Search Climate Insights Directory

The document highlights that just 1% of Ethiopia's superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 1657 GW of energy capacity, far exceeding the country's projected 2050 electricity demand of 149,316 GWh. While not expected to reach commercial scale by 2030, the technology is presented as a high-density, firm power source that could reduce energy poverty, create jobs, and support net-zero goals by 2050.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) argues that the EU must adopt a diversified, options-based climate strategy to reach its 2050 net-zero goal, as relying on a single pathway increases risk. The document emphasizes the necessity of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies, noting that no operational CO2 storage sites currently exist in the EU. CATF recommends a portfolio of zero-carbon fuels, nuclear fission, fusion, and superhot rock energy to ensure energy security and a reliable 24/7 carbon-free electricity grid. It specifically proposes separate targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions, nature-based removals, and industrial removals to ensure transparency and durability. Additionally, the document advises against including methane in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) to avoid disincentivizing CO2 reductions, suggesting instead separate initiatives like an EU Import Standard for oil and gas.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) recommends that the EU Governance Regulation be revised to formally define and incentivise 'clean firm' electricity generation—dispatchable, low-emission sources that do not rely on weather. The brief argues that relying solely on renewable penetration metrics is inadequate for decarbonisation, citing the difference in carbon intensity between Germany and France. CATF proposes three main actions: establishing a legal definition of clean firm generation, setting an EU-wide installed capacity target, and requiring Member States to report on these targets within their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) to ensure system adequacy and energy security.

The report finds that while announced storage capacity in the EU and EFTA (including Norway) may exceed 2030 capture demand, the EU alone is not on track to meet its 50 Mtpa target by 2030. Significant uncertainty remains as most projects are in early exploration stages, and actual investment lags behind announced ambitions.

The report assesses the European Union's fusion energy ecosystem using a SWOT analysis and proposes a shift toward a 'Key Enabling Technologies' (KET)-based strategy. It recommends consolidating governance under the Fusion for Energy (F4E) Joint Undertaking, establishing public-private partnerships, and separating fusion regulation from fission regulation to attract private investment and accelerate commercialisation.

The Clean Air Task Force highlights six counties in the Southwest—Mesa and Weld in Colorado, Summit and Iron in Utah, Mineral in Nevada, and Maricopa in Arizona—that have implemented outstanding solar ordinances. These ordinances are noted for balancing growth with protections, streamlining permitting for federal lands, and clarifying project scale through acreage thresholds rather than production capacity.

The document outlines a strategic approach for U.S. states to leverage federal funding for industrial decarbonization, organized around four technical pillars: energy efficiency, industrial electrification, carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), and low-carbon fuels/feedstocks. It provides a three-phase implementation roadmap for states to establish priorities, collaborate with stakeholders, and secure matching funds. Additionally, it includes a comprehensive appendix of specific grants and tax credits from the DOE, EPA, and Treasury, detailing eligibility, funding amounts, and strategic 'next steps' for state-level coordination.

A coalition of companies and organizations calls on President Biden to implement round-the-clock, time- and location-based clean energy procurement for federal facilities to drive investment in new carbon-free resources and ensure environmental justice.

The memo advocates for a shift from traditional renewable energy procurement to a 'higher-impact' approach that matches electricity consumption with carbon-free generation on an hourly and regional basis. It argues that this method better incentivizes the deployment of firm carbon-free resources and energy storage, leading to greater actual carbon reductions than traditional annual matching. The authors recommend that the Biden Administration set targets for federal facilities to achieve 100% round-the-clock carbon-free electricity consumption.

The report argues that Poland should adopt a technology-neutral, long-term energy strategy that includes nuclear power to achieve a zero-carbon economy by 2050. It emphasizes that because the cost of capital is a primary driver of final electricity costs, the Polish government must play a central role in de-risking projects. The document specifically analyzes Contracts for Difference (CfDs) as a primary state aid mechanism to stabilize revenues, while cautioning that CfDs do not address construction risks. Drawing on UK case studies, it contrasts the Hinkley Point C project, which suffered from cost overruns and lack of construction risk-sharing, with the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model used for Sizewell C, which lowers the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) by sharing risks with consumers. The report concludes that Poland must ensure high transparency in financial governance to maintain public support.

