Search Climate Insights Directory

The briefing argues that eligible EU Member States, primarily in Central Eastern Europe, should maximise the Modernisation Fund by transferring allowances from the Article 10c derogation and the Solidarity & Growth Provision. It concludes that the Modernisation Fund is more flexible and effective for energy transition than Article 10c, which has strict financing requirements and limited eligibility. The document also discusses the potential financial impact of Market Stability Reserve (MSR) recalculations on Member State auction revenues.

The report describes Poland as an EU laggard in energy transition due to an unprecedented dependency on coal and a lack of up-to-date energy strategy. While the power sector is starting to diversify through new RES auctions and gas-fired installations, the report highlights significant challenges, including the '10H rule' blocking onshore wind and a history of poor EU law transposition. It argues that the EU Clean Energy Package and rising carbon costs are key drivers that could accelerate the transition if supported by a stable national legal framework.

The report analyzes the consumption-based greenhouse gas emissions of Umeå residents, finding an average footprint of 9.77 tonnes CO2e per person for survey participants (aged 20-84), which scales to 7.6 tonnes CO2e per person for the total population. Travel, particularly aviation and car use, is identified as the primary emission source, followed by food. The report identifies 'hotspots' including meat consumption, aviation, and housing energy, and recommends administrative, economic, and informative policy tools to reduce these impacts.

The document outlines five specific actions to decarbonize regional industry: methane containment, transitioning to clean industrial processes, implementing shared industrial flows (such as eco-industrial parks), decarbonizing ports and airports, and transitioning to clean industrial vehicles. It provides a framework for regional authorities to eliminate waste, electrify processes, and implement regulatory penalties for emissions, supported by references to policies from jurisdictions such as California, Brazil, and Hong Kong.

The author asserts that energy efficiency is a critical, underutilized tool for reducing global CO2 emissions and enhancing the reliability of renewable energy. By utilizing existing technologies such as thermal storage and district heating, the global energy system can become more flexible and cost-effective, as the cheapest energy is that which is not consumed.

The Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency serves as the energy efficiency hub for Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), focusing on creating and disseminating knowledge to scale energy efficiency actions globally. The Centre operates as a collaborating centre of the UN Environment Programme and part of the UNEP-DTU Partnership. Its primary activities include providing technical assistance to cities and countries, supporting the SEforALL Global Energy Efficiency Accelerator Platform across sectors such as buildings, industry, and transport, and co-hosting the EE Global Forum to increase momentum for energy efficiency as a primary driver of the clean energy transition and Sustainable Development Goal 7.

The briefing outlines the advantages of transforming former industrial sites into net-zero energy (NZE) districts, highlighting benefits such as lower energy costs, access to specialized financing like PACE, and the ability to implement district-scale efficiencies. It provides examples of such projects in St. Paul, Denver, and Pittsburgh, emphasizing that NZE development can be achieved without first-cost premiums through innovative business models.

The report evaluates ten climate solutions across five European countries, finding a total abatement potential of 149 Mt CO2eq by 2030, representing 13% of the region's projected emissions. Energy efficiency in buildings and industry are identified as the most cost-effective solutions, offering net savings, while onshore wind and solar power provide significant potential, particularly in the Baltic states. The study highlights that while Poland and Ukraine offer the highest absolute abatement, the relative impact is greater in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Key barriers include policies favoring fossil fuels and market uncertainty, while enablers include EU regulations and declining renewable technology costs.

The Ulaanbaatar Green Affordable Housing and Resilient Urban Renewal Project (AHURP) is a $544 million initiative designed to provide 10,000 energy-efficient, affordable housing units and redevelop 100 hectares of ger areas into eco-districts. The project addresses the vulnerability of rural-urban migrants who have settled in unplanned peri-urban areas due to climate-induced livestock losses (dzuds). By combining GCF grants and concessional loans with ADB financing and private investment, AHURP aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through solar PV and improved building insulation, while increasing urban resilience through climate-proofed infrastructure. The project employs a sector loan modality to drive policy reforms in green banking, building standards, and urban planning.

Scaling up 10 existing climate solutions in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine could reduce 2030 emissions by approximately 149 Mt (CO2e), representing a 13% reduction compared to baseline projections. The most significant absolute reductions are possible in Poland (71 Mt) and Ukraine (64 Mt), while the highest relative impacts are in the Baltic States, potentially cutting emissions by nearly 40% in Estonia and over 30% in Latvia and Lithuania. Energy efficiency in buildings and industry offers the highest potential and is the most cost-effective, with building efficiency alone potentially saving 2.9 billion euros by 2030. Conversely, wind power provides the greatest relative potential in the Baltic States. The report identifies common barriers such as high investment costs, weak carbon pricing, and lack of financing, and recommends policies including the phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies, stable legal frameworks, and targeted financial incentives.

