408 result(s) found.

• 

  A Survey of North American City Climate Leaders: The Prospects for Climate Action in the COVID-19 Era

  October 1, 2020

  The future of climate action in U.S. cities after COVID-19 The need to rebuild local economies following the COVID-19 pandemic has brought new, urgent challenges for city leaders who are already striving to reverse the impacts of climate change—especially upon vulnerable populations, who disproportionately suffer its effects. To better understand the potential path forward, the […]
• 

  Climate of Crisis: How Cities Can Use Climate Action to Close the Equity Gap, Drive Economic Recovery, and Improve Public Health

  September 1, 2020

  COVID-19 presents potential social, economic, and climate action benefits In response to events of 2020, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a severe recession, a wave of social protest, and the ongoing imperative to respond to climate change, the COVID & Climate: What's Next for Cities? research series evaluated how city governments can seize the moment by […]
• 

  One Water Demand Management: Rethinking Ratemaking

  June 1, 2020

  Balancing demand, affordability, conservation, and equity in water rates As water utilities develop new rate structures to generate adequate revenue to meet increasing demand, integrating demand management and equity measures to support low-income customers can help limit the need for further expansion. To help utilities balance demand, affordability, conservation, and equity in ratemaking practices, the […]
• 

  Measuring and Addressing Water and Waste Water Affordability in the United States

  June 1, 2020

  Measuring and addressing the rising cost of water in the U.S. Over recent years, the cost of water and wastewater service has increased rapidly in communities across the United States, posing a threat to access and public health, especially among low-income and marginalized communities. With evidence suggesting costs will continue to rise, the Institute for […]
• 

  More Urgency, Not Less: The COVID-19 Pandemic’s Lessons for Local Climate Leadership

  June 1, 2020

  COVID-19 made climate action more urgent, not less As local government leaders grapple with economic recovery post-COVID-19, there is concern resources have been or will be diverted from climate actions and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction. The COVID & Climate: What's Next for Cities? research series surveyed hundreds of reports, articles, blogs, and other materials […]
• 

  Still Charging: Energy Storage Commercialization in Massachusetts

  May 1, 2020

  Making Massachusetts a global leader in energy storage innovation Massachusetts’ robust community of entrepreneurs has the potential to transform the region into a global hub of energy innovation, especially with regard to energy storage. Recognizing this opportunity, researchers at the Institute for Sustainable Energy surveyed more than two dozen experts from across the Massachusetts energy […]
• 

  Bringing Power and Progress to Africa in a Financially and Environmentally Sustainable Manner

  April 1, 2020

  Power and progress: the sustainable electrification of Africa One of the most critical challenges to adequately addressing the global threat of climate change is determining how to sustainably electrify Africa, home to nearly a fifth of the world’s population and where 600 million people lack access to reliable power. To better inform decision-makers, Institute for […]
• 

  Integrating Electric Mobility Systems with the Grid Infrastructure

  November 1, 2019

  What we need to prepare the grid for electric vehicles The way we move people and goods will see massive changes as we transition transportation systems to clean energy sources. In November 2019, the Institute for Sustainable Energy (now the Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability) and Center for Information and Systems Engineering brought together […]
• 

  Water Utility of the Future: A Case Study of Conservation as a Service

  October 1, 2019

  Target water conservation efforts toward top-consuming customers Water utilities serving growing populations in dry climates face challenges in balancing water demand with scarce resources, often turning to demand management strategies like pricing and education. Research from the Institute for Sustainable Energy (now the Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability) points to a new demand management […]
• 

  Assessing the Potential for U.S. Utility Green Bonds

  May 1, 2019

  Green bonds offer utilities billions to power clean energy transition Green bonds are a newer debt security in impact investing that could help finance what is likely the largest challenge in sustainability: the full transition to carbon-free energy systems. To determine the potential power of green bonds in the transition, an Institute for Sustainable Energy […]