Search Climate Insights Directory
243 results
21st century energy: Business reflections on renewables in Europe
The report examines business responses to the EU's 2030 climate and energy framework, noting that while some companies diversify into renewable energy generation, others stimulate market demand through procurement requirements.
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Document type: Report
Coal Transition in the CZECH REPUBLIC
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.
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Document type: Case study
OPENING DOORS MAPPING THE LANDSCAPE FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, GENDER DIVERSITY & SOCIAL INCLUSION
The report identifies a diverse but fragmented ecosystem of 174 initiatives aiming to integrate gender diversity and social inclusion into the sustainable energy transition. While significant activity exists—particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia—the sector is hindered by a lack of multi-year funding, limited technical capacity among women, and restrictive social norms. The document argues that empowering women is a catalyst for energy access, noting that women influence 80% of household energy purchasing decisions, and calls for a shift toward rights-based approaches and strategic cross-sector partnerships to achieve universal energy access by 2030.
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Document type: Report
HEAT MAPS
The report identifies 'high-impact' countries critical to achieving universal sustainable energy access. It highlights that 85% of people lacking clean cooking fuels live in 20 high-impact countries and 80% of those without electricity reside in 20 high-impact nations, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. While some countries like India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have enabling policy environments, many others lack the regulatory frameworks and creditworthy utilities needed to attract investment. The report also notes that global energy efficiency improvements (2.1% annually in 2012-14) are below the 2.6% target, and doubling the renewable energy share in the global mix by 2030 requires a rise from 18.3% to 36% of Total Final Energy Consumption.
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Document type: Report
Climate finance to the Small Islands of the Eastern Caribbean: An overview of financial support provided from 2010 to 2015
The document analyzes climate finance commitments to OECS Member States between 2010 and 2015, finding that while US$ 101 million was committed, actual disbursement rates were extremely low (under 10% for most countries). The funding was dominated by multilateral sources and focused heavily on disaster-related adaptation, primarily delivered through short-term projects.
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Document type: Policy brief
CLIMATE FINANCE IN THE PACIFIC: AN OVERVIEW OF FLOWS TO THE REGION
Between 2010 and 2014, the Federated States of Micronesia received US$ 3.93 million in grant-equivalent finance specifically targeting climate change, with 99.4% (US$ 3.91 million) dedicated to adaptation. Australia was the primary source of this funding, with the largest allocations directed toward environmental research and disaster prevention and preparedness. Additionally, between January 2015 and September 2016, the country received US$ 0.3 million from the Green Climate Fund for readiness support and US$ 0.85 million from the Global Environment Facility for reporting purposes.
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Document type: Research paper
Wind Power in China: A cautionary tale
China experienced rapid wind power growth from 1.26 GW in 2005 to 91.4 GW by 2013, but this expansion outpaced grid infrastructure. This led to significant issues with curtailment and delayed project connections, driven by a lack of coordination between wind farm construction and grid expansion, as well as insufficient state-level oversight. The Chinese government has acknowledged these gaps in its 2012 White Paper and 12th Five-Year Plan, emphasizing the need for better integration of supply and demand.
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Document type: Report
Wind Power in China: A cautionary tale
China experienced unprecedented wind power growth, with capacity increasing from 1.26 GW in 2005 to 91.4 GW by the end of 2013. However, this rapid deployment led to significant issues with delayed grid connections and curtailment, particularly in resource-rich northern provinces. The report identifies a mismatch between the location of wind resources and power demand, alongside a lack of coordinated planning between generation capacity and transmission infrastructure. Governance failures, such as setting targets based on installed capacity rather than actual generation and a system of guaranteed run hours for coal plants, further exacerbated these problems. The Chinese government has responded with technical upgrades like ultra-high voltage (UHV) transmission lines, revised feed-in tariffs, and a shift toward distributed wind power to mitigate these systemic inefficiencies.
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Document type: Report
Mendukung pengembangan energi terbarukan di daerah: Pelajaran dari Nusa Tenggara Barat
The document examines the gap between the high renewable energy potential in Nusa Tenggara Barat—specifically minihydro—and its actual installed capacity. It identifies critical bottlenecks including land acquisition, slow asset transfer, lack of coordination between on-grid and off-grid supplies, and inefficient permitting. The study argues for a 'PPPP' (Public-Private-People Partnership) approach, improved provincial capacity, and the strategic use of village funds to overcome these challenges.
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Document type: Case study
INSIDE STORY: Supporting the subnational development of renewable energy - Lessons from West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
The document analyzes the gap between renewable energy potential and actual capacity in West Nusa Tenggara, highlighting the need for Public-Private-People Partnerships (PPPP) and integrated spatial planning to overcome energy shortages.
