Search Climate Insights Directory

The report finds that a majority of Americans believe global warming is happening and is primarily human-caused, though many underestimate the level of public concern. While most perceive global warming as affecting U.S. weather and extreme events, few discuss the topic frequently with others.

India needs to build system flexibility to absorb high and variable renewable generation, moving beyond simple capacity additions. The report identifies three primary levers: improving the flexibility of the coal fleet by lowering minimum technical limits, scaling energy storage (BESS and pumped hydro), and accelerating demand-side flexibility through smart meter deployment and attractive time-of-day tariffs.

In 2025, India experienced significant solar curtailment, estimated at 2.3 TWh between late May and December, primarily due to the inability of the coal fleet to ramp down sufficiently during periods of low daytime demand. This was exacerbated by weaker-than-forecast demand growth in 2025, driven by mild temperatures and increased behind-the-meter solar generation. The report highlights that while operational errors in forecasting contributed to the issue, the structural lack of flexibility in coal plants—many of which must operate above a minimum thermal load of 55%—creates a systemic challenge as solar capacity continues to grow faster than demand.

Indonesia is experiencing an explosive surge in captive coal power, with total operational and prospective capacity reaching nearly 31 GW. This growth is heavily concentrated in nickel hubs like Central Sulawesi and North Maluku, dwarfing the expansion of the national power grid. The report highlights significant data discrepancies in official JETP mapping and warns that regulatory loopholes in PERPRES 112/2022 allow 'national strategic projects' to bypass coal moratoriums. This trajectory is projected to cause 27,000 additional air pollution-related deaths and USD 20 billion in economic burden, while creating 'sacrifice zones' that risk Indonesia's position in global green supply chains.

Indonesia is experiencing a surge in 'captive' coal-fired power plants—industrial plants not connected to the national grid—which are growing significantly faster than on-grid capacity. Driven largely by nickel smelting in Sulawesi and North Maluku, total operational and prospective captive capacity is projected to reach 31 GW, nearly tripling 2023 levels. The report highlights critical transparency gaps in government and JETP data, regulatory loopholes for National Strategic Projects (PSN), and severe long-term economic and health costs, including an estimated 27,000 additional deaths and USD 20 billion in cumulative economic burdens if these plants are not phased out.

Bulgaria is experiencing a period of intense political instability and civic awakening, highlighted by mass protests in December 2025 that forced the resignation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov. The author argues that while the country has seen economic growth and integration into the EU, Schengen area, and Eurozone, it remains plagued by systemic corruption and 'institutional capture' by oligarchs like Delyan Peevski and Boyko Borissov. The document identifies a shift from passive citizenship to a 'post-populist' wave of mobilisation, driven largely by Generation Z and social media, though it notes that these movements currently lack the structure needed to provide a stable political alternative.

A review of fifteen large private equity evergreen funds reveals they significantly underperformed the S&P 500 and MSCI ACWI indexes in 2025 and over a three-year period, despite charging median expense ratios of 3.76% compared to 0.03% for the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The report notes that the private equity industry is seeking a regulatory safe harbor from the US Department of Labor to limit lawsuits as it targets 401K retirement savings, a shift occurring as global fundraising fell 11.0% in 2025 and several US state pension funds—including those in Alaska, Texas, and Ohio—reduced their private equity allocations due to dwindling returns and liquidity risks.

The research paper examines 'Africa+1' summits—high-level meetings between African nations and a single external power—as a strategic arena for geopolitical influence. It traces the evolution from early French-led summits to a 'second generation' involving Asian powers like Japan, China, India, and Turkey, and more recent engagement from Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Italy. The author argues that Africa's demographic growth and critical mineral wealth have increased its strategic value, allowing African states to exercise greater agency by leveraging rivalries between global powers. However, the document critiques the summit format as often being performative and asymmetric, noting a gap between multi-billion-dollar pledges and tangible results. It highlights proposals for reform, such as unified AU representation, to move toward more equitable partnerships.

The document defines a climate change adaptation investment plan (CCAIP) as a set of investment-ready priority activities linked to specific financial sources. It outlines a structured approach to bridging the adaptation financing gap by diversifying funding across domestic, international, public, and private sources using instruments such as grants, bonds, and blended finance. The text emphasizes the necessity of political leadership, particularly from ministries of finance, and the integration of gender-responsive and socially inclusive (GESI) considerations to ensure equitable outcomes. It further distinguishes CCAIPs from broader NAP financing strategies, noting that while the latter identifies overall needs and gaps, the CCAIP focuses on narrow, time-bound, and actionable investment packages ready for immediate implementation.

