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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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The top graph depicts CTL in a no policy scenario; the bottom graph, for CTL in a world climate policy scenario. However, the viability of CTL becomes quite limited in regions with climate policy due to the high conversion cost and huge carbon footprint. 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. Eighty percent of those emissions came from coal, making China the consumer of about half the world’s coal.

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MIT researchers conclude fundamental changes in the US energy-innovation system are needed to meet challenges of climate change and energy supply

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A three-year study by a team of researchers based at MIT has concluded that fundamental changes are needed in the US energy-innovation system. The study was carried out at the MIT Industrial Performance Center and involved faculty and students from nine MIT departments. Business as usual is unsustainable over the long run.

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MIT, Ford researchers find lightweight conventional vehicles could have lower lifecycle GHG impact than EVs depending upon location

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Researchers at MIT and the Ford Motor Company have found that depending on the location, lightweight conventional vehicles could have a lower lifecycle greenhouse gas impact than electric vehicles, at least in the near term. Their paper is published in the ACS journal Environmental Science & Technology. —Wu et al.

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

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The new report, part of the World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2011 series, examines the key factors that could result in a more prominent role for natural gas in the global energy mix, and the implications for other fuels, energy security and climate change. MIT: The Future of Natural Gas. Source: IEA. Click to enlarge. Earlier post.)

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