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The statement by Reclaim Finance criticizes NatWest for a lack of clarity regarding its fossil fuel financing policies. Despite commitments to net-zero by 2050 and a coal phase-out by 2030, the bank remains among the top 50 most polluting banks globally, having provided over $13 billion in fossil fuel financing between 2016 and 2020. The author highlights specific gaps in NatWest's coal exit strategy, noting continued support for companies like Glencore and RWE, and demands clear 'red lines' for the 'credible transition plans' required of oil and gas producers by the end of 2021.

Reclaim Finance asserts that the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) is failing to drive a real movement away from coal despite growing membership. The organization highlights that most financial institution members continue to fund coal development, and co-chairs Canada and the United Kingdom, along with members like Mexico and Germany, exhibit contradictory behaviors such as planning new mines or power plants. The document calls for the PPCA to reform its criteria to include the entire coal sector and align with Paris Agreement timetables ahead of COP26.

Reclaim Finance asserts that the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) has failed to translate its membership growth into a real coal phase-out. The organization highlights that most financial members continue to fund coal, and several member states, including Canada and the UK, are pursuing new coal projects or exports. It calls for a reform of PPCA principles to include mines and infrastructure and demands that financial institutions adopt policies based on the Coal Policy Tool to meet Paris Agreement timelines.

Reclaim Finance criticizes Société Générale for participating in a 1 billion euro loan to the EPH group, alleging that the bank uses semantic loopholes in its exclusion policy to continue financing coal-heavy entities. The document highlights that EPH produces 40 million tonnes of coal annually, far exceeding the bank's 10 million tonne threshold, yet avoids exclusion because the policy targets extraction entities rather than parent companies. The author warns that this approach could also allow the financing of other mining giants like Glencore and notes that other banks in the EPH consortium, such as UniCredit and ING, may be acting inconsistently with their own coal exit schedules.

The European Commission has opened formal investigations into compensations provided to RWE (EUR 2.6 billion) and LEAG (EUR 1.75 billion) for the closure of lignite plants in Germany by 2038. The Commission preliminarily concludes these payments constitute state aid and expresses doubts regarding their proportionality, specifically whether the calculations for foregone profits and mine rehabilitation costs are realistic or lead to overcompensation. ClientEarth argues that the aid may violate the 'polluter pays principle' regarding mine recultivation and that declining market conditions and rising CO2 prices make the assumed long lifespans of the plants unrealistic.

The Mátra Power Plant in northern Hungary is implementing a strategy to phase out lignite by 2029 by integrating solar PV, biomass, and a green industrial park. This approach aims to preserve between 6,800 and 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in a region with lower-than-average GDP. While the plant has successfully installed over 40 MW of solar PV and established an industrial park with 23 firms, it faces challenges including financial losses due to EU CO2 prices, a reliance on EU subsidies for restructuring, and a lack of documented training plans for transitioning coal workers.

Enel, Italy's largest power utility, has implemented a just transition framework and the Futur-e program to repurpose 23 power plants and one mine by 2030. The strategy focuses on avoiding layoffs through social dialogue with trade unions, early retirement incentives, and reskilling programs. While Enel reports that all affected workers from closed sites were voluntarily relocated as of 2019, the program faces challenges regarding the economic feasibility of site redevelopment and indirect socio-economic impacts on local communities.

Ontario phased out coal-fired electricity by 2014, initially lacking a just transition plan for the 770 affected workers across four plants. Following local advocacy, the Atikokan and Thunder Bay stations were converted to 100% biomass to preserve jobs and support the forest products sector. While the Atikokan Generating Station became the largest biomass plant in North America, the Thunder Bay station closed in 2018 due to low energy demand and equipment corrosion. The document highlights that while conversion provided short-term economic stability and research opportunities, the lack of preemptive planning and failure to account for long-term energy demand posed significant challenges.

The document examines the 2018 establishment of Germany's "Coal Commission," which aimed to balance climate goals with a just transition for workers and coal-dependent regions. The commission proposed ending coal-fired power by 2038, supported by an estimated 69 billion to 93 billion euros in measures, including a 40 billion euro investment in affected regions. While praised for its multi-stakeholder approach and clear mandate, the plan faced criticism from NGOs for lacking ambition and providing excessive compensation to power plant operators.

The Ruhr region in western Germany transitioned from a coal-mining hub to a green industry and knowledge economy between the 1950s and 2018. Initial top-down policies faced resistance from industry and unions, leading to economic lock-in. However, a shift toward decentralized, inclusive strategies and a 2007 tripartite agreement ensured a just transition for workers through early retirement, retraining, and relocation. While massive public investment in infrastructure and education helped maintain low unemployment and foster environmental technology sectors, the transition resulted in uneven outcomes, with the northern Ruhr area experiencing higher poverty and unemployment.