The Savings and Investment Union (SIU) aims to bridge the gap between household savings and productive investments to address an annual financing gap of €750–800 billion by 2030. However, the author contends that the SIU lacks mechanisms to channel funds specifically toward EU priorities or the ecological transition, meaning it could facilitate lending to heavily polluting activities. The document highlights that the initiative is likely to benefit highly concentrated asset management firms, particularly US-based BlackRock and Vanguard, which are identified as major investors in fossil fuel bonds and supporters of fossil fuel company governance.

The European Savings and Investment Union (UEI), proposed by the European Commission to fund EU priorities, is criticized for failing to direct investments toward climate goals. The document asserts that the initiative may primarily benefit large asset managers, specifically naming Blackrock and Vanguard, who are described as having highly damaging climate practices.

President Prabowo of Indonesia has revoked the permits of 28 companies linked to deforestation, including North Sumatra Hydro Energy and Agincourt gold mine, following devastating floods in Sumatra. The government is suing six companies for $284 million in damages. Additionally, nearly 82,000 hectares in Tesso Nillo National Park have been returned to the Ministry of Forestry for restoration. Mighty Earth is leveraging these actions to advocate for the reconsideration of the 'Food and Energy Estates' project, which has already destroyed over 75,000 acres.

A study by World Weather Attribution found that human-induced climate change made a January 2026 heatwave in south-eastern Australia approximately 1.6°C hotter and about 5 times more likely than in a preindustrial climate. Despite a weak La Niña phase reducing the event's severity by 0.3–0.5°C, the warming driven by climate change remained the dominant factor. The event caused a 25% increase in emergencies in Melbourne and created dangerous fire weather in Victoria and New South Wales comparable to the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. The report also notes that abundant renewable generation, with solar providing over 60% of midday electricity, helped meet record demand more smoothly than in previous heatwaves.

The document details the impact of rising temperatures on winter sports, noting that all cities hosting the Winter Olympics since 1950 have warmed. It highlights that the 2026 host cities, Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, have seen significant temperature increases and a decrease in freezing days. Projections indicate a sharp decline in climate-reliable host sites by the 2050s, particularly for the Paralympic Games held in March.

The document serves as the first progress report for Tonga's Second Joint National Action Plan for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management 2018–2028 (JNAP2). Its primary goal is to update the JNAP Taskforce on implementation status and provide recommendations for future improvements. Additionally, it aims to inform government, industry, civil society, and international partners about Tonga's efforts toward resilient and sustainable development to coordinate further input and interest.

The document argues that the European Commission's proposed amendments to the EU Plant Protection Products Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 would significantly degrade health and environmental protections. Key concerns include the shift toward unlimited approval durations for active substances, the 'freezing' of scientific knowledge during national authorisations, and the introduction of broad exemptions for biocontrol and low-risk substances. The authors contend these changes violate the precautionary principle and the high level of protection required by the TFEU and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Furthermore, the document criticizes the Commission's procedural failures, specifically the absence of a comprehensive impact assessment and insufficient stakeholder consultation.

The report finds that while over 75% of NATO countries include climate change and nearly 70% include food security in their security strategies, these issues remain siloed. Most concrete actions focus on military emissions mitigation and direct adaptation rather than the indirect security implications of food and water insecurity. The author argues that climate-driven disasters create vulnerabilities that adversaries like Russia and China exploit through disinformation, weaponized migration, and food weaponization. The report recommends updating NATO's baseline resilience requirements and targeting investments toward "stability multipliers" that address the nexus of climate, food, and security both domestically and in the developing world.

The report assesses the use of the Energy Supply Financing Ratio (ESFR) by global banks to measure sustainable power financing relative to fossil fuels. While six banks have now published or committed to this indicator, the analysis reveals a regional divide: European banks (BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, Groupe BPCE) often use narrow fossil fuel definitions and omit underwriting, while North American banks (Citi, JPMorgan Chase, RBC) include broader financing instruments but inflate sustainable ratios by including fossil-related technologies like carbon capture and fossil-based hydrogen.

The report examines the Energy Supply Financing Ratio (ESFR), a metric used to compare bank financing of sustainable energy versus fossil fuels. While adoption is increasing due to shareholder pressure, the author argues that current methodologies are often flawed. European banks like BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole set ambitious targets but use narrow definitions of fossil fuel activities and omit bond/equity financing. Conversely, North American banks like Citi and JPMorgan Chase provide more comprehensive coverage of the fossil fuel value chain but artificially inflate their 'low carbon' figures by including fossil-based hydrogen, carbon capture, and non-energy sectors.

The document examines the efforts of 'the rest of the world' to adapt to a chaotic trade environment characterized by US tariff adjustments and the weakening of global institutions. It highlights the launch of the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership (FIT-P), a 16-member group of small states aiming to bolster the WTO and collaborate on digital trade. It also analyzes the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), noting its attempts to coordinate with the EU and ASEAN while struggling with internal institutional weaknesses, a slow accession process, and the daunting task of renegotiating most of its agreement chapters.