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The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) supports the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2019, which aims for the decarbonization of the U.S. electric power sector by mid-century. The legislation is described as technology-inclusive, supporting carbon capture and storage, nuclear energy, hydroelectric generation, and renewables. It proposes incentives for always-available zero-carbon electricity via a credit multiplier and a new Department of Energy RDD&D program. CATF notes that this federal effort aligns with existing state-level legislation in California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Washington, as well as targets set by major utilities covering 37.9% of US electricity sales.

The report examines the dilemma of the Swedish mining sector: its necessity for the low-carbon energy transition versus its negative environmental and social impacts. Through a collaborative project between Svemin and SEI, the authors developed four future scenarios for 2050 and a draft sustainability roadmap consisting of 31 robust action points. Key recommendations include improving supply chain traceability, addressing land-use conflicts with Indigenous Sami rights, and pursuing 'moonshot' projects like the 'invisible mine' to minimize surface impacts.

The author reflects on the impact of Extinction Rebellion's April 2019 protests in London, noting that while they successfully brought climate change to the mainstream, the movement now faces the challenge of maintaining this momentum. The text advocates for the implementation of a Citizens' Assembly to facilitate public policy discussions, while warning that decarbonisation goals—such as reducing meat consumption and flying—may face public resistance. It further emphasizes the need to increase ethnic and socio-economic diversity within climate activism to move beyond 'middle-class white folks' and ensure a 'just transition' that is socially sustainable.

The IAI Directorate Science-Policy has worked to bridge the gap between scientific research and public policy in the Americas. Key activities include drafting Rules of Procedure for the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC), establishing cooperation with multilateral environmental agreements, and developing a project for decarbonization and climate resilient governance in South American megacities. The report highlights the impacts of the third Collaborative Research Network (CRN3), where projects have influenced national inventories for GHG emissions in Brazil, changed mining policies in Ecuador, and informed water management reforms in Mexico. The Directorate is seeking to formalize mechanisms for Parties to present scientific results to decision-makers and identify priority research needs for global change policy.

The IAI Executive Directorate is implementing a multifaceted approach to improve the provision of scientific information to governments in the Americas. This includes drafting procedural regulations for the Science-Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC), establishing links with multilateral environmental agreements, and strengthening the capacity of member states to integrate science into public policy. The report highlights the conclusion of the third round of Cooperative Research Networks (CRN3), detailing how specific projects on nitrogen cycles, tropical dry forests, water security, and marine ecosystems have influenced national policies and management plans in countries such as Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and Mexico.

The IAI Directorate implemented several initiatives between 2018 and 2019 to strengthen science-policy interfaces and regional cooperation. Key activities included signing a Memorandum of Understanding with IPBES, co-hosting a South-South Cooperation workshop on climate and sustainable development in Uruguay, and joining the Belmont Forum Steering Committee. The Directorate also explored becoming a Readiness Delivery Partner for the Green Climate Fund in Latin America and engaged with the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research on a new climate change initiative. Efforts to improve science communication included a social media campaign and discussions with the American Chemical Society and the Earth Journalism Network.

The IAI Executive Directorate reports on its 2018-2019 efforts to strengthen science-policy interfaces and international partnerships. Key activities include signing a Memorandum of Understanding with IPBES, collaborating with UNOSSC on South-South cooperation for urban climate resilience in South American megacities, and pursuing an Associate status with the Green Climate Fund. The IAI also joined the Belmont Forum Steering Committee and explored a cooperative research action on food security and climate change with France's National Research Agency, attracting interest from Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Additionally, the report details engagements with the IPCC, the European Commission, and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research to foster intercontinental cooperation on climate risks.

The document identifies a strategic dilemma for Sweden: relying on biofuels to meet near-term 2030 goals may hinder the transition to electrification, which is viewed as the more cost-effective long-term strategy for 2045. While biofuels currently provide about 20% of truck energy and are expected to remain the primary mid-term solution, stakeholders anticipate a shift toward battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and electric road system technologies starting in the 2030s.

The report introduces a framework combining Input-Output and network theory to identify sectors that trigger and are exposed to capital stranding cascades. In a sample of ten European countries, mining is identified as a high-trigger sector, while electricity, gas, and refined petroleum are most affected by decarbonisation. The report estimates that transition-related stranding risks affect between 0.6% and 8.2% of the overall productive capital stock in these countries.

