Search Climate Insights Directory

The briefing outlines the scientific consensus that human activities, primarily fossil fuel combustion, are unequivocally causing climate change, leading to unprecedented warming and extreme weather. It warns that current national commitments are insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C, potentially leading to 2.8°C by 2100, which would severely threaten food security, health, and biodiversity. To avoid this, the document argues for urgent, transformative changes, including widespread electrification, a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels, and significant methane reductions by 2030. While noting that investment in fossil fuels still outweighs adaptation and mitigation funding, it highlights progress in the falling costs of solar, wind, and battery technologies, as well as the increasing adoption of electric vehicles and climate legislation.

The paper identifies a critical lack of robust climate risk data and analysis in Africa, which may lead to incorrect asset valuations and increased financial stability and sovereign risks. It proposes a six-category framework for climate risk information—data, analysis, disclosure and reporting, targets, risk management, and capacity-building—to help financial decision-makers close these gaps. While all four studied countries have initiatives for disclosure and reporting, South Africa shows the most comprehensive approach, covering five of the six categories. The author recommends that countries integrate financial sector transformation into their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and expand climate risk mapping to include public financial institutions.

The study finds that the Swedish finance sector is cautious regarding risk and unlikely to lead sustainability transitions without significant government intervention, such as CO2 taxes or risk-mitigation mechanisms.

The author contends that high fossil-fuel prices are essential market drivers for energy efficiency and the shift to renewables. To prevent social instability and energy poverty, the document proposes that EU governments avoid capping fuel prices and instead provide direct, inflation-linked compensation for heating, cooling, and food costs. Long-term recommendations include removing fossil-fuel subsidies, implementing a common EU carbon tax, expanding mass public transport, and shifting toward mission-oriented budgeting and ecological tax reform.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) argues that South Africa's current approach to a just transition is dominated by market-based solutions and 'techno-fixes' that preserve a problematic economic structure. The report identifies the Minerals-Energy Complex (MEC) and neoliberal macroeconomic frameworks as primary drivers of both climate emissions and social inequality. To counter this, the IEJ proposes a 'caring rights-based economy' centered on human and planetary well-being, advocating for public ownership of energy, a job guarantee, and restorative justice to address historical losses. The document outlines specific measures across social, industrial, labour, land, and macroeconomic policies to ensure the transition does not exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, particularly for Black women and coal-sector workers.

The memorandum outlines a series of legislative amendments to the South African tax regime. Key proposals include a ramp-up of the carbon tax rate to US$30/tCO2e by 2030, the extension of energy efficiency and electricity price neutrality incentives until 2025, and the introduction of an excise duty on vaping products. It also addresses technical corrections in retirement fund transfers, insurance accounting under IFRS 17, and VAT registration for foreign suppliers.

A survey of 908 registered U.S. voters conducted in April and May 2022 reveals that while global warming is a lower-ranked general voting priority, there is broad cross-partisan support for specific clean energy and conservation policies. The report highlights a significant divide between Democrats and Republicans regarding the urgency of climate action and the economic impact of clean energy, while noting widespread distrust in the U.S. government's response to the issue.

The document argues that Indonesia's heavy reliance on coal and oil and gas creates significant social and economic risks that necessitate a 'just transition' framework. It highlights a lack of institutionalized social dialogue and the continued use of fossil fuel subsidies and recovery funding for the fossil fuel sector. The author recommends institutionalizing tripartite social dialogue, diversifying the economy in fossil-fuel-dependent regions, and utilizing state-owned enterprises to drive a green recovery through conditionalities.

The annex outlines the technical specifications for forecasting Tunisia's development to 2040. It details data replacements from sources like UNICEF and the National Statistics Bureau, and specifies interventions across four scenarios: a common baseline, 'Going for Growth', 'Leapfrogging', and 'Sustainability & Equality'. These interventions target economic freedom, corruption, education quality, ICT infrastructure, renewable energy, and carbon taxation.

The Netherlands aims to reduce industrial GHG emissions by 59% by 2030 and reach climate neutrality by 2050. The government employs a 'carrot-and-stick' approach, using a National CO2 Tax as a floor price and the SDE++ subsidy scheme to support low-carbon technologies. CCS is currently prioritized as a cost-effective transition technology, with projects like Porthos nearing final investment decisions. Hydrogen strategy involves a transition from grey to blue and eventually green hydrogen, supported by plans for a national 'hydrogen backbone' utilizing existing gas infrastructure. However, the report notes that current policy is insufficient to enable gigawatt-scale green hydrogen projects, and the SDE++ scheme tends to favor mature technologies over long-term innovation.

