AIR POLLUTION
AP Photo
February 2009
"Carbon Mitigation in the Indian Coal-Power Sector: Options and Recommendations"
Journal Article, Energy Procedia, issue 1, volume 1
By Ananth Chikkatur, Associate, Energy Technology Innovation Policy and Ambuj D. Sagar, Former Visiting Scholar, Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group (ETIP), June 2009; Former Research Fellow, ETIP, 1996-2002; Former Senior Research Associate, Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program, 2007-2008
Given coal's large contribution to India's emissions, it is important to explore options for reducing emissions from the Indian coal power sector. Even as India awaits stronger action by industrialized countries, several no-regrets options can still be instituted to position the Indian coal-power sector appropriately for an eventual deeper carbon mitigation strategy: (a) improve efficiency of generation, transmission and distribution, and end-use systems; (b) aggressively deploy higher-efficiency coal combustion technologies; (c) develop a strategic plan for technology innovation; (d) improve environmental regulations to keep open economic carbon capture options; and (e) invest in detailed geological assessment of carbon storage sites.
March 2009
"China's Fuel Economy Standards for Passenger Vehicles: Rationale, Policy Process, and Impacts"
Discussion Paper
By Hongyan He Oliver, Former Research Fellow, Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group, 2004-2009, Kelly Sims Gallagher, Senior Associate, Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group, Donglian Tian and Jinhua Zhang
This paper describes the Chinese experience in adopting fuel economy standards for vehicles. The lessons from China that are described in this paper can be highly relevant for countries that are experiencing or anticipating rapid growth in personal vehicles, those wishing to moderate an increase in oil demand, or those desirous of vehicle technology upgrades.
AP Photo
October 2008
"In-Use Vehicle Emissions in China — Tianjin Study"
Discussion Paper
By Hongyan He Oliver, Former Research Fellow, Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group, 2004-2009
From March 2005–December 2006, a research team headed by ETIP carried out a project in Tianjin, China, to study emissions from on-road vehicles.
Winter 2008-09
"Clark Joins Call for Congress to Adopt System to Evaluate U.S. Ecosystems"
Newsletter Article, Belfer Center Newsletter
William Clark, Harvey Brooks Professor of International Science, Public Policy and Human Development and member of the Belfer Center Board of Directors, joined the nonprofit Heinz Center this summer in calling on the next president and Congress to take up the reins of a system of U.S. environmental indicators that evaluates the condition of major ecosystems within the United States.
Nicole Davis
Winter 2008-09
"Reflections and Actions on Improving China's Air Quality"
Newsletter Article, Belfer Center Newsletter
By Hongyan He Oliver, Former Research Fellow, Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group, 2004-2009
While the world congratulated Beijing for its dazzling Olympic stadiums and the splendid opening ceremony, the Belfer Center's Hongyan Oliver argues that it should have also given the city another round of applause for its decade-long efforts to clean up its air. While some of these improvements were temporary, she notes, "its Olympic effort showed the world and China that it is capable of making great changes."
March 17, 2008
Harvard Project on International Climate Agreements Research Workshop
News
The Harvard Project on International Climate Agreements hosted a research workshop in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on March 13–14, 2008. The workshop brought together key scholars and other thinkers working on international climate change policy from a variety of disciplines, including economics, political science, and law. Together, they addressed issues such as how to persuade developing countries — among them China and India — to sign on to an international agreement, how to link climate policy with international trade, and how to effectively address deforestation, which accounts for 20 percent of global emissions. Attendees presented their initial research findings and got feedback on their ideas. The workshop was preceded by a reception and dinner at the Harvard Faculty Club, which featured Todd Stern, a partner at the law firm WilmerHale, as a keynote speaker. The final drafts of the research will be published in early fall 2008.
March 16, 2008
"State Fight Against Climate Change Benefits Everyone"
Op-Ed, Sacramento Bee
By Lawrence Goulder and Robert N. Stavins, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government; Member of the Board; Director, Harvard Project on International Climate Agreements
"Because a cap-and-trade system would reduce California's overall greenhouse gas emissions, it would also lower the state's emissions of the co-pollutants. Still, it's possible, though unlikely, that co-pollutant emissions would increase in a particular locality. But here it's crucial to recognize that existing air pollution laws address such pollutants, and so any greenhouse gas allowance trades that would violate local air pollution limits would be prohibited."
February 15, 2008
"Challenges of Integrating the Advancement of Coal Gasification Technology and CO2 Capture Storage (CCS) Technology"
Presentation
By Jennie Stephens, Associate, Energy Technology Innovation Policy
Invited Presentation in Symposium on "Coal Gasification: Myths, Challenges, and Opportunities" American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting, February 15, 2008, Boston, MA.
Winter 2008
"Thinking Globally"
Magazine or Newspaper Article, John F. Kennedy School of Government Bulletin
By Kelly Sims Gallagher, Senior Associate, Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group
Kelly Sims Gallagher is director of the Kennedy School’s Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group and advises the United States and Chinese governments on a variety of energy issues.
Winter 2008
"After Kyoto"
Magazine or Newspaper Article, John F. Kennedy School of Government Bulletin
By Sasha Talcott, Director of Communications and Outreach
Robert Stavins has launched the Harvard Project on International Climate Agreements, a two-year effort to identify key design elements of a future international agreement on climate change. The project aims to help develop a plan that is “scientifically sound, economically rational, and politically pragmatic” and useful to both developing and developed countries.
