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The 2022 Climate, Environmental, and Energy Congressional Hearings Tracker catalogs hearings held by various U.S. House and Senate committees. The tracker covers a wide array of topics including the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, electric vehicle infrastructure, methane pollution, and agricultural resiliency. It details the specific dates and titles of hearings across committees such as the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

The ZAMBEZI ADMIT project is a proposed USD 50 million initiative (requesting USD 30 million from the Green Climate Fund) to address high deforestation rates and climate vulnerability in Zambia's North-Western province. The project focuses on the 'forest-water-climate nexus,' targeting five districts: Mwinilunga, Ikelenge, Kapombo, Manyinga, and Kalumbila. It seeks to reduce GHG emissions by 10.4 million tCO2eq over 20 years by sustainably managing 100,000 ha of forests, restoring 10,000 ha, and establishing 2,000 ha of agroforestry. The project aims to benefit 225,000 people by diversifying livelihoods away from unsustainable charcoal production and rain-fed agriculture. Key components include the establishment of Community Forest Management Groups (CFMGs), the development of non-wood forest product value chains, and the mobilization of diverse finance sources, including payments for environmental services (PES) from ZESCO and the development of a jurisdictional REDD+ program.

The document assesses the impact of Chinese infrastructure funding and construction in the Global South, specifically comparing experiences in Africa and Southeast Asia. It identifies systemic failures in transparency, land acquisition, and long-term sustainability planning, while noting that Chinese contractors often follow the 'host country principle' of adhering to local norms. The brief argues that while China is shifting toward 'green development' and smaller projects due to debt distress and domestic policy changes, the primary responsibility for higher ESG standards lies with recipient governments. Key recommendations include the creation of joint ESG dialogue platforms between the AU and ASEAN, the normalization of publishing loan contracts, and the fast-tracking of local capacity-building plans.

IDFC members reported a record $224 billion in green finance commitments in 2021, with climate finance accounting for 95% of the total. Mitigation finance reached $186.6 billion, while adaptation finance decreased by 24% to $20.9 billion. Biodiversity finance grew by 31% to $18.4 billion. The majority of climate finance was provided by non-OECD institutions and directed toward the East Asia and Pacific region.

In 2019/20, Ethiopia's tracked climate finance averaged USD 1.7 billion, representing only 7% of its estimated annual needs of USD 25.3 billion. The landscape is heavily dominated by international public finance (92%), with a strong preference for adaptation projects (56%) over mitigation (38%). While the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector received the most sectoral finance (29%), it remains significantly underfunded relative to its 83% contribution to national GHG emissions. Key barriers to scaling finance include a highly regulated financial sector, lack of a stock market, unfavorable collateral policies for SMEs, and a heavy reliance on grants over private capital. The report recommends establishing a comprehensive climate budget tagging system, conducting bottom-up needs assessments, and developing capital markets to mobilize private investment.

In 2019/20, Ethiopia's tracked climate finance averaged USD 1.7 billion per year, representing only 7% of its estimated annual needs of USD 25.3 billion. The landscape is heavily dominated by international public finance (92%), with a strong preference for grants (70%) and a focus on adaptation (56%) over mitigation (38%). While the Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) sector received the most sectoral finance (29%), it remains underfunded relative to its 83% contribution to national GHG emissions. Significant barriers to private investment include a highly regulated financial sector, lack of a stock market, and unfavorable collateral policies for SMEs and small-holder farmers.

The study examines renewable energy financing through public-private partnerships (PPP) in Southeast Asia and Central Asia. It notes that while hydropower has historically dominated PPPs in both regions, there is a rapid shift toward solar and wind projects. In Southeast Asia, the transition is driven by national commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions via Nationally Determined Contributions, while Central Asian energy profiles vary between fossil fuel reliance in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and hydroelectric power in Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.

In the first half of 2022, global renewable energy growth met all new electricity demand, preventing a rise in fossil fuel generation. Wind and solar energy specifically met 77% of this new demand, avoiding $40 billion in fuel costs and 230 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. However, the report notes that severe droughts in China and global heatwaves in July and August 2022 led to a resurgence in coal and gas use, meaning total electricity sector emissions for the full year 2022 could still reach record highs.

In the first half of 2022, global electricity demand rose by 3%, and this growth was entirely met by renewables, which prevented a 4% increase in fossil fuel generation. While wind and solar met 77% of this demand growth, hydro met the remainder. However, the report notes that subsequent rises in coal and gas generation in July and August, driven by droughts in China and global heatwaves, mean that total power sector CO2 emissions for 2022 may still reach a record high.

Bangladesh faces a potential $11 billion expenditure on spot market LNG imports from 2022 to 2024 due to diminishing domestic gas reserves and a heavy reliance on gas-fired power generation. The analysis indicates that implementing the ambitious solar targets of the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan could reduce these imports by 25% and save approximately $2.7 billion. Despite this, the country continues to prioritize new gas and coal capacity over renewable energy, which currently accounts for only 1% of total power generation.

