Search Climate Insights Directory

Ember argues that National Grid ESO's FES 2020 scenarios for achieving net-zero by 2050 are undermined by an over-reliance on BECCS to offset residual emissions. The briefing highlights that the required scale of BECCS would necessitate converting 1Mha of UK agricultural land to energy crops and potentially 200Mha globally, posing significant risks to biodiversity and food security. Ember contends that the assumption of 'instant' negative emissions is flawed and that relying on BECCS creates a moral hazard, potentially discouraging more ambitious decarbonisation efforts in difficult sectors like aviation and agriculture.

The report identifies over 60 mitigation policies adopted between July 2019 and August 2020, noting the highest activity in the energy and transport sectors. It highlights a lack of explicitly 'green' COVID-19 recovery measures in most assessed countries, except for the EU and Republic of Korea. Additionally, it tracks the progress of NDCs and LTS, noting that only Vietnam has officially revised its NDC target among the group, while the EU and Japan have submitted net-zero long-term strategies.

The labelled green loan market in Australia and New Zealand is in its early stages, with 14 labelled green corporate loans recorded since 2018. While the loan market is significantly larger than the bond market, labelled bonds have historically led in sustainable finance. Growth is being driven by bank green lending targets, increasing ESG awareness among corporates, and institutional investor demand. The report highlights the potential for green loans to fund early-stage projects and the rise of sustainability-linked loans (SLLs), which incentivise overall corporate ESG performance rather than specific assets. It also notes the expansion of green consumer loans, particularly for energy-efficient homes and electric vehicles, and suggests regulatory incentives and improved corporate ESG frameworks to accelerate market development.

The document examines the progress of five EU Member States in developing policies for a climate-neutral industry. It finds that while most have set 2030 targets, these are generally conservative and focused on energy efficiency. The Netherlands and Germany are the most advanced, implementing specific incentives for advanced technologies, whereas Hungary, Poland, and Spain remain largely in the agenda-setting and policy-formulation stages. The brief emphasizes the need for a predictable legal environment and harmonized EU policies to avoid distorted competition in the basic materials sector.

The report critiques 'net zero' targets as a form of 'greenwashing' that allows polluters to continue emitting greenhouse gases by relying on unproven technologies and carbon offsets. It argues that these targets often shift the burden of carbon sequestration to the Global South, constituting 'carbon colonialism'. The authors advocate for 'real zero' emissions, which require drastic reductions in fossil fuel use, the adoption of agroecology, and a transition to 100% renewable energy, particularly by developed nations in the North.

The report critiques common climate scenarios, such as the IEA's Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS), for underestimating emissions and overestimating carbon capture to justify continued fossil fuel use. It argues that these scenarios often lead to warming above 2°C despite claims of alignment with the Paris Agreement. The author calls for a rapid phase-out of fossil fuel financing by 2040 in Europe and 2050 globally.

The document identifies five 'traps' in climate scenarios—including the omission of non-combustion emissions, reliance on unproven negative emissions technologies, and underestimation of renewable energy—that lead to warming above 2°C. It specifically criticizes the IEA's Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS) and NGFS 'representative' scenarios for facilitating continued fossil fuel expansion. The author calls for financial actors to phase out fossil fuel financing by 2040 in Europe and 2050 globally.

The document analyzes the EU's Just Transition Mechanism (JTM) as a political tool to overcome national resistance to decarbonization, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. By 'rescaling' support to subnational NUTS 3 regions, the EU aims to empower local actors and generate bottom-up support for climate goals. However, the author warns that national governments may act as gatekeepers to funding, and that a regional focus may fail to protect the most vulnerable groups if not paired with broader social policies. The brief also argues for integrating just transition into EU foreign policy to support fossil-fuel-producing countries outside the bloc.

The We Mean Business coalition calls for corporate climate leadership based on three pillars: aligning ambition with science-based targets, implementing concrete actions including supply chain engagement, and advocating for bold government policies. The text highlights companies like PayPal, Walmart, Ford, Facebook, LafargeHolcim, Amazon, and Ørsted as examples of businesses increasing their climate commitments or implementing decarbonization strategies.

Iberdrola is a global power utility headquartered in Spain that aims for carbon neutrality in Europe by 2030 and globally by 2050. The company is aggressively expanding its renewable energy capacity, targeting 60 GW by 2025, and investing heavily in smart grids, electric mobility, and green hydrogen. It is a major issuer of green bonds and actively advocates for ambitious global climate policies through partnerships with the UN and the European Union.

