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Equitable Beneficial Electrification (EBE) for Rural Electric Cooperatives
The report investigates 'beneficial electrification'—the replacement of fossil-fuel end-use equipment with electric alternatives to reduce carbon emissions and costs—within Midwest rural electric cooperatives. While 88% of these co-ops offer energy upgrade or loan programs, the research found no 'fully beneficial electrification program' in the Midwest that combines conversion incentives, a net carbon reduction goal, verification processes, and energy audits. The document highlights the potential of cold climate air-source heat pumps (ccHP) and heat pump water heaters to provide grid flexibility and member savings. It emphasizes 'equitable beneficial electrification' (EBE), advocating for inclusive on-bill financing that removes credit score barriers and attaches loans to the meter to support low-income members and renters. Case studies from cooperatives in Washington, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Minnesota illustrate various models of on-bill tariffs and community solar projects used to reduce energy burdens.
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Document type: Report
Indian States’ Electricity Transition
The document describes the methodology for the Indian States’ Electricity Transition analysis, which evaluates 16 states representing approximately 90% of India's annual power requirement. The analysis uses 17 parameters across four dimensions: Decarbonisation, Performance of the Power System, Readiness of the Power Ecosystem, and Policies and Political Commitments. Data for financial year 2021-22 was primarily sourced from government entities such as the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and NITI Aayog, then normalised and weighted by sectoral experts to produce state-wise scores.
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Document type: Report
Indian States Electricity Transition
The report evaluates 16 Indian states on their electricity transition across four dimensions: decarbonisation, power system performance, ecosystem readiness, and policy commitments. Karnataka is identified as the top performer across all dimensions, while states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal are urged to ramp up efforts. The analysis highlights that many renewable-rich states have significant untapped potential and recommends improving data transparency, strengthening transmission infrastructure, and expanding green market mechanisms to accelerate the transition.
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Document type: Report
Improving reliability and environmental justice en route to 85 percent clean electricity in California by 2030
A technical analysis indicates California can reach 85 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030 even under extreme stressors, such as the August 2020 heat waves and the retirement of one-third of natural gas capacity. To support this, the brief recommends diversifying clean energy resources (including offshore wind and geothermal), phasing out natural gas plants—particularly in disadvantaged communities—and leveraging demand-side resources like energy efficiency and demand response. It also suggests improving regional coordination across Western states and refining reliability evaluation tools used by the CPUC, CEC, and CAISO.
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Document type: Policy brief
NEW UTILITY BUSINESS MODELS: Utility and Regulatory Models for the Modern Era
The document examines the transition of the U.S. electric power sector toward a high-renewable energy future, specifically referencing NREL's goal of 80 percent renewable generation by 2050. It identifies pressures such as aging infrastructure, environmental regulations, and flat load growth that necessitate a new 'social compact' between utilities and regulators. The authors propose a spectrum of utility roles—ranging from a minimal 'wires company' to a maximum 'energy services utility'—and suggest shifting from traditional cost-of-service regulation to performance-based models like the UK's RIIO, the Iowa settlement model, or a comprehensive 'Grand Bargain' to incentivize efficiency and decarbonization.
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Document type: Report
Evaluating Policies for California to Reach 55 Percent Reductions by 2030 using the Energy Policy Simulator
The California Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) indicates that a 55 percent reduction in emissions by 2030 is achievable without new technologies and would generate significant economic and social benefits. The scenario projects a $55.4 billion increase in state GDP, the creation of 235,000 total jobs, and the avoidance of 1,829 premature deaths by 2030. Achieving this target requires accelerating the deployment of electrification, hydrogen, and carbon capture in industry, as well as reaching 90% clean energy for grid-scale generation by 2030.
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Document type: Briefing
Energy regulators can manage hydrogen uncertainty with wide lens of awareness
Energy regulators face a dilemma between risking stranded assets through over-investment in hydrogen or stifling growth through excessive caution. To ensure affordable, reliable, and safe energy services, regulators must look beyond their core jurisdictions to understand how hydrogen interacts with electricity and gas systems, safety risks, and external policy factors like emissions accounting and water usage.
