The Net-Zero Energy Transition Policy Case Studies

The report provides a comprehensive overview of energy transition progress in Brazil, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, and Vietnam. It highlights the role of independent think tanks in driving policy breakthroughs, such as coal phase-outs and renewable energy targets, while identifying systemic barriers including political resistance, grid limitations, and financing gaps. The document argues that while technology strategies (renewables and electrification) are converging, national implementation is shaped by distinct local political and social factors.

• South Africa's energy sector is responsible for approximately 80% of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions, with 50% originating from liquid fuel production and electricity generation.
• In Poland, the residential heating sector is uniquely dependent on coal, accounting for 87% of all coal burned for household heating within the European Union.
• Indonesia's energy sector mitigation target in its NDC is between 314 MtCO2e and 446 MtCO2e, which leaves approximately 1,200 MtCO2e of energy-related emissions unabated.
• Japan's 2030 renewable electricity target is being revised upward to 36-38%, increasing from the previous range of 22-24% of the power mix.
• The Philippines announced a moratorium on new coal power plants in October 2020, potentially affecting 13.5 GW of proposed capacity, making it the first South-East Asian country to do so.
• Vietnam's energy sector is the largest contributor to its greenhouse gas emissions, with electricity alone projected to emit 452 MtCO2e by 2030 under a business-as-usual scenario.
• Brazil's power sector contributes only about 2% of its total emissions, with the vast majority of emissions (72%) coming from agriculture, forests, and land use.
• Pakistan's revised NDC commits to a 50% reduction of projected 2030 GHG emissions under a BAU scenario, though 35% of this target depends on international climate finance.
• Turkey's share of renewable energy increased from 24% in 2000 to 43% in 2019, despite power demand increasing 2.5-fold in that period.
• Germany's 2045 climate neutrality target requires a renewables market of approximately 30 GW per year in the power sector.

APA

David, A. M., Chacón, D., Arinaldo, D., Matsumura, E., Tumiwa, F., Aksoy, H., Radmore, J., Scott, J., Maćkowiak-Pandera, J., Hermanus, L., Wojtal, L., Sierra, L., Wojciechowska, K., Ohbayashi, M., Mulcahy, M., Naeem, M. H., Saleh, N., Nhien, N. T. T., Patil, P., ... Nishida, Y. (2021). The Net-Zero Energy Transition Policy Case Studies. Public Affairs Research Institute. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/publication_INETTT_COP26mod.pdf

Chicago

David, Angelika Marie, Daniel Chacón, Deon Arinaldo, Emilio Matsumura, Fabby Tumiwa, Hasan Aksoy, Jack Radmore, et al. The Net-Zero Energy Transition Policy Case Studies. Public Affairs Research Institute, 2021. https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/publication_INETTT_COP26mod.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=David |first1=Angelika Marie |last2=Chacón |first2=Daniel |last3=Arinaldo |first3=Deon |last4=Matsumura |first4=Emilio |last5=Tumiwa |first5=Fabby |last6=Aksoy |first6=Hasan |last7=Radmore |first7=Jack |last8=Scott |first8=Jesse |last9=Maćkowiak-Pandera |first9=Joanna |display-authors=etal |title=The Net-Zero Energy Transition Policy Case Studies |publisher=Public Affairs Research Institute |date=2021 |url=https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/publication_INETTT_COP26mod.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{david2021netzero, author = {David, Angelika Marie and Chacón, Daniel and Arinaldo, Deon and Matsumura, Emilio and Tumiwa, Fabby and Aksoy, Hasan and Radmore, Jack and Scott, Jesse and Maćkowiak-Pandera, Joanna and Hermanus, Lauren and Wojtal, Lidia and Sierra, Luisa and Wojciechowska, Klaudia and Ohbayashi, Mika and Mulcahy, Mike and Naeem, Muhammad Hamza and Saleh, Naila and Nhien, Ngo Thi To and Patil, Parag and Kwon, Pil Seok and Constantino, Renato Redentor and Kouroughli, Thomas and Ledger, Tracy and Franza, Vincenzo and Taranto, Yael and Nishida, Yuko}, title = {{The Net-Zero Energy Transition Policy Case Studies}}, institution = {Public Affairs Research Institute}, year = {2021}, url = {https://pari.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/publication_INETTT_COP26mod.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }