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Zombie Energy: Climate benefits of ending subsidies to fossil fuel production
The report argues that fossil fuel production subsidies create "zombie energy"—reserves that are only viable due to government support—and contribute to carbon lock-in. Using the GSI-IF(p) model and G20 data as a proxy, the authors estimate that a global removal of these subsidies could reduce GHG emissions by 37 to 175 Gt of CO2 between 2017 and 2050, depending on market price assumptions. It further finds that 120–138 Gt of CO2 equivalent in reserves would become uneconomical to produce, representing 13–15% of existing and under-construction reserves as of 2015. The report emphasizes that capex subsidies provide the strongest long-term signals for investment and carbon lock-in.
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Document type: Research paper
Economics of Climate Change Mitigation in Central and West Asia
The report analyzes GHG mitigation in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, finding that while these countries have high GHG intensity due to fossil fuel reliance, significant low-cost abatement is possible through energy efficiency and fuel switching. It proposes specific Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) and investment concepts for each country to transition toward low-carbon growth.
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Document type: Report
After Paris: can the private sector deliver climate compatible development?
The document examines the intersection of private sector activity and climate policy, highlighting the potential for a 'new industrial revolution' in green technology. It balances optimism regarding falling costs of renewables and new financial instruments with warnings about 'brown pillars' of the economy, market failures, and the risk of social dislocation similar to that seen during globalisation. The author argues for a public-private partnership where governments shape markets and provide social safety nets to ensure a just transition.
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Document type: Report
Innovation and use policies required to realize investment and emission reductions in the materials sector
The report argues that achieving the EU's 2050 climate targets requires a broad portfolio of innovative production processes, material substitution, and efficiency gains. It proposes an integrated policy approach combining EU ETS reform—specifically the 'inclusion of consumption' to ensure carbon price pass-through—with public procurement and targeted innovation support, such as carbon contracts for differences, to overcome investment risks and the 'technology valley of death'.
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Document type: Report
2017_lancet_canada_brief-d5b350a3c2f6d2aa.pdf
The document outlines the intersection of climate change and public health in Canada, highlighting risks such as extreme heat, wildfires, and food insecurity, particularly in the Arctic and among Indigenous populations. It advocates for a rapid phase-out of coal-powered electricity by 2030, the implementation of a National Active Transport Strategy, and the integration of Health Impact Assessments into federal environmental processes to mitigate health risks and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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Document type: Policy brief
The Green Economy Barometer 2017
The 2017 Green Economy Barometer reports a dual reality: while renewable energy capacity is growing and green technologies are hitting mass markets, the 'brown economy' remains dominant, biodiversity is in crisis, and financial systems continue to subsidise fossil fuels. The document argues that the transition is gathering speed but risks failure if it does not address the needs of rural economies, informal workers, and the youth unemployment crisis.
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Document type: Report
HEAT MAPS
The report identifies 'high-impact' countries critical to achieving universal sustainable energy access. It highlights that 85% of people lacking clean cooking fuels live in 20 high-impact countries and 80% of those without electricity reside in 20 high-impact nations, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. While some countries like India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have enabling policy environments, many others lack the regulatory frameworks and creditworthy utilities needed to attract investment. The report also notes that global energy efficiency improvements (2.1% annually in 2012-14) are below the 2.6% target, and doubling the renewable energy share in the global mix by 2030 requires a rise from 18.3% to 36% of Total Final Energy Consumption.
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Document type: Report
Progress report on support for REDD-plus
The GCF Secretariat is developing a request for proposals (RFP) for REDD+ results-based payments (RBPs) and guidance for early-phase engagement. Drawing on a COP 22 dialogue and existing frameworks like the Warsaw Framework for REDD+, the Secretariat is analyzing key operational elements including the scale of intervention, access modalities, carbon pricing, and the reconciliation of Cancun safeguards with GCF environmental and social safeguards. The report outlines a process for gathering further technical and stakeholder input to finalize these instruments.
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Document type: Report
TRANSFORMATION TO ZERO SUMMIT PRELIMINARY REPORT-OUT
The Transformation to Zero Summit, convened by RMI, NBI, and Architecture 2030, identified key strategies to transition the building sector to zero carbon by 2050. The group prioritized generating demand across specific real estate sectors, driving national models for reach codes and standards, and addressing embodied carbon and workforce training. The organizers plan to conduct a gap analysis of their respective activities to operationalize these goals and develop a comprehensive aligned strategy.
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Document type: Report
Transitional Policies to Assist the Poor While Phasing Out Inefficient Fossil Fuel Subsidies That Encourage Wasteful Consumption
The report argues that Bangladesh's state-dominated oil market and ad-hoc pricing policy create severe fiscal burdens, hinder investment, and encourage carbon emissions. It finds that oil subsidies primarily benefit the rich and upper-middle classes rather than the poor. To address these issues, the authors recommend a phased transition toward market-based pricing, the deregulation of all oil market segments to encourage private investment, and the implementation of targeted cash transfers to protect vulnerable populations from price increases.
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Document type: Research paper
HOW ENERGY-INTENSIVE COMPANIES CASH IN ON THEIR POLLUTION AT TAXPAYERS’ EXPENSE
The report argues that the EU ETS's 'carbon leakage' rules have allowed heavy industry to generate over €25 billion in windfall profits from 2008 to 2015. It claims that free allocation of pollution permits has cost governments at least €143 billion in lost auctioning revenues, reduced incentives for efficiency, and lacks empirical evidence of actual carbon leakage. The document calls for phasing out free allocations and establishing a Just Transition Fund to support impacted communities.