Türkiye can reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels for power generation from 50% in 2021 to less than 25% by 2030 by accelerating the deployment of solar and wind energy. Achieving this requires reaching 40 GW of solar and 30 GW of wind capacity by 2030, which would result in these sources providing 34-38% of total power generation. This transition is framed as a means to both achieve the 2053 net zero target and improve energy independence and trade balances.

The document asserts that Canada's reliance on oil, gas, and coal exposes it to global market volatility and geopolitical risks, as evidenced by record-high fuel prices in 2022. It argues that renewable energy sources like wind and solar are now more cost-effective than fossil fuels and provide long-term price stability because they do not require input fuels. The brief highlights Canada's existing hydroelectric capacity and transmission infrastructure as key assets for integrating variable renewables. It recommends accelerating the electrification of transportation and heating, improving interprovincial grid connectivity, and investing in energy storage to achieve a non-emitting electricity grid by 2035.

The report showcases eight DRE projects across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, illustrating how solar PV, hydropower, and solar-powered desalination improve health services, education, and economic stability during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 7th ASEAN Energy Outlook (AEO7) analyzes energy demand, supply, and electricity generation across the ASEAN region through four scenarios: Baseline, AMS Targets (ATS), APAEC Targets (APS), and Least-Cost Optimisation (LCO). It finds that without policy intervention, energy demand will triple by 2050 and fossil fuels will continue to dominate. However, implementing national and regional policies can significantly reduce total final energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The report emphasizes the need for increased energy efficiency, higher renewable energy penetration, and regional grid interconnection to ensure energy security and sustainability.

The document calls for the EU to address administrative bottlenecks and improve spatial planning to speed up renewable energy permitting, while maintaining strict adherence to environmental safeguards like the Birds and Habitats Directives to avoid legal uncertainty and ecological harm.

The Reservoir Methane Capture Mechanism (RMCM) is a first-of-its-kind Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) designed to unlock public and private investment for capturing methane from the turbined waters of hydroelectric plants. The mechanism uses a 'methane capture-as-a-service' model to remove the need for initial capital expenditure by hydropower operators. The project follows a three-stage implementation: a USD 6.5 million proof-of-concept, a USD 54 million pilot phase involving five plants, and a scale-up phase targeting 273 projects with a potential capital mobilization of USD 3 billion. Revenues are generated through the sale of electricity and carbon credits, with the latter requiring the development of a new methodology via Gold Standard. At full scale, the RMCM aims to capture 217,000 tons of methane annually, avoiding 6.8 million tons of CO2e.

The document finds that while China has seen record clean energy installations and a decline in coal-fired power generation, government permitting for new coal plants and investments in blast furnace capacity accelerated in early 2022. This trend creates a risk of significant stranded assets—estimated at $8.5 billion for power and $15-22 billion for steel—and complicates the economic and political transition to low-carbon energy. The report highlights that power shortages in provinces like Sichuan were driven by rigid grid management and high fuel prices rather than a lack of capacity, and recommends reforming grid operations and including the steel sector in the emissions trading system.

Tracked green finance in India averaged INR 309 thousand crores (~USD 44 billion) per annum in FY 2019-20, which is less than 25% of the annual amount required to meet the country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). While flows increased by 150% from FY2017/18 to FY2019/20, the report highlights a critical shortfall in adaptation funding and a heavy reliance on public sector finance for clean transportation. The study recommends the development of a green taxonomy, improved data disclosure, and the scaling of capital markets to mobilize the trillions of dollars needed for India's 2030 and 2070 Net-Zero goals.

The lower Songkhram River basin, the last free-flowing tributary of the Mekong, supports over 14,000 households through capture fisheries and floodplain agriculture. Despite being protected under the Ramsar Convention, the Mekong River Commission, and Thailand's Master Plan for Integrated Biodiversity Management, these wetlands face threats from hydropower dams in the upper Mekong, agricultural expansion, and industrial pollution. Current management is hindered by a lack of coordinated procedures, the marginalization of traditional knowledge, and the prioritization of development over ecological conservation. The document recommends strengthening collaborative governance, valuing wetland ecosystem services, and increasing financial flows for conservation to ensure regional food and water security.

The SAIIA Young Leaders Declaration 2022 outlines youth-led demands for climate justice and sustainable development, specifically targeting South Africa's energy transition and the Global South's vulnerabilities. It calls for the urgent implementation of the Just Transition Framework, the removal of the 100MW limit for renewable energy supply from Independent Power Producers, and the integration of youth and marginalized genders into policy writing. Beyond climate, the declaration advocates for the decolonization of African educational curricula, the protection of informal workers, and the eradication of the 'pink tax'. It concludes with pledges from both youth and educators to foster leadership and civic engagement to achieve a more equitable society.