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The report argues that natural gas is not a viable 'bridge' fuel but rather a risk to climate stability and shareholder value. It highlights that new gas infrastructure is increasingly incompatible with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal and faces significant economic threats from the falling costs of renewables and storage. The document details how utilities face 'stranded asset' risks, regulatory pressure from state and city decarbonization mandates, and customer defection to community choice aggregations and corporate clean energy contracts. It suggests that 'steel for fuel' strategies—replacing fossil fuel generation with capital investment in renewables—offer a more sustainable financial model. The report concludes by urging investors to demand better disclosure on emissions and transition plans and to support policies like performance-based regulation and securitization to facilitate a just and rapid energy transition.

The report finds that the EU is proposing or building gas infrastructure worth €99 billion, which would increase import capacity by over 30% despite existing capacity already being nearly double current consumption. This expansion contradicts EU climate goals to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, which require a sharp reduction in fossil gas use. The author highlights that many of these projects, including those on the European Commission's 4th list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI), are unnecessary for energy security and risk becoming stranded assets. Additionally, the report notes that EU gas-fired power plants are currently underutilized compared to global averages and are increasingly uncompetitive against renewable energy portfolios.

New satellite technology suggests methane leaks are more widespread than previously thought, increasing the risk of stranded assets for financial institutions supporting fossil fuel expansion, particularly shale reserves in the United States.

The document argues that falling renewable energy costs are making coal-fired power projects in South and Southeast Asia economically unviable, placing $4.8 billion of pending Japanese public financing at risk of becoming stranded assets.

The document analyzes the financial system's failure to integrate physical climate risks into investment decision-making, which creates a growing adaptation financing gap. It identifies twelve key barriers—including inadequate public support, moral hazard, and low technical capacity—and proposes six systemic recommendations for the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA). These include accelerating climate-relevant financial policies, developing robust risk management practices, and utilizing public institutions to catalyze private investment through blended finance and innovative instruments like resilience bonds.

ClientEarth argues that HM Treasury (HMT) is an obstacle to ambitious climate policy and lacks transparency in its coordination with other departments. The submission calls for a 'Climate Cabinet' and a parallel climate budget to ensure legal targets are met. In the financial sector, ClientEarth highlights a widespread failure among pension funds and asset managers to treat climate change as a material financial risk, noting a 'herd mentality' that stifles innovation. It criticises the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for a lack of enforcement regarding climate risk disclosures and warns of 'greenwash' in sustainable financial products. The document recommends mandatory TCFD reporting for large asset owners by 2022 and the regulation of investment consultants by the FCA.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) and groundWork have written to Absa Group Ltd to discourage the financing of proposed coal-fired independent power producers (IPPs), Thabametsi and Khanyisa. The letter argues that continuing to fund coal presents significant financial, reputational, and environmental risks, noting that other South African banks like Nedbank have already declined to finance these projects. Drawing on reports from the Institute for Energy, Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI), the CER highlights a global trend of financial institutions divesting from thermal coal and warns that South Africa faces transition risks exceeding $120 billion by 2035. The document further dismisses the concept of "clean coal" as a myth and urges Absa to align its lending practices with a just transition to sustainable energy.

The report identifies a significant surge in global oil and gas pipeline development, with North America leading the trend. It contends that this expansion is predicated on a 'super cycle' of demand from Asia that is incompatible with IPCC climate goals and threatened by the rise of renewables and competing production in other regions. The authors compare the current situation to the 2011–2016 coal mining crash, warning that high leverage and a loss of 'social license' create a high risk of stranded assets.

ClientEarth argues that Lloyd's of London's current risk management is inadequate regarding coal assets, noting that its Coal Exclusion Policy only covers 2.5% of assets. The letter highlights the Carmichael coalmine as a high-risk project due to potential stranded asset risks and a lack of a 'social licence to operate', which could lead to significant insurance claims. ClientEarth asserts that continuing to enable coal undermines the insurance business model by fueling climate-driven natural catastrophes, and calls for public disclosure of risk management criteria.

The report finds that South Africa faces a cumulative transition risk of over $120 billion in present value terms between 2013 and 2035, primarily driven by falling demand and prices for coal exports. While the public balance sheet explicitly faces only 16% of this downside risk, implicit transfers—such as bailouts and social support—could increase the national government's share to over half. The analysis highlights that approximately 75% of these risks are external, and nearly 50% were already realized by 2017. Furthermore, current investment incentives may add another $25.8 billion in risk through projects like new oil refineries and coal infrastructure. The report recommends that the government adopt transition risk assessments, reconsider high-risk investments, and potentially tax oil price windfalls to offset losses.

