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The briefing criticizes ENGIE's 2025 climate plan for lacking a phase-out date for fossil gas and continuing expansion through new plants and long-term LNG contracts. While noting a slight increase in renewable energy targets to 95 GW by 2030, the author argues that ENGIE remains on a 'well below 2°C' trajectory rather than 1.5°C, citing a decarbonization goal of 2045 that contradicts IEA Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenarios. The document also highlights that CAPEX for fossil technologies remains nearly stable between the 2024-2026 and 2025-2027 periods and warns that reliance on 'green gases' and carbon credits may perpetuate fossil systems.

The report finds that there are enough projected tax credit-qualifying Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) to meet the stated electrolytic hydrogen production goals across the seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs. However, it identifies the lack of developed markets and data infrastructure for accessing these EACs as a critical challenge. The analysis suggests that while the physical availability of clean power is sufficient, the primary bottlenecks for the green hydrogen economy are traditional deployment issues such as siting, permitting, and interconnection.

Reclaim Finance argues that ArcelorMittal is hindering the transition from coal by investing in new and existing blast furnaces, including a joint venture in India with Nippon Steel. The organization highlights that less than half of the company's decarbonization projects can produce steel without fossil fuels and notes that the company's Head of European Operations has described green hydrogen as too expensive despite receiving subsidies. Reclaim Finance calls on shareholders to hold the board and management accountable by integrating climate considerations into strategic routine votes, such as director re-election and remuneration, to oppose metallurgical coal-based activities.

Reclaim Finance calls on ArcelorMittal shareholders to use the April 30, 2024, annual general meeting to oppose the company's continued investment in coal-based blast furnaces and its lack of a clear decarbonization strategy. The organization highlights that ArcelorMittal continues to extend the life of existing coal furnaces and invest in new ones, specifically in India via a joint venture with Nippon Steel. It further notes that less than half of the company's decarbonization projects can produce steel without fossil fuels, and expresses concern over the viability of green hydrogen projects in Europe due to cost. Reclaim Finance recommends that investors integrate climate concerns into routine strategic votes, including director re-election and executive remuneration, to hold management accountable for fossil-fuel-based plans.

The document argues that Poland, as Europe's third largest hydrogen producer, must transition from carbon-intensive production to a clean hydrogen economy to decarbonise its industrial and transportation sectors. It recommends prioritising 'no regrets' sectors, adopting a technology-neutral production approach, and carefully planning imports via pipelines or ammonia to manage limited domestic resources.

The study assesses three geofluid scenarios and three power generation models, concluding that an unwashed open cycle plant is the most efficient pathway for superhot rock energy. It identifies a technology gap in steam turbine design, which is rated at TRL 5-6, while other surface equipment is rated TRL 8-9. The report recommends dry cooling (Air-Cooled Condensers) to minimize water consumption and estimates the surface facility capital cost at $1,988.50 USD/kW.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) expresses concern over the Atomic Energy Advancement Act (H.R. 6544), arguing that certain provisions threaten the independence of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and national security. The organization recommends rejecting language that would force the NRC to prioritize the efficiency and benefits of nuclear energy over radiological health and safety, rejecting mandates to 'maximize the efficiency' of oversight programs, and maintaining the prohibition on foreign ownership, control, or domination of U.S. nuclear facilities.

The document explains that section 45V's requirement to evaluate lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions necessitates a systemwide approach to electricity sourcing for hydrogen production. It warns that without strict guardrails, electrolytic hydrogen could produce 10–40 kg CO2e/kg H2 due to grid impacts. To achieve near-zero systemwide emissions, the author advocates for the 'three pillars': incrementality, hourly matching, and deliverability.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) argues that the U.S. Department of the Treasury must implement strict guardrails for the Section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit to prevent increased greenhouse gas emissions. Key recommendations include requiring project-specific upstream emissions data for natural gas feedstocks, prohibiting negative emissions values from biomethane or fugitive methane, and awarding credits on a kilogram-by-kilogram basis rather than annual averages. CATF strongly supports the 'three pillars' of electricity-based production—incrementality, hourly matching, and deliverability—to avoid systemwide grid emissions, while opposing a blanket 5% incrementality exemption, which Rhodium Group analysis suggests could increase cumulative emissions by 1.5 billion metric tons through 2035.

The Center for International Environmental Law identifies a 'Dirty Dozen' of insurers that have restricted coverage for California homeowners, citing climate risks, while maintaining significant financial ties to fossil fuels. This practice is described as a 'vicious cycle of uninsurability' that shifts the economic burden of the climate crisis onto households.

The briefing outlines a three-pronged strategy to modernize the US power grid to accommodate increasing electricity demand from data centers, manufacturing, and electric vehicles. It advocates for 'Big Wires' (high-voltage transmission and grid-enhancing technologies), 'Small Wires' (distribution upgrades for diffuse loads like EVs), and 'Non-Wires' solutions (virtual power plants) to ensure a reliable and affordable transition to a fully electrified economy.

