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Global energy transition investments reached a record USD 1.3 trillion in 2022, but this is less than one-third of the annual USD 5 trillion needed to meet the 1.5°C Scenario. While renewable energy investments grew to nearly USD 0.5 trillion in 2022, they remain heavily concentrated in solar and wind technologies and a few regions, primarily East Asia and Pacific. Developing and emerging markets receive a disproportionately small share of finance; for example, Sub-Saharan Africa received less than 1.5% of global investments between 2000 and 2020. The report emphasizes that private capital prioritizes low-risk, commercially viable projects, leaving a critical gap in less mature technologies and high-risk regions. It argues for a fundamental shift in public financing, moving beyond simple de-risking to provide more grants, concessional loans, and innovative instruments like local currency lending and green bonds to ensure a just and inclusive transition.

The 2023 Energy Services Market Intelligence Report by GreenCape identifies significant growth in South Africa's energy services sector, driven by national energy insecurity (load shedding) and rising electricity costs. Rooftop solar PV is the most immediate opportunity, with an estimated annual market value of R7.5 billion and a projected total capacity of 10 GWp by 2035. Behind-the-meter storage, particularly lithium-ion batteries, is growing as a backup solution, with a current market size of R4 billion expected to reach R32.5 billion by 2035. The energy efficiency sector remains sluggish despite a potential annual saving of 120 TWh, though smart meter upgrades present a market opportunity of R40–R60 billion. Key barriers include port inefficiencies causing long equipment lead times and a shortage of skilled technical labor. The report also details the regulatory landscape, including the removal of the 100 MW generation license threshold and the implementation of mandatory energy performance certificates for large buildings.

The report identifies significant growth potential in South Africa's large-scale renewable energy sector, driven by the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 and the removal of licensing thresholds for private generation. While public procurement via the REIPPPP has historically led the market, grid constraints in the Northern and Western Cape now limit project viability. Private procurement is surging, particularly among energy-intensive mining companies. The report also highlights emerging opportunities in battery energy storage systems (BESS), green hydrogen, and local manufacturing of components, while noting the systemic risk posed by Eskom's debt and the ongoing unbundling of the national utility.

The document outlines strategies for extending electricity access to 'last mile' remote communities—including indigenous, displaced, and mountain populations—using decentralized renewable energy (DRE). It argues that off-grid solutions, particularly solar PV and hybrid systems, are often more cost-effective than grid extension in low-demand, remote areas. The guide emphasizes community engagement, local capacity building, and the transition from grant-based funding to market-based impact investment to ensure long-term sustainability. It details various delivery mechanisms, such as solar co-operatives and micro-utilities, and provides comparative data on renewable technologies and government program models from Brazil, Malaysia, and Canada.

Solar generation in seven Asian countries avoided approximately US$34 billion in fossil fuel costs in the first half of 2022. The report highlights rapid capacity growth in China, India, and Viet Nam, while noting that solar capacity across five key Asian economies is expected to grow by an average of 22% annually until 2030. However, the transition faces hurdles including grid instability in Viet Nam, high installation costs in Japan and South Korea, and policy bottlenecks in the Philippines and Thailand.

The document outlines how U.S. local governments can use aggregated procurement—forming buyers' groups to pool demand—to lower costs and accelerate clean energy deployment. It identifies key benefits such as economies of scale and shared expertise, while noting barriers like lack of staff expertise and complex legal requirements. The guide provides five strategies for success, including appointing dedicated project managers and targeting a minimum aggregated demand of 20MW for optimal pricing, and suggests ways to integrate equity and community benefits into these contracts.

The report argues that India's buildings sector must adopt an integrative whole-system approach to address both embodied and operational emissions. It highlights that building operations account for about a third of India's energy use, and without intervention, energy consumption could triple by 2050. The proposed framework prioritises reducing energy needs through passive design, serving those needs with super-efficient equipment, and transitioning to clean energy procurement and demand flexibility. Key recommendations include government mandates for net-zero public buildings, the adoption of carbon accounting for corporations, and the implementation of building performance standards to ensure actual operational efficiency.

The document argues that Indonesia can technically achieve a net zero power sector by 2040, which would accelerate the broader national net zero target to 2050. This transition requires phasing out unabated coal, significantly increasing annual electricity investment to USD 40 billion this decade and USD 80 billion in the next, and addressing grid flexibility and inter-regional connectivity. While the transition would result in a net gain of 265,000 jobs, it would cause 230,000 losses in coal mining, necessitating just energy transition policies. The author notes that Presidential Regulation No. 112/2022 is a positive step toward attracting renewable investment and retiring coal plants.

The First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Maryland has installed four solar arrays—one ground-mounted and three rooftop—totaling 3.2 megawatts of capacity. These projects, developed with Suntrail Energy and IGS Solar, provide over 80 percent of the church's energy usage and have generated nearly $1 million in savings over three years. The installations include a 2.06 MW ground-mounted farm at the Upper Marlboro campus and rooftop arrays at the Family Life Center, Ministry Center, and Empowerment Center.

