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The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) proposes several amendments to Poland's draft Heating Transformation Strategy to 2040. Key recommendations include a more nuanced approach to nuclear heating—distinguishing between large plants, SMRs for cogeneration, and heat-only SMRs—and the removal of renewable hydrogen as a general heating solution due to inefficiency. CATF also advocates for enhanced risk-sharing mechanisms for geothermal energy, specifically 'Super Hot Rock Energy', and the legal and financial inclusion of energy communities and social ownership models to increase local acceptance and efficiency.

The report finds that Romania's geothermal potential is largely untapped, contributing only 0.02% to the energy mix and primarily serving district heating and spas. It identifies significant structural barriers, including fragmented permitting, outdated subsurface data, and high early-stage financial risks. The document highlights the potential for the oil and gas industry to accelerate the market by repurposing abandoned wells, which could reduce drilling costs by up to 50%. It recommends streamlining licensing, shifting to energy-based taxation, and introducing risk-sharing mechanisms like drilling insurance to attract investment.

The Dubrovnik Geothermal Declaration, endorsed on 28 April 2026, positions geothermal energy as a strategic asset for the Three Seas Initiative (TSI) region. The signatories commit to doubling geothermal investments by 2030 relative to 2025 baselines and establishing a 'TSI Next 10 GEO' priority pipeline for commissioning between 2032 and 2035. The declaration calls for the creation of a TSI Geothermal Exploration Risk Facility by 2027 and the development of a flagship geothermal pilot by 2029. To support these goals, the document advocates for regulatory harmonization, including fast-track licensing based on Croatia's model and the removal of preferential treatment for fossil gas and unsustainable biomass. It also proposes the 'Geoterm Carpatia' corridor to integrate geothermal energy into regional energy highways linking TEN-E and TEN-T nodes.

The authors argue that Europe risks missing a strategic window to lead in geothermal energy due to insufficient political support and financial risks. They claim next-generation geothermal systems could generate 301 TWh of electricity annually in the EU, roughly 42% of current coal- and gas-fired generation. To unlock this, the letter calls for a dedicated EU geothermal de-risking facility for drilling, long-term revenue frameworks like two-way CfDs, streamlined permitting, and the creation of a European Geothermal Industry Alliance.

The document outlines outcomes from a May 2025 workshop involving 27 Swedish stakeholders to address vulnerabilities in electric bus fleets. Key challenges identified include grid capacity constraints, the impact of cold weather on battery range, and fragmented data standards. The guide proposes a 'prepare-absorb-recover-adapt' framework and offers specific recommendations, such as conducting depot-grid capacity studies before tenders, establishing reduced-service plans for power outages, and creating a common data standard for monitoring state-of-charge and charger uptime. It further suggests aligning contract terms with the longer lifespan of depot infrastructure and developing decision-support tools for backup power options like battery storage or hybrid generators.

The document outlines a series of 'must-have' and 'nice-to-have' recommendations for the Polish state and the European Union to unlock SMR deployment. For Poland, priorities include durable political support, flexible financing models like adjustable Contracts for Difference (CfDs), national coordination for technology down-selection, and a dedicated workforce development framework. It also emphasizes the need to streamline permitting for SMRs on industrial sites, potentially leveraging the EU's Net-Zero Industrial Act (NZIA). At the EU level, the document calls for increased funding from existing and future funds (MFF 2028-34), a more relaxed State Aid process, and the formal recognition of nuclear technology's contribution to decarbonisation goals. Additionally, it suggests that Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries pursue joint procurement and a coordinated approach to reproduce successful pilot projects to achieve economies of scale.

The document argues that Romania possesses significant untapped geothermal potential, particularly in the Western Plain, but is hindered by outdated data and regulatory barriers. While Romania ranked sixth in the EU for gross geothermal heat production in 2024, it has no geothermal electricity projects. The report suggests leveraging the existing oil and gas workforce and infrastructure to reduce costs and recommends establishing a one-stop-shop permitting mechanism and targeted financial risk-sharing for exploration.

The study finds that full implementation of decarbonisation strategies for Estonia's residential buildings could reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95% compared to 2020 levels. While embodied emissions from renovations are minor relative to energy savings, the overall success of these measures depends heavily on the carbon intensity of grid electricity; if the current fuel mix for electricity and district heating remains unchanged, comprehensive renovation could potentially increase emissions compared to the baseline.

Catawba College, a private liberal arts institution in Salisbury, NC, has become one of only 13 colleges in the US to be certified carbon neutral. The college is currently executing a District Energy and Modernization (DEM) project that integrates a closed-loop geoexchange system to provide heating and cooling for 26 campus buildings, aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 51 metric tons annually. This effort is complemented by a history of solar investments—including an 837 kW installation in 2015 and a 55 kW addition in 2024—and the transformation of a former coal-fired power plant (the Smokestack) into a net-zero student hub. New construction, such as a 130-bed residence hall designed to Passive House US standards, is expected to reduce energy use by 55% compared to typical regional construction. A net present value analysis suggests the DEM project will save the college approximately $10 million between 2025 and 2054 compared to business-as-usual practices.

