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This policy brief by WWF South Africa examines the intersection of the Just Energy Transition (JET) and the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus. It argues that South Africa's pursuit of a low-carbon economy is hindered by policy incoherence, where energy, water, and food security goals are pursued in isolation. The document identifies institutional silos, political contestation from the coal lobby, and budget cuts to environmental agencies as primary barriers to achieving a sustainable and equitable transition.

This briefing discusses the barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption for low-income consumers, specifically highlighting the risk of high repair costs. It argues for strategic investments in EV government fleets and public transportation to benefit environmental justice communities while cautioning that subsidies for individual purchase must be paired with considerations for full lifecycle costs to prevent vulnerable households from losing vehicle access.

This oral testimony from Energy Innovation to the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service argues for the retention of strict "three pillars" (incrementality, deliverability, and hourly time-matching) for the 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit. The author contends that weakening these rules would lead to significant greenhouse gas emissions, undermine the long-term viability of the hydrogen industry, and result in the misuse of taxpayer funds.

This research paper examines Nigeria's strategies and policy frameworks for reducing methane emissions within its oil and gas sector. It details the country's alignment with international pledges, such as the Global Methane Pledge, and evaluates the effectiveness of national tools and regulations in curbing gas flaring and fugitive emissions.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics argues that transitioning to zero-carbon electricity grids powered by wind and solar is technically and economically feasible. It debunks common myths regarding the need for fossil fuel backups and grid overloading, highlighting that stability can be achieved through flexibility solutions, digitalisation, and cross-border interconnectors. The document provides real-world examples from countries like Denmark, Portugal, and Namibia, while noting that insufficient investment in grid infrastructure remains a primary obstacle to a faster global rollout.

This report by Ember analyzes the alignment between the ten-year grid development plans of European Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and national energy policy targets for 2030. It highlights a risk that transmission grids may become physical barriers to the energy transition if infrastructure planning is based on under-ambitious renewable energy scenarios.

This research paper analyzes the tension in German foreign policy between corporate profit interests and value-based rhetoric, specifically regarding trade and investment in Africa. The author argues that Germany is shifting from a broad 'exportist' geoeconomic approach toward a more selective strategy focused on risk mitigation and the securing of critical resources, such as LNG and minerals, while urging a transition toward supporting African economic self-determination and regional industrialization.

This report by Climate Policy Initiative/Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes the regulatory, legal, and economic frameworks for forest restoration in Brazil. It argues that current policies are designed for property-scale rather than landscape-scale restoration and identifies three essential factors—regulatory flexibility for restoration typologies, integration of public and private land tenure, and the synergy between mandatory and voluntary restoration—necessary to enable large-scale initiatives, particularly those driven by the carbon market.

This report by Ember analyzes the underreporting of coal mine methane (CMM) emissions in Indonesia, arguing that current official figures significantly underestimate the actual environmental impact. The document highlights gaps in the monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems, the exclusion of underground mines, and the use of outdated emission factors, which may undermine Indonesia's commitments under the Global Methane Pledge.

This report examines the methodologies and challenges of monitoring Green Public Procurement (GPP), with a specific focus on tracking reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It analyzes practices in six countries and provides recommendations for governments to improve monitoring systems to support climate and sustainable development goals.

A report by NewClimate Institute and the Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE) warning public development banks against funding abatement technologies and carbon credits for coal plants, arguing these may create perverse incentives that delay the phase-out of fossil fuel infrastructure.

This research paper evaluates the outcomes of the Thirteenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) regarding the intersection of climate and trade policy. The authors argue that while the conference was largely disappointing due to a lack of binding multilateral agreements and opposition from key members like India, there is still value in utilizing the WTO as a diplomatic forum to coordinate non-binding instruments and revitalize deliberative functions such as the Committee on Trade and Environment.

This research paper analyzes the European Union's strategic partnerships with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to diversify critical raw material (CRM) supply chains and reduce dependence on China. It examines the geopolitical tensions between Western security agendas and the industrialization goals of the producing nations, while highlighting significant governance risks and the lack of comprehensive national CRM policies in the DRC and Zambia.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) criticizes the 2024 Budget from National Treasury for its continued reliance on austerity measures and private sector investment, arguing that these policies undermine public services, socio-economic rights, and climate change efforts.

This policy brief by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) provides a detailed analysis and commentary on the Revised Zero Draft of the international plastics treaty. It evaluates various options for the treaty's structure and obligations, advocating for legally binding mandates ('shall' instead of 'should'), a full life-cycle approach to plastic pollution, and the inclusion of human rights and health dimensions. CIEL emphasizes the necessity of controlling primary plastic polymer production and eliminating hazardous chemicals to achieve the treaty's objective of ending plastic pollution.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes the regulatory and governance challenges of legal deforestation in Brazil, with a specific focus on the Matopiba region. It examines the issuance of Vegetation Suppression Authorizations (ASV) and the effectiveness of the National System for the Control of the Origin of Forest Products (Sinaflor), concluding that current tools are insufficient for monitoring and controlling legal deforestation.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes the regulatory and institutional framework for large-scale forest and vegetation restoration in Brazil. It argues that current public policies are designed for individual rural properties rather than landscape-scale initiatives and identifies three essential factors—diversifying restoration typologies, bridging public and private land barriers, and integrating mandatory and voluntary restoration—to enable the scaling of restoration, particularly driven by carbon markets.

This briefing by Global Energy Monitor analyzes China's steel industry, focusing on the transition from emissions-intensive blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) production to lower-emissions electric arc furnace (EAF) technology. It evaluates the feasibility of China's 15% EAF production target for 2025 and the potential for a more ambitious 20% target, while identifying obstacles such as scrap distribution and energy stability.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of the Life After Coal (LAC) coalition, submitted comments on the Gas Amendment Bill [B – 2023], arguing that accelerating gas infrastructure is irrational given the climate emergency and South Africa's extreme vulnerability to climate change. The submission criticizes the Bill for inadequate public consultation processes, lack of transparency regarding confidential information, and a failure to align with international climate targets such as the IPCC's 1.5°C benchmark.

This briefing examines the current state and potential of carbon capture and storage (CCS), noting that the vast majority of operational projects are linked to the oil and gas industry, specifically for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). While CCS is presented as a tool for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like cement and steel, the document highlights significant challenges including high costs, inconsistent capture rates, and the risk that the technology is used to prolong fossil fuel extraction.