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This policy brief examines the role of green financing in scaling renewable energy investments across Africa, using Kenya as a primary case study. It argues that while Africa has vast renewable potential, public funds are insufficient to meet the estimated $120 billion annual investment requirement through 2040. The document highlights how blended finance, risk mitigation instruments, and strategic partnerships between governments, development finance institutions, and the private sector can unlock the capital necessary for universal energy access and a low-carbon transition.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute argues that sanitation is a critical but neglected component of climate action. It highlights the gap between the potential of sanitation to reduce climate vulnerability and the actual lack of integration in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate finance. The document outlines how sanitation services contribute to greenhouse gas emissions through anaerobic decomposition and energy-intensive treatment, while proposing a framework for better policy coherence through research, planning, and capacity development.

This research paper by the NewClimate Institute and Fraunhofer ISI argues that national greenhouse gas emission targets should be determined by combining equity-based 'fair contribution' assessments with technical 'mitigation potential' evaluations to align with the Paris Agreement.

This briefing by the Climate Policy Initiative examines the development of green banking in China, highlighting the role of the 'Big Four' state-owned banks and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC). It analyzes the growth of green credit portfolios, the effectiveness of top-down policy incentives from the People's Bank of China (PBoC), and the financial performance of green loans compared to traditional loans. The document also identifies systemic barriers to scaling green finance, including insufficient risk modeling and the perceived trade-off between green investment and short-term profitability.

This policy brief examines the rolling blackouts in California during a historic heat wave in August 2020, arguing that the outages were caused by a combination of extreme weather and insufficient resource capacity rather than the state's clean energy goals. The author contends that a diverse portfolio of flexible, clean resources—including battery storage and green hydrogen—is essential for 21st-century grid resilience against climate-driven extreme weather.

This policy brief by RMI argues that New York State should prioritize energy efficiency and electrification over new gas infrastructure following the rejection of the Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline. It contends that expanding gas capacity is incompatible with the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and that demand-side investments are the most cost-effective way to ensure energy reliability and meet decarbonization targets.

This research paper analyzes the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic and global climate change responses, arguing that the pandemic serves as a 'climate change parable' with systemic similarities. It explores how national recovery efforts can either bolster or undermine the goals of the Paris Agreement and the postponed COP 26 summit, providing recommendations for aligning economic stimulus with green transitions.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI/PUC-Rio) analyzes the design and implementation risks of a pilot energy efficiency (EE) auction proposed by the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) for the city of Boa Vista, Roraima. The study identifies risks related to the auction format, the measurement and verification (M&V) methodology, and the misalignment of incentives for energy distributors.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) analyzes the design and implementation risks of a pilot energy efficiency (EE) auction proposed by the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency (ANEEL) for the city of Boa Vista, Roraima. The analysis identifies risks related to the auction format, the measurement and verification (M&V) methodology, and the misalignment of incentives for electricity distributors.

This technical note by the Climate Policy Initiative/PUC-Rio argues for the improvement of how the 'area of influence' (the territory where environmental and socioeconomic impacts occur) is defined and delimited for land transport infrastructure projects in Brazil. The authors highlight a lack of methodological transparency and consistency between different governmental bodies and study phases, proposing a shift from simple distance-based metrics to a more comprehensive approach that includes economic dynamics.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the air conditioning (AC) sector in Brazil, focusing on the impact of the Zona Franca de Manaus (ZFM) industrial policy. It argues that current tax incentives and the Basic Productive Process (PPB) requirements hinder energy and productive efficiency, leading to products with outdated technology and a deterioration in production indicators between 2003 and 2015.

This policy brief by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the air conditioning (AC) sector in Brazil, specifically the impact of the Manaus Free Trade Zone (ZFM) industrial policy. It finds that despite significant tax incentives, the sector has experienced declines in productive and energy efficiency between 2003 and 2015, lagging behind international peers and the broader Brazilian manufacturing industry. The authors argue that the Basic Production Process (PPB) requirements create distortions and hinder the adoption of efficient technologies, such as inverter compressors, and recommend aligning industrial policy with energy efficiency standards.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes the instruments and public policies used for agricultural risk management in Brazil. It examines the strengths and failures of current systems, including insurance programs and price guarantees, and provides recommendations to improve efficiency and sustainability in the face of climate change.

This technical note by Climate Policy Initiative/Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (CPI/PUC-Rio) argues for clearer definitions and more transparent methodologies in delimiting the 'area of influence' for land transportation infrastructure projects in Brazil. The authors contend that current practices often confuse the conceptual definition of the area of influence with the parameters used for its physical delimitation, leading to inconsistent assessments of socio-economic and environmental impacts.

This briefing by Energy Innovation examines the role of offshore wind in achieving zero-emissions climate goals, focusing on cost reductions, technological advancements like floating turbines, and policy recommendations for the United States to scale its capacity.

The August 2020 Peace & Security Council Report examines political instability in Africa, focusing on military takeovers in Mali, constitutional disputes in Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea, the African Union's mediation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) dispute, and the institutional limitations of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

This briefing paper by WWF South Africa examines the challenges South African municipalities face as residential rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) installations disrupt traditional electricity distribution and revenue models. It highlights the tension between the financial interests of municipalities, which rely on electricity sales to cross-subsidise low-income households, and the economic incentives for affluent homeowners to install PV systems, often without registration. The document proposes the use of strategic tariff design and a new computerised decision-making tool to help municipalities manage the technical, social, and financial complexities of the energy transition.

This research paper by the NewClimate Institute examines policy frameworks for upscaling Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) while ensuring that such efforts do not detract from greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The authors analyze various CDR approaches, their development stages, and the risks associated with using offsetting schemes, ultimately advocating for the separation of emission reduction targets from removal targets.

This report examines the evolving role of private financial institutions in the low-carbon transition, analyzing the regulatory, policy, and market pressures driving the alignment of portfolios with the Paris Agreement and the structural barriers that limit the sector's influence on the real economy.

This research paper, produced by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), examines the financial instability of India's electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. It analyzes how the pandemic exacerbated pre-existing structural issues—such as poor billing, high procurement costs, and inadequate tariff structures—and evaluates the effectiveness of central government stimulus packages and regulatory reforms intended to stabilize the sector and support a sustainable energy transition.