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The briefing highlights that global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, making the Paris Agreement targets of 1.5°C and 2°C increasingly difficult to achieve without significant 'overshoot'. It notes a critical gap in climate finance, where current levels are roughly ten times lower than the estimated USD 6.3 trillion needed annually by 2030. While net-zero commitments and renewable energy deployment have grown substantially, the document warns against an over-reliance on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and emphasizes the need for rapid transformations in energy, agriculture, and urban planning.

The land sector is essential for 1.5°C and 2°C pathways, potentially providing up to 30% of global mitigation. While it offers significant near-term potential at low cost, the IPCC warns that land-based mitigation cannot compensate for delayed emissions reductions in other sectors. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is deemed necessary for net-zero targets, but the IPCC highlights substantial uncertainties, risks, and a massive investment gap, with current annual investment at USD 0.7 billion against a needed USD 400 billion.

The report examines how COP26 outcomes, such as pledges to end deforestation and phase out fossil fuel vehicles, drive demand for critical minerals in Africa. It emphasizes that while the energy transition offers economic opportunities, mining companies must adopt ESG frameworks and UN Sustainable Development Goals to ensure a 'just decarbonisation process' and avoid community conflict. The document highlights the challenge of scope 3 emissions and recommends that African governments create incentive platforms for decarbonisation.

The Canadian Climate Institute concludes that the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan is credible and puts Canada on a path toward its 2050 net-zero goal, though a slight gap remains for the 2030 target. Independent modeling suggests that while the plan is transparent and ambitious, its success depends on the rapid implementation of five priority policies—carbon pricing, an oil and gas emissions cap, a clean electricity standard, a clean fuels standard, and land-use emission reductions—which together would account for 62% of the necessary reductions. The report emphasizes that the primary risk is no longer the plan's design but the speed and effectiveness of its execution.

The report identifies significant gaps in the monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) infrastructure for carbon dioxide removal (CDR), noting that existing frameworks are primarily designed for emission reductions rather than removals. It highlights inconsistencies in how permanence, system boundaries, and additionality are treated across different voluntary and compliance standards. The authors recommend the development of dedicated methodologies for Direct Air Capture (DAC) and Bio-energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), the adoption of dynamic baselines aligned with Paris Agreement targets, and a standardized approach to defining 'permanent' storage to prevent the overestimation of mitigation results.

The report analyzes the global state of coal power, noting that while many OECD and non-OECD countries are canceling new projects and setting closure dates, China continues to expand its capacity. It highlights that 750 coal plants (550GW) now have effective closure dates following COP26, but global capacity increased by 18.2GW in 2021 due to Chinese additions. The document argues that 'clean coal' technologies like CCS are expensive and unreliable distractions from a full transition to renewables. Specifically for South Korea, it criticizes the 2050 phase-out goal as lagging behind international standards and notes the continued construction of new plants despite public commitments.

The report finds that while many countries are committing to end new coal power, China continues to expand its capacity, offsetting global declines. In 2021, global operating coal capacity increased by 18.2 GW, largely driven by China, which accounted for 56% of new operational capacity. Despite COP26 commitments, a significant gap remains between current plans and the 1.5°C warming limit, which would require decommissioning an additional 1,100 GW of capacity by 2030. The report also critiques 'clean coal' technologies like CCS as costly and ineffective distractions from renewable energy.

The Europe Gas Tracker Report 2022 finds that the EU possesses substantial overcapacity for gas imports via pipelines and LNG terminals, making proposed new projects unnecessary. It argues that expanding this capacity is incompatible with the European Climate Law's 2030 emissions targets and the IEA's Net Zero by 2050 scenario. The report highlights that the EU's energy crisis is driven by global market tightness and supply shortages rather than a lack of import infrastructure. Furthermore, it critiques 'carbon-neutral' LNG claims as misleading due to methane emissions across the supply chain and warns that new gas assets risk becoming stranded.

The report finds that while Canadian community foundations (CCFs) have grown their endowments to nearly CAD 7 billion as of 2020, they have largely failed to use these assets to combat climate change. Most CCFs rely on vague 'ESG integration' for risk mitigation rather than pursuing climate-positive investments. The analysis reveals significant capacity gaps and a lack of diversity on investment committees, which often act as barriers to strategic change. The report recommends moving toward positive screening, increasing transparency of holdings, and joining the Canadian Philanthropy Commitment on Climate Change to align financial assets with community climate goals.

