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In 2023, renewables reached a record 30% of global electricity generation, driven by solar and wind. Despite this, global power sector emissions rose by 1% to a record 14,153 million tonnes of CO2, as severe droughts caused a five-year low in hydropower, forcing a reliance on coal in countries like China and India. Solar was the fastest-growing source for the 19th consecutive year, while OECD countries continued to see falling emissions. Ember forecasts that 2023 marked the peak of power sector emissions, with a decline expected in 2024 as clean generation growth is projected to outpace electricity demand.

The document explains the eligibility and certification process for Low Carbon Buildings Bonds, detailing the pathways to achieve net-zero by 2050 and the specific requirements for new and existing buildings. It outlines the use of trajectories and proxies to measure emissions intensity and highlights new 2023 requirements for new buildings, including the prohibition of fossil fuels and mandatory Whole Life Carbon Assessments.

The briefing asserts that tripling renewables and doubling energy efficiency by 2030 will provide 85% of the required cuts in unabated fossil fuels for that period. By 2035, these two actions alone are projected to reduce total CO2 emissions by more than half. The document emphasizes that while nuclear energy and carbon capture and storage (CCS) play roles, their contributions are significantly smaller due to slow deployment and technology immaturity, making renewables and efficiency the most effective tools for a rapid fossil fuel phaseout.

A survey of U.S. adults reveals that 60% prefer a home where all or most major appliances are powered by electricity. Preferences for electrification vary by political affiliation, race, and geography, with the highest support among liberal Democrats, Black respondents, and urban residents.

A 2023 survey of U.S. adults found that 60% prefer a home where all or most major appliances are powered by electricity. Preferences vary by demographics, with the highest support among liberal Democrats (75%) and Black respondents (69%), while rural residents (54%) are less likely to prefer electrification than urban (65%) or suburban (61%) residents.

The EU chemicals sector faces a critical investment window until 2030, requiring over EUR1tn by 2050 to achieve net zero. The document argues that decarbonisation must address scope 3 emissions—which account for 60% to 80% of total emissions—through demand reduction, circularity, and alternative feedstocks. Key policy recommendations include expanding the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to include polymers and organic chemicals, implementing Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfDs) for low-carbon hydrogen, and strengthening the EU Taxonomy to better incentivise low-carbon basic chemicals production.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analysis concludes that the United States can meet its climate goals through a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels and a transition to clean energy, which would yield significant economic and public health benefits. While the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provide critical momentum, the report finds that the U.S. will fall short of its 2030 goals without additional robust policies. The most effective near-term strategy is the decarbonization of the power sector via wind and solar, while long-term reductions depend on the electrification of transportation, buildings, and industry. The report emphasizes that reducing overall energy demand can lower the required scale of new infrastructure and that a just transition must prioritize marginalized communities and hold fossil fuel companies accountable.

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analysis finds that while the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) accelerate emissions reductions, additional policies are required to meet US climate targets. Achieving net-zero by 2050 requires a rapid phaseout of fossil fuels, a massive scale-up of wind, solar, and energy storage, and expanded electrification and energy efficiency. The report argues that the health and climate benefits of this transition—including avoided premature deaths and reduced climate-caused damage—significantly outweigh the energy system costs.

The report highlights a critical gap in US public health policy: the lack of comprehensive, science-based indoor air quality (IAQ) guidelines. While the US regulates outdoor air via the Clean Air Act, indoor environments—where people spend approximately 90% of their time—remain largely unregulated. The document details how pollutants like nitrogen dioxide from gas stoves and wildfire smoke exacerbate health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations. It reviews existing international models from the WHO and Health Canada, and limited US efforts in states like California and Texas. RMI recommends that the EPA use its authority under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) to develop federal guidelines, which could then inform building codes, product safety standards, and electrification efforts to reduce combustion pollution.

The We Mean Business Coalition has launched the 'Fossil to Clean' campaign to accelerate the global transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. The campaign introduces 'Fossil to Clean principles' that call for explicit end dates for fossil fuel use to provide market certainty and prevent unwise economic risks in new oil and gas projects. While over 13,000 businesses are committed to science-based emission reductions, the coalition emphasizes that government regulation is the most critical accelerator to overcome barriers such as permitting delays and lack of infrastructure. The campaign aims to mobilize business voices leading up to COP28 to push governments to include fossil fuel phase-out targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The document outlines the technical framework for certifying low-carbon buildings under the Climate Bonds Standard. It shifts the focus from energy use intensity to emissions intensity, establishing city-specific linear trajectories aimed at net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The criteria distinguish between new and existing buildings, introducing mandatory Whole Life Carbon Assessments (WLCA) for new constructions to account for embodied carbon. It also provides a guide for Scope 3 GHG accounting across the building value chain, from manufacturers to owners and deconstruction firms.

