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Advancing a Just Transition: A Rights-Based Approach to Climate Financing
The paper argues that the dominant 'Billions to Trillions' agenda, which prioritises private sector mobilisation and de-risking, often conflicts with international human rights standards. It evaluates this architecture through five principle clusters: national responsibilities, national sovereignty, procedural fairness, responsibilities of financial investment, and obligations during crises. The author contends that this model commodifies public goods, undermines state policy autonomy through investment treaties, and lacks transparency. Using South Africa's Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP) as a case study, the report highlights gaps in public transport funding and the risks of private-sector dominance. It concludes by proposing a research agenda to bridge the gap between human rights norms and the actual implementation of climate investment plans.
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Document type: Research paper
Navigating South Africa’s Geopolitical Energy Transition by 2050
The report explores South Africa's energy transition through 2050, emphasizing the need to move beyond 'used futures' and growth-centric economic models. It identifies critical innovations in governance, technology, and social values, while proposing six alternative framings—ranging from ecomodernism to the 'great simplification'—to inform policy. The analysis highlights high-impact uncertainties such as a severe skills shortage for the decarbonized economy and the 'carbon trap' of meeting rising energy demands while reducing emissions. It concludes with four diverse scenarios for 2050 and recommends a shift toward regenerative economies and inclusive multilateralism.
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Document type: Report
Navigating a just energy transition from coal in the Colombian Caribbean
The document examines the challenges of transitioning away from thermal coal in Colombia's Caribbean region, highlighting the tension between national decarbonization goals and regional economic dependence. It identifies diverse visions of a 'just transition'—ranging from narrow workforce support to broad socio-ecological transformation—and analyzes the economic, environmental, and sociocultural barriers that hinder progress. Using the case of Prodeco's mine closures in Cesar, the paper illustrates the risks of unplanned transitions and the influence of political-economic elites in maintaining extractive models.
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Document type: Research paper
Six Outcomes Leading Businesses Want to See from COP28
The We Mean Business Coalition calls for COP28 to establish clear fossil fuel phase-out deadlines, sector-specific targets, and more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The coalition emphasizes the need for increased finance for nature-based solutions, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and global financial system reforms to ensure a just transition.
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Document type: Statement
SAIIAS View on COP28: African Priorities
The document details Africa's objectives for COP28, emphasizing the need for systemic reform of the global financial architecture to close the adaptation financing gap and operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund. It advocates for a just energy transition that supports Africa's move up the green technology value chain, particularly regarding critical minerals, and calls for the inclusion of community-based organizations and youth in climate decision-making.
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Document type: Briefing
COP28: Businesses urge governments to phase out fossil fuels
A coalition of companies representing over $1.6 trillion in annual revenue calls on governments to phase out unabated fossil fuels, decarbonize power systems by 2035 in advanced economies and 2040 elsewhere, and provide financial and capacity-building support to the Global South for a just transition.
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Document type: Statement
Putting Promises Into Practice: Clean Energy Transition Partnership signatories' progress on implementing clean energy commitments
The report finds that while CETP signatories have made progress in restricting fossil fuel finance, they have not yet fully prioritized clean energy support. In the first year of implementation, signatories moved USD 6.5 billion out of fossil fuels and USD 5.2 billion into clean energy, which is significantly lower than the estimated annual potential of USD 28 billion. The analysis reveals that most high-income signatories lack CETP-aligned policies that fully prioritize clean energy, and there is a widespread lack of provisions for fair and transformative financing, such as grant-based instruments for the countries most in need.
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Document type: Report
Advocating for candid discussion and actionable measures at COP28
The African Climate Foundation (ACF) advocates for COP28 to deliver measurable progress for Africa across the Global Stocktake, adaptation, and finance. The ACF emphasizes that emission reduction targets must be paired with climate finance reforms and the preservation of policy space for African development. Key priorities include a robust Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) with quantified targets, the operationalization of a fit-for-purpose Loss and Damage Fund, and the reform of the global financial system to provide affordable finance and debt restructuring. The ACF also warns against unilateral trade measures, such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which it argues threaten Africa's sustainable development goals.
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Document type: Statement
How the UNFCCC Can Tackle Fossil Fuel Subsidies at COP 28 and Beyond
The report highlights a significant gap between government rhetoric and action regarding fossil fuel subsidies, noting that world governments provided a record USD 1.3 trillion in such subsidies in 2022. It critiques current UNFCCC commitments for lacking deadlines and clear definitions of "inefficient" subsidies. The authors propose several pathways for action at COP 28 and beyond, including the adoption of a 'cover decision', integrating subsidy reform into the first global stocktake, and requiring more ambitious, time-bound commitments in updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The document also suggests leveraging climate finance discussions, such as the 'net climate finance' concept and the new collective quantified goal (NCQG), to address public financial flows to fossil fuels.
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Document type: Research paper
A Global Call to Action on Transition Finance at COP28
The document argues that transitioning the global economy to limit warming to 1.5°C requires between $200 trillion and $275 trillion by 2050. It proposes a common vision for transition finance based on credible decarbonization strategies, annual monitoring, and the avoidance of carbon lock-in. The letter outlines specific calls to action for the financial sector, governments, and issuers to overcome barriers such as greenwashing fears and high capital costs to mobilize capital for high-emitting sectors.
