Michael I. Westphal

Blogs

In the Time of COVID-19, China Could Be Pivotal in Swapping Debt for Climate and Health Action
by Michael I. Westphal and Shuang Liu - November 04, 2020
The developing world is facing a major debt crisis, limiting their ability to spend on economic recovery for COVID-19 or climate action. Creditor countries — specifically China, the largest bilateral creditor to developing countries — can exchange this for clear, verifiable climate action and investments in healthcare.
Electrification Doesn't Make Sense Everywhere—Yet
by Michael I. Westphal, Christopher Kennedy and Iain D. Stewart - February 13, 2019
105 cities with populations over 1 million should begin to switch their vehicles, stoves, and furnaces to electric-powered alternatives.
INSIDER: 7 Things to Know About the Economic Analysis of the New Climate Economy 2018 Report
by Michael I. Westphal, Dora Fazekas and Leonardo Garrido - January 30, 2019
We don't know the future. We do know there would be huge benefits to shifting towards a low-carbon economy. Here are answers to seven of the most-asked questions about the economics of the NCE report.
4 Ways to Shift from Fossil Fuels to Clean Energy
by Jan Corfee-Morlot, Michael I. Westphal and Rachel Spiegel - January 15, 2019
Despite growing attention on clean energy, fossil fuels still account for 80 percent of global energy consumption. Here are four ways to cost-effectively make the transition to a clean energy future.
INSIDER: Development Bank Investments in Electricity Transmission and Distribution Should Align with the Paris Agreement
by Michael I. Westphal - December 18, 2018
Development banks can align their investments in electricity grids with the Paris Agreement by incorporating a shadow carbon price and making sure their investments support long-term plans for decarbonizing the electricity sector.
Powering Cities in the Global South: How Energy Access for All Benefits the Economy and the Environment
by Michael I. Westphal, Sarah Martin and David Satterthwaite - September 07, 2017
Cleaner cooking, off-grid generation and efficient buildings are key to sustainable urban development for the world's poorest.
3 Reasons Renewable Energy Is Poised to Take Off in Developing Cities
by Michael I. Westphal - June 27, 2017
Declining costs, political commitment and innovative finance and business models are driving installation.
Why Now Is the Time to Make Energy Access in Cities a Top Priority
by Michael I. Westphal, Sarah Martin and David Satterthwaite - October 11, 2016
When delegates gather in Quito for Habitat III to adopt the New Urban Agenda for sustainable cities, they should keep in mind people like Adelaida, a banker and mother in Accra, Ghana, where unreliable, expensive electricity is a challenge. As a forthcoming paper of the World Resources Report shows, ensuring access to affordable energy and the economic opportunity it brings will be essential for a sustainable, prosperous urban future.
World Resources Report: Towards a More Equal City - Framing Opportunities and Challenges
by Victoria A. Beard, Anjali Mahendra and Michael I. Westphal - October 06, 2016
Once every 20 years, the world's urban leaders gather to determine the best course of action for the world's cities. This year, at Habitat III, the 21st century challenges for cities are clear. WRI's World Resources Report examines whether providing equitable access to services can make cities more economically productive and environmentally sustainable.
Improving Life for the Urban Under-Served Makes Cities Better for All – But That’s Not the Only Reason to Do It
by Michael I. Westphal, Anjali Mahendra and Victoria A. Beard - September 20, 2016
Tackling inequality in the world's cities can be a crucial way to foster urban development, improve the environment and spur the economy.

External Publications

"Keeping global climate change within 1.5°C through net negative electric cities."
By Kennedy Chris, Stewart Iain, Westphal Michael, Facchini Angelo, Mele Renata.
Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 30 (2018): 18-25 DOI: 10.1016/j.cosust.2018.02.009.

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Michael I. Westphal

In the Time of COVID-19, China Could Be Pivotal in Swapping Debt for Climate and Health Action

Electrification Doesn't Make Sense Everywhere—Yet

INSIDER: 7 Things to Know About the Economic Analysis of the New Climate Economy 2018 Report

4 Ways to Shift from Fossil Fuels to Clean Energy

INSIDER: Development Bank Investments in Electricity Transmission and Distribution Should Align with the Paris Agreement

Powering Cities in the Global South: How Energy Access for All Benefits the Economy and the Environment

3 Reasons Renewable Energy Is Poised to Take Off in Developing Cities

Why Now Is the Time to Make Energy Access in Cities a Top Priority

World Resources Report: Towards a More Equal City - Framing Opportunities and Challenges

Improving Life for the Urban Under-Served Makes Cities Better for All – But That’s Not the Only Reason to Do It

Lessons Learned on Green Stimulus: Case Studies from the Global Financial Crisis

Shifting Currents: Opportunities For Low-Carbon Electric Cities In The Global South

Aligning Electricity Transmission and Distribution Investments with a Paris Agreement Pathway

Designing and Testing a Methodology to Estimate Private Climate Finance Mobilization from Policy and Other Causal Factors

Powering Cities in the Global South: How Energy Access for All Benefits the Economy and the Environment

Towards a More Equal City: Framing the Challenges and Opportunities

Transformational Climate Finance: An Exploration of Low-Carbon Energy

Getting to $100 Billion: Climate Finance Scenarios and Projections to 2020

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