Search Climate Insights Directory

The Mineral Resources Development Bill 2025 (MRDB) seeks to reform South African mining laws by amending the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act of 2002 and introducing artisanal and small-scale mining permits. While the government aims to accelerate projects and increase domestic mineral processing, including minerals for clean energy, the document highlights risks to water, soil, air, and land rights for rural communities. It specifically notes that the Bill requires only "meaningful consultation" rather than the standard of free, prior and informed consent.

The Mineral Resources Development Bill 2025 (MRDB) seeks to amend South Africa's mining laws to boost the economy, speed up project approvals, and regulate artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). While the government aims to increase local mineral processing ('beneficiation') and create jobs, the document highlights significant risks for rural communities, including the lack of a right to give or deny consent to projects and the absence of strict penalties for companies that fail to meet Social and Labour Plan (SLP) commitments.

The report examines the role of state-owned power companies (SPCs) in driving clean energy transitions within emerging markets. It highlights that while SPCs can advance energy security and socio-economic development, they often face significant debt and capital mobilization challenges. The document argues for a combination of visionary leadership, legal frameworks, shifted public finance from fossil fuels to clean energy, and innovative international financing tied to decarbonization progress. Through case studies of Eskom, NTPC, Vietnam Electricity (EVN), and Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), the report analyzes specific transition elements including just energy transition, renewable energy deployment, grid integration, and coal plant retirement.

The World Resources Institute states that H.R.1. will hinder U.S. clean energy leadership by phasing out wind and solar tax credits and introducing Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) restrictions. These measures are expected to increase electricity costs, eliminate jobs, and reduce the power system's ability to meet rising demand from AI, manufacturing, and extreme weather.

Based on a May 2025 survey of 915 registered voters, the report finds broad bipartisan support for various clean energy policies, including renewable energy research (80%) and regulating carbon dioxide as a pollutant (75%). While 79% support U.S. participation in the Paris Climate Agreement, there is a significant gap in political advocacy, with only 8% of voters having contacted government officials about global warming in the past year. The report also highlights strong support for the proposed Foreign Pollution Fee Act (81% after reading a description) and the strengthening of pollution enforcement in disproportionately impacted communities (79%).

The report argues that Brazil's plan to increase oil and gas production by 20% by 2030, largely driven by Petrobras, carries significant economic and climate risks. It finds that a majority of Petrobras' new projects would be economically unviable in a 1.5°C warming scenario and recommends that the government curb expansion, redefine Petrobras' mandate toward a transition plan, and redirect investment to avoid potential stranded asset losses of USD 13 to 36 billion.

The document analyzes the competitive landscape of green investment in Southeast Asia, highlighting China as the leading public investor in clean energy between 2013 and 2023. It details the specific technological strengths of investor nations—such as Japan's lead in geothermal and solar and China's dominance in wind and hydropower—while examining the strategic frameworks used, including China's Belt and Road Initiative and Japan's Asia Zero Emissions Community. The report also notes significant financing gaps in the region, where annual renewable investments of USD 8 billion fell far short of the USD 27 billion required to meet 2025 targets.

The joint submission argues that rather than mandating UK investment, the government should clarify fiduciary duty laws to allow trustees to consider wider societal and environmental impacts and regulate strategic asset allocation advice provided by investment consultants.

The document details the career trajectory of Melissa Le Blanc, who transitioned from a student to a leader at FortisTCI through the support of the Women in Renewable Energy (WIRE) Network and academic mentors. It highlights the role of the WIRE Network, coordinated by RMI, in providing mentorship, technical training, and job opportunities for women in the Caribbean's clean energy sector. Le Blanc's current work includes overseeing the installation of a 1.2 MW solar and battery microgrid in the Turks and Caicos Islands, which meets 30 percent of the electricity demand in North and Middle Caicos.

The document provides examples of global climate progress to counter pessimism, citing significant emissions drops in the EU and UK, China's rapid expansion of renewables and electric vehicles, and the resilience of subnational climate policies in the United States.

The document provides examples of climate progress to counter pessimism, noting that European Union emissions fell 8% in 2023 and the UK has reduced emissions by over half since 1990. It highlights China's rapid adoption of electric vehicles and its achievement of 2030 renewable targets six years early. In the United States, the text notes that carbon-pricing programs and renewable energy mandates persist at the state level despite federal policy shifts.

The COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action outlines a framework to leverage digital innovation for greenhouse gas reduction and climate resilience while addressing the digital sector's own energy and water consumption, e-waste, and the digital divide.

The We Mean Business Coalition urges the EU to distinguish between simplifying regulatory implementation and rolling back core green legislation, arguing that deregulation would penalise sustainable companies and harm long-term economic stability.

The report finds broad support among U.S. registered voters for various climate policies, including methane limits, carbon dioxide regulation, and renewable energy expansion, though support levels vary significantly by political affiliation. While a majority support the Paris Climate Agreement and the Inflation Reduction Act (after reading a description), actual political advocacy and collective efficacy remain low.

The document defines environmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or income in ensuring healthy environments. Climate justice extends these principles to address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized communities and the responsibility of wealthier nations. Energy justice frames access to clean, affordable energy as a human right and advocates for an equitable transition away from fossil fuels.

A survey of 915 registered U.S. voters in May 2025 reveals broad support for clean energy research, soil restoration, and the Paris Climate Agreement, though significant political polarization remains regarding the economic impact of the energy transition and the priority level of global warming. While many voters express willingness to take political action if asked, actual engagement remains low, hindered by barriers such as a lack of solicitation and perceived inefficacy.

The report examines the operational and policy failures of the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM), arguing that its outdated risk appetite and domestic content requirements hinder US competitiveness in the global energy transition. It highlights the leadership of foreign export credit agencies (ECAs) from China, Germany, Japan, and India in supporting clean tech and recommends specific legislative and procedural reforms—including raising the default rate cap and expanding support for critical material inputs—to ensure US high-tech industries can meet growing global demand for advanced energy solutions.

The document outlines federal resources for capacity building—defined as empowering organizations through funding and technical assistance—categorized into local energy/infrastructure planning, local health/environmental impacts, and workforce development. It details numerous programs from agencies such as the DOE, EPA, USDA, and DOT, ranging from the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund to smaller targeted grants like the $5 million Regional Energy Democracy Initiative. Additionally, it lists specific technical assistance providers and grant recipients for programs like Solar for All and RITAP.

The report tracks green finance flows in India, noting that while tracked finance reached a record high in 2021/22, further scaling is required to meet climate targets. Mitigation finance remains primarily domestic, though international contributions rose to 17% in 2021/22. The document recommends coordinated action to scale finance, enhancing adaptation funding, developing a green finance taxonomy, and improving data reporting systems.

India's tracked green finance for mitigation reached INR 3,712 billion (USD 50 billion) per annum in FY 2021/22, a 20% increase from 2019/20. However, this represents only approximately 30% of the annual finance needed to meet the country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). Mitigation finance is primarily domestic (83%), with clean energy receiving the largest share (47%). Adaptation finance saw a nearly threefold increase to INR 1,092 billion (USD 15 billion) per year, dominated by government budgetary expenditure (98%) and focused on disaster risk management. The report highlights significant investment gaps, particularly in electric vehicles and on-farm agricultural adaptation, and recommends the development of a green finance taxonomy and enhanced private sector mobilization.