The document outlines the potential for geothermal energy to decarbonize district heating in Central and Eastern Europe, identifying financing and risk as the primary bottlenecks. It highlights national strategies in Hungary, Croatia, Poland, and Slovakia, while advocating for the adoption of next-generation technologies and a unified regional voice to influence EU policy.

A coalition of industry and research organizations urges the European Commission to ensure the upcoming EU Action Plan on Geothermal Energy goes beyond heating and cooling to include next-generation technologies capable of providing firm electricity and industrial heat. The signatories advocate for research support, the strengthening of the EU geothermal value chain, and the creation of public-private risk-sharing mechanisms to enable commercial financing by the early 2030s.

The document examines how electrifying heating systems and improving energy efficiency in buildings can reduce urban emissions, highlighting Copenhagen's achievement of reducing building-related emissions by over 60% between 2019 and 2023. It notes that while such measures reduce emissions at the source, they can increase induced emissions if the electricity grid remains carbon-intensive.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) recommends that Poland update its nuclear strategy to include a transparent financing model, a clear role for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and a detailed roadmap for its second nuclear power plant (EJ2). The report argues that nuclear power is essential for Poland's decarbonisation, noting that in some modelled scenarios, nuclear capacity could reach 21 GW by 2050. CATF specifically advises against the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel due to proliferation risks and suggests that Poland leverage SMRs to decarbonise industrial sites and district heating. Additionally, the report calls for stronger regional collaboration within Central and Eastern Europe to build a resilient nuclear supply chain and workforce.

The document outlines a new energy security framework for Central and Eastern Europe, emphasizing the transition to clean energy to reduce vulnerabilities associated with fossil fuel imports and geopolitical instability. It advocates for the removal of fossil fuel subsidies, the establishment of a grid security framework to counter hybrid warfare, and the expansion of the EU single energy market through harmonized permitting and increased interconnectivity. Additionally, it calls for the EU to adopt an incentive-based investment approach, similar to the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, to maintain global competitiveness and avoid reliance on non-EU financing.

The document outlines a new energy security framework for Central and Eastern Europe, emphasizing the transition from fossil fuel imports to clean energy to mitigate geopolitical risks. It calls for the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies, the creation of a grid security framework to counter hybrid warfare, and the expansion of the EU single energy market through harmonized permitting and increased interconnector investment. Additionally, it advocates for an incentive-based investment approach similar to the US Inflation Reduction Act to maintain European competitiveness and prevent reliance on non-EU financing.

The document proposes a shift from traditional technology-replacement efficiency to a 'whole-systems' approach. It argues that combining electrification with energy end-use efficiency (reducing the demand for energy services) can reduce overall energy demand by 50-75%. The author provides sector-specific examples: in buildings, through passive design and compact urban development; in mobility, via land-use reforms and smaller, lighter electric vehicles; in freight, through modal shifts to rail and material demand reduction; and in steel, via circularity and material substitution. The brief concludes that achieving the COP28 goal of doubling energy efficiency improvement rates requires engaging a diverse range of stakeholders to trigger social tipping points.

The methodology employs Functional Urban Areas (FUAs) to define urban scope and tracks primary capital flows for mitigation and adaptation. It combines project-level data from sources like the OECD-DAC and BNEF with capital expenditure estimations for transport, buildings, and energy systems. Needs assessments are derived from top-down global models, adjusted by regional urban population shares and sector-specific inclusion criteria.

The report identifies a critical need to accelerate building renovations in Europe, noting that approximately 97% of the region's building stock requires upgrades to meet 2050 net-zero targets. It argues that while the EU's 'Fit for 55' package and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) provide a foundation, additional policy interventions are needed to unlock private capital and overcome financial and non-financial barriers. The document details 20 specific policy levers, including the implementation of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), the phasing out of fossil-fuel subsidies by 2040, and the adoption of 'Building Renovation Passports'. It emphasizes the role of green bonds and mortgages, suggesting a voluntary EU-wide definition for green mortgages to improve data collection and risk management. The report also advocates for the electrification of heating via heat pumps over hydrogen blending and highlights the importance of addressing 'Whole Life Carbon' (WLC) in construction.

The document asserts that zero-carbon electricity grids are possible and debunks myths regarding the need for fossil fuel backups or the risk of grid overload from renewables. It highlights that wind and solar costs fell by 55% and 85% respectively between 2010 and 2020, and that countries like Denmark, Portugal, and Uruguay are already demonstrating high renewable integration. However, a significant bottleneck exists in grid infrastructure, with 3,000 GW of renewable projects awaiting connection across several major economies. The briefing recommends a cross-sector approach integrating heating, cooling, and industry, alongside investments in digitalisation, storage, and cross-border interconnectors to ensure stability and efficiency.

The report examines Energy Communities (ECs) in the EU, highlighting their role in democratising energy and achieving climate goals. It distinguishes between Citizen Energy Communities (CECs) and Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), noting that as of 2022, over 9,000 ECs were operational in the EU. The document details the climate, economic, and social benefits of these models, such as reduced energy poverty and increased grid resilience. Through case studies of Germany, Denmark, Latvia, and Greece, it illustrates how national legislation and financial incentives—like feed-in tariffs and grants—drive adoption. The report concludes that while the EU is a leader in these models, non-EU nations should consider similar legal recognitions to support a just energy transition.