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The 2024 Global Steel Plant Tracker and Global Blast Furnace Tracker data show a growing momentum toward electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking, with 49% of capacity under development using this route. However, significant carbon lock-in risks persist as 308 mtpa of new coal-based blast furnace capacity is under development, primarily in Asia. India has surpassed China as the top overall steel developer, though China remains the largest operator of emissions-intensive capacity. While direct reduced iron (DRI) capacity is increasing, its climate impact depends on the transition to green hydrogen reducing agents, as much current capacity relies on methane or coal.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and Earthjustice advocate for state-mandated transparent ESG data disclosure to prevent greenwashing and human rights violations. They specifically criticize the use of carbon offsets by fossil fuel companies to justify the expansion of oil and gas production, arguing that such practices rearrange rather than reduce emissions and often violate human rights.

The We Mean Business Coalition calls on the EU Council to prioritize a rapid transition from fossil fuels to clean energy in its 2024-2029 strategic agenda. The Coalition argues that fast decarbonization is essential for economic resilience and competitiveness, especially as the US and China invest heavily in clean energy. They advocate for a robust 2040 climate target of at least 90% emissions reductions and a holistic approach integrating climate, nature, society, and economy to achieve a climate-neutral and socially fair Europe.

The report evaluates the transition plans of Enel, ENGIE, EPH, Iberdrola, and Statkraft, finding that none have committed to phasing out fossil gas power in Europe or the OECD by 2035. While Iberdrola and Statkraft are highlighted as following better practices by focusing on sustainable power solutions, EPH is identified as an industry laggard with a strategy heavily reliant on coal and gas. Enel and ENGIE are described as having conflicting strategies that combine renewable growth with continued fossil gas development and reliance on immature technologies like hydrogen and CCUS. The analysis emphasizes that current CAPEX allocations for several utilities remain too high for fossil fuels to meet the IEA's Net-zero Emissions by 2050 scenario.

The author warns that a rightward political shift in the EU and UK could lead to the rollback of climate regulations and the weakening of the European Green Deal. While EU citizens express high levels of concern for climate change, competing priorities like security and healthcare may lead them to vote for parties hostile to green policies. The text urges activists to combat political apathy and maintain climate action on the political agenda even if climate-skeptical forces gain power.

The Climate Bonds Initiative introduces a tool for financial institutions to evaluate corporate transition maturity across five categories, ranging from 'No Action' to 'Net Zero Achieved'. The system uses specific indicators across commitment, emission targets, implementation strategies, governance, and performance to determine if a company's financing can be labeled as 'transition finance' or 'green finance'. It emphasizes the need for science-based benchmarks, trackable annual actions, and board-level governance, while providing a weighted scoring method for companies with multiple business activities.

The Climate Bonds Initiative presents a tool for financial institutions to classify corporate transition maturity into five categories: No action, Committed, Aligning, Aligned, and Net zero. The system uses specific indicators across five components—Commitment, Emissions Targets, Delivery Strategy, Governance, and Performance—to determine a corporate's status. It distinguishes between 'short-term+' and 'full-term' plans within the 'Aligning' category and allows 'Climate Solutions' to be categorised as 'Aligned' for a limited period. The guide also provides a weighted-average methodology for corporates with multiple business activities and suggests that financing for corporates in the 'Aligning' and 'Aligned' categories can be considered 'transition finance'.

The analysis reveals a significant gap in climate action between large private and public companies, with private firms trailing in both the adoption of net zero targets and the publication of delivery plans. While 70% of the largest public companies have net zero targets, only 40% of the largest private companies have done so. Furthermore, only 20% of private companies with targets have published plans to deliver them, compared to 80% of public companies. Geographically, private companies in the EU and UK show higher adoption rates (75%) than those in the US (22%), while China has seen a slight increase from one to four companies with targets since 2022.

The report finds a substantial gap between the world's largest public and private companies regarding net zero commitments. While 70% of the largest public companies have set net zero targets, only 40% of the largest private companies have done so. Furthermore, private companies show a critical lack of integrity in their pledges; only 20% of those with net zero targets have published plans to achieve them, compared to 80% of public companies. The analysis highlights that high-emitting private sectors, particularly fossil fuels, are largely avoiding targets. The report argues that emerging regulations, such as the EU's CSRD and CSDDD, as well as California's SB 253 and SB 261, are essential to compel private companies to disclose emissions and adopt mandatory transition plans to mitigate transition risks.

