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China and US State of Play – Background Paper
The document provides a detailed update on the climate trajectories of China and the U.S., highlighting China's rapid expansion of non-fossil energy capacity and the U.S.'s implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). It details specific national policies, such as China's '1+N' system and the U.S.'s EPA rules on power plants and vehicles, while analyzing the diplomatic dynamics following the Sunnylands Statement and the transition of key climate envoys.
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Document type: Briefing
Fixed upstream emission rates undermine the climate benefits of section 45V hydrogen production tax credit
The policy brief contends that fixed upstream emission rates for methane and CO2 in the 45VH2-GREET model create economic distortions by penalizing low-emission hydrogen producers and rewarding those with higher-emission supply chains. It proposes replacing these fixed rates with project-specific data from the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) to ensure tax credits align with actual lifecycle emissions.
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Document type: Policy brief
The EU’s climate challenge of 2024: Tackling the planning gap head-on
The EU is facing a 'planning gap' where ambitious climate goals lack the detailed implementation roadmaps necessary for success. This is evidenced by draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) that lack credibility and substance, particularly regarding carbon capture and storage, methane reduction, and small modular reactors. The author urges Member States to use the remaining time before the June 2024 deadline to transform NECPs from bureaucratic exercises into strategic priorities that provide investor certainty and resilience against supply chain or geopolitical bottlenecks.
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Document type: Statement
Colombian Waste Sector Methane Analysis
Colombia is the third largest emitter of waste methane in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the waste sector accounting for 22% of the country's annual methane emissions. While the country has a robust regulatory framework and high collection rates, it relies heavily on landfills, many of which are nearing capacity. The report identifies significant gaps in organic waste management, data disaggregation, and financial incentives for methane mitigation, recommending the development of a national waste methane strategy and improved technical capacity at the municipal level.
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Document type: Report
Mixed messages: New oil and gas extraction areas raise the stakes for methane abatement
Global Energy Monitor identifies 74 new oil and gas projects that could emit 2.4 million metric tonnes of methane annually by 2030, potentially undermining the Global Methane Pledge. The analysis reveals significant discrepancies between these potential emissions and the company-wide figures reported by operators to the OGMP 2.0, suggesting widespread underreporting of assets or methane intensity. A small number of fields in Saudi Arabia and Guyana account for a disproportionate share of these emissions, while new EU regulations on imported oil and gas are expected to impact many of these developments.
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Document type: Briefing
Assessment of oil and gas companies’ climate strategy
The methodology focuses on indicators with a 2030 horizon to align with the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C goal. It evaluates companies across five main dimensions: current energy production (using a fossil fuel equivalence method to compare renewables and fossil fuels), cash-flow allocation (analyzing CAPEX for exploration versus low-carbon solutions), fossil fuel strategy (assessing upstream expansion and production overshoot relative to the IEA Net Zero Emissions scenario), diversification strategy (projecting 2030 energy mixes), and emission targets (calculating carbon intensity excess and reliance on CCUS and offsets). The analysis covers 6 European companies (BP, Eni, Equinor, Repsol, Shell, TotalEnergies), 2 US companies (Chevron, ExxonMobil), and 4 National Oil Companies (ADNOC, Petrobras, QatarEnergy, Saudi Aramco).
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Document type: Guide
ENGIE’S ROAD TO (NON-) DECARBONISED POWER
The report argues that while ENGIE has ambitious renewable energy targets, its overall climate plan is not aligned with a 1.5°C trajectory due to continued investments in fossil gas infrastructure, long-term LNG contracts for fracked US gas, and a reliance on immature technologies like CCUS and large-scale renewable gas. It highlights a lack of precise intermediate absolute emission targets and insufficient methane reporting as key governance failures.
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Document type: Report
A Vision for the EU Net-Zero Transition
The report argues that the EU is not on track to meet its 2030 and 2050 climate goals and must shift to an 'option-based' approach that integrates a broad range of low- and zero-carbon technologies. Key recommendations include scaling up carbon capture and storage (CCS), diversifying the energy mix with small modular reactors (SMRs), superhot rock geothermal, and fusion energy, and implementing a rigorous methane import standard. It emphasizes the need for a comprehensive green industrial strategy, a dedicated climate fund to replace the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and international cooperation to set global clean-tech standards.
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Document type: Report
Private equity’s role in US liquefied natural gas emissions
Private equity firms have invested in 85% of operating and 73% of proposed US LNG terminals, contributing significantly to global emissions. The briefing highlights that six firms—PIMCO, Brookfield, KKR, Blackstone, York Capital Management, and Global Infrastructure Partners—account for over 75% of these financed emissions. It argues that LNG may be worse than coal when lifecycle methane emissions are considered and uses the Rio Grande LNG project as a case study of private equity acquiring assets after more accountable investors exit due to climate risks.
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Document type: Briefing
Methane Mitigation and Reduction in Nigeria's Oil and Gas Sector
Nigeria is implementing a variety of regulatory tools and national plans to reduce methane emissions from its oil and gas sector, which accounted for approximately 41% of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. While the country has reduced natural gas flaring by about 70% since 2000, it remains among the top 10 global gas flarers. National targets include reducing fugitive methane emissions by 60% by 2031 and achieving a 61% reduction in short-lived climate pollutants by 2030. However, progress is hindered by technical data gaps, inadequate leak detection infrastructure, and high mitigation costs.
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Document type: Research paper
Analysis of Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Natural Gas and Coal Powered Electricity
The analysis finds that while gas-fired power plants emit 58% less CO2 at the stack than coal, the lifecycle benefit is reduced to 24% when considering upstream emissions. This benefit varies wildly by production basin; gas from northeast Pennsylvania can significantly reduce GHG impacts, while gas from the Permian basin could potentially worsen them by 20% compared to coal. The report concludes that for natural gas to be compatible with net-zero goals, both aggressive upstream methane abatement and downstream carbon capture and storage (CCS) are required, noting that abated coal with CCS actually shows 37% lower emissions than abated gas with CCS due to the latter's persistent upstream methane and liquefaction emissions.
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Document type: Research paper
Exported gas climate impacts are complicated, but a focus on mitigation is key
The analysis examines the complexities of assessing the climate impact of U.S. LNG exports, highlighting that lifecycle emissions vary significantly based on the source basin and the level of upstream and downstream mitigation. Using a case study of power generation in Vietnam, the author demonstrates that switching from coal to U.S. gas could either reduce greenhouse gas impacts by 40% or increase them by 20% depending on methane management. While U.S. EPA regulations and the Methane Emissions Reduction Program are expected to curb emissions, the document asserts that further policies and the application of carbon capture and storage are necessary for gas to remain viable in a climate-constrained world.
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Document type: Statement
BRIEF: Bill C-226, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy to assess, prevent and address environmental racism and to advance environmental justice
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) advocates for the passage of Bill C-226, arguing that environmental racism creates 'pollution hotspots' that disproportionately harm the health of Indigenous and racialized communities. CAPE links these exposures to severe health outcomes, including cancer and respiratory illnesses, and calls for a national strategy that integrates planetary health and Traditional Knowledge to address these systemic injustices.
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Document type: Briefing
Uncovering Indonesia’s hidden methane problem
Indonesia is significantly underreporting its coal mine methane (CMM) emissions, with official figures being six to seven times lower than independent estimates. The report identifies critical flaws in the current reporting framework, including the use of inaccurate emission factors, outdated global warming potential (GWP) values, and the total exclusion of underground coal mines. These gaps risk undermining Indonesia's commitments under the Global Methane Pledge. The author recommends transitioning to higher-tier IPCC estimation methods, implementing data disaggregation at the mine level, and improving public transparency to ensure climate targets are met and mine worker safety is enhanced.
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Document type: Report
A Vision for Poland’s Clean Energy Transition
The report argues that Poland, as one of Europe's most carbon-intensive economies, must adopt a diversified technology portfolio to achieve climate neutrality. It recommends a shift from coal (currently 70% of the power mix) toward a combination of renewables, nuclear energy, carbon capture and storage (CCS), clean hydrogen, and superhot rock geothermal energy. The authors emphasize that restricting technology options would significantly increase system costs and infrastructure needs. Key policy recommendations include implementing 'carbon contracts for difference' to advance CCS, prioritizing clean hydrogen for 'no regrets' industrial sectors, and reforming the nuclear industry through standardized, product-based business models. Additionally, the report calls for urgent action to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector and the mapping of thousands of abandoned wells. Public polling indicates strong Polish support for advanced nuclear (63%) and superhot rock energy (66%).
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Document type: Report
STEELING OUR FUTURE
The report 'Steeling Our Future' by Reclaim Finance analyzes the financing of the 100 largest steel producers, finding that banks provided US$429 billion to these companies between 2016 and June 2023. It highlights a critical gap between banks' climate commitments and their continued support for coal-based blast furnace (BF-BOF) production, which accounts for nearly 90% of steel sector emissions. The document argues that current decarbonization targets are insufficient and calls for an immediate end to financing for new blast furnaces and the relining of existing ones to avoid stranded asset risks estimated at US$554 billion. It advocates for a shift toward hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron (HDRI) and electric arc furnaces (EAF) powered by sustainable electricity.
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Document type: Report
Deploying Advanced Monitoring Technologies at US Landfills
The document outlines strategies for reducing methane emissions from US municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills, emphasizing the transition from traditional manual surface emissions monitoring (SEM) to advanced technologies like satellites, aircraft, drones, and fixed sensors. It provides a six-step framework for monitoring-informed mitigation: selecting a system, deploying it, pinpointing sources, identifying root causes, deploying mitigation measures, and verifying reductions. The guide highlights that while organic waste diversion is critical for future emissions, improving waste-in-place controls offers immediate climate benefits.
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Document type: Guide
SUBMISSIONS ON THE GAS AMENDMENT BILL [B – 2023] PUBLISHED FOR COMMENT ON 19 JANUARY 2024
The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), on behalf of the Life After Coal (LAC) coalition, submitted comments on the Gas Amendment Bill [B – 2023], arguing that accelerating gas infrastructure is irrational given the climate emergency and South Africa's extreme vulnerability to climate change. The submission criticizes the Bill for inadequate public consultation processes, lack of transparency regarding confidential information, and a failure to align with international climate targets such as the IPCC's 1.5°C benchmark.
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Document type: Statement
Refinery of the Future
The report provides a detailed market assessment of the refining industry in four key regions, analyzing the transition from traditional crude-based products to low-carbon alternatives like SAF, green ammonia, and e-methanol, while evaluating the impact of regional climate policies.
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Document type: Report
A guide to monitoring and quantifying methane emissions from the waste sector
The document outlines the transition from traditional first-order decay (FOD) models to advanced monitoring technologies, including handheld analyzers, drones, and remote sensing via aircraft and satellites, to better quantify waste-sector methane emissions. It highlights that up to 80% of these emissions can be eliminated with existing technology, often at low or negative costs. The guide also details international efforts such as the Global Methane Pledge and the LOW-Methane Initiative to drive mitigation and investment.
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Document type: Guide