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Document type: Case study
Investing in Sustainable Energy: The case for solar technologies in Sri Lanka
The document advocates for Sri Lanka to transition away from coal and adopt a national solar energy program, citing the success of the India Solar Mission 2022 as a model. It argues that middle-income countries should prioritize future-oriented technologies over coal to foster green growth, sustainable development, and skills building.
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Document type: Briefing
The journey to clean cooking: Insights from Kenya and Zambia
This research paper examines the transition to advanced cookstoves in Kenya and Zambia, distinguishing between the motivations for initial purchase and the factors that ensure long-term adoption. While financial accessibility, fuel savings, and aesthetic appeal drive initial sales, the study finds that actual adoption depends on the stove's performance and the availability of post-purchase support. The authors recommend hands-on trials, high-quality manuals, and consistent fuel quality to prevent users from abandoning the technology.
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Document type: Research paper
Renewable energy mini-grids: An alternative approach to energy access in southern Africa
The document argues that while the SADC region faces severe energy pressures and a heavy reliance on coal and hydropower, renewable energy mini-grids offer a viable complement to national grid extension, particularly for rural populations. However, most current projects remain in the pilot phase due to unsustainable business models, vague policy frameworks, and a lack of private investment. The brief recommends adopting anchor-business-community (A-B-C) models and establishing clear regulatory frameworks to scale these solutions.
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Document type: Briefing
INSIDE STORY: Working towards a Smart Energy Path - Experience from Benin, Mali and Togo
The EERA project in Benin, Mali, and Togo focused on creating a 'Smart Energy Path' by strengthening institutional capacities and implementing multi-sectoral, participatory decision-making. The three countries prioritize collective energy services—those benefiting health, education, and water access—over individual household energy to drive poverty alleviation. However, the document notes that renewable energy adoption has not been fast-tracked, partly due to a lack of reliable data on energy efficiency and climate vulnerability. Additionally, as these countries decentralize power, the report emphasizes the need for regulatory frameworks to define the role of subnational governments in energy policy.
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Document type: Case study
Working towards a Smart Energy Path: Experience from Benin, Mali and Togo
The report details the application of the Smart Energy Path methodology in Benin, Mali, and Togo, emphasizing a multi-sectoral, participatory approach to energy planning. It highlights the vulnerability of these countries' energy systems to climate change and argues for prioritizing collective energy services—such as those for health and education—over individual household electrification. The project utilized the TIPEE multidimensional assessment tool to identify gaps in energy policy and data, concluding that inclusive governance involving non-energy sectors is essential for creating resilient and sustainable energy frameworks.
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Document type: Report
South African Futures 2035
The paper argues that South Africa is currently on a 'Bafana Bafana Redux' trajectory characterized by modest growth and structural unemployment due to an electricity supply crisis and poor governance. While a more positive 'Mandela Magic Lite' scenario is possible through improved leadership and policy coherence, the author suggests the country is likely to remain in a middle-income trap in the near term. The analysis highlights a critical generational shift as 'born-free' voters increase in number, potentially reducing the ANC's dominance and pushing the country toward a more competitive multiparty democracy.
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Document type: Research paper
Knowledge brokering on emissions modelling in strategic environmental assessment of Estonian energy policy with special reference to the LEAP model
The article analyzes how quantitative computer models, specifically the LEAP model, facilitate knowledge exchange between researchers and policy developers during a full cycle of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for a national energy plan. It argues that using such models for both ex ante and ex post scenario modelling enhances the systematic exchange of knowledge and builds the capacity of the actors involved.
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Document type: Research paper
Energetic Dialogues in South Africa: The Inga Example
The document examines the Grand Inga hydropower project in the DRC as a catalyst for energy dialogue and regional integration in Southern Africa. While the project offers immense generation potential, it faces significant hurdles including the DRC's poor infrastructure, institutional instability, and the need for massive international investment. The author argues that for Inga 3 and the broader Grand Inga scheme to succeed, South Africa and the DRC must shift from national priorities toward regional planning, engaging other SADC members and international financial institutions to secure the necessary funding and transmission networks.
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Document type: Policy brief
Re-assessment of CO2 and SO2 emissions in energy sector by using LEAP model: experiences from Estonian energy sector planning
This research paper describes a 2012 re-assessment of LEAP (Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning) model results concerning CO2 and SO2 emissions within the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Estonian National Energy Sector Development Plan until 2020.
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Document type: Research paper
Spain: created world-leading CSP industry, shattered investor confidence
The document examines how Spain's Feed-in Tariffs and Feed-in Premiums successfully drove the deployment of 2.3 GW of CSP and fostered a world-leading domestic industry, but later shattered investor confidence through retroactive cost-cutting measures. It highlights that the lack of deployment caps and failure to drive cost reductions led to unsustainable public costs, resulting in a market standstill since 2012 and increased financing costs due to heightened risk aversion.
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Document type: Case study