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The document outlines the critical role of scientific research in climate litigation, emphasizing how experts can help hold corporations and governments accountable for climate damages and disinformation. It identifies key research priorities—such as attribution science and the study of climate obstruction—and provides actionable ways for scientists to engage, including serving as expert witnesses, contributing to amicus briefs, and designing research specifically relevant to legal proceedings. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) Science Hub for Climate Litigation is presented as a central resource to bridge the gap between the scientific community and legal practitioners.

The steel sector accounts for 11% of global CO2 emissions, primarily due to the blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) route which relies on metallurgical coal. While secondary steelmaking via electric arc furnaces (EAF) and green hydrogen-based Direct Reduction of Iron (DRI) offer cleaner alternatives, coal-based capacity continues to grow, with 80 million tons of annual capacity planned for relining. The document highlights that ArcelorMittal has weakened its 2030 emissions intensity reduction target from 25% to 10% and prioritizes shareholder returns over decarbonization. It calls on financial institutions to adopt corporate-level exclusion policies for metallurgical coal and stop financing the relining of blast furnaces.

The document outlines China's transition toward a "New Power System" as a means to reach peak carbon emissions before 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. It characterizes the current system by its reliance on coal, growing electricity demand, and the geographic distance between renewable sources and load centers. To transition, the report proposes a system defined by balanced green power development, large-scale energy storage, smart grids powered by AI and digital technology, and elastic demand for system balancing.

The author contends that while carbon pricing is a vital tool, Canada needs a broader strategic framework to address market failures—such as fossil fuel subsidies and high initial capital costs—and to respond to international competition like the US Inflation Reduction Act. The paper suggests combining carbon pricing with targeted public incentives, a clean investment taxonomy, and sector-specific growth strategies to attract private capital efficiently without excessive or scattered public spending.

The analysis concludes that for long-haul heavy-duty trucking, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) outperform battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in terms of refueling stops, total dwell time, and cargo capacity. While BEVs offer higher energy efficiency, their heavy batteries significantly reduce payload and require a more extensive and larger infrastructure buildout. Infrastructure modeling indicates that a full transition to BEVs would require stations approximately 10 times the size of current diesel stations, whereas FCEV stations, while still larger than diesel, are more comparable, especially if updated safety regulations are adopted. The report suggests that while BEVs will be important for the broader transition, FCEVs are the most efficient strategy for the specific challenges of long-haul heavy-duty transport.

The report analyzes the viability of first-of-a-kind clean fuel projects in Canada, finding that most are currently unprofitable without public support. It distinguishes between standard market risks, which investors can manage, and systemic failures—such as policy uncertainty, infrastructure deficits, and regulatory delays—that require government action. Through financial modeling of five project archetypes, the report highlights that only blue ammonia in Alberta shows consistent viability, while others struggle with high costs and technological immaturity. It emphasizes the need for Canada to rapidly implement a permissive policy environment to compete with the United States' Inflation Reduction Act and to foster equitable partnerships with Indigenous communities.

The document analyzes plans for €3.5 billion in new gas-fired power plants, pipelines, and LNG terminals in the Western Balkans. It argues that these projects, promoted by EU and U.S. institutions, would create a dependency on volatile gas markets and risk creating stranded assets, contradicting the region's carbon-neutral goals and the EU's 2050 targets.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) and Climate Finance for Equitable Transitions (CLiFT) argue that the JET-IP's strategy of 'de-risking' private finance is insufficient to mobilise the required R1.5 trillion and exposes South Africa to significant fiscal, legal, and social risks. The authors contend that the plan fails to meet National Determined Contributions (NDCs) due to an over-reliance on private renewable energy and a lack of investment in public transport and energy efficiency. They recommend shifting to a 'rights-based' governance framework and an 'allocative credit policy' that prioritises public investment, local manufacturing, and comprehensive social protections for workers and communities.

The CO2 Performance Ladder (CO2PL) is a carbon management system and procurement tool used by over 200 public contracting authorities in the Netherlands and Belgium to reward companies that reduce carbon emissions. It operates as a voluntary award criterion under the EU Procurement Directive, providing bidders with a 'fictitious discount' or bonus points based on their performance level (1 to 5). Compliance is verified by accredited third parties through either organization-wide CO2 Awareness Certificates or project-level statements. To ensure legal compliance with EU law, contracting authorities must accept equivalent means of proof and link the criteria to the subject matter of the contract. Non-compliance after winning a tender typically results in financial penalties exceeding the initial award advantage.

The steel sector is the highest CO2 emitter among heavy industries, accounting for 11% of global CO2 emissions. The report highlights that the dominant blast furnace to basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) route is highly carbon-intensive due to its reliance on metallurgical coal. To meet the 1.5°C target, the IEA suggests steel emissions must drop by 25% by 2030 and 92% by 2050. The document emphasizes a critical investment window, as over 70% of existing coal-fired blast furnaces need refurbishing by 2030. Reclaim Finance recommends that financial institutions end support for new metallurgical coal mines and coal-based steel facilities, instead prioritizing electric arc furnaces (EAF) and hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (HDRI).