The report identifies 78 support measures for Indonesia's energy sector between FY 2016 and FY 2020, finding that 94.1% of the estimated value (IDR 1,153 trillion) supported fossil fuels, while renewable energy received less than 1%. The analysis highlights a significant imbalance in funding, with the majority of support benefiting producers over consumers and heavily favoring oil, gas, coal, and fossil-fuel-based electricity, thereby potentially hindering Indonesia's net-zero 2060 goal.

The document identifies significant implementation gaps in Sweden's path to a fossil-free welfare society by 2045, specifically within the food and transport sectors. In transport, it highlights a lack of tailored strategies for rural populations and a reliance on reactive policies to manage fuel price shocks. In the food sector, it notes a critical absence of clear consumption-based emission targets and a failure to address the need for significant dietary shifts, such as reducing animal protein intake.

The paper argues that developing countries lack the financial sector capacity to fund the scale of investment required for low-carbon transitions. It distinguishes between 'commercially viable technologies' that need scaled-up investment and 'financially underserved technologies' that require de-risking. Proposed solutions include the creation of a Global Clean Investment Risk Mitigation Mechanism (GCI-RMM), the implementation of sustainable taxonomies and corporate disclosures, and the use of carbon pricing. The authors emphasize that multilateral cooperation is essential to harmonize these regulations and increase grant-based concessional finance to catalyze private investment.

The report examines how COP26 outcomes, such as pledges to end deforestation and phase out fossil fuel vehicles, drive demand for critical minerals in Africa. It emphasizes that while the energy transition offers economic opportunities, mining companies must adopt ESG frameworks and UN Sustainable Development Goals to ensure a 'just decarbonisation process' and avoid community conflict. The document highlights the challenge of scope 3 emissions and recommends that African governments create incentive platforms for decarbonisation.

The report finds that while a majority of U.S. registered voters support various clean energy policies and prefer candidates who take action on global warming, the issue ranks relatively low as a primary voting priority. There is significant political polarization, with strong support for climate action among Democrats and substantial opposition or indifference among conservative Republicans. Voters generally trust scientific and medical sources over political or industry ones and express widespread dissatisfaction with the U.S. government's response to global warming.

A survey of 908 registered U.S. voters reveals broad support for clean energy policies and conservation, though global warming remains a lower priority for voters compared to the economy. While 58% prefer candidates who support climate action, significant political polarization exists regarding the urgency of the issue and the role of the federal government. Trust in information sources is highest for NASA and climate scientists, while blame for global warming is primarily directed at developing countries and fossil fuel companies.

The document examines the World Bank Group's (WBG) role in expanding fossil gas infrastructure in Indonesia, asserting that this strategy locks the country into long-term greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. It highlights contradictions between WBG strategies, such as the Country Partnership Framework 2021-24 and the Indonesia Economic Prospects Report, and global climate goals like the IEA's Net Zero Emissions by 2050 roadmap. The report specifically cites the WBG's support for the BP Tangguh project and warns against 'false solutions' like Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and coal gasification.

The document examines the COVID-19 macroeconomic responses of South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Benin, Tanzania, and Uganda. It finds that wealthier, more open economies like South Africa and Senegal were more vulnerable to trade shocks but had greater capacity for fiscal and financial stimulus. In contrast, Tanzania and Benin experienced marginal growth deceleration due to minimal government reactions. The report highlights a looming 'debt repayment wall' peaking in 2024 and argues for a transition toward green energy, diversified revenue bases, and the redirection of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) from high-income nations to support African development and climate adaptation.

The submission contends that ISDS mechanisms allow fossil fuel companies to shift the financial risk of stranded assets onto taxpayers and create a 'regulatory chill' that discourages governments from implementing emissions-reduction policies. It highlights that the fossil fuel industry is the most litigious sector in ISDS, accounting for nearly 20% of cases. The authors argue that the perceived benefits of investment agreements in attracting renewable energy are unproven, while the costs—including massive compensation awards—are high. To align investment law with the Paris Agreement, the document recommends the OECD explore multilateral termination of treaties, the removal of protections for carbon-intensive investments, and the creation of 'climate carve-outs' to exempt climate-related measures from arbitration.

The submission contends that ISDS mechanisms allow foreign investors, particularly in the fossil fuel industry, to challenge climate policies and shift the financial risk of stranded assets onto taxpayers. It highlights a 'regulatory chill' effect where states may avoid implementing environmental rules to evade costly arbitration. The authors argue that the perceived benefits of investment treaties in attracting capital are unproven, while the costs—including massive compensation awards—are high. To resolve this, the document recommends that the OECD promote multilateral termination of treaties, the removal of protections for carbon-intensive investments, and the creation of 'climate carve-outs' to ensure that measures aligned with the Paris Agreement cannot be interpreted as treaty breaches.