This RAND report assesses how energy and water technologies can sustain rapid, agile U.S. Air Force operations in contested environments. The analysis finds that near-term operational resilience is achievable through advancements in existing systems, such as improved batteries, vehicle-to-grid integration, and atmospheric water harvesting. While transformational solutions like fusion power or microreactors are progressing, they remain early stage and face significant regulatory challenges. Strategically, the findings imply a dual focus: immediate investment in maturing current technologies for deployability, alongside sustained R&D into advanced systems to ensure long-term military energy and resource independence.
Project-based carbon credit markets: Overview, issues, and future directions
English Summary
While carbon credit markets hold significant potential for mobilizing private finance toward global climate mitigation, the analysis finds they are currently hampered by structural issues, including lack of transparency and doubts regarding the additionality of credits. To overcome these flaws, the markets require robust development and regulation, necessitating new oversight bodies and stricter integrity standards. Policy-wise, the report stresses that continued government support is crucial; governments are uniquely positioned to enforce integrity guardrails, clarify acceptable claims, and align both voluntary and compliance markets with broader climate objectives, such as those under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
中文摘要
儘管碳信用市場在動員私人資金推動全球氣候減緩方面具有巨大潛力，但本分析指出，這些市場目前受到結構性問題的阻礙，包括缺乏透明度以及對信用額外性（additionality）的質疑。為克服這些缺陷，市場需要健全的發展與監管，這要求設立新的監管機構並制定更嚴格的完整性標準。在政策層面，報告強調持續的政府支持至關重要；政府在執行完整性護欄、釐清可接受的聲稱，以及將自願性市場和合規市場與更廣泛的氣候目標（例如《巴黎協定》第六條）接軌方面，具有獨特的定位。
Related Entries
-
1.
-
2.
The article argues that Congress lacks effective mechanisms to oversee the vast number of international deals the executive branch concludes outside formal treaty processes, particularly nonbinding agreements (QNIs). Despite amendments like the Case Act aimed at transparency, oversight fails because administrations routinely miss reporting deadlines and exclude critical areas, such as Department of Defense commitments. This lack of timely disclosure and robust checks diminishes Congress's influence over US foreign policy. To regain control, the author suggests Congress must adopt stronger measures, such as automatically restricting appropriated funds for late-reported agreements or implementing 'report-and-wait' frameworks.
-
3.
The article argues that smaller states are becoming disproportionate victims of a collapsing global order, as great powers increasingly erode international law through unilateral actions, tariffs, and geopolitical coercion. Key evidence includes the neutering of institutions like the WTO and the withdrawal of global public goods (e.g., development aid), leaving small nations vulnerable to economic barriers and instability. For policy, the text stresses that while smaller states must collaborate to reinforce international norms and strengthen their collective voice, great powers must commit to reforming existing institutions rather than undermining them for short-term strategic gains.
-
4.
The RAND report argues that China's massive Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), estimated at 1.1–1.4 billion barrels, represents a potential geoeconomic tool far exceeding its function as a mere energy security buffer. Key to this leverage is the state's unique control over both government and commercial reserves, allowing for flexible intervention during global supply shocks. This capacity could enable Beijing to influence international oil markets, project power, or punish adversaries by strategically releasing or withholding reserves. Policymakers must therefore anticipate scenarios where China utilizes its energy assets not just for domestic stability, but as a primary instrument of foreign economic policy and geopolitical leverage.
-
5.
Basement wetness is identified as a widespread, chronic public health crisis in older Pittsburgh neighborhoods, disproportionately impacting low-income communities due to aging housing stock and climate change. Evidence from the HHW study confirms that this persistent moisture supports mold growth linked to severe respiratory illnesses like asthma, yet the issue remains under-addressed and often misclassified solely as private property maintenance. The report argues that current resources are fragmented and fail to provide direct financial or technical assistance to homeowners. Policymakers must therefore implement systematic public health and climate resilience interventions that integrate housing infrastructure support with community health initiatives for vulnerable populations.