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Document type: Statement
Africa’s Climate Champions: Key countries to watch at COP28
The report outlines the strategic positions of African nations and multilateral structures at COP28, emphasizing the Nairobi Declaration and the AU's Climate Change and Resilient Strategy and Action Plan. It details the leadership of specific countries in areas such as green hydrogen (Morocco, Kenya), critical minerals (Namibia), and forest restoration (Ethiopia, Rwanda, Republic of Congo), while analyzing the influence of negotiating blocs like the G77 and China, BASIC, and the LDC group in securing climate finance and adaptation support.
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Document type: Report
Burning Billions: Record public money for fossil fuels impeding climate action
The document reports that global public financial support for fossil fuels reached a record high of over USD 1.7 trillion in 2022, driven largely by USD 1.3 trillion in subsidies. It notes a discrepancy in G7 financing, where USD 20 billion was provided for fossil fuels compared to USD 10 billion for clean energy. The briefing argues that these flows contradict the Paris Agreement and COP 26 pledges, calling for a total phase-out of fossil fuel production and consumption and a shift of public finance toward clean energy and just transition measures.
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Document type: Briefing
Joint statement on UNFCCC work programme on just transition pathways
A coalition of organizations representing business and financial institutions urges UNFCCC Parties at COP28 to operationalize the work programme on just transition pathways. The signatories argue that systemic inequalities pose a business risk and call for a framework based on social dialogue, labour rights, and 1.5°C-aligned pathways. They specifically recommend enhancing international cooperation and finance for the Global South, supporting SMEs, and utilizing ILO Guidelines as a policymaking reference.
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Document type: Statement
Proposed amendments to Bill C-50: The Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act
The briefing argues that while Bill C-50 provides a useful governance and accountability framework for Canada's net-zero economy, it contains gaps that limit its efficacy. It suggests amendments to improve the bill and references further recommendations for just transition legislation based on international best practices.
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Document type: Briefing
Understanding Disenfranchised and Underserved Communities in the U.S.
The document argues that achieving a just, decarbonized economy requires a cooperative, cross-sectorial approach to climate action that engages disenfranchised and underserved communities. It asserts that the most critical issues for these populations are those impacting health, economic wellbeing, and overall prosperity, resulting from compounding inequities and multifaceted environmental risks.
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Document type: Research paper
Feedback on the JETP CIPP
Ember's feedback on the JETP CIPP highlights critical gaps in the plan, particularly the exclusion of captive power emissions, which may lead to 2030 emissions exceeding the 290 MT CO2 target. The organization recommends increasing solar targets, reassessing wind deployment locations, and questioning the sustainability and viability of bioenergy. Ember also criticizes the coal retirement timeline, noting that the CIPP's plan to retire only 1.7 GW by 2040 contradicts the Indonesian government's more ambitious goals and the IEA's 1.5 degree scenario. Additionally, the document calls for greater transparency in GFANZ financing, comprehensive risk assessments regarding US political stability, and urgent policy reforms to end coal subsidies and prohibit new coal plants in the industrial sector.
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Document type: Statement
Geopolitical Energy Futures in South Africa: Strategic Policy Pathways to 2035
The document argues that South Africa must move away from 'used energy futures' and growth-centric economic models to achieve a just energy transition. It proposes four strategic priorities: fostering cross-border sustainable energy democracies, practicing active non-alignment in renewable energy diplomacy, challenging preconceived energy futures to ensure intergenerational fairness, and implementing anticipatory energy governance to overcome 'energy blindness' and carbon lock-in. The brief emphasizes the need for a multipolar approach to energy geopolitics in the post-COVID-19 era, advocating for regional integration within the SADC and the adoption of regenerative economic models.
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Document type: Policy brief
52nd Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ Meeting mentioned fossil fuels. Let’s assess the Good, the Bad, the Ugly.
The briefing analyzes the communique from the 52nd Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ Meeting, noting the historic mention of a "Fossil Fuel Free Pacific" while criticizing qualifiers that weaken the commitment. It highlights the use of terms like "aspire" and "in our energy systems" as loopholes that allow countries, particularly Australia and New Zealand, to avoid committing to a phase-out of fossil fuel production. The document also criticizes Australia for using climate resilience funding and resettlement offers for Tuvalu to mask its continued support for fossil fuel companies and its pursuit of carbon dioxide dumping legislation.
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Document type: Briefing
Cumulative Impact Assessments and Sámi Indigenous Rights
The document argues that current impact assessment processes in Sweden and Finland fail to account for the cumulative effects of industrial land use, leading to violations of Sámi Indigenous rights. It emphasizes the necessity of treating Indigenous peoples as rights-holders rather than stakeholders and advocates for the implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) supported by robust cumulative impact data to ensure a just green transition.
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Document type: Policy brief
Revised Fiscal Framework and Revenue Proposals
The IEJ criticizes the South African National Treasury's reliance on austerity and private-sector-led growth, arguing that the real burden of national debt is its cost rather than its size. The report proposes a shift toward a developmental budget that prioritizes public investment in infrastructure, green energy, and social services. To fund these priorities without increasing VAT, the IEJ suggests implementing a net wealth tax, reducing tax breaks for high earners, addressing illicit financial flows, and utilizing the Gold and Foreign Exchange Contingency Reserve Account (GFECRA). The document also calls for increasing the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant to the Food Poverty Line and restructuring Eskom's debt to facilitate a just energy transition.
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Document type: Report