The report examines Sweden's maritime sectors—including blue food, offshore energy, tourism, and shipping—and argues for a shift from a sector-based approach to a multifunctional, ecosystem-based model. It identifies significant growth potential in offshore wind and sustainable aquaculture but warns that the current state of marine ecosystems is dire. The document recommends national coordination of marine spatial planning, the adoption of net-zero goals for maritime transport, and the modernization of regulatory frameworks to support circular and fossil-free technologies.

The Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) 2022 Annual Results Report details the organization's progress across three impact areas: reducing climate risk, promoting sustainable resource use and resilient ecosystems, and improving health and well-being. Key achievements include contributing to the COP27 decision to establish a loss and damage fund, developing the Global Environmental Impacts of Consumption (GEIC) indicator adopted at COP15, and implementing water management master plans in Bolivia. The report highlights the use of digital tools like LEAP, WEAP, and Trase to inform policy in various regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Organizationally, SEI reports an increase in scientific publications, a diversification of funding sources, and the implementation of a global monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) procedure.

Colombia possesses significant wind and solar potential, estimated at 30 GW and 32 GW respectively, though installed capacity remained low at approximately 1.5% of the electrical matrix in 2022. A strong increase is projected by 2027, potentially reaching nearly 40% of capacity if approved projects are operationalized. The document details a robust incentive framework including tax deductions and VAT exemptions, alongside mechanisms for community benefit distribution and indigenous rights. While investment reached record levels in 2021, the sector faces challenges in gender representation and the need for stronger policies to ensure local employment and social equity.

The policy brief examines the potential of the US Inflation Reduction Act's hydrogen production tax credit to scale clean hydrogen and decarbonize heavy industry. It argues that for grid-connected electrolyzers to qualify, the US Treasury must implement three pillars: additionality, emissions-accurate temporal accounting, and deliverability. Without these, the credit risks inducing higher emissions. If implemented correctly, the credit could provide up to $3 per kilogram of clean hydrogen, drive investment in geothermal and long-duration storage, and establish US leadership in international clean commodity standards.

The report identifies four key investment opportunities for hydrogen in Latin America: green steel, green hydrogen production via electrolysis, green chemicals (methanol, ammonia, and fertilisers), and heavy-duty mining vehicles in remote locations. It argues that while net-zero models project hydrogen's share of final energy consumption at 3-20% by 2050, the region must more than double its planned electrolysis capacity by 2030 to align with 1.5-compatible scenarios. Success depends on policy signals, including carbon pricing and certification schemes, to attract international finance and avoid carbon lock-in.

The document calls on financial institutions to address the steel industry's reliance on metallurgical coal, which accounts for 70% of global steel production and contributes 11% of global CO2 emissions. It argues that because steel plants have long lifetimes, investment decisions made in the 2020s are critical for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The author urges financial institutions to stop funding new metallurgical coal mines and coal-based steel projects, while pushing companies to avoid 'two-speed decarbonization' strategies where green projects are developed in Europe and Canada while coal-based facilities continue in India.

The October 2023 Polish parliamentary elections represent a critical juncture for the country's democratic governance and its relationship with the European Union. The contest pits the ruling nationalist coalition, led by the Law and Justice (PiS) party, against a fragmented but numerically stronger 'democratic opposition' including the Civic Coalition, Poland 2050, the Left, and the Polish People's Party. While PiS and its partner United Poland oppose EU decarbonisation and the Green Deal, the opposition generally supports the green transition and Eurozone accession. A victory for the opposition would necessitate extensive reforms to restore the rule of law and depoliticise state institutions, while a PiS victory would likely continue the undermining of European constitutional values.

The Longship project is a Norwegian industrial-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) network designed to decarbonize heavy industries where electrification is not feasible. The project consists of two initial capture sites—a cement plant in Brevik and a waste-to-energy plant in Oslo—and the Northern Lights transport and storage infrastructure. The Norwegian government is funding approximately two-thirds of the first phase, which exceeds 3.5 billion CAD, with the goal of creating a commercially viable cross-border storage service for European emitters. The document highlights the importance of holistic government support, including regulatory streamlining and increasing carbon pricing, while noting criticisms regarding the use of public funds to support the oil and gas sector.

The document analyzes the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act's (IRA) approach to clean hydrogen through investment and production tax credits, evaluating their economic benefits and limitations to inform Canadian policy. It details the IRA's emission-based credit tiers and emphasizes the need for Canada to integrate its existing carbon pricing and focus on the entire hydrogen ecosystem to remain competitive.

The UK's Contracts for Difference (CfD) policy, established in 2014, uses a competitive auction system to provide price certainty for renewable energy developers, significantly reducing financial risk and lowering the cost of capital. By bridging the gap between wholesale market prices and a fixed 'strike price' over 15-year contracts, the policy has driven down the cost of offshore wind by 65-75% since 2015. While the system is funded by consumers through electricity bills—making it regressive—it is administered by the independent Low Carbon Contracts Company to minimize political risk. The document suggests Canada could adapt this model for proven technologies like carbon capture and storage or clean hydrogen, emphasizing the need for competitive markets and independent administration.