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The study finds a significant disconnect between the design and implementation of water, energy, and food policies in four Sub-Saharan African countries. While policies appear aligned on paper, particularly regarding water management, fragmented energy market instruments and sustainable agriculture policies create regulatory uncertainty that hinders investment and resource management.

The briefing examines the surge in consumer demand for clean energy technologies in Germany, Italy, France, Poland, Spain, and the UK following the start of the Iran war. It highlights a strong correlation between fossil fuel price shocks and increased inquiries for solar PV and EVs, noting that supportive policies—such as feed-in tariffs, grants, and tax breaks—significantly bolster the economic case for adoption. Germany is identified as a leader in plug-in solar adoption due to its early policy interventions, while France and Germany are noted for social-based EV support models. The document also contains a disconnected section discussing the health and climate impacts of coal in Southeast Asia.

Vietnam's solar power generation helps the country avoid approximately USD 594 million in fossil fuel import costs during the current energy price surge driven by the Iran war. While Vietnam leads Southeast Asia in solar and wind shares, it continues to prioritize coal and gas in its long-term power planning, increasing its vulnerability to global price shocks.

The analysis of 10 MW solar projects in Viet Nam, the Philippines, and Indonesia reveals that PPA pricing and capital expenditures are the primary determinants of profitability. While project returns vary by country, integrating batteries can significantly boost the Internal Rate of Return (IRR), particularly in Indonesia and Viet Nam. The report highlights that a 10 percentage point change in PPA prices or capital costs can shift IRRs by up to 45 percentage points. Beyond technical economics, the document identifies policy bottlenecks—such as curtailment in Viet Nam and permitting delays in Indonesia and the Philippines—as critical risks to investment, while noting recent regulatory efforts like the Philippines' EVOSS and Indonesia's Presidential Regulation 112 to improve bankability.

US and Japanese advocacy groups are calling on Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to reform the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) system for wood pellets. They argue that Japanese subsidies have fueled an industry in the US characterized by repeated legal violations and pollution. The groups propose prohibiting subsidies for non-compliant mills, mandating full public disclosure of supply chains, and requiring direct due diligence rather than reliance on certification schemes.

The report examines the role of risk mitigation and transfer (RMT) instruments in supporting utility-scale wind and solar projects in East Africa. Through six case studies, it finds that while RMT tools—such as political risk insurance, guarantees, and blended finance—are essential for reaching financial close, risks remain high due to macroeconomic instability, currency volatility, and utility financial strain. The analysis highlights a 'start-stop cycle' in countries like Kenya, where rapid deployment led to overcapacity and subsequent government moratoriums on new contracts. Conversely, the GET FiT program in Uganda is presented as a successful model of systematic de-risking through transparent procurement and institutional support.

The report examines agriphotovoltaics (AgriPV) as a solution to land-use conflicts between solar energy and agriculture in India. It identifies significant technical potential, ranging from 3,156 GW to 13,803 GW, but notes that adoption is hindered by high capital costs, rigid land-use laws, and a lack of a formal regulatory definition. The study models feed-in tariffs between INR 3.67/kWh and INR 5.49/kWh, concluding that AgriPV is economically viable and offers lower levelized tariffs than non-DRE grid-connected projects. Key recommendations include mandating AgriPV under Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO), defining it as a distinct renewable energy source, and adopting cost-plus tariff frameworks that account for elevated structures and farmer lease payments.

Between 2017 and 2022, Viet Nam's power sector saw a total of USD 64 billion in reported investment, with renewable energy (RE) dominating at 64.54% (USD 41.3 billion) compared to fossil fuels (FF) at 35.13% (USD 22.5 billion). RE growth was primarily driven by generous Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs) and domestic private investment, which provided approximately 80% of RE finance. In contrast, FF finance was dominated by international sources, particularly Japan for coal. While gas investment surged in 2021 as a transitional fuel, coal investment ceased in 2022 following net-zero commitments. Despite RE growth, a significant financing gap remains; BloombergNEF estimates an annual requirement of USD 30.7 billion to meet a net-zero scenario by 2030, far exceeding the USD 6 billion invested in 2023.

The report finds that while green tax incentives are widely used in emerging and developing economies, there is a mismatch between the common reliance on profit-based incentives and the actual barriers to investment, such as high upfront capital costs. It argues that these tools are most effective when integrated into broader policy frameworks and transitioned toward market-based mechanisms as sectors mature.

China is advancing a 1.3 TW pipeline of utility-scale solar and wind projects, with operating capacity reaching 1.4 TW by 2025. The country has become a global leader in offshore wind, growing its capacity to 42.7 GW by March 2025. While offshore wind is being used to decarbonize coastal industries and produce green hydrogen, the sector faces challenges from the 2021 phaseout of national subsidies and competition from ongoing coal and gas developments. The report suggests adopting hybrid auction mechanisms and centralized marine spatial planning to ensure sustainable growth.

