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The briefing warns that climate scenarios used by financial and corporate actors often lack the ambition required to meet the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement, effectively acting as greenwashing tools. It calls for robust 1.5°C scenarios from agencies like the IEA and urges financial actors to establish clear exit dates from fossil fuels: by 2040 in Europe and 2050 elsewhere for oil and gas, and ten years earlier for coal.

The document highlights the financial losses and legal challenges facing The Blackstone Group due to its extensive fossil fuel portfolio, noting bankruptcies of held companies and significant value drops in its private equity portfolio in early 2020. Despite these risks and community opposition, Blackstone continued to expand its energy holdings in April 2020 through the acquisition of Tallgrass Energy and a stake in Energy Transfer Partners. The text also details environmental violations linked to Blackstone's investments, including a major crude oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico and permit violations involving the Rover Pipeline.

The document critiques 'net zero' targets as a form of 'greenwashing' that allows continued greenhouse gas emissions by relying on unproven future technologies and carbon offsets. It argues that these targets often shift the burden of carbon sequestration to the Global South, facilitating 'carbon colonialism'. The authors call for 'Real Zero' targets, which require immediate, absolute reductions in emissions, particularly from developed nations, and the implementation of systemic solutions in energy, agriculture, and transport.

The document analyzes the crisis facing Eskom, South Africa's state-owned energy monopoly, attributing it to a combination of historical reliance on the 'minerals-energy complex', financial mismanagement, and costly, corruption-mired power station projects. It evaluates the proposal to 'unbundle' the utility into generation, transmission, and distribution entities, drawing on cautionary examples from Kenya and Uganda. The paper argues for a 'Just Transition' that protects workers and communities while transitioning to renewables, suggesting the use of international climate finance or public pension funds to alleviate Eskom's unsustainable debt.

The document identifies five 'traps' in climate scenarios—including the omission of non-combustion emissions, reliance on unproven negative emissions technologies, and underestimation of renewable energy—that lead to warming above 2°C. It specifically criticizes the IEA's Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS) and NGFS 'representative' scenarios for facilitating continued fossil fuel expansion. The author calls for financial actors to phase out fossil fuel financing by 2040 in Europe and 2050 globally.

The document argues for a comprehensive AU-EU partnership on the green transition and energy access that moves beyond a risk-based lens to address Africa's developmental goals. It highlights the critical need to expand electricity access, leverage private investment through de-risking mechanisms, and integrate nexus issues such as agriculture and the digital economy. While acknowledging the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the briefing suggests the crisis offers an opportunity to redesign the partnership to ensure a just transition that includes skills development and gender mainstreaming.

The document examines the challenges of Africa's transition to renewable energy, highlighting a significant skills gap and the persistent under-representation of women in energy value chains. It argues that while gender-mainstreaming policies exist, they often lack the monitoring, evaluation, and comprehensive support systems—such as financial and technical assistance—necessary to create tangible change. The briefing specifically calls for the AU-EU strategic partnership to better integrate gender dimensions into its green transition and energy access pillars, particularly for youth and those in fossil-fuel-dependent economies to ensure a just transition.

The report asserts that 'business as usual' is an unsustainable strategy for industrial sectors, as over 40 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions originate from energy-intensive industries. It warns that failure to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 threatens the global economy with supply chain disruptions and value destruction for major commodities. The author argues that achieving a 1.5°C pathway requires not only technological shifts—such as the adoption of hydrogen and carbon capture—but also a reduction in the demand for materials like steel, cement, and plastic. The text emphasizes that an orderly transition is preferable to disruptive 'black swan' events and notes a shifting balance of market power away from fossil fuel industries toward climate-aligned corporations.

The report analyzes how the COVID-19 pandemic affects global emission pathways toward Paris Agreement goals, estimating a 2020 CO2 reduction of 4% to 8% depending on lockdown duration. It projects a potential 2030 emission reduction of 2.5 to 4.5 GtCO2e relative to pre-pandemic projections, though this could be offset by a rebound to fossil fuels. Additionally, it introduces a classification framework for recovery measures, finding that 31% of Germany's June 2020 stimulus package consists of 'green' measures.

The document argues that the plastic industry uses a 'manual' of delay, distraction, and derailment tactics to protect profits and avoid mandatory regulations. It analyzes voluntary commitments from ten major polluters and over 50 collective initiatives, concluding that they lack transparency, accountability, and effectiveness. The report highlights how companies promote 'false solutions' like chemical recycling and bio-based plastics while lobbying against deposit return systems and mandatory collection targets. Case studies across 15 countries demonstrate a pattern of corporate hypocrisy, where companies may support legislation in the EU while fighting it in Africa, China, and the US.

