Search Climate Insights Directory
23 results
Declining emissions in Australia’s coal sector mask growing offset use
Australia's coal sector saw a decline in methane emissions in FY2025, but this was largely due to mine closures and disruptions at underground sites like Grosvenor. Meanwhile, coal mines increased their use of carbon offsets by 40% to meet Safeguard Mechanism baselines. The report also raises integrity concerns regarding Safeguard Mechanism Credits (SMCs) issued to open-cut mines, suggesting they may result from accounting changes rather than actual emissions reductions.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Infographics: Electrifying Industrial Heat in India
The document provides a collection of infographics focused on the electrification of industrial heat in India. It argues that smart policies can leverage inexpensive solar energy to make electric heat cheaper than most fossil fuel alternatives, thereby reducing both manufacturing costs and air pollution.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Fact sheet
Common biomass sustainability framework: consultation
Ember argues that large-scale biomass power is incompatible with UK carbon budgets due to high emissions and import reliance. It recommends capping generation at Drax and Lynemouth, shifting to domestic feedstock, and scaling up low-carbon alternatives like wind, solar, and batteries.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Driving down delivery costs Electric two- and three-wheelers in South African last-mile delivery
The document argues that electric micro-mobility is commercially viable for South African last-mile delivery, particularly on high-frequency urban routes. While higher upfront costs (CAPEX) are a barrier, they can be mitigated through leasing, Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS), and Electric Vehicle-as-a-Service (EVaaS) models. The brief highlights that E2Ws can achieve break-even within 7 to 24 months and reduce operating expenses by 30-50% per kilometre compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) motorcycles. To achieve significant emissions reductions of 40-60%, the document emphasizes integrating renewable energy into charging infrastructure to offset South Africa's coal-heavy grid. It also identifies the Western Cape's Atlantis SEZ as a developing hub for local micro-EV manufacturing to improve supply chain resilience and affordability.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Briefing
Submission to NSW EPA: Climate change licensee requirements
Ember argues that the NSW EPA's proposed requirements for large emitters are a positive step but lack the ambition needed to meet net zero goals. The report highlights significant underreporting of coal mine methane (CMM) in New South Wales, suggesting satellite data shows emissions could be double official figures. Ember recommends extending reporting requirements to all coal mines, mandating pre-mine drainage for open-cut mines, and requiring 70-year post-closure monitoring for abandoned mine methane. It also emphasizes the need for alignment with the EU Methane Regulation to protect the export viability of metallurgical coal.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Romania risks penalties for methane-intensive hard coal production
Romania faces potential penalties under the EU Methane Regulation as three of its four active underground hard coal mines in the Jiu Valley exceed the EU's methane intensity threshold. Despite reporting zero hard coal production to the EU in 2022, the state-owned Jiu Valley Energy Complex (CEVJ) continued production, with plans to increase output to 2,000 tonnes per day by June 2024. The report highlights that coal mine methane (CMM) emissions added 72% to the climate impact of burning hard coal at the Paroseni power plant in 2022. While methane capture is technically viable, Romania's average degassing efficiency was only 25% in 2019. Furthermore, Romania has failed to implement any Abandoned Mine Methane (AMM) projects across its 173 closed mines, despite such practices being common in Germany and France.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Ekspansi energi bersih Indonesia dapat mendorong pertumbuhan dan kesetaraan
The report examines Indonesia's energy transition, highlighting the risk of stranded assets due to coal overcapacity and the potential for renewable energy to revitalize coal-dependent provinces. It compares the RUPTL 2021-2030 and JETP frameworks, suggesting that replacing planned coal capacity with solar power in regions like East Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and South Sumatra could create 96,000 high-skilled jobs and attract $9.4 billion in investment.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
EU backing down from real action on coal mine methane
The report highlights that coal mines are the largest source of energy-sector methane emissions in the EU, primarily driven by Poland. While the original EU Commission proposal aimed for a 70% reduction in cumulative methane emissions from active thermal coal mines by 2040, current agreements have already lowered this to 34%. Ember warns that Poland's latest lobbying efforts could further reduce these cuts to just 12% by 2040, representing a sixfold weakening of the original ambition. The document emphasizes that methane abatement in Poland's coal sector is a 'low-hanging fruit' that could reduce the EU's fossil fuel methane emissions by 15% at a cost of less than one euro per kilogram of methane.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Submission to the Climate Change Authority’s Issues Paper - May 2023 Ember’s recommendations for setting, tracking and achieving Australia’s emissions reduction targets, with a focus on the measurement and mitigation of coal mine methane
Ember argues that Australia's coal mine methane emissions are significantly under-reported and that the current Safeguard Mechanism is insufficient to drive necessary reductions. The report recommends a 78% reduction in coal mine methane by 2030-2035, achieved through a combination of onsite mitigation and a phaseout of thermal coal mining. To support this, Ember urges the Climate Change Authority to implement a national methane action plan, establish a standalone methane reduction target in the next Nationally Determined Contribution, and overhaul the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) framework to replace generic emission factors with direct, site-specific measurements.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Repeat offenders: coal power plants top the EU emitters list