The document evaluates how CEE countries have integrated public consultation and multilevel climate and energy dialogues (MCEDs) into their updated NECPs, finding significant variability in quality and frequent failures to meet European law requirements for early and inclusive engagement.

The report analyzes the federal permitting process for high-capacity electric transmission lines in the U.S., identifying systemic delays caused by poor interagency coordination, capacity shortages, and regulatory misalignment between federal and state authorities. Based on a dataset of 37 projects and case studies, it argues that while litigation is often cited as a primary barrier, it is rarely the sole cause of project failure. The authors recommend that the President prioritize transmission as a national priority, that Congress consolidate siting authority for multi-state projects, and that agencies adopt more agile, transparent, and collaborative environmental review processes, including expanded use of programmatic EISs and categorical exclusions.

The report outlines a vision for the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) to leverage its land and industrial base to become a hub for clean energy, focusing on solar, bioenergy, and hydrogen. Using modeling from the RAND Corporation, it argues that a diverse energy portfolio can create thousands of high-wage jobs and reduce local pollution. The authors emphasize the need for a coordinated, valley-wide community benefits framework to ensure that rural and disadvantaged communities receive equitable economic gains from new developments.

The Green Bond Dataset (GBD) methodology establishes a science-based framework for screening self-labelled green debt instruments. To be included in the 'Aligned' list, a debt instrument must be self-labelled, have adequate public disclosure, and allocate 100% of net proceeds to green assets, with at least 90% meeting specific eligibility criteria. The methodology employs a three-step screening process: identification and pre-requisite checks, screening of green credentials against sector-specific definitions, and evaluation of the use of proceeds (UoP) threshold. Absolute exclusions apply to fossil fuel exploration, production, refining, and fossil fuel-based heat, cool, and electricity generation, regardless of the percentage of proceeds. The GBD allows for a 'margin of flexibility' of up to 10% for assets where alignment is uncertain or metrics are unavailable, and utilizes a two-year lookback period for complex expenditure assessments. While external reviews are recommended, they are not mandatory for GBD inclusion if equivalent information is disclosed. The document also distinguishes the GBD from the Climate Bonds Standard Certification scheme, noting that GBD inclusion is based on post-issuance screening of public data, whereas Certification is a voluntary pre-issuance application process.

The document examines the integration of clean electrolytic hydrogen into the U.S. electric system, emphasizing its potential as long-duration energy storage for 'last mile' decarbonization. It analyzes how the design of the Section 45V tax credit—specifically the 'three pillars' of incrementality, temporal matching, and deliverability—will determine whether hydrogen production increases net greenhouse gas emissions or supports grid reliability. The authors warn that without these pillars, electrolysis could drive significant load growth (up to 32% by 2032) and potentially increase emissions. The brief also highlights risks related to NOx emissions, water consumption, and public safety, urging developers to engage early with host communities to ensure an equitable transition.

The Espejo de Tarapacá project, designed to combine a 300 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric (PSH) plant and a 561 MW-AC photovoltaic (PV) solar plant in Chile, was formally closed in October 2022 before construction began. Despite initial alignment with Chile's decarbonization goals, the project failed because the Project Company could not secure a power-purchase agreement (PPA) or private investors. The evaluation found that the project's relevance declined as the Chilean government prioritized market competition and lithium-based storage over the preferential treatment requested for PSH. While the project failed its primary energy goals, it achieved some positive social outcomes through community engagement in San Marcos and Rio Seco, including women's empowerment and the establishment of a community office. The report concludes that the GCF lacked sufficient risk analysis during formulation, was too slow in reviewing restructuring proposals, and failed to provide the promised high-level policy advocacy to the Chilean government.

The report finds that while many countries are reducing coal capacity, global operational capacity grew by 2% in 2023 to 2,130 GW, driven largely by China. While new construction reached a historic low outside China, it hit an eight-year high within China. Only 15% of global operational capacity has a retirement commitment aligned with the 1.5°C goal. In Latin America, capacity is gradually decreasing, though some countries like Colombia and Mexico lack concrete phase-out plans, and Brazil has seen some retirement dates postponed.

Global coal-fired power capacity reached a record 2,130 GW in 2023, driven largely by China, despite a general global trend toward reducing new coal construction. While the EU and UK are accelerating retirements, China's new construction capacity reached an eight-year high. Turkey continues to develop coal capacity, ranking eighth globally in capacity under development, despite significant local opposition and the cancellation of numerous projects.

The global operating coal fleet grew by 48.4 GW (2%) in 2023 to 2,130 GW, primarily driven by China. While many countries have reduced their coal pipelines or committed to 'No New Coal,' China saw an eight-year high in new construction starts. Outside China, new construction hit a record annual low. However, global operating capacity has grown 11% since 2015, and only 15% of current capacity has a retirement commitment aligned with the 1.5°C goal.