The document argues for a comprehensive AU-EU partnership that integrates the green transition with Africa's broader developmental goals, such as industrialisation and employment. It highlights the critical gap in energy access—with 600 million Africans lacking electricity as of 2018—and the underutilisation of Africa's solar resources. The authors recommend using public finance to de-risk private investment in renewables and addressing 'nexus issues' linking energy to agriculture, the digital economy, and trade. It also notes the tension in countries like Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, and Mozambique, which are pursuing renewable energy while continuing to develop fossil fuel reserves.

The document examines India's energy sector response to COVID-19, noting a trend of continued support for domestic coal and thermal power despite global clean energy goals. It highlights that while some clean energy initiatives exist, such as electric vehicle policies in Delhi and solar power for farmers in Andhra Pradesh, fossil fuel support remains dominant. The briefing advocates for a comprehensive green industrial policy for solar manufacturing, the phase-out of inefficient thermal plants, and the implementation of 'just transition' frameworks to support coal-dependent communities.

Climate Central's analysis of 242 U.S. cities shows that 96% have experienced an increase in cooling degree days since the 1970s, with the most significant rises in the South and Southwest. This trend is driving a projected 59% increase in residential air conditioning consumption by 2050, which contributes to carbon emissions, the urban heat island effect, and the release of heat-trapping gases from improper disposal.

Friends of the Earth International argues that the COVID-19 pandemic is a consequence of a capitalist and neoliberal system that prioritizes profit over people and nature. To achieve a 'just recovery,' the organization proposes four principles: abandoning neoliberalism and austerity, enhancing multilateral cooperation and international solidarity, strengthening democracy and human rights, and addressing the structural causes of systemic crises (climate, biodiversity, food, and care). The document calls for the nationalization of key public services, the cancellation of Global South debt, a transition to 100% renewable energy under public or community control, and the implementation of agroecological food systems. It specifically emphasizes the need to protect the rights of Indigenous peoples, Black and Afro-descendant communities, and women, while ending the impunity of transnational corporations.

The report details Blackstone's extensive portfolio of oil, gas, and coal assets, highlighting a pattern of environmental violations and community opposition. It contrasts Blackstone's strategy with a broader trend of declining investor appetite for fossil fuels and notes the firm's political contributions to the Trump administration, which rolled back environmental regulations.

In the first half of 2020, renewable electricity generation in the EU-27 reached 40%, surpassing fossil fuel generation at 34%. This shift was driven by record wind and solar penetration and a 7% drop in electricity demand caused by COVID-19. Coal generation fell by 32%, contributing to a 23% reduction in power sector CO2 emissions. While grids remained stable, the increase in renewables led to more frequent negative wholesale electricity prices, indicating a need for greater system flexibility. Poland emerged as the most coal-dependent EU country, generating as much coal-fired electricity as the other 25 EU members combined.

The Public Health Association of South Africa (PHASA) calls for a 'healthy recovery' from COVID-19 that avoids returning to unsustainable economic patterns. The group argues that air pollution from coal-fired power stations, particularly in the Mpumalanga Highveld, exacerbates respiratory diseases and coronavirus mortality. PHASA advocates for a just energy transition to renewables, the closure of coal mines, and the active involvement of the health sector in the Presidential Climate Change Commission to address the intersecting crises of pandemics and climate change.

The oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors are facing a systemic crisis marked by declining profits and financial frailty. To maintain shareholder dividends and a facade of stability, companies like ExxonMobil and BP are increasing debt, while others like Shell have cut payouts. The industry is selling assets at discounted prices due to skepticism over the future value of fossil fuels. Furthermore, the petrochemical sector is not a viable growth alternative due to falling resin prices and increased regulation. The document concludes that these trends represent an 'endgame' for the industry, posing significant fiduciary risks for investors and arguing against the use of public funds for bailouts.

The document outlines the systemic health and environmental costs of plastics, from fossil fuel extraction to waste management, and warns that projected production growth will consume a substantial portion of the remaining global carbon budget.

The document criticizes the European Commission for considering the inclusion of nuclear energy and natural gas in the EU green taxonomy despite technical recommendations to the contrary. It highlights that while the Technical Expert Group (TEG) set a CO2 emission threshold of 100g CO2/Kwh and excluded nuclear power, the Commission may use a separate technical review for nuclear and raise emission thresholds for gas. The author calls for the creation of a 'brown' taxonomy to identify activities incompatible with climate goals.