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This RMI research brief argues that prioritizing renewable energy over liquefied natural gas (LNG) for electricity system expansion in the Global South can reduce costs and risks, using South Africa and Vietnam as illustrative case studies.

This policy brief by the Institute for Economic Justice analyzes the USD 8.5 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in South Africa. It argues that the deal's reliance on blended finance and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) shifts commercial risks to the state and consumers while privatizing gains. The document warns that this 'de-risking' approach may worsen South Africa's fiscal position, increase energy poverty through higher tariffs, and undermine local renewable energy manufacturing. It proposes alternative pathways, including the regulation of private finance, debt cancellation for 'odious debt', climate reparations, and the implementation of allocative green credit policies.

This policy brief by the Institute for Economic Justice critiques the USD 8.5 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) for South Africa, arguing that its reliance on 'de-risking' private finance through Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and blended finance shifts commercial risks to the state while privatising gains. The authors contend that this model threatens to increase energy poverty, worsen the national debt profile, and undermine the localisation of renewable energy manufacturing. The document proposes alternative financing pathways, including the regulation of PPPs, debt cancellation for 'odious debt', climate reparations, and the implementation of allocative green credit policies.

This policy brief examines Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) in South Africa, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Senegal. It argues that these partnerships should facilitate a direct leapfrog from fossil fuels to renewable energy, rather than using fossil gas as a bridging fuel, which the author claims is economically risky, technically unnecessary, and climatically dangerous.

Trend Asia reports that PT PLN's plan for 10% biomass co-firing in 107 coal power plants could drive massive deforestation in Indonesia. The report estimates a need for up to 2.33 million hectares of energy wood plantations, which, based on historical trends, could result in the loss of over 1 million hectares of natural forest. It highlights contradictions in Indonesia's climate targets and argues that biomass is not a carbon-neutral energy source due to the resulting 'carbon debt'.

This research paper examines renewable energy project financing via public-private partnerships (PPP) in Southeast Asia and Central Asia, noting a transition from hydropower toward solar and wind projects to meet growing energy demands and emissions commitments.

This briefing by the World Resources Institute summarizes the climate and energy provisions of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, detailing its financial investments in clean energy, domestic manufacturing, and environmental justice, as well as its projected impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

The Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) report 'Global Landscape of Climate Finance: A Decade of Data' analyzes global climate finance flows from 2011 to 2021. It finds that while climate finance nearly doubled over the decade, the current growth rate is insufficient to meet 1.5C global warming scenarios, which would require annual flows of USD 4.3 trillion by 2030.

This guide by RMI describes resilience hubs as community-serving facilities designed to support vulnerable populations during and after extreme weather events. It outlines five foundational areas of support—power, communication, facilities, operations, and services—and provides six strategic lessons for cities implementing these hubs, emphasizing community partnership, energy efficiency, and the integration of solar and battery storage.

Between October 2021 and September 2022, wind and solar energy became the primary source of electricity in Chile (27.5%), surpassing coal (26.5%) for the first time. Since 2016, Chile has successfully met increasing electricity demand through renewables, leading to a 6% reduction in emissions between 2016 and 2021 despite an 11% rise in demand. The country aims for 80% renewable electricity by 2030 and a zero-emission grid by 2050, supported by a plan to phase out coal by 2040.

Between October 2021 and September 2022, wind and solar power overtook coal as the primary source of electricity in Chile, generating 27.5% of the total compared to coal's 26.5%. Since 2016, Chile has successfully met rising electricity demand through renewable growth, leading to a 6% drop in power sector emissions between 2016 and 2021. While the government targets a coal phase-out by 2040 and a zero-emissions grid by 2050, the report suggests these targets should be accelerated to 2030 and 2035 respectively to align with IEA recommendations.

This policy brief from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that providing government financial support for the decarbonization of Canada's oil and gas sector is an ineffective use of public funds. The document asserts that the industry possesses sufficient windfall profits to fund its own emissions reductions and that public subsidies risk prolonging the lifespan of fossil fuel projects, creating stranded assets, and slowing the transition to renewable energy. It specifically critiques the reliance on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) as a high-cost, low-impact solution and advocates for redirecting public investment toward proven low-carbon technologies like wind, solar, and grid electrification.

The report 'Navigating Energy Transitions: Mapping the road to 1.5°C' analyzes various climate and energy pathways to determine the requirements for limiting global warming to 1.5°C. It focuses on the necessary phase-out of fossil fuels, the scale-up of renewables, and the impact of the war in Ukraine on energy systems, specifically regarding Europe's reliance on Russian gas.

This final report, commissioned by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support, provides a comprehensive analysis of scenarios for Estonia to achieve climate-neutral electricity production by 2050. The study evaluates eight scenarios—one baseline and seven climate-neutral—comparing them based on costs, risks, socio-economic impacts, and technical feasibility. The report recommends a strategy based on either 'All Technologies' or 'Renewables and Storage' as the most balanced paths forward, while cautioning against a heavy reliance on nuclear energy or carbon capture and utilization (CCU) due to high risks or poor economic outcomes.

This report by the World Resources Institute evaluates the progress made one year after the COP26 summit in Glasgow. It tracks commitments across national emissions targets, renewable energy, climate finance, net-zero goals, the financial sector, methane reduction, deforestation, urban emissions, and electric vehicles, noting that progress is mixed and often hindered by geopolitical tensions and economic crises.

This briefing by RMI argues that green hydrogen is entering a rapid growth phase known as an "S-curve," moving from pilot projects to the creation of new markets. The document outlines how decreasing renewable energy costs, increased policy action, and expanding industrial demand are driving the technology toward mass-market adoption, offering significant economic opportunities for first-movers across the value chain.

This research paper examines decarbonisation options for the heating sector in Ulaanbaatar, comparing full electrification with the use of solar assisted ground source heat pumps (SAGSHP) to reduce electricity demand and total costs.

This briefing from the South African Institute of International Affairs argues for the adoption of 'anticipatory governance' within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to transform industrial policy. It suggests that embedding foresight into policymaking allows the region to proactively address uncertainties, such as those highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and leverage emerging trends in digitisation and climate action to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity data from the first half of 2022 (H1-2022) compared to H1-2021, focusing on the role of renewable energy in meeting growing electricity demand and its impact on fossil fuel generation and carbon emissions.

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity data from 75 countries to assess the energy transition in the first half of 2022 (H1-2022). It finds that renewable energy growth fully met the increase in global electricity demand during this period, preventing a rise in fossil fuel generation and associated CO2 emissions.