The report finds that while the VCM is viewed as a strategic tool for achieving net zero and incentivizing internal decarbonization, its growth is stymied by a lack of recognition from climate goal standard-setters and perceived reputational risks. Survey data suggests that if standard-setters like the SBTi recognized carbon credits and regulatory claims codes were adopted, corporate spending and the setting of ambitious emissions targets would increase significantly.

The 2023 update on the 70 largest public financial institutions (PFIs) shows minimal progress in climate commitments, with only two institutions adding new net zero or Paris alignment targets. Analysis of smaller PFIs in emerging markets and developing economies indicates that climate mainstreaming is driven more by shareholder government support than by institutional capacity.

The guide outlines how to detect greenwashing by analyzing emissions data, target setting, and the use of controversial technologies. It emphasizes the importance of absolute emissions over intensity targets and warns against the over-reliance on carbon offsets, natural gas, and unproven carbon removal technologies.

Ember's submission to the NSW Parliament inquiry into Net Zero highlights that the coal mining sector is the biggest potential risk to the state's emission goals. The document argues that existing federal mechanisms, such as the Safeguard Mechanism and the Coal Mine Waste Gas method, are insufficient to drive material onsite reductions. Using Tahmoor Colliery as a case study, Ember demonstrates that Ventilation Air Methane (VAM) mitigation via Regenerative Thermal Oxidiser (RTO) technology is technically and commercially feasible but underutilised due to a lack of state-led regulatory pressure and the availability of carbon offsets. The submission calls for a pause on new coal mine expansions and a dedicated report from the Net Zero Commission by June 2025 to assess sectoral risks and develop a coal-specific emissions target.

The Green Economy Coalition advocates for a fair green industrial strategy in the UK, criticizing the Labour Party for abandoning its £28 billion green investment pledge. The document highlights the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as a successful example of structural policymaking that leverages private investment—estimated by Goldman Sachs at $3 trillion—into renewable energy. It argues that government leadership through clear, long-term commitments and mandatory net zero targets is essential to attract business investment, ensure energy security, and protect vulnerable workers during the transition from fossil fuels.

The Climate Bonds Standard version 4.1 provides a science-based framework for certifying Use of Proceeds (UoP) debt instruments, physical assets, non-financial legal entities, and sustainability-linked debt (SLD). Certification requires alignment with sector-specific criteria and independent verification by Approved Verifiers. For entities and SLDs, the standard emphasizes 'Hallmarks' of a credibly transitioning company, including Paris-aligned targets, robust transition plans, and public disclosure. The framework includes strict exclusions for the parent group regarding fossil fuel expansion and high-carbon-stock land conversion.

The statement critiques the current state of financial sector decarbonization targets, noting that data gaps and flawed methodologies allow institutions to manipulate metrics. It calls for better-designed goals and stricter exclusion policies to ensure alignment with the 1.5 °C target and a halt to fossil fuel expansion.

The document critiques the current state of financial sector decarbonization targets, arguing that reliance on 'financed emissions' metrics—specifically those using Enterprise Value Including Cash (EVIC)—allows banks to report emissions reductions based on stock market volatility rather than actual decarbonization. It highlights how banks like Deutsche Bank and Crédit Agricole met targets early due to soaring energy stock prices in 2022. The author warns against 'gaming' metrics through concepts like 'energy mix' targets or 'Expected Emission Reduction' (EER) and calls for a comprehensive dashboard of absolute targets, facilitated emissions tracking, and strict exclusion policies for fossil fuel expansion.

The document highlights that 2023 is virtually certain to be the hottest year on record, driven by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. It details the resulting increase in extreme weather events, the long-term trend of rapid warming since the industrial revolution, and the necessity of transitioning to clean energy to meet global climate targets.

Reclaim Finance argues that Crédit Agricole's new climate commitments are insufficient because they do not explicitly ban the financing of new oil and gas infrastructure, such as LNG terminals. While the bank increased its target for reducing financed emissions from oil and gas loans to 75% by 2030, the organization notes that this does not guarantee an end to support for companies developing new fossil projects. The statement highlights specific examples of continued involvement, including the Port Arthur LNG terminal in the US and advisory services for the Papua LNG project, and criticizes the exclusion of only independent extraction companies while sparing integrated oil majors.

The Climate Action Tracker finds that warming projections have not improved since 2021, with current government 2030 targets leading to 2.5°C of warming. The briefing argues that 'abated' fossil fuel strategies and techno-fixes like CCS are insufficient, calling instead for a full fossil fuel phase-out and specific 'must haves' for 2035 NDCs, including tripling renewables and cutting fossil fuel production by 40% by 2030.