Ember critiques the TYNDP 2024 storylines for having low electrification levels and unrealistic fossil fuel price projections. The organization argues that the 'Green Ambition' (GA) and 'Distributed Energy' (DE) scenarios are not fully self-consistent and fail to align with 1.5C pathways. Ember recommends introducing a higher-ambition scenario with at least 90% emissions reduction by 2040 and urges the removal of fossil methane from heating and transport by 2050.

The document argues that clean electricity is essential for Canada to reach its climate targets, noting that switching from fossil fuels to clean electricity alone could contribute 37 per cent toward the 2050 net zero goal. It highlights that Canadians are projected to spend 12 per cent less on energy by 2050 due to the efficiency of electric vehicles and heat pumps. The text asserts that a net zero electricity grid by 2035 is achievable and necessary for economic competitiveness, particularly relative to the United States. Furthermore, it notes that the federal government has allocated over $30 billion to support provinces and territories in upgrading grids, with solar and wind already being competitive or cheaper than natural gas in Alberta and Ontario.

The Canadian Climate Institute asserts that a clean electricity grid is essential for Canada to reach its climate goals, noting that transitioning from fossil fuels to clean electricity alone would achieve 37% of the 2050 net-zero target. The document highlights that Canada's grid is already 84% clean and that wind and solar are becoming the cheapest options in provinces like Ontario and Alberta. It emphasizes that federal investment, including over $30 billion for provinces and territories, is critical to maintaining competitiveness against the United States, which also aims for net-zero electricity by 2035.

Climate Central reports that 97% of 240 analyzed U.S. locations saw an increase in annual cooling degree days (CDD) between 1970 and 2022, with the most significant rises in the Southwest, South, and Southeast. Projections suggest U.S. household cooling demand will increase by 71% by 2050, while global demand is expected to more than triple. The document highlights that rising demand can strain power grids, increase greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and HFCs, and exacerbate urban heat islands. It also notes a disproportionate energy burden on low-income and minority households, who may delay cooling use due to cost. Proposed solutions include transitioning to renewable energy, adopting high-efficiency heat pumps, and implementing building retrofits.

The report examines the use of energy service agreements (ESAs) to overcome financial and structural barriers to decarbonizing affordable multifamily housing in California, specifically addressing split incentives and upfront costs.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) and Earthjustice oppose the U.S. EPA's finalized Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2023-2025, which increases the required volume of biofuels in transportation fuel. WRI argues that crop-based biofuels, such as corn ethanol and soy biodiesel, are inefficient compared to electrification, threaten food security by occupying 60 million acres of U.S. farmland, and increase emissions. The organization advocates for a shift toward electric vehicles and climate-smart agriculture rather than incentivizing fuel production from crops.

The policy brief highlights a gap between current European electricity interconnection expansion plans and the actual needs of the power system. It asserts that doubling interconnection capacity is essential to integrate renewables cost-effectively and reduce reliance on fossil gas. The author identifies critical border corridors requiring urgent attention and proposes three pathways forward: accelerating the 22 GW of projects already in the pipeline, investing in non-wire solutions like storage and demand response, or increasing domestic renewable capacities at a higher cost.

The document advocates for a diverse energy mix that includes 'clean firm power'—non-weather-dependent zero-carbon sources—to complement wind, solar, and battery storage. It argues that relying solely on variable renewables would lead to excessive costs, land use, and infrastructure requirements, while a diversified approach could significantly reduce the time and cost of the energy transition.

The author asserts that while climate change threatens to reduce global GDP by 14% by 2050, investments in clean energy could boost global GDP by 4% by 2030. The text emphasizes the need for a nine-fold increase in clean energy investment relative to fossil fuels by 2030 to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. It highlights the role of Temasek in funding technology-based and nature-based solutions and closing financing gaps for sustainable infrastructure in Asia through Pentagreen Capital. The author calls for visionary government policies to provide the clarity needed for private sector investment in renewables, electrification, and energy efficiency.