to coordinate a collective international effort to reduce emissions, the climate and clean air coalition to reduce short lived climate pollutants (ccac) was launched in february 2012 by unep and the governments of bangladesh, canada, ghana, mexico, sweden and the united states. twenty-one additional countries and 22 additional non-state partners have since joined the coalition, and the g8 has pledged its support. the ccac seeks to improve scientific understanding, promote best practices, and enhance and develop emissions reduction strategies at the national and regional levels (learn more at www.unep.org/ccac).

renewable electricity generation has grown 62 percent since 2001, and in 2011 represented 12.7 percent of total u.s. electricity generation. furthermore, 12,956 megawatts of renewable energy capacity was installed in 2012, accounting for 49.1 percent of all new electrical generating capacity in the united states. the briefing provided an overview of renewable energy technologies, domestic and international deployment trends, and exciting market and economic conditions.

as experts in assessing, quantifying and transferring risk, the insurance industry is a natural partner for the federal government as it looks to manage extreme weather vulnerability. the briefing included the industry’s response to the growing number of very costly climate-related disasters and considered how public-private collaboration can help manage risk and guide policy to promote long-term resiliency.

the briefing coincided with the release of a new report, the potential rate effects of wind energy and transmission in the midwest iso region, commissioned by the energy future coalition and produced by synapse energy economics, which concludes that adding more wind power to the midwest’s grid would place downward pressure on energy market prices and rates, even after factoring in the costs of the additional transmission needed to connect it. traditional power plants face fuel prices that fluctuate dramatically over time and they must also address regulatory uncertainty and pollution control upgrades, whereas, for example, solar, wind, and geothermal power plants are not subject to such fuel price volatility. what mix of renewable resources and traditional resources is actually the most reliable and cost effective system to meet our energy needs and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

federal policies will help implement programs and provide incentives for farmers to plant biomass crops on land that isn’t in use.

for more information, please visit: www.eesi.org/120711_hydro