The document argues that current US electricity market designs—including energy-only, capacity, and hybrid models—fail to support the rapid deployment of variable renewable energy (VRE) because they lack a functional 'energy markets cascade' that connects long-term investment to real-time pricing. To resolve this, the author proposes Organized Long-Term Markets (OLTMs), which would standardize long-term energy delivery contracts, increase liquidity and transparency, and allow for the optimization of diversified resource portfolios. The paper details the design of OLTMs, including the roles of producers, consumers, and facilitators, and applies the concept to the specific challenges faced by ERCOT, CAISO, and ISO New England.

The document argues that while current building codes focus on operational emissions and 'Buy Clean' policies target material production, there is a gap in mitigating end-of-life climate impacts. It proposes five policy interventions for municipalities: planning permit incentives for adaptive reuse, design standards for future adaptability in new construction, improved C&D waste management ordinances, deconstruction ordinances for historic buildings, and the implementation of material passports for public buildings.

North Africa possesses significant solar and wind potential, with Egypt and Morocco emerging as the region's largest renewable energy markets. While Egypt's power sector is dominated by gas and Morocco's by coal, both are aggressively expanding their renewable capacities through policy shifts and international investment. Egypt has seen rapid solar growth, exemplified by the Benban solar farm, while Morocco has focused on onshore wind and concentrated solar power, aiming to become a global green hydrogen exporter by 2050.

The document analyzes India's offshore wind potential, primarily off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, noting that while the country has a target of 30 GW by 2030, no projects are currently operational. It identifies critical barriers including high capital costs, lack of specialized port infrastructure, and regulatory uncertainties. By comparing India to existing markets like the UK and Denmark and emerging markets like Taiwan and South Korea, the paper recommends updating the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy 2015, implementing competitive procurement mechanisms such as Contracts for Difference, and developing a government-led 'plug-and-play' power evacuation model to reduce investor risk. It also emphasizes the need for detailed Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and the integration of offshore wind with green hydrogen or hybrid RTC (round-the-clock) renewable projects to enhance economic viability.

RMI proposes the RE Emissions Score to move beyond qualitative assessments of renewable energy procurement. The score calculates the percentage of Weighted Avoided Emissions relative to Total Induced Emissions, using marginal emissions factors and a procurement factor based on the ratio of Energy Attribute Certificate (EAC) costs to the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). This approach aims to incentivize companies to locate operations in low-emissions grids and fund new renewable capacity in high-emissions grids.

The report examines the role of carbon-free energy in the PJM market and evaluates two proposed market designs—the Forward Clean Energy Market and the Integrated Clean Capacity Market—to improve the integration of clean resources. It argues that accurately accounting for the capacity value of clean energy reduces costs and emissions, and suggests that a regional, standardized clean energy procurement process could accelerate the retirement of fossil assets and the deployment of clean energy.

The Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor 2022 finds that most of the 25 major global companies assessed have net-zero pledges that lack integrity, with aggregate emissions targeted for reduction by only 40% at most. While 15 companies report interim targets for 2030, the average reduction commitment for full value chain emissions is only 23%. Scope 3 emissions average 87% of total emissions, yet only 8 companies provide moderate detail on addressing them. The report notes a heavy reliance on unbundled renewable energy certificates (RECs) and contentious offsetting plans, particularly nature-based solutions, while suggesting that 'climate contributions' without neutrality claims are an emerging alternative.

The Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor 2022 assesses 25 multinational companies, finding that most 'net zero' pledges are ambiguous and lack deep emission reduction commitments. The report highlights a systemic reliance on low-quality carbon offsets and renewable energy certificates (RECs) that often fail to provide additional climate benefits. While a few companies demonstrate leadership in renewable energy procurement and value chain engagement, the overall integrity of corporate climate strategies remains low, with many targets falling short of the 1.5C Paris Agreement goal.

The report finds that South Africa's energy fiscal policies are largely misaligned with its climate goals, with fossil fuel subsidies totaling ZAR 172 billion in FY 2020/21. These subsidies, particularly Eskom bailouts and carbon tax exemptions, outweigh the ZAR 100.5 billion in fossil fuel revenues. The social costs of fossil fuel combustion—estimated at a minimum of ZAR 550 billion annually—far exceed both revenues and subsidies. While the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) has successfully lowered renewable energy costs, investment has been hindered by political opposition and Eskom's financial instability. The report recommends tying bailouts to transition reforms, phasing out carbon tax exemptions, and using fossil fuel tax revenues to support vulnerable households and a just transition.

The South African energy services market is expanding due to rising electricity costs, energy insecurity, and falling technology prices. The market is segmented into small-scale embedded generation (SSEG), energy storage, and energy efficiency, with a total available market estimated at R131 billion by 2035. Key opportunities include rooftop solar PV for commercial and industrial (C&I) and agricultural sectors, behind-the-meter battery storage, and innovative energy efficiency models like Cooling-as-a-Service (CaaS). The Western Cape is highlighted as a leading regional hub due to its supportive municipal policies and high uptake of SSEG.

The report assesses the South African large-scale renewable energy market, focusing on the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) and the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019. It identifies significant growth potential in solar PV, onshore wind, and battery storage, while highlighting critical barriers such as grid saturation in the Northern and Western Cape and the financial instability of the state utility, Eskom. The document also explores emerging opportunities in green hydrogen production and local manufacturing of components, supported by the Atlantis Special Economic Zone in the Western Cape.