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The report argues that Poland's draft PEP2040 energy strategy is significantly under-ambitious, risking the country's position as the last major EU economy reliant on fossil fuels by 2030. While the government proposes a 50% share of renewables in power by 2040 (roughly 50-60 GW), the report suggests Poland could realistically reach 100 GW of renewable capacity by 2040. To achieve this, the document emphasizes the need to remove permitting barriers, such as the 10H spatial planning rule, and modernize grid infrastructure to prevent connection bottlenecks. Furthermore, it argues that prioritizing renewables would make the debate between coal and gas obsolete, as Poland could halve its planned gas-fired generation to 29 TWh by 2030 while maintaining system balance.

RMI's analysis indicates that US states can secure significant federal investment, job growth, and health improvements by ambitiously adopting the Inflation Reduction Act's (IRA) tax credits, rebates, and grants. Under a "Climate Ambitious Scenario," states could see cumulative investments between $1 billion and $130 billion by 2030, with the highest per capita gains expected in states with strong renewable energy potential and industrial activity, such as Wyoming, Montana, and Louisiana.

The submission argues that the GHCS was developed without sufficient transparency or civil society participation and warns against over-investing in a speculative green hydrogen export market at the expense of addressing South Africa's urgent electricity crisis. It calls for a strict definition of 'green hydrogen' based on additionality, comprehensive cost-benefit analyses, and robust safety and environmental regulations before public funds are committed.

The report analyzes the voluntary carbon market (VCM), focusing on the opaque role of intermediaries and the lifecycle of carbon credits from creation to retirement. It identifies a lack of transparency in transaction data and pricing, noting that while project creation and end-user claims are somewhat documented, the movements of credits between issuance and retirement remain largely hidden. The analysis details the costs associated with different project types—renewable energy, household devices, and forestry—and the various fees charged by registries and intermediaries. It concludes with recommendations for registries and corporations to increase disclosure of account holders and retirement details to improve market trust.

The report argues that the rapid deployment of renewable energy in the Global South often mirrors the destructive patterns of the fossil fuel era, leading to 'green grabbing' and 'energy colonialism'. Through case studies, it demonstrates how mega-solar projects in India and lithium mining in Argentina displace communities and deplete water resources, while political obstacles and outdated grids hinder decentralized energy access in Bangladesh and Palestine. The document advocates for a feminist energy transition centered on energy sovereignty, small-scale decentralized technology, and the protection of land and water rights.

The report argues that the rapid deployment of renewable energy in the Global South often mirrors the harms of the fossil fuel era, leading to 'green grabbing' and 'green energy colonialism'. Through case studies, it documents the displacement of rural and pastoral communities in India, the impact of Israeli occupation on energy sovereignty in Palestine, political apathy toward decentralized solar in Bangladesh, and the ecological threats posed by lithium extraction in Argentina. It emphasizes that without community control, gender equality, and rigorous environmental oversight, the energy transition risks sacrificing the rights of marginalized peoples for a perceived global collective interest.

The report argues that the rapid scale-up of renewables in the Global South often replicates 'energy colonialism' and 'green grabbing,' where land and resources are appropriated for climate goals while host communities suffer from loss of livelihoods, water scarcity, and continued energy poverty. Through case studies in India, Palestine, Bangladesh, and Argentina, it highlights systemic barriers including patriarchal structures that exclude women from decision-making, outdated grid infrastructure, and a lack of effective environmental impact assessments. It recommends a shift toward small-scale, socially controlled, and decentralized renewable energy that prioritizes human rights and ecological conservation over corporate profit.

Project GAIA establishes a framework to integrate gender equality and social inclusion into its investment cycle, requiring all approved projects to develop specific GESI Action Plans. The plan focuses on five pillars: governance, leadership, employment, capacity building, and consumption (access to basic services). It sets platform-level targets, such as achieving 30% women in governance by year one, and project-level requirements, including mandatory gender assessments and the use of sex-disaggregated data in impact reporting. The framework also incorporates safeguarding measures against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH) and gender-based violence (GBVH).

In 2022, China experienced a dramatic surge in coal power project activity, permitting 106 GW of new capacity—the highest level since 2015. While 50 GW started construction, representing six times the capacity of the rest of the world combined, the trend is driven by rising peak electricity loads and a rigid grid paradigm. Despite claims that new plants are for "supporting" grid stability, evidence suggests they are intended for baseload use. This expansion occurs alongside record clean energy additions, but risks undermining China's carbon neutrality goals if it leads to a moderation of clean energy buildout or increased CO2 emissions.