Analysis of 2022 EU-ETS data shows that the ten largest emitters in the system are all coal power plants, which together account for 13% of total EU-ETS emissions and 25% of power sector emissions. Germany and Poland are the primary contributors, together responsible for two-thirds of coal power emissions. Three utilities—RWE, PGE, and EPH—dominate the sector, collectively accounting for 30% of power sector emissions. While coal emissions rose 6% in 2022 due to the energy crisis, the long-term trend remains a decline, with 2022 levels 40% lower than a decade ago.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Repeat offenders: coal power plants top the EU emitters list
The report identifies that the ten largest emitters in the EU-ETS are all coal power plants, which together account for 25% of the power sector's emissions. While 2022 saw a 6% increase in coal emissions due to the energy crisis, the long-term trend remains a decline. Germany and Poland dominate the emissions landscape, and three utilities—RWE, PGE, and EPH—have remained the top emitters for six consecutive years.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Public Comments to Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on the reconsideration of 15 coal projects
Ember argues that approving 15 reconsidered coal projects would increase Australia's annual coal mine methane emissions by approximately 190 thousand tonnes. The organization emphasizes that meeting the 1.5C warming limit requires a 75% reduction in energy sector methane emissions by 2030, which cannot be achieved through mitigation technology alone without reducing coal production. Ember specifically recommends closing the gassiest thermal coal mines and avoiding new thermal coal mines, while suggesting that metallurgical coal mines only be approved if they employ available mitigation technologies and cooperate with the UNEP’s International Methane Emissions Observatory.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Statement
PEDAL TO THE METAL
The report finds that the global steel industry is not on track to meet IEA Net-zero 2050 targets, as the shift from carbon-intensive BF-BOF to cleaner EAF technology is too slow. Current capacity under construction is more heavily weighted toward BF-BOF than the existing operating fleet. Asia, particularly China and India, is the primary hotspot for new BF-BOF capacity. This trend creates a significant stranded asset risk estimated between 345 and 518 billion USD. Additionally, the report highlights that accounting for coal mine methane could increase the sector's reported emissions footprint by 27%.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Charting the Course for Early Truck Electrification
The report analyzes trucking telematics data from Geotab to determine the feasibility of early electric truck adoption in California and New York, finding that emissions per mile for electric trucks are significantly lower than diesel alternatives regardless of charging schedules.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Farming the Future: Agriculture and climate change on the Canadian Prairies
The report examines the intersection of climate change and agriculture in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. It highlights that while the Prairies are warming faster than most of Canada, leading to increased risks of drought, flooding, and pests, the agricultural sector also contributes significantly to national emissions, particularly through nitrogen fertilizer and livestock. The authors argue that current federal and provincial policies lack concrete sectoral targets and comprehensive strategies, recommending a shift toward agroecology, reinstated public extension services, and targeted financial incentives for beneficial management practices to ensure long-term viability.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Eskom’s Kendal Power Station Exceedances of Applicable Atmospheric Emission License Limit Values for Particulate Matter from April 2016 to March 2020
The report finds that Kendal Power Station had 2,712 PM exceedances between April 2016 and March 2020, with frequencies increasing threefold starting in April 2018. The author concludes that electrostatic precipitators are failing and recommends either shutting down the plant or retrofitting it with fabric filters to meet AEL and World Bank standards.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
EU ETS Emissions 2019
The report finds that 2019 EU ETS emissions fell by 7.8% to 1612 million tonnes of CO2. While coal power emissions have dropped 43% since 2013, the power sector still accounts for 52% of total ETS emissions. Notably, coal-fired blast furnaces in the steel sector have become the largest emitters in seven countries, including the UK, France, and Spain.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Eskom Power Station Exceedances of Applicable Atmospheric Emission License (AEL) Limit Values for PM, SO2 & NOx During April 2016 to December 2017
The report identifies 3,217 self-reported exceedances of AEL limits across 14 coal-fired power stations over a 21-month period. It highlights chronic pollution issues, particularly regarding particulate matter at stations without fabric filters, and criticizes the lack of electronic, standardized reporting.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Eskom Power Station Exceedances of Applicable Atmospheric Emission License (AEL) Limit Values for PM, SO2 & NOx During April 2016 to December 2017
The report identifies 3,181 exceedances of daily AEL limits for PM, SO2, and NOx across 14 Eskom coal-fired power stations between April 2016 and December 2017. The author notes that these figures are conservative due to incomplete and inconsistent hardcopy reporting. Several plants showed chronic violations, with some AEL limits exceeding the 2015 Minimum Emission Standards. The report recommends transitioning to electronic, standardized reporting that includes unit-level energy production and capacity data to improve transparency and enforcement.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report
Delivering Opportunity
The report argues that electrifying heavy-duty vehicles in California can significantly reduce hazardous air pollutants and global warming emissions while creating economic opportunities. It finds that battery and fuel cell electric buses have substantially lower life cycle emissions than diesel or CNG alternatives. The authors highlight that low-income communities and people of color are disproportionately exposed to heavy-duty vehicle pollution. While the sector offers growth in manufacturing, infrastructure, and maintenance, the report emphasizes the need for targeted electrical skills training to make these jobs accessible to underserved populations.
AI-generated
This summary is written by a language model reading the source document. It is not the publisher's words and is not a substitute for the original.
Document type: Report