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The report finds that U.S. residential electricity rates have generally kept pace with economy-wide inflation since 2010, and that states with high clean energy growth often see rates rise slower than inflation. Instead, the report identifies natural gas price volatility, wildfire mitigation and liability costs, aging coal plant investments, and rising transmission and distribution costs as the primary drivers of rate spikes. It further argues that the regulated utility business model incentivizes capital-heavy investments over more cost-effective operational solutions, which compounds these costs for consumers.

The document examines how fossil fuel price volatility contributes to overall inflation in Canada, noting that energy prices accounted for 33% of Canada's overall inflation from February 2021 to June 2022. It argues that transitioning to a net-zero electricity grid by 2050 could save Canadian households an average of CAD 1,500 annually and reduce total energy costs by CAD 15 billion per year. The brief highlights the 'spillover effect' where energy price hikes increase costs for non-energy items, such as food, and can lead to central bank interest rate hikes that further squeeze affordability. It recommends policies that encourage fuel switching to electric vehicles and heat pumps, as well as investments in renewable energy infrastructure to ensure long-term price stability.

The evaluation finds that while the GCF has a prominent position in climate finance and a diverse set of instruments, its energy sector approach lacks a clearly articulated strategy and suffers from a mismatch between its stated and actual risk appetite. The portfolio is heavily skewed toward international accredited entities (IAEs) and focuses primarily on renewable energy generation, while underfinancing energy efficiency and emerging technologies like green hydrogen and large-scale storage. Results management is described as underdeveloped, with inconsistent metrics for measuring paradigm shifts and a lack of specific emissions reduction targets for the energy sector. The report recommends that the GCF clarify its role in the global energy transition, increase support for enabling environments and regulatory frameworks, and better align its risk appetite with transformational innovation.

The report identifies that 37% of registered U.S. voters are "pro-climate voters"—those who view global warming as a very important voting issue and prefer candidates who support climate action. While this group is more likely to discuss climate change and support the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) than other voters, only 47% of them are familiar with the IRA. The analysis suggests that these voters, numbering nearly 60 million, could be decisive in the 2024 election, particularly as they show a higher likelihood of voting than other registered voters.

The Indonesia Cooking Diaries Study assessed the transition from LPG to induction stoves in South Jakarta. While participants noted efficiency and cost-saving potential, they faced challenges with electricity spikes, kitchen layouts, and cookware compatibility. The study suggests that induction stoves may serve as complementary tools rather than total replacements in the short term and recommends infrastructure upgrades and financial incentives to support national goals of reducing LPG imports.

The document compares current law with the House version of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), highlighting proposed changes to grant selection criteria, loan guarantee limits, and discretionary funding. It notes that the Senate version is pending. REAP provides financial assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency upgrades.

The document argues that the EU's territorial emission reductions underestimate its true carbon footprint due to emissions embedded in imports. It identifies food, housing, and mobility as primary consumption 'hotspots' and calls for a shift from a focus on production efficiency to policies that target consumption patterns and behavioral change. Key barriers include a lack of standardized monitoring and supply chain transparency, while opportunities lie in leveraging the EU's market influence to set common CBE targets and support developing countries in transitioning to low-carbon production.

Between 2021 and 2023, commercial banks in G7 countries provided US$101 billion to the coal industry, with American and Japanese banks contributing over US$73 billion. The report highlights that this financing exceeds the G7-led pledges for Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) and calls for stricter capital requirements and prohibitions to ensure a phase-out aligned with 1.5°C goals.

The briefing outlines how the EU can sustain its climate leadership following the June 2024 elections by linking emissions reductions to energy security, consumer cost savings, and industrial competitiveness. It highlights the success of the RePowerEU Plan in reducing Russian gas imports and notes that wind and solar power saved EU consumers approximately EUR 100 billion between 2021 and 2023. The document emphasizes that investing in green technology and implementing social safety nets, such as retraining programmes, will ensure the transition is competitive and inclusive.

The document outlines the gTech-IESD modeling framework used to assess Canadian carbon pricing. It details ten policy scenarios ranging from 'No policy' to 'Announced policies with binding LETS systems', alongside sensitivity analyses for oil prices and technology costs. The report specifies macroeconomic inputs from the PBO and CER, and provides a comprehensive inventory of legislated and announced federal and provincial climate policies, including fuel charges, Large Emitter Trading Systems (LETS), and various investment tax credits.

