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The document argues that limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C requires an immediate stop to burning fossil fuels, urging governments to halve global fossil fuel use by 2035 and stop new fossil fuel project investments. It highlights the role of cities and businesses in this transition, noting that solar and wind are already cheaper than new fossil gas electricity in most C40 city locations. Examples of city-level action include fossil gas bans in new buildings in several US cities and renewable energy targets in Los Angeles, Mexico City, and Seoul. Additionally, over 200 companies with nearly US$1.5 trillion in revenue are calling for clear phase-out timelines, 100% decarbonised power, and the reform of fossil fuel subsidies.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) advocates for the adoption of three specific accounting standards—new supply, hourly matching, and deliverability—for the Section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit. CATF warns that without these 'Three Pillars,' electrolytic hydrogen could result in consequential emissions twice as high as conventional 'gray' hydrogen by diverting clean power from the grid and forcing a reliance on fossil fuel generation. While the organization suggests these strict standards are essential for long-term deployment funding under 45V and EPA rules, it notes they may be less critical for short-term demonstration programs like the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program.

The report examines the necessity of international cooperation to prevent the uncoordinated proliferation of divergent Border Carbon Adjustment (BCA) mechanisms, which could increase transaction costs and hinder climate diplomacy. It evaluates three emerging cooperation models: the G7 Climate Club, the Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium (GASSA), and the OECD's Inclusive Forum on Carbon Mitigation Approaches (IFCMA).

The Buildings Criteria provide a framework for certifying Use-of-Proceeds instruments, assets, entities, and Sustainability-Linked Debt based on their emissions performance. Eligibility is determined through two primary pathways: an Absolute Performance Threshold (using city-specific trajectories or approved proxies) and a Relative Performance Improvement pathway (requiring 30-50% emissions reductions for retrofits). New buildings constructed after 2023 face stricter requirements, including a total ban on fossil fuels for heating, hot water, and cooking, and mandatory infrastructure for electric mobility. Starting January 1, 2026, new buildings must also report on Whole Life Carbon Assessments (WLCA), with specific emissions thresholds for steel and cement. The criteria also define certification levels for entities and sustainability-linked debt, categorizing them as either 'Aligned' or 'Transition' based on their adherence to low-carbon trajectories.

The EU ETS will expand to shipping in 2024, applying the 'polluter pays principle' to cargo and passenger ships of 5,000 gross tonnage and above. The system covers 100% of emissions for voyages between EU ports and 50% for voyages between EU and non-EU ports. Costs will be phased in, starting with 40% of 2024 emissions paid in 2025, reaching 100% by 2027. While CO2 is covered from 2024, methane and nitrous oxide will be included from 2026. Revenue will support the Innovation Fund and member state climate projects, with specific exemptions for ice-traveling ships, certain outermost regions, and small island ferries until 2030.

The document argues that a 'Just Energy Transition' in South Africa requires more than decarbonisation; it necessitates a radical socio-economic transformation involving 'energy democracy' and inclusive industrialisation. It highlights the role of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP) and the importance of decentralised energy governance and regional leadership to ensure equitable benefits for marginalised communities.

The EU aims to import 10 million tons of renewable hydrogen by 2030 to decarbonize heavy industry and transport, as domestic production is expected to fall short of demand. The report identifies the US Gulf Coast, Australia, and other regions with low renewable energy costs as key potential suppliers. To activate this trade, the EU needs to invest in port infrastructure (ammonia terminals and crackers), clarify certification schemes, and provide €15 billion to €20 billion in public support to offset green premiums over blue hydrogen. While Northwest Europe will rely heavily on imports, Southern Europe (Spain and Portugal) is expected to become more self-sufficient by the mid-2030s.

A joint statement by 18 organizations asserting that voluntary carbon markets are a critical but underutilized source of climate finance. It advocates for the adoption of high-integrity standards, specifically highlighting the Voluntary Carbon Market Integrity Initiative (VCMI) and the Integrity Council on Voluntary Carbon Markets (ICVCM), to ensure carbon credits complement rather than replace direct corporate emissions reductions.

The briefing assesses the health and economic co-benefits of a 45% emissions cap on Canada's oil and gas sector. It projects that such a cap would avoid approximately 4,860 premature deaths between 2030 and 2040, resulting in an economic benefit of CAD $45.1 billion. The document highlights the link between oil and gas emissions and pollutants like NO2, PM2.5, and ozone, which contribute to respiratory and cardiac diseases. It also criticizes the federal government for failing to conduct a promised independent health study on communities near the oil sands and calls for a national study on the health costs of oil and gas production, similar to research conducted in the U.S.

