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The report finds that most of the 88+ GW of proposed US gas power plants are economically uncompetitive compared to Clean Energy Portfolios (CEPs), which combine wind, solar, storage, energy efficiency, and demand flexibility. At least 70 GW of proposed gas capacity could be avoided using CEPs, potentially saving $22 billion and reducing CO2 emissions by 873 million metric tons over 20 years. The analysis highlights six key headwinds—including declining renewable costs, rising gas prices, and public health impacts—that increase the risk of project cancellations or stranded assets. Specifically, in a central analysis case, 40% of proposed combined cycle (CC) plants would cost more to operate than a new CEP would cost to build within 10 years, a figure that could rise to 80-90% under certain economic scenarios. The report also notes that CEPs create more jobs and avoid significant health costs, particularly in low-income communities and communities of color.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) argues that South Africa's 2021 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) prioritizes austerity and a budget surplus over necessary socioeconomic investment. The IEJ highlights significant real-term spending cuts in health, basic education, and social protection, asserting that such a contractionary stance stifles economic recovery and increases unemployment. The document advocates for a shift toward fiscal expansion, a comprehensive stimulus package, and the implementation of a wealth tax to fund a transformative economic agenda.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) criticizes the 2021 MTBPS for implementing real-term spending cuts across health, education, and social protection while prioritizing a primary budget surplus over economic stimulus. The IEJ contends that the government is ignoring available fiscal space and recommends a shift toward a comprehensive stimulus package, the implementation of a wealth tax, and the adoption of a Universal Basic Income Grant to foster an equitable recovery.

The IEJ criticizes the South African National Treasury's 'fiscal consolidation' approach, arguing that budget cuts during a recession are procyclical and retard economic recovery. The document asserts that there is significant fiscal space due to tax overruns and IMF funding, which should be used for a Universal Basic Income Grant (UBIG) and job creation initiatives. It warns that prioritizing debt reduction over public expenditure has led to real declines in spending for education and social grants, which undermines human capital and socio-economic rights.

A conjoint survey experiment of 2,145 participants found that clean energy policy support is highest when job creation frames are delivered by business or environmental groups. The research indicates that effective message-source combinations generally do not backfire across different partisan groups and can increase support regardless of political affiliation.

The analysis finds that the 'Infrastructure Bills' could reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 1,067 to 1,510 million metric tonnes by 2030, potentially putting the U.S. on track to meet its NDC of 50-52% below 2005 levels. The most critical drivers are the Clean Electricity Performance Program (CEPP) and clean energy tax credits, which together could drive the power sector to 70-85% clean generation. Additional benefits include the creation of 449,000 to 638,000 job-years and the avoidance of 4,600 to 7,000 premature deaths annually by 2030, with health benefits concentrated in communities of color.

The analysis evaluates the economic output, value added, labor income, and employment generated by two different coal ash remediation strategies at two power plants in the Ohio River Valley. Using IMPLAN models, the study finds that 'clean closure' scenarios consistently produce higher economic output and employment than company-proposed plans, with the vast majority of job creation occurring during the initial construction and excavation phases.

The report compares utility-proposed closure plans with 'clean closure' alternatives at two US power stations. It finds that while clean closure—which involves the full excavation of coal ash from unlined ponds—requires higher initial capital investment, it provides superior groundwater protection and creates significantly more direct construction jobs. At the J. M. Stuart station, clean closure would cost $279.3 million and create 277 FTEs, compared to $224.4 million and 223 FTEs for the utility plan. At the Sebree station, clean closure would cost $125.7 million and create 138 FTEs, compared to $65.2 million and 63 FTEs for the utility plan.

The document examines the environmental and health risks of coal ash, one of the largest industrial waste streams in the US, and advocates for 'clean closure' (full remediation and excavation) over limited cleanup plans. Using case studies from the J. M. Stuart plant in Ohio and the Sebree Generating Station in Kentucky, the authors demonstrate that comprehensive cleanup generates significantly more jobs and economic output than utility-proposed plans. The report highlights that coal ash sites disproportionately affect low-income communities and communities of color, particularly in the Ohio River Valley, and recommends stronger EPA enforcement, polluter-pays funding, and the prioritization of dislocated workers in hiring.

The report examines the hazards of coal ash disposal, particularly in the Ohio River Valley, and advocates for 'clean closure' (excavation) over 'cap-in-place' methods. Through case studies of the Sebree Generating Station in Kentucky and the J. M. Stuart Station in Ohio, the authors demonstrate that comprehensive cleanup generates significantly more jobs and economic output than utility-proposed plans. The document highlights the disproportionate impact of coal ash pollution on low-income communities and people of color, and calls for stronger EPA enforcement and state-level regulations to ensure the safe removal of toxic waste.