The study evaluates four scenarios—Business-as-usual (BAU), Renewable Methane (REN-Methane), Renewable Hydrogen (REN-Hydrogen), and Cost Minimal (CM)—for the Baltic-Finland region. It finds that a 100% decarbonized gas supply is possible by 2040 under the CM scenario, which is also the most economically advantageous. The transition requires significant scaling of biomethane and renewable hydrogen, supported by substantial onshore and offshore wind capacity. The report recommends regional coordination on infrastructure, harmonized certification for low-carbon gases, and the potential banning of new fossil fuel boiler installations to meet 2050 net decarbonization goals.

The report evaluates pathways to decarbonise the Baltic-Finnish gas market, comparing a business-as-usual approach with renewable methane, renewable hydrogen, and cost-minimising scenarios. It finds that full decarbonisation by 2050 is possible, with the cost-minimising scenario offering the highest economic benefits, including a 44% reduction in total system costs and the creation of over 20,000 jobs. The analysis emphasises the critical role of onshore and offshore wind energy to power hydrogen production and suggests that existing LNG terminals can be repurposed for synthetic methane and bio-LNG. Key recommendations include regional integration of gas markets, harmonised certification for renewable gases, and the potential legal ban on connecting new buildings to the natural gas grid.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative examines the landscape of project preparation and finance for net zero carbon buildings (NZCBs) in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It highlights the critical role of building decarbonization in meeting regional climate goals, identifies barriers such as energy subsidies, and maps the activities of 12 international entities providing project preparation support to develop investable project pipelines.

The briefing argues that Ukraine's reconstruction presents a 'build back better' opportunity to create a climate-resilient and inclusive society. It specifically advocates for the pragmatic implementation of energy-efficiency measures in residential buildings, suggesting that Ukraine avoid the planning inefficiencies seen in Bosnia and the scaling failures experienced in Croatia's post-earthquake recovery.

The report quantifies the massive energy and financial waste inherent in the fossil fuel system, noting that nearly two-thirds of primary energy is lost before providing useful services. It identifies fossil thermal power plants and internal combustion engines as the primary drivers of this waste and posits that the transition to renewables, localization, and electrification will undercut fossil fuels through superior efficiency and lower lifetime costs.

The document argues that achieving cost-effective net-zero emissions in Canada's building sector requires a significant shift toward electrification and a cessation of gas network expansion. It highlights a misalignment between current utility regulations—which continue to incentivize gas infrastructure growth—and the necessary transition to clean energy. The briefing recommends that provincial governments legally mandate net-zero targets for regulators, prioritize electrification over gas for new developments, and develop managed contraction plans for existing gas networks to avoid stranded assets and protect taxpayers.

The report argues that achieving cost-optimal carbon neutrality in Canada's building sector requires a massive shift toward electrification, primarily through heat pumps, and a significant reduction in gas network reliance. It warns that current regulatory inertia and the continued expansion of gas infrastructure create risks of 'stranded assets' and higher costs for taxpayers. The authors recommend that provincial governments provide clear long-term strategic guidance, mandate net-zero targets, and empower regulators to prioritize electrification over gas expansion to protect long-term affordability and reliability.

The document outlines the necessity of shifting Canada's building heat from gas to electricity to meet net-zero targets cost-effectively. It warns that continued expansion of gas networks risks creating stranded assets and higher costs for ratepayers. The author argues that current utility regulation is insufficient for the energy transition and recommends that provincial governments legislate net-zero targets, prioritize electrification over gas expansion, and implement managed contractions of gas networks while centering equity in policy design.

The report finds that a cost-optimal path to net zero in Canada requires a massive shift toward electrification of building heat, with electricity powering 78% to 91% of annual space heating demand by 2050. It argues that continued expansion of gas networks is inconsistent with these goals and risks creating stranded assets. The analysis highlights a critical gap in provincial policy leadership, noting that current utility regulation—which incentivizes infrastructure growth—is ill-suited for the energy transition. To mitigate risks, the report recommends that provincial governments legislate net zero targets, mandate electrification for new buildings, and equip regulators to manage the gradual contraction of gas networks while investing in electricity capacity and peak demand management.

The study finds that direct electrification could replace 90% of the energy demand not yet electrified in European industry by 2035. While technologies like heat pumps and electric boilers are mature for low-temperature needs, high-temperature applications in sectors like cement and steel require further development of plasma, shock-wave, and resistance heating. The report highlights that economic barriers—specifically the price gap between electricity and natural gas—and organisational hurdles, such as insufficient grid infrastructure and long equipment lifetimes, are more significant obstacles than technical limitations. It argues that direct electrification is generally more energy-efficient than indirect electrification via hydrogen, particularly for low-temperature applications.