Sweden has significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use in heating, with fossil fuels now accounting for less than 5% of heating energy. However, the system remains locked into a supply-dominated model with limited focus on reducing heating demand. This creates tensions as the increase in waste incineration for heat and resistance to stricter building energy efficiency standards clash with EU directives and the long-term need to adapt to climate change and building renovations.

The Czech Republic has seen a significant decline in coal production and employment since 1990, with the share of coal in primary energy production falling from 89% to 58% by 2014. The transition has been characterized by the privatization of mines, the imposition of ecological territorial limits in the North Bohemian Brown Coal Basin, and state-funded environmental remediation. While the broader economic transformation is viewed as successful, specific mining regions have faced social isolation and economic distress. Future energy policy aims to further reduce coal's share in electricity and heat, favoring nuclear power and renewables.

The 3rd Sustainable Energy for All Forum served as a marketplace for leaders to broker partnerships and mobilize finance to achieve universal energy access. A central feature was the launch of the third Global Tracking Framework (GTF) report, which indicated that the world is not on track to meet 2030 targets for electricity access, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. The event highlighted the need for increased investment—specifically a 2-3 fold increase for renewables and a 3-6 fold increase for energy efficiency—and showcased various financial innovations, such as Results-Based Financing (RBF) and the Microgrid Investment Accelerator. The Forum also emphasized the critical roles of gender equality, digitalization, and decentralized energy systems in reaching the most vulnerable populations, particularly in Africa and Latin America.

Sweden has significantly decarbonised its heating sector, with fossil fuels now accounting for less than 5% of heating energy. This was achieved through the expansion of district heating and heat pumps, supported by carbon taxes introduced in 1991 and a pragmatic approach to shared infrastructure. However, the system is now characterised by a 'supply-dominated' lock-in, where the focus remains on maintaining production rather than reducing demand. This is evidenced by high average indoor temperatures (21.2°C to 22.3°C) and resistance to more stringent energy efficiency standards. Additionally, an increasing reliance on waste incineration has led to over-capacity and a dependency on imported waste, potentially conflicting with EU directives. The report warns that rising temperatures from climate change and stricter EU energy performance requirements will further decrease heat demand, necessitating a shift toward demand-reducing technologies and increased integration of industrial waste heat.

Sweden has successfully transitioned its heating system to low-carbon sources, with fossil fuels now accounting for under 5% of heating energy. This was achieved through the expansion of district heating, which covers over 50% of the building stock, and the widespread adoption of heat pumps in single-family homes. However, the report identifies significant 'lock-ins' where the dominance of large suppliers and a focus on production over efficiency hinder further progress. Key challenges include a reliance on waste incineration, high indoor temperature norms, and resistance from industry players toward stricter building energy efficiency standards. The authors recommend shifting focus toward demand-reduction technologies and lowering barriers for third-party access to district heating networks to better integrate industrial waste heat.

The document highlights a significant financing gap for cities in developing countries, where fewer than 20% have access to local capital markets and only 4% can access international markets. While the global green bond market grew exponentially from USD 3.2 billion in 2012 to USD 44 billion in 2015, only USD 2.3 billion has been linked to city-based projects in developing countries. The guide outlines two primary strategies for accessing these funds: direct issuance for creditworthy cities (potentially using guarantees or cornerstone buyers) and indirect access for others by aligning projects with the frameworks of multilateral development banks, commercial banks, or corporations.

The open letter argues that the EU ETS currently sustains coal infrastructure through low carbon prices and the misuse of Article 10c and the Modernisation Fund. The signatories call for a tighter ETS cap to increase carbon prices and the explicit exclusion of coal-related investments from funding mechanisms to avoid locking Central and Eastern Europe into coal dependency.

A coalition of networks and organizations calls for an ambitious revision of the EU ETS to stop the use of Article 10c and the Modernisation Fund for fossil fuel capacity, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. They advocate for a higher carbon price to disincentivize coal and the redirection of funds toward energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The Rocky Mountain Institute presents a business model for net zero energy (NZE) districts that achieves life-cycle cost neutrality compared to business-as-usual (BAU) developments. The model centers on an Integrated Energy Services Provider (IESP) that manages a micro-utility, district heating and cooling, and renewable energy deployment. By shifting capital costs for heating/cooling and solar PV away from parcel developers and providing on-bill financing for energy efficiency, the model reduces upfront costs for developers and lowers total energy bills for tenants. The approach includes outcome-based energy-performance requirements enforced through a system of incentives and penalties. A case study of a 180-acre mixed-use development in a midsize U.S. city demonstrates that the model remains economically favorable even under challenging conditions such as low electricity rates and a lack of net metering.

The report analyzes various policy scenarios for China's energy transition, highlighting that carbon pricing and renewable energy standards are the most powerful tools for reducing emissions. It emphasizes that regulatory policies, particularly energy efficiency standards in buildings and industry, are highly cost-effective. The analysis suggests a transition toward a service-based economy and a decarbonized electricity grid to meet emissions peaking goals by 2030.