The EU's Just Transition Mechanism is a three-pillar framework designed to mitigate socio-economic disruptions caused by the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050. It focuses on regions dependent on coal, lignite, peat, and oil shale, providing a combination of grants and loans to support economic diversification, reskilling, and infrastructure. While the mechanism requires national Territorial Just Transition Plans for funding, challenges remain regarding the fund's size, the inclusion of social partners in governance, and the alignment of member state climate targets with EU goals.

Alberta, Canada, committed to ending coal power pollution by 2030, a goal it is currently exceeding. To manage the transition, the province established the Climate Leadership Plan, which included an economy-wide carbon tax and the 'Off-Coal Agreements' providing CAD 1.36 billion to utilities for converting to natural gas. The government implemented a CAD 40 million Coal Workforce Transition Fund offering retirement bridges, relocation assistance, and tuition vouchers, alongside a CAD 5 million Coal Community Transition Fund for economic diversification. While social dialogue and early phase-out progress are strengths, challenges remain regarding the long-term availability of funding and the risk of investing in non-climate-friendly infrastructure.

The document describes the decline of the Ukrainian coal industry and the subsequent social and economic challenges in the Donetsk region. It highlights two primary initiatives for transition: the grassroots Platform for Sustainable Development of Coal Towns of Donetsk Region, which seeks economic diversification and green enterprise development, and the national Coordination Center for Transformation of Coal Regions. While the government aims to reduce state-owned coal production by 25% and create 40,000 new jobs by 2027, the document notes significant challenges, including a lack of concrete action plans, insufficient public engagement, and political instability due to armed conflict.

The RE:START strategy provides a coordinated framework for the Czech Republic's coal-dependent regions—Moravia-Silesia, Usti, and Karlovy Vary—to transition their economies. Since 2017, it has allocated approximately CZK 68 billion ($3.15 billion) toward goals including entrepreneurship, R&D, and infrastructure. While the strategy is praised for its multi-sectoral coordination and long-term financing, it faces challenges such as the lack of an official national coal phase-out date, limited public consultation, and slow project implementation.

The submission argues that South Africa's draft NDC targets are insufficiently ambitious, aligning with a 3°C temperature increase rather than the 1.5°C or 2°C goals necessary to protect public health. It highlights the severe health risks posed by climate change in South Africa, including drought, heat, and infectious diseases, and notes that coal-fired power stations cause over 2,200 deaths annually. The authors advocate for a 'green' recovery from COVID-19, urging a shift from fossil fuel investments toward renewable energy and a commitment to phase out coal by 2034. The document proposes specific co-benefit policies in energy (e.g., adopting the Climate Justice Charter), food and agriculture (e.g., incentivizing urban agriculture), and transportation (e.g., electrifying public transit) to simultaneously reduce emissions and improve health outcomes.

The document identifies an "unspoken consensus" among the UK, EU, and US that transitioning to zero-carbon power by the 2030s is essential for reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It analyzes official pathways, noting a shared commitment to rapidly phasing out coal and reducing fossil gas, while dramatically scaling up wind and solar power. The briefing highlights a "credibility gap" in other OECD nations, such as Japan and South Korea, which have net-zero targets but lack corresponding coal phase-out commitments.

The briefing argues that the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) has failed to trigger a meaningful global coal exit due to significant loopholes in its declaration and a lack of monitoring. It highlights that many financial institution members continue to invest in coal, and co-chairs Canada and the UK are not leading by example, with Canada developing new coal mines. The document calls for a reform of the PPCA to align with climate science, requiring an immediate stop to new coal projects and a full sector exit by 2030 in OECD/European countries and 2040 globally.

The report finds a significant gap between the long-term net-zero commitments of major asset managers and their actual investment practices, particularly regarding coal. Most analyzed managers lack robust coal exclusion policies, and 'passive' index investments—which represent nearly half of the assets under management in the sample—are largely exempt from climate criteria, leaving them highly exposed to the coal sector.

The text examines the forced relocation of villages near the Garzweiler lignite mine in Germany's Rhine Valley. It highlights the emotional and social trauma of residents, the inadequacy of financial compensation for non-material losses, and the perceived failure of the German government to accelerate the energy transition (Energiewende) while protecting local communities. The authors describe the emergence of activist movements like 'Alle Dörfer Bleiben' as a response to the lack of democratic influence and the prioritization of mining interests under the Federal Mining Act.

Reclaim Finance and 19 NGOs argue that converting coal plants to solid biomass in Réunion would increase greenhouse gas emissions and threaten public health and biodiversity. They call on the AFD and private financiers to suspend funding for Albioma's project and instead support a sustainable energy transition aligned with the 2030 energy autonomy goal for overseas territories.