The document advocates for a transition from heavy fuel oil and marine diesel to hydrogen and ammonia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector. It criticizes LNG and methanol as unsustainable alternatives and calls for specific policy interventions in the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) and FuelEU Maritime to ensure infrastructure readiness by 2030 and create market incentives for zero-carbon fuels.

The document asserts that Germany possesses the necessary technological innovations to combat climate change and reduce dependence on Russian energy, but lacks the scale for implementation. It highlights that climate tech startups, particularly those focused on hardware for heavy industry (steel and cement) and sustainable fuels, are key to this transition. To increase the number of these startups hundredfold, the author proposes six measures: implementing Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfDs), adopting Green Public Procurement (GPP) for building materials, focusing public funds like the Deep Tech Future Fund on climate tech, streamlining research-to-startup guidelines at universities, reducing bureaucracy, and expanding 'living labs' for scaling innovations.

The document highlights that just 1% of France's superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 227 GW of energy capacity, exceeding the country's 2021 electricity demand. It argues that this technology could replace all coal and gas used for electricity production, reducing emissions by approximately 36 megatonnes of CO2eq and enhancing energy independence. Additionally, it notes the technology's low land footprint compared to other energy sources and its ability to provide reliable 24/7 power to the grid.

The document advocates for a strategic shift in Germany to leverage its existing research and development in climate technology to end dependence on Russian energy. It highlights that while Germany possesses many necessary technological solutions, they have not been consistently implemented. The author proposes six specific policy measures to scale Climate Tech start-ups, including the use of climate protection contracts, green public procurement for construction materials, and the reform of university spin-off practices to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy.

The document advocates for the deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) to protect its industrial base from rising carbon prices and ensure a just transition. It highlights that CEE industries, particularly cement and steel, are critical for national defence and economic resilience but face a competitive disadvantage due to limited storage access. The text argues that domestic CO2 storage is significantly more cost-effective than export-reliant scenarios, necessitating cross-border infrastructure collaboration.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) utilizes a specialized gas analyser kit, specifically the ABB GLA-131 model, to detect methane and carbon dioxide emissions. The tool uses laser absorption spectroscopy to identify gas concentrations with high precision, including methane detection at levels below 1ppb. While the analyser can detect diffused emissions kilometers away from a source and confirm the gas identity, it is used for qualitative detection of concentrations rather than the quantification of emission rates, which would require additional meteorological data and scientific expertise. CATF employs the analyser as a complement to optical gas imaging (OGI) cameras to provide a more comprehensive view of emissions from sources such as landfills, gas capture wells, and anaerobic digesters.

The document highlights that just 1% of Georgia's superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 18 GW of energy capacity, exceeding the state's 2023 electricity consumption of 142,029 GWh. It argues that superhot rock geothermal offers a land-efficient, carbon-free, and firm power source that could reduce the need for extensive new transmission infrastructure compared to variable renewables.

The document highlights that just 1% of Germany's superhot rock geothermal resource could provide 119 GW of energy capacity, potentially replacing all coal and gas used for electricity production and reducing carbon emissions by approximately 234 megatonnes. It argues that this energy source offers a low land-use footprint and enhances energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

The report outlines six critical dimensions for successful nuclear energy deployment in embarking countries: project execution, regulatory system development, bankability and finance, nonproliferation and security, spent fuel management, and workforce development. It argues for a shift from bespoke 'project' models to standardized 'product' models to reduce costs and risks. The authors propose the creation of new international institutions, such as an International Technical Support Organization (ITSO) and an International Bank for Nuclear Infrastructure (IBNI), to provide the technical and financial support necessary for global scaling.

The document emphasizes that reducing methane emissions is critical for limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, noting that the waste, fossil fuel, and agriculture sectors possess low-cost mitigation options. It highlights a significant funding gap, stating that less than 2% of international climate finance currently targets methane mitigation, leaving an estimated annual shortfall of $100 billion.