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Document type: Report
Open letter to members of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety of the European Parliament on the revision of the EU ETS
A coalition of 31 environmental organisations calls for a meaningful carbon price and reformed funding mechanisms within the EU ETS revision to phase out fossil fuels and support a just transition in Europe.
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Document type: Statement
Exxon sued in US for allegedly misleading investors on climate risk
A group of US investors filed a class action lawsuit against Exxon Mobil Corporation on 8 November 2016, alleging the company made "false and misleading statements" about climate change impacts to artificially inflate its value. The claim follows a 13% drop in stock price and reports that Exxon may need to write down nearly 20% of its oil and gas assets. The document warns that other oil majors, including Chevron, Oxy, ConocoPhilipps, Total, BP, and Shell, also show poor disclosure quality according to InfluenceMap, and urges investors to engage with companies to ensure robust disclosure of energy transition risks.
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Document type: Briefing
UNLOCKING CLIMATE FINANCE TO BUILD RESILIENCE
We Mean Business calls for the fulfillment of the $100 billion annual climate finance pledge by developed countries and the implementation of the 'Road Map to $100 billion'. The organization emphasizes that while public finance is crucial for trust and predictability, the transition to a low-carbon economy requires trillions in investment, necessitating a shift in the financial system to leverage private capital through green bonds, Green Investment Banks, and enhanced corporate reporting.
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Document type: Statement
Joint statement by CEE civil society organisations on implementing the Paris Agreement
The document argues that EU climate tools must be reformed to support a low-carbon transition in Central and Eastern Europe, specifically calling for a 55% emission reduction target by 2030 and the phase-out of fossil fuel and nuclear energy subsidies.
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Document type: Statement
Cement’s pollution windfall from the EU ETS
The cement industry in 20 European countries generated €5 billion in windfall profits between 2008 and 2015 due to the EU ETS, which the document argues subsidises pollution and hinders decarbonisation. These profits were derived from surplus allowances (€2.7 billion), cost-pass through (€2.1 billion), and offsets (€0.1 billion), with the highest gains in Spain, Italy, and Germany. The brief identifies failures such as low carbon prices and benchmarks that incentivise high-carbon clinker production, noting that European production is less energy efficient than that of India. To drive decarbonisation, the author recommends ending free allocations, introducing 100% auctioning with benchmarked border levelling to prevent carbon leakage, and replacing clinker benchmarks with cement benchmarks.
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Document type: Policy brief
Industry windfall profits from Europe’s carbon market 2008-2015
Between 2008 and 2015, heavy industry in 20 European countries generated over €25 billion in windfall profits from the EU ETS. These profits were primarily driven by the free allocation of emission allowances intended to prevent "carbon leakage," a phenomenon the report argues is unsubstantiated by evidence. The most significant gains came from cost-pass through to customers (€16.8 billion), followed by the sale of surplus allowances (€7.5 billion) and the use of cheaper international offsets (€0.8 billion). The iron and steel, cement, refineries, and petrochemicals sectors were the primary beneficiaries. The report concludes that these subsidies reduce the incentive for industrial decarbonisation and deprive governments of an estimated €143 billion in potential auctioning revenues, recommending a phase-out of free allocations and the establishment of a Just Transition Fund.
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Document type: Policy brief
United States Mid-Century Strategy FOR DEEP DECARBONIZATION
The United States Mid-Century Strategy (MCS) provides a roadmap for deep decarbonization by 2050, focusing on three primary pillars: transitioning to a low-carbon energy system, enhancing the land carbon sink, and reducing non-CO2 emissions. The strategy emphasizes a combination of aggressive energy efficiency, near-complete decarbonization of the electricity grid, and the deployment of carbon removal technologies like BECCS. It argues that these goals are compatible with robust economic growth and suggests that a carbon price starting at $20 per metric ton in 2017 could put energy CO2 emissions on a consistent pathway. The report also highlights the critical role of U.S. forests and soils in sequestering carbon and the necessity of international cooperation to drive down technology costs and prevent emissions leakage.
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Document type: Report
Élimination des subventions au Canada : le rôle du Québec dans l’atteinte de l’objectif fédéral
The document examines the fossil fuel subsidies provided by the province of Quebec, which primarily take the form of fuel tax relief. It argues that these subsidies act as a 'negative carbon price' that undermines Quebec's own greenhouse gas reduction targets and Canada's international commitments. The author identifies several key tax exemptions for aviation, rail, and regional consumers, and suggests mitigation strategies to support vulnerable sectors during a transition to cleaner energy.
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Document type: Briefing
Paris Agreement in force, but no increase in climate action
One year after the Paris Agreement's adoption, the Climate Action Tracker (CAT) finds that national climate policies have made little progress. If NDCs are fully implemented, global warming by 2100 is estimated at 2.8°C, while current policies would lead to 3.6°C. A significant emissions gap remains for 2025 and 2030. The report highlights specific national trajectories, noting that most assessed NDCs are inadequate or medium in ambition, with particular concerns regarding the US, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, while noting positive renewable energy growth in India.
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Document type: Report