The document contends that Africa's historical 'jobless growth' is due to a dependence on primary commodities and a lack of structural transformation. It proposes a shift from 'stabilization' to 'transformation' by coordinating fiscal and monetary policies with sectoral and labour market interventions. Key recommendations include increasing public investment in the care economy and infrastructure, implementing expenditure-switching methods to reduce import reliance, adopting progressive taxation, and establishing national minimum wages to boost domestic demand and productivity.

The document examines South Africa's service sector, which contributes approximately 61% to national GDP and employs over 5.5 million workers. While the sector is large, the authors argue that growth must shift toward exports, particularly within Africa, as the domestic market is overdeveloped. The brief concludes that the AfCFTA is unlikely to provide a short-term boost due to a lack of specific service sector commitments and persistent regulatory hurdles, such as visa restrictions and inadequate ICT infrastructure. It recommends establishing a unified coalition of service providers and updating digital infrastructure to enhance South Africa's role as a regional gateway.

The briefing outlines bipartisan efforts in the U.S. to enhance 45Q tax credits for carbon capture and storage. It details proposals from the American Jobs Plan and House Republicans to increase credit values and extend eligibility. A CATF analysis suggests that an $85 per tonne incentive, combined with direct pay, could lead 46 power plants to capture 71 million metric tons of CO2 annually by 2035, creating approximately 4,500 construction jobs and 4,900 operational jobs per year.

The research paper proposes a comprehensive policy pathway for the United States to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and a 50% reduction in GHGs by 2030. Using the U.S. Energy Policy Simulator, the authors argue that a small group of targeted policies—specifically a clean electricity standard, zero-emission vehicle mandates, and building electrification—can drive this transition. The analysis suggests that this pathway would not only meet climate goals but also expand the U.S. GDP by $920 billion by 2050 and create nearly 5 million new job-years, while significantly reducing premature deaths and respiratory illnesses due to the phase-out of fossil fuels.

The Institute for Economic Justice reports that only about a third of South Africa's R500 billion COVID-19 rescue package had been utilized by February 2021. While social security and wage relief saw significant spending, other areas like the credit guarantee scheme and municipal funding suffered from disastrous underspending and lack of transparency. The report highlights that the expiration of social grants and the TERS scheme occurred just before the second pandemic wave, potentially plunging millions into hunger and leaving workers without support.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) reports that only about one-third of South Africa's R500-billion Covid-19 rescue package has materialised, citing a systematic failure in implementation and the impact of austerity measures. The statement asserts that economic recovery is impossible without first providing comprehensive rescue and relief, particularly as unemployment has reached 43% (expanded definition). The IEJ recommends increasing income support, fully allocating the R100-billion job protection fund, expanding public employment programmes, and increasing taxes on wealthy individuals to fund these measures. It also highlights corruption, noting that the Special Investigating Unit was investigating R10.3-billion in spending on Covid-19 goods and services as of February 2021.

The report proposes a comprehensive policy pathway for the United States to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, aligning with IPCC 1.5 C targets. Central to this strategy is a Clean Electricity Standard (CES) requiring 100% clean electricity by 2035 and the total elimination of coal power by 2030. The pathway includes transitioning to 100% zero-emission vehicle sales for light-duty vehicles by 2035 and all-electric building equipment by 2030. The analysis indicates that this transition would increase U.S. GDP by $997 billion per year by 2050, create 5.5 million new job-years, and avoid over 65,000 premature deaths by 2050.

FSD Africa, in collaboration with The Good Economy and Tandem, has developed a four-step framework to measure how financial sector deepening impacts job creation. The framework emphasizes the use of full-time equivalent (FTE) metrics to account for underemployment and employs a sectoral approach to assess job quality and 'decent work' multipliers. The process involves a theory-based assessment of materiality, estimation of direct and indirect jobs, a decent jobs assessment using sector proxies, and optional bespoke research for high-impact projects.

The Institute for Economic Justice argues that the South African Supplementary Budget of 24 June 2020 betrays the promised R500 billion COVID-19 rescue package. Instead of the promised amount, the budget provides a net increase to non-interest spending of R36 billion, representing less than 1% of GDP. The document details shortfalls across seven key areas: social security, job protection, health, wage support (TERS), municipal support, tax relief, and the credit guarantee scheme. It highlights that much of the R145 billion targeted for COVID-19 is funded through reprioritisations and the suspension of baseline allocations, while planning a further R230 billion reduction in spending over two years.

The briefing outlines a strategy for the U.S. to 'build back better' after COVID-19 by investing in public transit, 'Complete Streets', electric vehicle infrastructure, and low-carbon concrete. It highlights a critical budget shortfall for transit agencies and a significant maintenance backlog, arguing that prioritizing repairs over expansion creates more jobs and reduces emissions.