This reports on a detailed market study of rural areas in China without access to electricity from the local or national grid. It obtained basic socio-economic data on households with and without photovaoltaic (PV) systems, and used the data to determine the market potential for PV systems in such areas.

This book investigates the role of law in enabling and addressing the barriers to the development of off-grid renewable electricity (OGRE). The limited development of OGRE is ascribed to a host of social, economic, and legal barriers, including the problem of initial capital costs, existing subsidies for conventional electricity, and lack of technological and institutional capacity. Through the analyses of selected case studies from Africa, Asia, Europe and North and South America, this book discusses the typical barriers to the development of OGRE from a global perspective and examines the role of the law in addressing them. Drawing together the lessons learnt from the case studies, this book offers robust recommendations on how the development of OGRE will support the goal of achieving universal access to low carbon, reliable, and sustainable electricity globally. This volume will be of great interest to students, scholars, policy makers, investors, and practitioners in the fields of energy law and policy, climate change, and renewable energy development.

Since opening to the outside world and embarking on an economic reform programme in 1978, China has had one of the highest rates of sustained economic growth and poverty reduction in the world. However, during the 1990s several challenges emerged in relation to levels of inequality and environmental degradation. This evaluative report on the relative effectiveness of World Bank assistance to China focuses on the period 1993-2002, although it includes some references to developments in earlier and more recent years also. Findings include that the World Bank has made important contributions to economic reform, poverty reduction, infrastructure development, and environmental protection, but has fallen short of its objectives in promoting fiscal and financial reforms to reduce inequality and risk.

Annotation This report adds to the discussion of land use in the Brazilian Amazon. It analyzes the harmful effects of increasing levels of rainfall on agricultural settlement and productivity.

Annotation This specific objective of this book is to explore potential avenues for generating more resources for the public sector to invest in sustainable development.

Many inhabitants of rural areas in developing countries lack adequate and affordable access to transport infrastructure services, and this lack of transport opportunities constrains economic and social development. This report looks at the role of rural transport in reducing poverty and considers a range of issues affecting rural mobility including costs, stakeholders involved, population densities and competing services. It examines policies for promoting rural mobility including financial and regulatory considerations.

Because evidence that shows that diesel fumes are more toxic than was previously thought, there has been increased interest in the use of natural gas for vehicles operating in cities. Transit buses, traditionally fueled by diesel, are one of the cheapest forms of mass transit. They are also significant polluters and typically operate in heavily congested urban areas, where significant air pollution problems exist. The report provides an overview of the issues that must be considered when evaluating natural gas an alternative to diesel for use in transit buses.