The document examines the role of the circular economy in the economic recovery of the EU and AU following the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the EU's Green Deal and its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, while noting that African countries often practice circular economy principles without formal policies. The brief suggests that the EU's desire to shorten global value chains for food and medical security presents an opportunity for Africa to enhance its regional value chains in mining and agriculture through partnerships. It recommends that the EU-AU Summit prioritize a circular economy baseline for all future programmes to ensure sustainable development and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals.

The document supports Governor Gavin Newsom's September 23, 2020, executive order to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in California by 2035. It contends that this move signals a market shift toward electric vehicles (EVs), ensuring the US remains competitive with China and the EU. The author asserts that EVs, acting as mobile batteries, can enhance grid reliability and resilience through a "transactive grid" enabled by digital technologies and FERC order 2222, provided that grid capacity is expanded to accommodate new loads.

The policy brief examines the opportunities and challenges of a sustainable energy transition partnership between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU). It highlights Africa's vast renewable potential and the EU's need for clean energy, while cautioning against post-colonial rhetoric and the economic risks for African fossil-fuel-dependent nations. The authors recommend a joint vision focused on infrastructure investment, technology transfer, and job creation to ensure a just transition.

The document analyzes the proliferation of 'climate neutrality' and 'net zero' targets among governments and corporations, noting that while some contribute positively to climate goals, others lack transparency and may obscure a lack of ambition. It emphasizes the need for clear information on coverage, target years, and the role of offsets to prevent the misrepresentation of climate action.

The report analyzes 46 green bonds (USD 37bn) issued in H1 2020. It finds that green bonds generally outperformed vanilla equivalents in terms of book cover and spread compression, particularly in the EUR market. Despite a general market sell-off during the COVID-19 pandemic, green bonds maintained sufficient liquidity and showed resilience. Approximately 55% of allocations went to green or socially responsible investors. While the 'greenium' (pricing inside the yield curve) was less consistent than in H2 2019, 11 of 21 bonds with buildable yield curves priced on or inside their curves. The report also highlights the emergence of the communications sector, exemplified by Swisscom, and the growth of green bond ETFs.

The policy brief examines the opportunities and challenges of a sustainable energy transition partnership between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU). It highlights Africa's vast renewable energy potential and the possibility of energy trade via Power-to-X technologies, while cautioning that the EU must avoid post-colonial rhetoric and provide tailor-made incentives for fossil-fuel-dependent African nations. The authors recommend joint vision formulation, large-scale green infrastructure investment through blended finance, and a focus on job creation and education to ensure a just transition.

The authors contend that because urgent global emission reductions are required, the focus must shift from whether a national pathway is 'fair' to how quickly emissions can be reduced in all countries. They propose a framework where developed countries, whose domestic potential may be lower than their fair share responsibility, provide financial and non-financial support to developing countries to implement high-ambition reductions and avoid sectoral lock-ins. This support should target difficult-to-decarbonize sectors such as energy supply, industry, buildings, and transport, utilizing instruments like international climate finance and Article 6.4 market mechanisms.

The document examines India's energy sector response to COVID-19, noting a trend of continued support for domestic coal and thermal power despite global clean energy goals. It highlights that while some clean energy initiatives exist, such as electric vehicle policies in Delhi and solar power for farmers in Andhra Pradesh, fossil fuel support remains dominant. The briefing advocates for a comprehensive green industrial policy for solar manufacturing, the phase-out of inefficient thermal plants, and the implementation of 'just transition' frameworks to support coal-dependent communities.

The Canadian federal government has introduced a strategic assessment requiring major infrastructure projects with lifespans extending beyond 2050 to provide a concrete plan for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. While some critics argue the measure lacks a rigorous 'climate test' or is an improper strategic tool, the author contends its primary value lies in providing decision-makers with additional information and signaling to promoters that strict climate policies are forthcoming. The document highlights that high-emission, high-cost projects face risks of stranded assets due to future policy shifts and investment reorientations. While the author notes that the strategic assessment alone may not prevent stranded assets—especially since it only applies to projects lasting past 2050—it is viewed as a step toward investment stability. The author suggests that a 'climate accountability framework' with intermediate emission reduction milestones would further bridge the gap between long-term goals and short-term actions.

The document analyzes strategies for scaling Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) to meet IPCC 1.5°C goals. It recommends supporting biological CDR through domestic regulation rather than carbon markets due to non-permanence risks, and suggests targeted R&D and pilot support for technological CDR (BECCS, DACCS, enhanced weathering, and mineral carbonation). Crucially, it argues that separate targets for emissions and removals are superior to combined net-zero targets to prevent the diversion of attention from essential emission reductions and to prepare for a future net-negative CO2 phase.