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The document argues that CCS costs remain persistently high due to design complexity and a high need for customization, which prevents the technology from achieving the experience rates and economies of scale seen in renewable energy. In Canada, actual project costs often exceed modelled estimates, and the technology's viability in the oil and gas sector relies heavily on ongoing government subsidies. While CCS may be useful for hard-to-decarbonize industries like cement, the brief suggests it is an inefficient use of public funds for the oil and gas sector compared to alternatives like methane reduction and electrification.

The report concludes that while the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) remains the primary driver for industrial decarbonisation, current carbon prices alone are insufficient to trigger the massive investments required for deep decarbonisation in the steel and cement sectors. It argues that demand-side measures—specifically Green Public Procurement (GPP) and sustainable product regulations—can provide the necessary market signals to build technological capacity and avoid carbon lock-in. The study highlights that government-driven initiatives have significantly more potential than voluntary industry pledges, though the latter can serve as a short-term bridge. Key recommendations include harmonising low-carbon product definitions across EU Member States and exploring Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfDs) to bridge the 'green premium' cost gap.

The document outlines the technical framework for calculating the Net Zero financing gap, detailing the criteria for climate finance data collection, the sources used for needs assessments, and the regional breakdowns for investment analysis.

The report estimates that annual climate finance needs will rise to USD 6.2 trillion by 2030 and USD 7.3 trillion by 2050 to achieve Net Zero, while tracked global finance only surpassed USD 1 trillion for the first time in 2022. Transport and energy systems represent the largest investment needs, requiring at least USD 3.2 trillion and USD 2.1 trillion annually, respectively. The study highlights a significant disparity in finance distribution, with 75% of global spend concentrated in East Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and North America. It argues that public finance must act as a catalyst to mobilize private capital, particularly in developing economies where the cost of capital is significantly higher. While private sector commitments are growing—such as the 30 largest banks pledging USD 870 billion annually—the report notes that asset managers and owners have been slower to set quantifiable targets. Key recommendations include aligning stakeholder policies, supporting non-commercially viable technologies like CCUS and green hydrogen, and implementing just transition frameworks.

The MENA region increased its operational utility-scale solar and wind capacity by 57% since May 2022, adding 6.9 GW. While prospective capacity has grown by 400% to 361 GW, 60% of these projects are earmarked for green hydrogen production or export rather than domestic decarbonization. Oil and gas power plants still provide over 90% of the region's electricity, and replacing them would require approximately 500 GW of additional solar and wind capacity. The report highlights a disparity in progress, noting that South America operationalized at least four times more capacity in the same period. Additionally, sovereign wealth funds from the UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing more heavily in renewables abroad (46 GW) than domestically (14 GW).

The document analyzes the persistent high costs of carbon capture and storage (CCS), particularly within the Canadian oil and gas sector. It argues that high design complexity and the need for customization prevent the cost reductions seen in renewable technologies like solar and wind. While CCS may be vital for hard-to-abate sectors like cement, the brief concludes that public investment in CCS for oil and gas is risky and inefficient.

The submission argues that the draft SAREM over-relies on private investment and fails to sufficiently address the impact of the global supply chain crisis on renewable energy costs. It advocates for a state-led industrial policy, including the use of import tariffs and the central role of Eskom in renewable generation, to avoid 'boom-bust' cycles and ensure a just transition for workers. Key recommendations include establishing a 'decent work' framework, implementing aggressive local content requirements (suggesting 50% for future RFPs), and creating a technology transfer system to support local manufacturing.

A coalition of over 30 Canadian businesses, labour organizations, and research entities argues that transitioning to a net zero electricity grid by 2035 is a competitive necessity to attract global investment and create high-skill jobs. The letter highlights that Canada's current 83% clean electricity provides a head start over G20 peers, but warns that the country must accelerate its transition to avoid losing investment to the US. It further asserts that a net zero economy will reduce household energy costs through technologies like heat pumps and electric vehicles.

Reclaim Finance argues that GFANZ's guidance on coal managed phase-outs (MPOs) in Asia Pacific must be significantly strengthened to ensure alignment with a 1.5°C scenario, protect civil society, and avoid 'junk' carbon offsets. The organization recommends that financial institutions end all support for new coal infrastructure and that MPOs prioritize the closure of the oldest plants by 2040, without diverting funds toward retrofits or carbon-intensive alternatives like biomass and ammonia.