The report argues that nuclear energy is essential for a reliable, zero-carbon energy system but has stagnated since 1990 due to high costs and slow delivery. It proposes a 'fundamental reset' of the industry, shifting from bespoke mega-projects to standardized, manufactured products. Key recommendations include the creation of Independent Nuclear Development Organizations (INDOs) to integrate project delivery, a Global Licensing Authority (GLA) to harmonize international regulations, an International Technical Support Organization (ITSO) to assist embarking nuclear nations, and an International Bank of Nuclear Infrastructure (IBNI) to expand financing access. CATF analysis suggests these combined measures could reduce overnight construction costs by as much as 60% from first-of-a-kind to Nth-of-a-kind reactors.

The briefing reports a global pipeline of 917 mtpa in new LNG export capacity and 705 mtpa in import capacity, representing an estimated US$1 trillion investment. It warns that a wave of new projects coming online by the middle of the decade, primarily in the United States and Qatar, could lead to market saturation and unprofitable stranded assets. The report highlights that while Asia and Europe are the primary developers of import capacity, demand in these regions is uncertain due to decarbonization goals and price sensitivity. It further notes that many projects are already facing delays or cancellations, and that the buildout in the U.S. may conflict with national interests by raising domestic gas prices and increasing emissions.

The REIPPPP has successfully added 6,308.68 MW of renewable electricity to South Africa's grid and supported local industry, but it has been hindered by policy uncertainty, grid capacity bottlenecks, and a six-year gap between Bid Windows 4 and 5. The document argues that for the programme to reach the Integrated Resource Plan 2019 goals for solar PV and wind by 2030, South Africa must unbundle Eskom, establish an Independent Systems Market Operator (ISMO), and optimise transmission infrastructure. It recommends streamlining bid windows, enhancing regulatory transparency, and leveraging the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) to promote strategic localisation and job creation.

The report explores South Africa's energy transition through 2050, emphasizing the need to move beyond 'used futures' and growth-centric economic models. It identifies critical innovations in governance, technology, and social values, while proposing six alternative framings—ranging from ecomodernism to the 'great simplification'—to inform policy. The analysis highlights high-impact uncertainties such as a severe skills shortage for the decarbonized economy and the 'carbon trap' of meeting rising energy demands while reducing emissions. It concludes with four diverse scenarios for 2050 and recommends a shift toward regenerative economies and inclusive multilateralism.

The document examines the challenges of transitioning away from thermal coal in Colombia's Caribbean region, highlighting the tension between national decarbonization goals and regional economic dependence. It identifies diverse visions of a 'just transition'—ranging from narrow workforce support to broad socio-ecological transformation—and analyzes the economic, environmental, and sociocultural barriers that hinder progress. Using the case of Prodeco's mine closures in Cesar, the paper illustrates the risks of unplanned transitions and the influence of political-economic elites in maintaining extractive models.

RMI's guide outlines a framework for US state governments to reduce embodied carbon—emissions from the extraction, manufacturing, transport, construction, and disposal of materials—in state-owned building projects. The guide proposes four core strategies, including the implementation of Buy Clean policies targeting high-emitting materials like steel and cement, to send demand signals to the market and accelerate decarbonization across the building industry's value chain.

This case study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and its role in a Paris-aligned energy transition, focusing on the risks and opportunities for international investors as the company increases its reliance on global equity, bond, and lending markets.

The document argues that national oil companies (NOCs), which control half of global oil and gas production and two-thirds of hydrocarbon reserves, are likely to exceed their carbon budgets more than international oil companies. It highlights a disconnect between financial actors and NOC decarbonization, specifically noting that credit ratings are not currently linked to low-carbon transition plans. The brief aims to provide levers for financial actors to hold NOCs accountable for their production and investment strategies, particularly those internationally exposed NOCs dependent on external financing.

The document argues that transitioning the global economy to limit warming to 1.5°C requires between $200 trillion and $275 trillion by 2050. It proposes a common vision for transition finance based on credible decarbonization strategies, annual monitoring, and the avoidance of carbon lock-in. The letter outlines specific calls to action for the financial sector, governments, and issuers to overcome barriers such as greenwashing fears and high capital costs to mobilize capital for high-emitting sectors.

The briefing analyzes the failure of the NuScale-UAMPS Carbon Free Power Project, attributing its cancellation to the inherent risks of first-of-a-kind (FOAK) projects, a lack of modularity in the VOYAGR design, and the selection of a customer (UAMPS) ill-equipped for nuclear risk. Despite the project's end, the author notes that NuScale achieved significant regulatory milestones, including the first SMR design certification and reductions in staffing and security requirements. The document argues that FOAK SMRs should be treated as demonstrations rather than commercial endeavors, suggesting that governments provide streamlined prototype sites and cost-overrun insurance, while targeting non-utility customers like data centers and heavy industry who have a higher demand for 24/7 carbon-free power.

The paper argues that low-carbon hydrogen should be reserved for 'no-regrets' industrial applications—such as refining, ammonia, methanol, and steel production—rather than residential heating or light-duty vehicles, due to high energy costs and physical transport challenges.