Search Climate Insights Directory

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 Drawdown Lift fact sheet argues that climate mitigation and poverty alleviation are complementary. By analyzing 450 articles and reports, it identifies 28 climate solutions across five groups—Improving Agriculture and Agroforestry, Protecting and Restoring Ecosystems, Adopting Clean Cooking, Providing Clean Electricity, and Fostering Equality—that provide significant co-benefits for human well-being. These solutions target dimensions such as income, health, food security, and gender equality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The report advocates for synergistic implementation and innovative finance to align climate goals with the needs of the most vulnerable populations.

The report argues that increasing fossil fuel production is an ineffective short-term solution for energy security due to the global nature of oil and gas markets. Instead, it uses the U.S. Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) to demonstrate that clean energy incentives—such as EV tax credits and building electrification—would significantly reduce U.S. fossil fuel demand. In a 'Moderate Scenario', these policies would reduce annual oil consumption by over 180 million barrels by 2030, more than offsetting 2021 Russian oil imports, and reduce natural gas consumption by 4.7 trillion cubic feet, roughly 85% of the EU's 2021 Russian gas imports. The report also estimates GHG emission reductions of 740 to 1,230 million metric tonnes by 2030.

The statement criticizes the City of Denver for supporting a settlement with Xcel Energy that delays the retirement of the Comanche 3 coal plant until 2035 and allows continued use of fracked gas for at least 40 years. The author contends that this agreement contradicts Denver's goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and harms vulnerable Latino communities in Pueblo and North Denver who suffer from pollution-related health issues.

The report details a series of virtual workshops held in 2021 involving approximately 30 civil society organizations to discuss Canada's net-zero goals. The findings highlight a strong consensus on the need for absolute emission reductions, the phase-out of fossil fuels, and the prioritization of 'safe bets' like clean electricity and energy efficiency over uncertain technologies. Key areas of concern include the role of carbon capture and storage (CCS), the use of carbon offsets, and the necessity of integrating climate justice and Indigenous reconciliation into national strategies. The document concludes with a set of proposed 'guardrails' and policy demands to guide Canada's transition to carbon neutrality.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 establishes a series of tax incentives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to an estimated 42% below 2005 levels by 2030. These provisions cover clean electricity, including the extension of renewable energy credits and support for existing nuclear power; clean fuel production, specifically targeting clean hydrogen, renewable fuels, and sustainable aviation fuels; energy efficiency for homes and commercial buildings; and the adoption of clean vehicles. Additionally, the Act provides incentives for clean energy manufacturing to develop domestic supply chains for technologies such as carbon capture, solar, wind, and battery components.

Montserrat has reached 50 percent renewable energy installed capacity through the installation of a 750 kW solar system and 1 MWh battery storage, which powers 300 households. The project, supported by RMI, focused on hurricane resilience—designing for 180 mph wind speeds—and equity, as the utility-owned facility allows diesel savings to be shared among all customers via reduced fuel surcharges. While the island aims for 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030, further progress is constrained by the size of the economy and requires continued grant funding.

The We Mean Business Coalition asserts that while COP26 has seen increased ambition, current national pledges and methane commitments may only limit warming to 1.8°C. The coalition emphasizes the need for clear reporting frameworks and a data-driven Global Stocktake in 2023 to track progress and inform future national targets. It highlights that corporate action, such as the 25% emissions reduction by 338 companies with science-based targets, can provide governments with the confidence to accelerate decarbonization.

The document asserts that only hydrogen produced from 100% renewable electricity is a true climate solution, though it remains energy-intensive and costly. It warns that current hydrogen production is dominated by fossil-fuel-based steam methane reformation and that 'blue' hydrogen may have a higher greenhouse gas footprint than burning natural gas or coal for heat. The author recommends prioritizing direct electrification for transportation and buildings, reserving green hydrogen for maritime shipping, aviation, high-heat industrial processes, and long-distance trucking.

