral damage to their economy. This paper aims to clarify the … read more »
The economics of wind power: submission to the inquiry by the House of Commons Select Committee on Energy and Climate Change
Samuela Bassi and Sam Fankhauser
Submission to House of Lords inquiry into EU energy policy
October 2012 – External link to submission