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Document type: Fact sheet
THE GREAT REINVENTION OF THE ELECTRIC UTILITY
The report examines the 'death spiral' facing traditional U.S. electric utilities caused by falling costs of renewables, energy efficiency, and declining demand. It proposes a regulatory shift by Public Utilities Commissions (PUCs) toward 'performance-based regulation,' where utilities are rewarded for meeting reliability, affordability, and environmental goals rather than the volume of electricity sold. The author suggests that utilities, given their infrastructure and market reach, are the ideal vehicles for decarbonization if incentivized to prioritize system optimization over electron supply.
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Document type: Report
VALUES AND IDEALS FOR A FOSSIL FUEL TREATY
The document presents a framework of values for a proposed Fossil Fuel Treaty, emphasizing a just transition, non-proliferation of fossil fuels, and a fair phase-out. It advocates for centering the public good over private interests, redressing global imbalances through the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), and protecting human rights and Indigenous self-determination. The text identifies risks such as 'false solutions' and 'dilution of ambition' and proposes operational strategies at national, regional, and global levels to ensure accountability and equity.
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Document type: Statement
Scoping study: Development of a financing offer relating to the green economy in Morocco
The report identifies a significant gap between the high demand for green financing driven by Morocco's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the limited supply of tailored financial instruments for SMEs. While energy efficiency and renewable energy projects are well-covered, sectors like fisheries and sustainable housing are underserved. The study recommends improving the regulatory framework for ESCOs, introducing fiscal incentives, and designing new equity or guarantee mechanisms to catalyze green investment.
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Document type: Report
Étude de cadrage : développement d'une offre de financement relative à l'économie verte au Maroc
The study identifies a significant gap between the high demand for green financing driven by Morocco's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and the limited supply of dedicated instruments for SMEs. While sectors like industry and agriculture are well-served by credit lines, others such as transport, water, and construction remain underserved. The report recommends enhancing the regulatory framework, implementing a green taxonomy, and developing new instruments such as a dedicated green guarantee mechanism or an equity fund to support the transition to a green economy.
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Document type: Report
Simplified Approval Process DIRECTIVES TECHNIQUES RELATIVES AU PROCESSUS D’APPROBATION SIMPLIFIÉ (SAP) Énergies renouvelables
The document outlines the GCF's strategy for decarbonizing the energy sector through renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency, specifically detailing the criteria and activities eligible for the Simplified Approval Process (SAP). It emphasizes three main axes of intervention: large-scale low-carbon electricity deployment, expanding energy access in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and implementing innovative climate mitigation solutions. The guide provides a framework for measuring impact using quantitative and qualitative indicators, lists specific eligible and ineligible activities—such as excluding large-scale solar plants and most hydropower due to high environmental and social risks—and presents three project scenarios involving solar water heaters, rural energy kits, and solar-powered agricultural systems.
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Document type: Guide
Simplified Approval Process DIRECTIVES TECHNIQUES RELATIVES AU PROCESSUS D’APPROBATION SIMPLIFIÉ (SAP)
The document outlines the criteria and technical guidelines for cities to access the Green Climate Fund's Simplified Approval Process (SAP). It defines eligible 'secondary cities' as those with populations between 1 and 3 million, emphasizing the need for integrated, cross-sectoral approaches to decarbonization and resilience. The guide details eligible sectors—including energy, building efficiency, mobility, urban planning, adaptation, circular economy, waste management, and water/sanitation—while explicitly excluding new construction projects for housing, roads, or rapid transit systems. It provides a framework for measuring impact using quantitative indicators and offers three project scenarios: LED street lighting, district cooling networks, and integrated waste management.