As of May 2025, China's operational solar and wind capacity reached 1.4 billion kW, surpassing fossil fuel capacity for the first time in Q1 2025. The country leads globally in planned and under-construction projects, with over 1.3 billion kW in the pipeline. While offshore wind represents only 9% of total wind capacity, China accounts for 49% of global cumulative offshore installations as of March 2025. The document highlights the role of coastal provinces like Jiangsu and Guangdong in driving this growth and suggests transitioning from local to national-level policies and adopting international bidding models to ensure long-term stability and technical innovation.

China is advancing a 1.3 TW pipeline of utility-scale solar and wind projects, with operating capacity reaching 1.4 TW by 2025. While solar and onshore wind are expanding rapidly, particularly in Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, offshore wind has emerged as a global powerhouse, accounting for 50% of global capacity. However, the offshore sector faces challenges from the 2021 phaseout of national subsidies and competition from planned coal and gas capacity in coastal provinces. The document argues for a transition from provincial development to a coordinated national policy framework incorporating hybrid auction mechanisms and robust spatial planning.

The TACTS tool provides a framework for stakeholders to calculate solar tariffs using the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) method, evaluate risk reduction and financing instruments, and conduct cost-benefit analyses from the perspective of distribution companies (DISCOMs). It specifically supports the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme by quantifying avoided generation, power purchase, and transmission costs against the cost of feed-in tariffs.

The report assesses the deployment of Feed-in Tariff (FIT) and Renewable Energy Auction (REA) policies in Kenya, identifying significant gaps in stakeholder awareness, communication, and financial de-risking. While Kenya has strong technical capacity and a high renewable energy grid mix, the transition from FIT to REA has been hampered by bureaucratic processes and a lack of inclusive policy formulation. The authors recommend establishing a centralized body for REA bidding, enhancing stakeholder engagement with research institutions, and implementing robust financial incentives like tax credits and guarantees to attract private investment and achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

Zero Carbon Analytics finds that Japanese households with rooftop solar panels would have saved nearly 135% compared to those without in FY 2020, resulting in a net benefit of JPY 37,422 (USD 353). The report argues that Japan, which has the lowest clean energy share among G7 countries, can accelerate its energy transition by leveraging rooftop solar to overcome mountainous terrain constraints. It highlights the role of policy incentives like feed-in-tariffs (FiT) and tax credits in driving adoption in the US, EU, and UK, and suggests that Japan needs low-cost finance to reduce upfront costs and avoid diverting support toward unproven technologies like hydrogen.

The report finds that G20 governments provided at least USD 168 billion in public financial support for renewable power in 2023, which is less than one third of the USD 535 billion provided in fossil fuel subsidies. Advanced economies and China account for 95% of this support, leaving many emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) at risk. To meet the 2030 tripling target, public support in G20 countries may need to double to approximately USD 336 billion per year. The report highlights a shift from feed-in tariffs toward market-based mechanisms like auctions and a growing emphasis on domestic manufacturing support in the US, EU, and India.

Uruguay transitioned its power sector by implementing the Uruguay Wind Energy Program in 2007, which combined a $1 million Global Environment Facility grant with $6 million in national funding. The program utilized reverse-auctions, feed-in tariffs, and workforce training to reduce reliance on oil imports, which had previously comprised 30%-40% of the power mix during drought years. Consequently, wind energy now generates approximately 40% of the country's electricity, with generation near 5,000 gigawatt hours. The government is now applying similar strategies to solar power and exploring offshore wind for green hydrogen production to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

The report identifies 2023 as the likely peak for global power sector emissions, forecasting a decline in 2024 driven by record solar and wind additions. While electricity demand is expected to rise due to electrification, data centres, and air conditioning, the growth of clean energy is projected to outpace this demand. The document highlights that tripling renewable capacity by 2030 could halve power sector emissions. It also provides case studies of China, Brazil, and the Netherlands to demonstrate how high-level ambition, incentive mechanisms, and the removal of technical barriers can accelerate the transition regardless of geographic or economic starting points.

Denmark's power sector shifted from 3% renewable generation in 1990 to over 80% by 2020, driven by a 24-fold increase in wind capacity and a 76% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. This transformation resulted from sustained R&D investment, feed-in tariffs, streamlined institutional planning via the Danish Energy Agency, strong international grid interconnection, and community ownership models. The government has set ambitious 2030 targets, including 100% renewable electricity generation, supported by a social safety net and dialogues with unions to ensure a fair transition for fossil fuel workers.

The report finds that while Southeast Asia has increased its operating utility-scale solar and wind capacity by 20% since January 2023 to 28 GW, the transition is hindered by low construction rates for prospective projects and continued reliance on fossil fuels. Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand are regional leaders, but only 3% of the region's 220 GW prospective capacity is currently under construction. Despite these hurdles, the report suggests the ASEAN collective target of 35% renewable energy capacity by 2025 is attainable given existing capacity and pipelines.