The document argues that TotalEnergies' 2022 climate plan is incomplete and incompatible with a 1.5°C pathway, citing a lack of short-term absolute Scope 3 targets and continued investment in oil and gas expansion. It recommends that investors vote against the management-sponsored 'Say on Climate' resolution and oppose the reappointment of specific Directors to signal disapproval of the company's fossil fuel strategy. The briefing also highlights legal and reputational risks associated with the EACOP project in East Africa, greenwashing lawsuits, and the company's continued assets in Russia.

Reclaim Finance argues that ENGIE's climate strategy is insufficient, citing a lack of short-term targets, a reliance on fossil gas, and a coal exit strategy based on asset sales rather than closures. The briefing recommends that investors vote against the 'Say on Climate' resolution and challenge the company on its gas and coal strategies.

The report assesses the current state of energy transition in Latin America and the Caribbean, identifying gaps in energy efficiency, electrification, and the adoption of low-carbon technologies like hydrogen and CCUS. It highlights the region's strong baseline in renewable electricity, primarily from hydropower, while emphasizing the need for more aggressive long-term targets and climate adaptation strategies to protect energy infrastructure from extreme weather.

In 2021, wind and solar generated over 10% of global electricity for the first time, but record-high electricity demand led to a record rise in coal power and the largest absolute increase in power sector CO2 emissions ever recorded.

In 2021, global electricity demand grew by 5.4%, the fastest rate since 2010. While solar and wind generation continued to rise, coal generation reached an all-time high, leading to a 7% increase in power sector CO2 emissions. This resulted in the first increase in global electricity carbon intensity since 2011, moving the sector further away from the IEA's 1.5 degree pathway.

The document outlines the business case and technical process for seafood companies to adopt Science-Based Targets (SBTs) to mitigate climate change. It highlights that while seafood generally has a lower carbon footprint than land-based proteins, the industry faces significant risks from ocean warming and acidification. The guide details a process of data collection, GHG accounting using Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), and target setting through the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Key reduction strategies include the electrification of fishing vessels, the development of low-carbon aquaculture feed, and the reduction of air freight. It emphasizes that Scope 3 emissions—particularly from feed and transport—represent the largest challenge and require pre-competitive collaboration across the value chain.

Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) has called on the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) to phase out financial ties to fossil fuel companies, specifically those not aligned with the Paris Agreement's 2°C goal. While acknowledging the IET's commitment to net-zero operations within ten years, SGR highlights ongoing concerns regarding the IET's investments in oil sands and thermal coal, a lack of transparency in corporate payments, and the absence of a formal environmental policy. SGR recommends that the IET adopt fossil fuel-free indexes, report the carbon footprint of its investment portfolio, and align its practices with other professional bodies that have already divested from fossil fuels and arms.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is well-positioned to become a global leader in carbon management due to its existing technical expertise, financial resources, and geologic storage capacity. While current project numbers are low compared to the U.S. and Europe, the region has significant potential to scale up carbon capture to reduce industrial emissions and produce zero-carbon fuels like hydrogen and ammonia.

RMI analysis indicates that while Georgia Power's plan significantly reduces coal reliance, it remains heavily dependent on gas and fails to align with a 1.5°C pathway. The utility's demand forecasts appear to underestimate the electricity needs required for the electrification of transportation and industry in Georgia.

Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) has called on the Energy Institute to end its financial ties to fossil fuel companies and formalize a policy against investing in arms. While acknowledging the Institute's adoption of a net zero pledge and climate action charter, SGR highlights ongoing concerns regarding a lack of transparency in investments and lax policies compared to other professional bodies. SGR proposes a series of actions, including disclosing corporate payments over £1,000 and investments over £5,000, phasing out ties to companies not aligned with the 2°C Paris Agreement goal, and redirecting funds toward renewable energy and energy storage.

Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) has written to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) expressing concern over its continued financial ties to the arms and fossil fuel sectors. SGR calls for a rapid phase-out of investments and sponsorships from companies whose carbon targets are not aligned with the Paris Agreement's 2C goal, as well as the elimination of links to the military technology industry. The letter demands greater transparency regarding corporate payments and investments, and encourages IMechE to join climate initiatives like the Pledge to Net Zero and the Professional Bodies Climate Action Charter, noting that other professional bodies such as the British Medical Association and the Royal Meteorological Society have already implemented similar divestment policies.