The report argues that scaling green hydrogen for a 1.5°C-aligned future will not severely impact global freshwater supplies, as its water consumption is comparable to or lower than fossil-fuel-based hydrogen and other energy production methods. It estimates that meeting 2050 hydrogen demand targets would require only 0.33% of current global freshwater. To mitigate local water stress, the document recommends using non-freshwater sources like desalinated seawater or treated wastewater, intentional project siting, and revising water pricing structures to incentivize efficiency.

The report outlines the development of certification criteria for hydrogen assets, focusing on carbon intensity benchmarks, life-cycle assessment methodologies, and climate resilience requirements to align investments with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal.

The report analyzes South Africa's Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) using a 'two-level game' framework to examine the interaction between international diplomacy and domestic politics. While the JETP provided a country-led platform to articulate financial needs and accelerated conversations on NDC implementation, it has faced significant hurdles. These include a lack of transparency from the International Partners Group (IPG), a contested domestic political landscape characterized by ministerial 'turf wars', and a financial package heavily weighted toward loans rather than grants. The study highlights that the JETP's success depends on South Africa's ability to build institutional capacity and deliver on implementation to maintain international credibility, while the IPG must provide more transparent and justice-oriented funding.

RMI argues that the US Department of the Treasury must carefully calibrate the 45V production tax credit (PTC) for grid-connected hydrogen to avoid increasing emissions from a fossil-fuel-dominated grid. The organization proposes a two-stage regulatory framework: providing flexibility for 'first movers' to reduce initial costs and complexity, followed by a transition on January 1, 2028, to strict, emissions-accurate, and forward-looking standards to ensure the hydrogen economy aligns with national climate objectives.

The survey reveals high levels of concern regarding air and water quality, particularly among Hispanic and Black communities. While there is strong support for the clean energy transition and interest in related careers, significant barriers exist, including lack of education, financial insecurity, and low awareness of job opportunities. Trust in government is low, while trust in scientists and family is high.

The document analyzes the organizational structure, funding, and implementation challenges of South Africa's JETP, highlighting the gap between policy targets and practical execution. It compares the energy landscapes of South Africa and Indonesia, emphasizing the critical need for transmission grid upgrades and the social protection of coal-dependent regions. Key recommendations for Indonesia include ensuring broad government consensus, translating commitments into legislation, and prioritizing social benefits to ensure a truly 'just' transition.

The document analyzes the historical 'lock-in' of SADC's infrastructure, which has been driven by colonial mercantile systems and extractive economic imperatives. It contends that current infrastructure is elitist and ecologically unsustainable, failing to meet the needs of the region's growing population. To counter this, the authors propose a 'regenerative' approach based on circular economies and human wellbeing. The paper presents three visionary scenarios—one driven by political response to climate migration, one by bottom-up civic innovation, and one by ESG-led market incentives—to illustrate potential pathways toward sustainable development. It concludes with recommendations for policy reform, including the creation of a Green Infrastructure Task Team and the adoption of community-based public-private partnerships (C-PPPs).

The report outlines a diversification framework for Indian Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) to mitigate financial risks associated with fossil fuel dependency. It details a two-step process involving qualitative and quantitative analyses (SWOT, Porter’s diamond, MCDA, and growth share matrix) to identify and prioritize new business segments. The document applies this logic to Coal India Limited, Indian Railways, and NTPC Limited, highlighting their current efforts in renewable energy, electric mobility, and carbon capture to align with India's net-zero goals.

The paper analyzes the shift in German-African energy relations from a focus on development aid to a complex mix of energy diplomacy, foreign policy, and technical cooperation. It highlights a tension between Germany's goals for a green transition (including hydrogen partnerships) and its strategic interests in diversifying fossil fuel imports. The author critiques 'energy colonialism' and the financialization of projects, recommending that future cooperation be grounded in 'energy justice' and a value-chain approach to ensure local benefits and social standards.

The document analyzes the transition of heavy-duty gas turbines from natural gas to hydrogen, identifying critical engineering hurdles in combustion, thermal management, and materials. It evaluates current OEM solutions and concludes that while 100% hydrogen capability is technically feasible, commercial timelines depend on hydrogen availability for full-scale validation.

The document outlines 12 key policy interventions to accelerate the transition of hard-to-abate sectors, categorised into simplifying pathways, steering risk and opportunity, derisking green investments, and facilitating essential resource flows.