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The report examines how Chile, Indonesia, and South Africa integrate mining sector decarbonization into their climate commitments. It finds that while mining is economically vital and essential for the energy transition, it is often not explicitly identified in NDCs, making cross-country comparison difficult. Chile is highlighted as a benchmark with sector-specific targets, whereas Indonesia and South Africa largely aggregate mining emissions within broader energy or industrial categories.

The document examines the complementary strengths of China, as a global leader in green technology manufacturing, and Africa, which possesses vast renewable energy potential and critical mineral reserves. It highlights the shift in China's approach toward treating Africa as a business partner and details the specific clean energy commitments made during FOCAC 2024. However, it argues that Africa must enhance its own internal resource mobilization, reduce dependency on external aid, and improve project implementation timelines to fully realize these opportunities.

The study estimates that Lagos State has approximately 19 GW of genset capacity, producing 39 million tons of CO2 equivalent annually. High upfront costs are the primary barrier to solar adoption, despite strong interest from households and MSMEs. The report advocates for lease-to-own models and standardized solar designs to replace petrol and diesel generators.

The report outlines a comprehensive strategy for transitioning Nigeria's mass transportation to electric buses, emphasizing the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) as the most viable procurement model. It identifies the transport sector as a major emitter, contributing approximately 15% of national greenhouse gas emissions. Using Lagos as a primary case study, the document details technical specifications for e-buses, charging infrastructure requirements, and the financial benefits of a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) approach. It recommends a phased 24-month implementation plan and policy reforms to encourage local assembly and renewable energy integration for charging.

Mongolia possesses significant solar and wind potential, estimated at 2,600 GW, yet renewable energy only accounted for approximately 9% of total electricity production in 2023. The government aims to increase the installed capacity of renewables to 30% by 2030 under the 'Vision-2050' long-term development policy. While 12 solar and wind projects were active in 2023 with total investments of 533.15 million USD, the sector faces challenges in gender equality, with female representation generally below global averages. Current policy is governed by the Energy Law (2001) and the Law on Renewable Energy (2007), with specific tariffs set for wind (up to 0.08 USD/kWh) and solar (up to 0.12 USD/kWh) as of 2019.

The document identifies significant obstacles to Colombia's transition from thermal coal, including high fiscal dependence on coal exports and royalties, limited local institutional capacity, and inadequate environmental regulations for mine closures. It highlights the vulnerability of the Cesar and La Guajira regions, where coal provides a substantial portion of departmental revenue and high-paying employment. The brief argues that a just transition requires inclusive stakeholder dialogue, permanent funding mechanisms for productive conversion, and the protection of civic space for marginalized groups, including Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities.

The document identifies significant obstacles to Colombia's transition from thermal coal, including heavy fiscal dependence on coal royalties, weak subnational institutional capacities, and long-term environmental liabilities. It emphasizes that while the national government has made commitments, local regions like Cesar and La Guajira face severe risks from unplanned mine closures and a lack of diversified economic alternatives. The brief recommends establishing a permanent transition fund, strengthening local government competencies, and ensuring inclusive planning that protects the rights of Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities.

The document examines the economic, political, and governance challenges hindering Indonesia's transition away from coal, emphasizing the need for multi-level governance and social protections. It highlights the role of artificial price caps and political 'lock-in' as primary barriers, while noting a significant gap in planning capacity between national and subnational governments. The brief recommends establishing a Just Energy Transition Support Facility under Bappenas, implementing economic diversification for coal-dependent workers, and reforming electricity markets to eliminate coal subsidies and facilitate renewable energy integration.

The document examines the socio-economic and political challenges of phasing out coal in Indonesia, highlighting the role of artificial price caps, political 'revolving doors', and limited government planning capacity. It proposes the creation of a Just Energy Transition Support Facility under Bappenas to coordinate governance, finance, and economic diversification, while advocating for the removal of coal subsidies and the reform of the electricity market to favor renewable energy.

The document outlines a 'Decalogue of Ambition' for NDCs, emphasizing the need for science-based emission reductions, sector-specific targets, and a transition away from fossil fuels. It details requirements for mitigation, including a 43% global reduction by 2030, and adaptation, focusing on climate resilience in agriculture, health, and infrastructure. The guide also stresses the importance of just transition, gender equality, and the mobilization of finance from developed to developing nations.