Reclaim Finance proposes a framework for credible corporate climate transition plans, arguing that access to green financing should be contingent on plans that cover all emission scopes, set absolute targets aligned with 1.5°C scenarios, and include sector-specific 'red lines'. The framework emphasizes the exclusion of carbon offsets from targets, the integration of climate performance into executive remuneration, and the requirement for lobbying activities to be transparent and consistent with climate goals.

The document argues that current green and sustainable debt instruments rely on non-binding standards and proposes a stricter framework. For green bonds and loans, it suggests requiring exclusive use for green activities (referencing the EU Taxonomy or Climate Bond Initiative) and an 'entity-level' criterion, such as excluding harmful sectors or requiring a certified 1.5°C-aligned transition plan. For Sustainability-linked bonds (SLB) and loans (SLL), it proposes mandatory prior adoption of a certified transition plan and KPIs linked to material emission reductions. Additionally, it recommends banning the use of green debt for refinancing and implementing significant financial penalties for failing to meet environmental targets.

The policy brief proposes that the European Central Bank (ECB) use monetary policy to create a cost-of-capital differential between 'green' and 'brown' activities. It suggests a green financing facility providing preferential refinancing rates to banks that fund renewable energy and energy-efficient building renovations. The author argues this would ensure credit availability, incentivize banks to meet environmental commitments, and support long-term price stability without increasing public spending, urging France to use its influence via the Banque de France to promote this agenda.

The document argues that ENGIE's transition plan is incomplete and incompatible with a 1.5°C scenario, as the company targets a "well below 2°C" world and continues to expand its fossil gas and LNG infrastructure. While ENGIE has significantly reduced its coal capacity and set ambitious renewable energy targets for 2030, the briefing highlights a lack of transparency in capital expenditure, accounting practices, and the feasibility of its 2045 gas decarbonization goal.

The report argues that the Dominican Republic can eliminate its annual US$2 billion electricity subsidy by investing 2.5 to 3 years' worth of those funds (US$4.5 to US$6 billion) into rooftop solar installations. Using a blended finance approach—combining government grants with local loans—the model aims to reduce household electricity costs by up to 90% over time while ending the government's reliance on volatile fossil fuel expenditures.

The analysis finds that interactions between key SDG targets are generally synergetic at a global level under a 1.5°C warming limit, with climate finance and policy mainstreaming acting as primary accelerators for other goals.

The LUCI tool provides a five-step analytical framework to identify unintended consequences of development interventions by mapping the overlap between identity groups and impact groups. It emphasizes 'horizontal inequalities'—group-based disparities related to gender, ethnicity, or class—and how these can be exacerbated by poorly planned projects, leading to 'maladaptation' or increased conflict potential. The guide demonstrates the tool's application through a case study of solar hybrid mini-grid projects in Turkana County, Kenya, illustrating how access to electricity can create differential benefits and losses across various social and economic groups.

The document analyzes the relationship between trade and climate change in Latin America, highlighting the region's relatively low greenhouse gas emissions intensity but high vulnerability to climate hazards. It examines domestic climate commitments in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—such as electromobility, sustainable agriculture, and circular economy initiatives—and their trade implications. The paper also assesses external pressures from trading partners, specifically the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and deforestation regulations. It concludes by recommending strengthened international cooperation, technology transfer, and the expansion of 'Aid for Trade' to support a just transition to a low-carbon economy.

In 2022, EU electricity demand fell by 2.7% to 2809 TWh, driven by mild weather and demand reduction measures. Despite this, power sector CO2 emissions rose by 3.9% due to shortfalls in nuclear and hydro generation, which necessitated increased fossil fuel use. Wind and solar generation continued to grow, reaching a 22% market share, while nuclear generation fell to its lowest share in 40 years at 22%.

A survey of 938 registered U.S. voters conducted in December 2022 reveals broad support for clean energy research, energy efficiency in low-income communities, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) after it is described. While 45% of 2022 voters considered global warming an important voting issue, there is a significant gap between the desire for action and actual political engagement. Support for climate-friendly infrastructure is generally higher at the national level than the local level, and a majority of voters believe corporations and government should do more to address global warming.

The briefing examines the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on utility integrated resource plans (IRPs), highlighting how DTE, Michigan's largest investor-owned utility, projected $500 million in customer savings over 20 years by incorporating IRA tax credits. The document outlines how IRA incentives can lower renewable costs, accelerate coal retirements, and increase battery storage deployment, while urging other utilities and regulators to leverage these tools for a faster energy transition.