Search Climate Insights Directory

The report examines how COP26 outcomes, such as pledges to end deforestation and phase out fossil fuel vehicles, drive demand for critical minerals in Africa. It emphasizes that while the energy transition offers economic opportunities, mining companies must adopt ESG frameworks and UN Sustainable Development Goals to ensure a 'just decarbonisation process' and avoid community conflict. The document highlights the challenge of scope 3 emissions and recommends that African governments create incentive platforms for decarbonisation.

The report outlines critical research needs across natural sciences, social sciences, and legal analysis to support climate litigation. Key gaps include the need for localized attribution science, investigations into corporate disinformation and internal knowledge (including non-fossil fuel industries), and the quantification of economic damages. It also emphasizes the necessity of 'translational work' to bridge the communication gap between scientists, legal practitioners, and judges, particularly regarding legally relevant timeframes and standards of evidence.

The report analyzes the EU's proposed CBAM, which will impose fees on carbon-intensive imports starting in 2026. It finds that the overall impact on China's exports will be moderate due to the limited number of covered sectors, primarily aluminum, iron, and steel. The authors recommend that China expand its national emissions trading system (CN ETS) to reduce exposure to fees and enhance competitiveness. For the EU, the report suggests dedicating CBAM revenues to technical assistance for developing countries and recognizing non-price-based decarbonization policies to reduce international tensions.

The global coal fleet grew by 18.2 GW in 2021, primarily driven by China, which commissioned 25.2 GW of new capacity. While COP26 led to an increase in the number of plants with phase-out dates to 750 (550 GW), a significant gap remains to meet the 1.5C pathway, which would require retiring an additional 1,100 GW. Public financing for new international coal projects has largely ceased following pledges from G20 countries, including China, Japan, and South Korea. However, some nations continue to rely on unproven 'clean coal' technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS) to extend plant lifetimes.

The report finds that while many countries are committing to 'No New Coal' and accelerating closures, China continues to expand its coal capacity, largely offsetting global reductions. As of 2021, 750 coal plants (550 GW) have determined closure dates, but a significant gap remains to meet IPCC 1.5°C targets, which would require an additional 1,100 GW of capacity to be cancelled or closed by 2030.

The report provides a comprehensive tracking of global coal-fired power plant capacity, highlighting a divergence between the decline of coal in most OECD and non-OECD countries and the continued expansion of coal capacity in China. It evaluates the effectiveness of COP 26 commitments, the role of public financing, and the perceived inefficiency of 'clean coal' technologies like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has forced European states to prioritize energy security over climate goals, leading to a 'dash for LNG' that outbids developing nations and encourages a global return to coal. This shift undermines EU climate leadership and risks 'locking in' long-term fossil fuel infrastructure in Africa and Asia.

Global Shipping Watch is a data platform that matches cargo records with vessel movements from the Automatic Information System (AIS) to attribute maritime emissions to specific companies, products, and countries. By addressing the previous inability to associate emissions with individual cargo owners, the tool aims to improve scope 3 carbon reporting and life-cycle analyses. The initial 2019 data release covers US imports and exports, as well as exports from Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Indonesia.

The document examines the World Bank Group's (WBG) role in expanding fossil gas infrastructure in Indonesia, asserting that this strategy locks the country into long-term greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on fossil fuels. It highlights contradictions between WBG strategies, such as the Country Partnership Framework 2021-24 and the Indonesia Economic Prospects Report, and global climate goals like the IEA's Net Zero Emissions by 2050 roadmap. The report specifically cites the WBG's support for the BP Tangguh project and warns against 'false solutions' like Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and coal gasification.

The document criticizes the World Bank Group (WBG) for promoting fossil gas as a transition fuel in Indonesia, asserting that such investments lock in greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. It highlights contradictions between WBG strategies, such as the Country Partnership Framework 2021-24 and the Indonesia Economic Prospects report, and global climate goals. The authors call for an immediate shift in public funding away from gas and unproven technologies like CCUS and coal gasification toward sustainable renewable energy.

The document argues that Massachusetts can meet 100 percent of its electricity needs with renewable energy by 2035 through an aggressive build-out of wind, solar, and battery storage. This transition is projected to generate $1.7 billion in public health savings and $6.8 billion in net labor income by 2040. The analysis emphasizes the need for a just transition that prioritizes overburdened communities, provides support for fossil fuel workers, and ensures equitable access to clean energy technologies.

The document argues that Minnesota can meet its electricity needs with 100 percent renewable energy by 2035, leading to significant public health savings, job growth, and emissions reductions, provided the transition is managed equitably.

The report finds that USCA states can meet 100% of their electricity consumption with renewables by 2035, even with increased demand from electrification. This transition would significantly reduce air pollution, prevent 6,000 to 13,000 premature deaths, and lower average household energy burdens from 3.7% to 3.0% by 2040. While the transition creates substantial net jobs in renewable installation, the authors argue that proactive equity policies are necessary to ensure benefits reach marginalized communities and fossil fuel workers.

The document rebuts the Fédération bancaire française's (FBF) assertions that French banks are prioritizing the climate transition. It argues that despite Net-Zero commitments, French banks provided over $350 billion to fossil fuels between 2016 and 2021 and continue to fund companies expanding fossil fuel production, contrary to IEA recommendations for a 1.5°C pathway.

The report highlights the potential for India to establish a sustainable battery industry by implementing reuse and recycling strategies for lithium-ion batteries. It forecasts that between 3.5 and 17 GWh of batteries from passenger and freight vehicles will reach the end of their usable life by 2030. By capturing value through second-life applications and mineral recovery, India can reduce its reliance on imported precious metals and support its goal of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy generation by 2030.

The document analyzes how Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland created a highly integrated electricity market, notably through the Nord Pool exchange, to balance variable renewable energy with hydroelectric storage. It argues that Canada's 'balkanized' grid, characterized by provincial control and political resistance, could benefit from similar bilateral exchanges—specifically linking hydroelectric-rich provinces like Quebec, Manitoba, and British Columbia with those transitioning from fossil fuels—to lower costs and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The document analyzes the Nordic model of electricity co-operation—characterized by two-way trade, market harmonization via Nord Pool, and regional governance—as a blueprint for Canada. It argues that Canadian provinces could lower decarbonization costs by using hydro-rich provinces as 'batteries' to back up variable renewable energy in other regions, provided they overcome political resistance and regulatory misalignment.

The authors argue that the European Green Deal is essential for Europe's strategic autonomy from Russia. They warn against short-term fossil fuel measures that create lock-in effects and call for a unified energy strategy focusing on renewables, energy efficiency, and solidarity. The text emphasizes the need for grassroots engagement on energy sufficiency and deeper diplomatic cooperation with the Global South, particularly Africa, to ensure a just and secure green transition.

The document asserts that the EU must accelerate its green transition to break dependence on Russian fossil fuels, warning that short-term emergency energy measures could create detrimental lock-in effects. It advocates for a unified European energy strategy focusing on renewables, energy efficiency, and solidarity through mechanisms like the Social Climate Fund, while urging the EU to strengthen diplomatic cooperation with the Global South, particularly Africa.

Recourse urges development finance institutions (DFIs) to suspend Russia and Belarus as members, divest from their companies, and cease operations in both countries. The organization argues that the war is fueled by a global addiction to fossil fuels and calls for a ban on Russian fossil fuel imports and an end to financial support for fossil fuel infrastructure in Russia to avoid replacing Russian fuels with other fossil fuels like liquefied natural gas.