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Document type: Guide
Simplified Approval Process DIRECTRICES TECNICAS DEL PROCESO DE APROBACIÓN SIMPLIFICADO (SAP) Energías renovables
The guide outlines the GCF's strategy to increase renewable energy (RE) shares in national energy matrices to mitigate climate change. It defines three dimensions for emission reduction: large-scale low-carbon electricity, increasing access to clean energy in Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and implementing innovative mitigation solutions like energy storage. The document specifies which activities are eligible for the Simplified Approval Process (SAP)—such as micro-scale solar grids and rooftop solar—and which are excluded, such as large-scale solar parks and certain biomass projects. It also provides a performance measurement framework focusing on tCO2eq reductions, financing leverage, and co-benefits like improved health and reduced deforestation.
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Document type: Guide
The new social contract
The policy brief contends that existing social contracts are broken due to rising inequality and distrust in institutions, which undermines climate resilience. It proposes building an intersectional alliance of climate and inequality champions to redefine a social contract that integrates climate justice, decent work, and human rights to facilitate a fair green transition. The document highlights various global examples of this shift, including citizen assemblies in France and legal challenges in South Africa.
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Document type: Policy brief
Principles, priorities and pathways for inclusive green economies
The report introduces a framework for 'Inclusive Green Economies' (IGE) designed to decouple economic growth from resource consumption while ensuring social equity. It outlines five guiding principles—Wellbeing, Justice, Planetary Boundaries, Efficiency and Sufficiency, and Good Governance—and suggests ten catalytic activities to accelerate this transition. The document emphasizes that the transition is an adaptive process likely taking 10-20 years, requiring collaboration between governments, businesses, and civil society to move from awareness and pressure to policy decisions and behavioral change.
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Document type: Report
China’s wind and solar megabases face coal test
China's wind and solar megabases are increasingly relying on local industrial consumption and standalone battery storage to mitigate transmission bottlenecks and curtailment. However, the integration of renewables into coal-to-chemicals projects, such as those by Baofeng Energy, risks supplementing rather than replacing coal. Furthermore, the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) is characterized as conservative regarding transmission capacity and fossil fuel phase-out, potentially allowing coal-fired generation to rebound if demand growth exceeds renewable deployment.
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Document type: Research paper
Draft 2 - China Briefing Draft - 18/06/26
China is leading global utility-scale solar and wind expansion, with a massive pipeline of prospective capacity concentrated in six northwestern and northern provinces. However, the 'megabase' strategy faces significant hurdles, including rising curtailment and a transmission network that remains heavily reliant on coal. While the growth of green hydrogen and standalone battery storage offers a path toward local industrial decarbonization, there is a risk that these renewables will merely supplement rather than replace coal-based industries. The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) continues renewable growth but maintains a role for fossil fuels, suggesting that transmission and market flexibility remain the primary bottlenecks for a full transition.
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Document type: Briefing
Decarbonisation and Compliance: Assessing the impact of the Climate Change Act on South Africa’s extractives industry
The Climate Change Act establishes a regulatory framework for decarbonisation in South Africa's extractives sector, mandating sector-specific emissions targets, carbon budgets, and reporting. While the mining industry is vital to the economy, it is a major GHG contributor, with 85% of emissions linked to the coal value chain. The report highlights challenges such as enforcement gaps, resource limitations for monitoring, and the high capital cost of transitioning. It emphasizes that compliance is a strategic necessity for maintaining export market access, particularly regarding EU CBAM requirements. The Green Transport Strategy (2017-2050) is identified as a key tool for reducing logistics emissions by shifting from road to rail. A case study of Anglo American illustrates effective adaptation through green hydrogen trucks and internal carbon pricing. Successful implementation requires collaboration between government, mining companies, investors, and civil society to ensure a just transition.
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Document type: Report
Open letter to the Voluntary Carbon Market Integrity Initiative
Global Witness and CLARA criticize the VCMI's Provisional Claims Code of Practice, arguing it enables greenwashing and ignores the scientific reality that avoided emissions cannot balance current emissions. They contend that the voluntary carbon market facilitates the appropriation of lands in the global South by the global North and distracts from the mandatory decarbonization and consumption reductions necessary to meet the 1.5C Paris Agreement target.
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Document type: Statement