The policy memo outlines a framework for federal infrastructure investments in the United States, emphasizing the need to modernize the electric grid, accelerate offshore wind and battery storage, and implement 'climate-ready' design standards. It advocates for targeting investments toward underserved communities and displaced fossil fuel workers to ensure an equitable transition to a low-carbon economy.

The Clean Air Task Force supports the USE IT Act as a critical tool for developing a diversified portfolio of low-carbon technologies. The testimony emphasizes that meeting global temperature targets requires not only emission reductions but also negative emissions, which can be achieved through carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) and direct air capture (DAC). The author argues that the USE IT Act will catalyze innovation through prize competitions and facilitate the expansion of the US CO2 pipeline network, which currently stands at 4,500 miles but may need to reach 66,000 miles to support large-scale deployment.

The Clean Air Task Force supports the Green New Deal's goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions, emphasizing that deep decarbonization requires a diverse portfolio of technologies, including renewables, nuclear power, and carbon capture and storage.

Dan Lashof, Director of WRI US, responds to the introduction of the Green New Deal resolution by Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey, stating that the proposal has revitalized the urgent conversation on climate action in the U.S. and highlights the necessity of linking ambitious climate goals with job creation and the reduction of economic inequality.

The report examines the risks associated with the potential significant decline of South Africa's coal production over the next five to ten years. It highlights the high concentration of coal assets in Mpumalanga province and the resulting vulnerability of local employment and municipal revenues. The authors argue that a 'just transition' requires moving beyond technical energy models to address local-level impacts, including labor redeployment, economic diversification, and the remediation of environmental legacies. It identifies gaps in current governance, such as the conflict of interest within the Department of Mineral Resources, and suggests that existing mechanisms like Social and Labour Plans need systemic improvement to be effective.

The document argues that the United States, as a top fossil fuel producer with a resilient economy, must phase out extraction faster than the global average to meet Paris Agreement goals. It introduces three principles: reducing production at a pace consistent with climate protection, accelerating phase-outs in economically resilient communities, and safeguarding human rights and the environment. The authors apply these principles to U.S. coal and onshore oil, identifying the Appalachian Basin and California's San Joaquin basin as high-priority areas for rapid wind-down due to high carbon intensity, lower relative economic dependence, and significant environmental or social harms.

ClientEarth criticizes the UK government's proposal to continue operating parts of the Capacity Market (CM) during a European Commission (EC) State aid investigation. The organization argues that the government has not provided sufficient information on the legal and commercial risks if the EC rejects the scheme. ClientEarth highlights evidence from Ofgem suggesting that the UK's security of supply has been maintained at a higher cost to consumers than necessary due to overestimated capacity gaps. The response calls for a fundamental reassessment of whether the CM is still justified, urging a transition toward a technology-neutral, low-carbon energy system that prioritizes demand-side response and storage over long-term contracts for conventional generators.

The document examines the role of green bonds in decarbonizing the building sector, which accounts for approximately 28% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. It details various financial instruments, including Asset-Backed Securities (ABS) and covered bonds, used to fund energy-efficient construction and renovations. The briefing highlights the growth of the market, noting that as of November 2018, $126 billion had been allocated to low-carbon building assets. It specifically analyzes the Japanese market, where the Development Bank of Japan is the largest issuer, and suggests that Japan can further leverage its technical expertise in energy efficiency to attract green investment.

The document examines how current just transition policies often focus narrowly on compensating direct fossil fuel workers, thereby overlooking marginalized groups and structural inequalities. Through analysis of the US and Thailand, it highlights gaps in gender and racial representation and the risk of geographic economic disparities. It advocates for long-term strategies that integrate distributive and procedural justice to ensure a fair transition for all affected stakeholders.

The document evaluates the world's collective progress toward six climate milestones in energy, transport, land use, industry, infrastructure, and finance. It concludes that while some progress has been made, the global community is generally not on track to achieve the 2020 climate turning point. The report highlights significant data gaps that hinder accurate tracking and urges governments, businesses, and financial institutions to increase ambition and fulfill commitments to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

The report finds that currently agreed EU and Member State policies are on track to deliver a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, surpassing the existing 40% target. Using the E3ME model, the analysis suggests that further adjustments to coal phase-outs, energy efficiency, and electric vehicle penetration could increase this reduction to 58%. However, the report warns that the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) remains vulnerable to a growing surplus of allowances as emissions fall faster than the current cap, necessitating reforms such as a one-off cap reset in 2026 to maintain a meaningful carbon price.