The report argues that the global push to triple renewable energy capacity must prioritize the quality of investments over quantity to avoid 'green extractivism'. It introduces three core criteria for public finance: driving a 100% renewable future by phasing out fossil fuels, ensuring democratic energy systems through grants and decentralization, and centering human rights and nature. The document criticizes multilateral development banks (MDBs) for continuing to fund fossil gas and relying on debt-creating loans rather than grants. Through case studies in India, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Indonesia, it contrasts the harms of large-scale, profit-driven projects with the benefits of community-led, small-scale renewable energy solutions.

The document evaluates three industry-proposed methods for reducing carbon emissions from gas plants: hydrogen cofiring, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and biomethane. It concludes that these approaches often fail to achieve targeted emissions reductions when full life cycle impacts—such as upstream methane leakage, energy penalties, and production emissions—are considered. Furthermore, the brief argues that these technologies perpetuate environmental and social inequities by maintaining the operation of gas plants. In contrast, the report finds that transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind and solar provides superior reductions in carbon, air, and water pollution while offering lower costs and fewer land-use impacts.

The briefing examines how the AIIB uses capital market projects to leverage private finance while bypassing its own accountability mechanisms, specifically citing the Bayfront project as an example where investments enabled fossil gas projects and harmful renewable energy projects.

The UK officially entered a coal-free power era on 1 October 2024 with the closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar plant. This transition saw power sector emissions drop by 74% between 2012 and 2023, driven by a combination of carbon pricing, renewable energy growth, and grid investment. The report argues that while the coal phase-out provides a roadmap, the next goal of clean power by 2030 will require a more complex whole-systems approach to displace gas and manage grid stability.

The document details a conference focused on the marginalization of Africa within the global economic system, specifically regarding the legacy of structural adjustment and the current lack of representative governance in international financial institutions. It identifies critical barriers to African development, including inflated risk premiums that cost the continent over $74 billion annually and the failure of the Global North to deliver over $1 trillion in promised climate financing. The report proposes a tiered reform agenda: short-term priorities include debt cancellation and increased access to Special Drawing Rights; medium-term goals focus on improving credit ratings through better data and combating illicit financial flows; and long-term goals aim for greater representation in the IMF and World Bank. Additionally, it explores the potential for Africa to leverage its natural capital and critical minerals for the energy transition, while cautioning against new dependencies on China as the world shifts toward a multipolar order.

The analysis of over 30,000 social media posts reveals that climate misinformation often outperforms pro-climate narratives in reach and engagement. The report identifies a tactical playbook used by accounts to game platform algorithms, including the use of the news cycle and the seeding of misinformation from outside the UK. These activities are linked to financial incentives, including funding from the fossil fuel industry and direct monetization through advertising or merchandise, which ultimately slows the implementation of climate policy in the UK.

The world is on track to install 593 GW of solar power in 2024, a 29% increase over 2023. China remains the dominant market, projected to account for 56% of global additions. Growth is widespread, with significant surges in India and the US, and emerging markets like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia showing rapid increases in solar panel imports. This trajectory puts the goal of tripling renewable power capacity by 2030 within reach, provided grid and storage constraints are addressed.

Ember proposes four key actions for the EU Energy Commissioner: a "Smart Electrification" Action Plan to shift subsidies toward clean technologies, a "Future Grids" Task Force to implement existing grid policies, a joint DG ENER-DG AGRI strategy for agri-PV to align energy and agricultural policies, and a transition to open energy data and system models to improve transparency and investment decisions.

Ember's briefing evaluates the EU's current grid policy framework, which includes the Grid Action Plan and revised Electricity Market Design. While identifying over 80 action points for implementation, the analysis highlights risks regarding the lack of target dates for many Commission-led actions and underutilised funding for Distribution System Operators (DSOs). To address these gaps, Ember recommends establishing a "Future Grids" Task Force for coordination, a one-stop-shop to simplify access to financing, and a Technical Toolbox to accelerate the digitalisation of distribution grids.

The report argues that Senegal's investment in LNG is a high-risk gamble that could lead to stranded assets and entrenched fossil fuel dependency, especially as European demand is forecast to decline. It suggests that prioritizing renewable energy is a safer and more effective path to meeting energy targets and economic growth.