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An executive summary by the NewClimate Institute analyzing the progress of the global steel sector's decarbonization efforts, focusing on the GHG reduction targets of the top 60 steel producers and the gap between current targets and 1.5°C compatible benchmarks.

The Africa Policy Research Institute outlines the requirements for a just transition in Africa, emphasizing the need for equitable climate financing, the inclusion of African perspectives in global decarbonisation plans, and the promotion of locally led food governance and urban adaptation.

This briefing from the Africa Policy Research Institute argues that the global decarbonisation agenda presents both socio-economic risks and industrial opportunities for Africa. It advocates for an 'African Green deal' to leverage the continent's mineral resources for economic diversification and industrialisation, rather than remaining a source of raw materials for the global energy transition.

The executive summary of 'Global Climate Action 2022' by the NewClimate Institute analyzes International Climate Initiatives (ICIs), noting a downward trend in productivity and performance since 2019. It highlights a significant underrepresentation of the Global South and evaluates the potential of 'Glasgow Initiatives' from COP26 to bridge the 2030 emission ambition gap, provided more large-emitting countries join and implement them.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) criticizes the $8.5-billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and its Investment Plan (JET-IP) as a market-centric deal that prioritizes private investor profits over South African local development. The IEJ argues that the deal's reliance on loans and private-sector 'de-risking' threatens to increase energy costs, maintain high state financial risk, and fail to provide adequate social security or local manufacturing support for workers in the coal belt.

This policy brief examines the barriers Local Green Entrepreneurs (LGEs) face in South Africa, specifically focusing on the lack of inclusive finance. It argues that while small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are critical for decarbonisation and climate adaptation, they are hindered by limited risk appetite from funders, compliance-driven ESG requirements, and regulatory red tape. The document recommends the development of a Green Economy Framework and the adoption of innovative finance mechanisms to support black-, youth-, and female-owned green enterprises.

This policy brief by Ember provides recommendations for the European Commission's Grids Action Plan, arguing that power grids must become the backbone of the energy system to achieve a carbon-neutral economy by 2050. The document identifies critical gaps in investment, data transparency, and planning frameworks, proposing a shift toward anticipatory grid investments and integrated system-level planning to ensure grid constraints do not hinder renewable energy deployment.

This research paper examines decarbonisation options for the heating sector in Ulaanbaatar, comparing full electrification with the use of solar assisted ground source heat pumps (SAGSHP) to reduce electricity demand and total costs.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) issued a statement to the Petroleum Agency of South Africa (PASA) raising concerns regarding transparency, environmental compliance, and climate impact assessments for onshore gas and petroleum activities. The CER highlights a lack of public information on rights holders and questions the legality of specific projects and the use of hydraulic fracturing.

A statement from the Life after Coal Campaign (LAC) and Fair Finance Southern Africa (FFSA) addressed to the South African government and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) Secretariat. The document demands greater transparency, civil society inclusion, and strict conditions on climate finance to ensure a just transition that prioritizes community needs over corporate or fossil-fuel interests.

The SAIIA Young Leaders Declaration 2022 is a statement by South African youth and educators outlining recommendations for a just, inclusive, and sustainable future. It focuses on four primary areas: global climate change and energy transition, the creation of inclusive societies, the development of sustainable communities, and socio-economic growth. The document calls for increased youth participation in policy-making, the decarbonisation of the private sector, the protection of marginalised groups, and the strengthening of African supply chains and infrastructure.

An assessment of 29 Dutch companies and financial institutions finds that none achieved high or reasonable integrity ratings for their climate targets. The 21 businesses assessed commit to an average emission reduction of 19%, falling short of the 50% reduction by 2030 needed for a 1.5°C pathway. None of the companies have publicly accessible, Paris-compatible decarbonisation plans, and the eight financial institutions reviewed continue to finance fossil fuel value chains and unsustainable agriculture.

The Net Zero Stocktake 2022 executive summary analyzes the status of net zero target setting across 4,000+ entities, including national governments, sub-national governments, and companies. While the report notes a surge in the quantity of targets and an increase in domestic legislation, it highlights a widespread lack of credibility and robustness in these pledges, particularly regarding the use of external offsets and the inclusion of Scope 3 emissions.

This research paper by the Green Economy Coalition proposes a structural agenda for a green economic recovery from COVID-19. It defines green structural reforms as systemic, long-lasting, and general-purpose interventions, contrasting them with short-term stimulus measures. The document provides a nested framework of ten high-level reform measures and a comprehensive set of prioritisation criteria (conventional, advanced, and systemic/political) to help governments move beyond emergency triage toward long-term socio-ecological transformation.

This discussion paper by Ember reviews the development of coal power in China during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) and proposes policy entry points to transition coal power from a primary energy source to a supportive role providing flexibility and backup capacity for a decarbonised grid.

This case study by Trend Asia and partners argues that the World Bank Group's (WBG) continued financial and technical support for gas infrastructure in Indonesia undermines the Paris Agreement and the country's own decarbonisation goals. The document highlights how WBG strategies encourage a transition from coal to gas rather than leapfrogging to renewables, potentially locking Indonesia into fossil fuel dependency for decades.

This research paper by the NewClimate Institute proposes a practical analytical approach to integrate fairness and inclusiveness into decarbonisation strategies and climate action plans to ensure a sustainable transition with broad social and political support.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of the Life After Coal Campaign (LAC), submitted comments on the Second Amendment Bill of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) 94 of 2006. The CER argues that the amendments fail to integrate climate change obligations and a just transition, while granting excessive discretionary power to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy. The submission calls for stronger regulatory oversight by NERSA, increased transparency in licensing and procurement, and the protection of public participation rights in line with PAJA and PAIA.

An opinion piece co-signed by Executive Directors of the Think Sustainable Europe network arguing that the European Union should use the crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine to accelerate the European Green Deal and achieve green strategic autonomy.

This policy brief synthesises case studies from six sub-Saharan African countries to analyse government responses to trade and employment shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It evaluates these responses against long-term goals of social inclusivity and climate resilience, highlighting how economic structure and financial depth influenced the capacity to implement fiscal, financial, and monetary stimuli.