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MIT study concludes that absent climate policy, coal-to-liquids could account for around a third of global liquid fuels by 2050

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A new assessment of the viability of coal-to-liquids (CTL) technology by researchers from the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change (JPSPGC) found that without climate policy, CTL has the potential to account for around a third of global liquid fuels by 2050. Credit: Chen et al., 2011 Click to enlarge.

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MIT report finds China’s actions on climate change crucial; argues for global economy-wide greenhouse gas tax

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A new report from the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change shows the importance of all major nations taking part in global efforts to reduce emissions—and in particular, finds China’s role to be crucial. Without China, we miss that mark by about 1 °C. C change by the end of the century.

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MIT Energy Initiative Publishes Report on Reducing CO2 Emissions from Existing Coal Plants

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The MIT Energy Initiative has released a new report on reducing carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal plants. There is no credible pathway toward prudent greenhouse gas stabilization targets without CO 2 emissions reduction from existing coal power plants. We may not see a strong CO 2 price signal for many years.

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MIT Report Finds Natural Gas Has Significant Potential to Displace Coal, Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Role in Transportation More Limited

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Natural gas will play a leading role in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions over the next several decades, largely by replacing older, inefficient coal plants with highly efficient combined-cycle gas generation, according to a major new interim report out from MIT. The first two reports dealt with nuclear power (2003) and coal (2007).

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MIT and IEA reports take different views of the future of natural gas in transportation

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MIT and the IEA both have newly released reports exploring the potential for and impact of a major expansion in global usage of natural gas, given the current re-evaluation of global supplies. MIT: leaning toward conversion for light-duty vehicles. Earlier post.) I.e., on an energy basis at the point of use, the CO 2.

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MIT study finds shift to green energy sources could mean crunch in supply of key rare earth elements

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The study by researchers at MIT also points out that production of the two metals has been increasing by only a few percentage points per year.the availability of REEs appears to be at risk based on a number of factors. Of particular significance, one country (China) controls 98% of current supply (production). Click to enlarge.

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Separate MIT, IEA reports both outline major expansion in role of natural gas; caution on climate benefits

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” The MIT report said that natural gas should be seen as a “ bridge ” to a low-carbon regime, rather than as the ultimate long-term solution itself. MIT: The Future of Natural Gas. Separately, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its own report exploring the potential for a “golden age” of gas. Source: IEA.

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