The document highlights a unique moment of political alignment in Canada where all major parties commit to net-zero by 2050. It emphasizes the importance of the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act in providing a legal framework for emissions reductions and calls for a detailed 2030 emissions reduction plan focusing on proven technologies like energy-efficient buildings and clean electricity.

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.

Brambles has reduced its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 47% since 2010 and is pursuing a 1.5ºC aligned science-based target for its global supply chain. The company's sustainability goals include achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2025, implementing a 'two-for-one' tree planting commitment to increase carbon sequestration, and transitioning to 100% recycled or upcycled plastic waste by 2030. Additionally, Brambles advocates for policy incentives to decarbonize the commercial vehicle sector through electrification and hydrogen technology.

The document advocates for the strategic use of "blue" hydrogen to accelerate decarbonization in sectors like heavy trucking, shipping, and steel production. It argues that relying solely on "green" hydrogen (electrolysis via renewables) would require an impractical increase in wind and solar capacity—potentially 40 times current U.S. levels—and excessive land use. While acknowledging that blue hydrogen's climate benefit depends on high carbon capture rates and low upstream methane leaks, the author asserts that these technical goals are feasible today. The document concludes that policymakers should implement tiered incentives tied to lifecycle greenhouse gas performance to ensure hydrogen production actually supports net-zero goals.

The author contends that while the Clean Electricity Payment Program (CEPP) and infrastructure investments provide necessary financial incentives to reach a goal of 80 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030, these measures lack the enforceability needed to prevent backsliding. The document urges the EPA to use its Clean Air Act authority to update and strengthen new source performance standards (NSPS) for coal- and gas-fired power plants and to establish standards for existing plants, ensuring that emissions reductions are legally binding rather than voluntary.

The Canadian Climate Institute outlines nine recommendations for the federal government to enhance its climate strategy. These include integrating climate resilience into government cost-benefit analyses, improving climate risk data dissemination, prioritizing 'sure-bet' solutions like energy efficiency, and implementing a national sales quota for zero-emission vehicles. The document also advocates for targeted support for clean-tech industries, regional transition strategies for workers, and mandatory climate risk disclosures for public and private entities to ensure Canada remains competitive in a global low-carbon economy.

The report analyzes the role of hydrogen in the energy transition, contrasting 'green hydrogen' (produced via renewable-powered electrolysis) with the current industry standard of steam methane reformation (SMR) from fossil fuels. It warns that the oil and gas industry uses hydrogen rhetoric to justify continued fossil fuel infrastructure and delay electrification. The authors argue that green hydrogen should be reserved for 'hard-to-electrify' sectors like maritime shipping and high-heat industrial processes, while being rejected for use in passenger vehicles, home appliances, and gas-fired power plants due to energy inefficiency, high costs, and pollution risks.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) advocates for federal action to stop the premature closure of U.S. nuclear plants, which provide over half of the country's clean electricity. Since 2012, nine reactors (over 6 GW) have retired early due to market conditions and low natural gas and renewable prices, leading to increased regional emissions. CATF supports legislative options like the Zero-Emission Nuclear Power Production Credit Act of 2021 and the American Nuclear Infrastructure Act (ANIA), provided they include 'guardrails' such as financial stress tests and reverse auctions to ensure support is limited to truly at-risk units.

RMI's study evaluates hourly carbon-free energy procurement strategies across seven global markets, finding that while hourly load-matching supports long-term grid decarbonization, strategies must be tailored to regional grid dynamics to maximize immediate emissions reductions.

The Canadian Climate Institute highlights the importance of Bill C-12, which legally enshrines Canada's net-zero goal for 2050 and establishes accountability structures. The author emphasizes that the federal government must now develop a detailed emissions reduction plan for 2030, including a 2026 interim target, focusing on energy efficiency and clean electricity. The document calls for collaboration between federal, provincial, and Indigenous governments, as well as the private sector, to ensure the 2030 targets are met.

The adoption of Bill C-12 legislates Canada's net-zero target and establishes a framework for accountability and governance. The federal government is now required to develop an emissions reduction plan for the 2030 target, including an interim objective for 2026, focusing on 'safe bet' solutions like energy efficiency and electrification.