The report proposes a three-year plan to transition Canada from voluntary to mandatory climate-related financial disclosure by 2021, aligning with TCFD recommendations. It highlights a market failure where Canadian clean technology firms face significant capital barriers and negative retained earnings, while the oil and gas sector carries substantial undisclosed 'tail risks' relative to global carbon budgets. The author recommends updating federal and provincial laws, such as the Canadian Business Corporations Act, and suggests that Canada align its sustainable finance frameworks with emerging EU taxonomies to diversify trade and attract international capital.

ClientEarth asserts that Enea and Energa's pursuit of the Ostrołęka C coal plant violates board members' duties of due diligence. The briefing highlights significant financial risks from a reported financing structure that increases equity contributions, potential penalties from the December 2018 capacity market auction due to construction delays, and a changing economic landscape marked by rising carbon prices and Polish government goals to reduce coal reliance.

The Life After Coal Campaign urges the South African Minister of Finance to withhold guarantees for the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power stations. The campaign argues these projects fail 'value for money' tests, violate the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), and would cause irreversible harm to the climate and public health. They highlight that the projects are not part of a least-cost electricity plan and would increase greenhouse gas emissions by 205.7Mt CO2eq over 30 years, potentially exposing the National Treasury to liabilities between R25.2 billion and R225.2 billion.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing the Life After Coal Campaign, argues that financing the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power plants is unjustifiable. The document asserts that these projects are not 'least-cost' options, face significant legal challenges regarding environmental and water licenses, and would cause severe health and climate damage. It specifically calls on FirstRand Bank to cease support for Thabametsi to avoid reputational risk and align with its own commitments to a lower-carbon economy.

ClientEarth warns the Aviva Staff Pension Scheme trustees that treating climate change as a general ESG issue rather than a specific material financial risk may expose them to legal challenges for breach of fiduciary duty. The letter outlines the financial risks of high-carbon assets, the opportunities in the low-carbon transition, and emerging market standards among OECD asset owners. It provides a detailed set of recommended actions, including reallocating capital away from coal and risky fossil fuels, adopting TCFD-aligned reporting, and implementing active stewardship policies to ensure the long-term security of members' retirement outcomes.

ClientEarth warns the BAE Systems Main Scheme trustees that ignoring climate risk could lead to legal challenges for breach of fiduciary duty. The letter outlines material financial risks associated with fossil fuels, the opportunities of a low-carbon transition, and emerging market standards among OECD asset owners. It provides a detailed set of recommended actions, including reallocating capital away from coal and high-risk fossil fuels, adopting TCFD-aligned reporting, and pursuing active stewardship of portfolio companies.

ClientEarth warns the BP Pension Fund trustees that ignoring climate-related financial risks may constitute a breach of fiduciary duty and jeopardize member retirement outcomes. The letter outlines material risks associated with fossil fuel assets, highlights emerging market standards for climate-aware investing among OECD asset owners, and provides a detailed set of recommended actions for the fund to safeguard its assets and align with the Paris Agreement.

ClientEarth warns the Electricity Supply Pension Scheme trustees that failing to manage climate-related financial risks may constitute a breach of fiduciary duty. The letter highlights that many of the scheme's group trustees currently lack explicit climate policies, often delegating ESG considerations to managers without formal determination of risk. ClientEarth provides evidence that fossil fuel assets, particularly coal, are highly exposed to transition and physical risks, while low-carbon indices have shown competitive or superior returns. It further notes a growing market standard among OECD asset owners toward divestment and robust climate governance. The document concludes with a detailed set of recommended actions, including reallocating capital away from coal and risky fossil fuels, adopting TCFD-aligned reporting, and pursuing active stewardship of portfolio companies.

ClientEarth warns the Ford Pension Fund trustees that failing to consider climate change as a material financial risk may constitute a breach of fiduciary duty. The letter outlines the financial risks of fossil fuel assets, the opportunities in low-carbon investments, and emerging market standards among OECD asset owners. It concludes with a detailed set of recommended actions, including asset reallocation away from coal and the adoption of TCFD-aligned reporting.

ClientEarth argues that the Lloyds Bank Pension Scheme trustees may be failing their fiduciary duties by not sufficiently addressing climate risk. The letter outlines the material financial risks of climate change, particularly for fossil fuel assets, and the opportunities in the low-carbon transition. It provides a framework for action, including reallocating assets away from coal and high-carbon sectors, adopting TCFD-aligned reporting, and pursuing active stewardship of portfolio companies.