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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.

In 2022, the EU electricity mix was led by nuclear (22%), gas (20%), coal (16%), and wind (15%), with solar accounting for 7.3%. While solar and wind continued their long-term growth trends, nuclear and hydro experienced significant declines due to plant closures and drought. Coal saw a temporary increase to offset these losses, while gas remained the only fossil fuel to show growth over the last two decades.

The report asserts that Europe can transition to a clean electricity system by 2035 without additional costs beyond stated plans or compromising energy security. It highlights that wind and solar power are the primary technologies available to displace fossil fuels and reduce reliance on imported energy. While the UK, Germany, and the G7 have set targets for decarbonised power by 2035, the document notes a lack of a unified signal from the EU and Europe, calling for increased investment and the removal of infrastructure barriers.

In 2022, wind and solar generated a record 22% of EU electricity, overtaking fossil gas (20%). Despite this, EU power sector emissions rose by 3.9% due to a 185 TWh generation gap caused by a severe drought affecting hydro power and unexpected French nuclear outages. This gap was partially filled by a 7% increase in coal generation. However, electricity demand fell by 7.9% in Q4 2022, and coal generation declined in the final four months of the year. Ember projects a 20% plummet in EU fossil generation in 2023 as hydro and nuclear capacity recover and renewable deployment accelerates.

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%.

In 2022, the EU experienced a temporary 7% rise in coal generation driven by shortfalls in nuclear and hydro power, rather than a structural 'return to coal'. This was offset by a record surge in solar capacity and a significant 7.9% drop in electricity demand in Q4 2022. Solar power generated 7.3% of EU electricity, avoiding approximately 249 billion in gas import costs. Looking ahead to 2023, the report forecasts a potential 20% plummet in fossil fuel generation as French nuclear capacity returns and renewable capacity continues to grow.

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.

Civil society organizations Traction Energy Asia, Trend Asia, and Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI) warn that current bioenergy policies in Indonesia, specifically biofuel and biomass co-firing, drive deforestation and increase carbon emissions. They report that 13 Energy Plantation Forest (HTE) companies caused 55,000 hectares of deforestation between 2017-2021, with projections suggesting up to 4.65 million hectares of natural forest could be lost if current co-firing governance persists across 52 power plants. The document recommends freezing biodiesel blends at 35%, halting new permits, and diversifying feedstocks to include used cooking oil (UCO). It also calls for a comprehensive evaluation of the social and environmental impacts of co-firing, noting that burning 1 million tons of biomass in 43 power plants in 2023 resulted in 1.7 million tons of carbon emissions. The brief includes responses from the national campaign teams of the 2024 candidates regarding their visions for energy transition and forest protection.

The Power-Blox project in Vanuatu utilizes a decentralized, self-regulating nano-grid system to overcome the high costs and fragility of traditional mini-grids. By deploying modular solar battery cubes, the project provides electricity to households and critical infrastructure on Lelepa Island, utilizing a prepaid business model operated primarily by women. The initiative aims to scale across 60 islands to support productive uses in fishing and tourism while reducing CO2 emissions.

Tanganyika Expeditions, operating in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, transitioned its safari lodges and vehicles to a sustainable energy model. By partnering with Asantys Systems, the operator implemented solar power systems with 220 kWh battery storage using SMA SunnyIsland battery inverters to power the lodges and charge a fleet of retrofitted electric Toyota Landcruisers. These e-vehicles, converted from diesel by Elektro Fleck, feature battery capacities between 40-80 kWh and operating ranges of 130-240 km per charge, resulting in reduced noise and CO2 emissions.

The document explains the distinction between global warming and climate change, attributing current rapid warming to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and deforestation. It details the resulting increase in extreme weather events and highlights the disproportionate burden on marginalized communities and the Global South. The guide advocates for a transition to renewable energy, increased resource efficiency, and carbon removal to mitigate future disasters.

In 2022, the U.S. experienced 18 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters causing $165 billion in damages and 474 deaths, with Hurricane Ian being the costliest hurricane on record. The year was the 18th hottest on record for the U.S., with 73% of analyzed locations experiencing warmer-than-normal temperatures. These events are part of a longer warming trend, with 98% of analyzed U.S. locations showing increased average annual temperatures from 1970 to 2021. Meanwhile, U.S. fossil fuel emissions increased by 1.5% in 2022, though the Inflation Reduction Act is expected to help double annual wind and solar PV capacity additions by 2027 compared to 2021.

The report finds that 99% of U.S. coal plants are more expensive to operate than to replace with new renewable energy. It highlights that local solar and wind resources, bolstered by IRA tax credits and the ability to reuse existing grid interconnections, offer a cost-effective path for coal retirement. The analysis suggests that the savings from this transition could fund 137 GW of four-hour battery storage to maintain grid reliability. The authors recommend that policymakers update resource plans, improve interconnection processes, and utilize IRA financing to ensure a just economic transition for coal-dependent communities.

The report evaluates three emissions scenarios for the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region: an existing policy scenario, a low ambition scenario, and a high ambition scenario. It finds that while the high ambition scenario can meet the 2030 intermediate target of the CLCPA, none of the current scenarios are sufficient to meet the 85% reduction goal by 2050. Key challenges include high emissions from enteric fermentation in dairy cows and methane leakage from large landfills. The analysis emphasizes the need for a carbon-free grid, electrification of transport and heating, and enhanced agricultural manure management.

The ESMP for Royal Manas National Park outlines mitigation strategies for seven planned activities, including staff quarter maintenance, river bank protection, and grassland management. It focuses on minimizing waste, ensuring worker health and safety, and preventing wildfires during prescribed burning, while adhering to both Bhutanese law and WWF safeguards.

The report examines how developed nations are adopting 'climate-justified' protectionist measures, specifically the EU's CBAM and the US's IRA, which depart from previous neoliberal trade doctrines. It argues that these unilateral policies threaten African economic growth and industrialisation by creating market barriers and restricting policy space. The author suggests that Africa should oppose the CBAM, leverage the US's use of localisation to justify its own local content requirements, and campaign for the treatment of green technologies as global public goods through the reform of TRIPS rules.

The Healthy NDC Scorecard 2023 analyzes 58 NDCs to evaluate the integration of health into national climate policies. While 90% of analyzed NDCs mention health and climate linkages, the report finds a significant mismatch between health recognition and actual climate ambition, particularly in G20 nations. Low- and middle-income countries generally achieved the highest health scores, while several high-income nations scored zero. The report recommends enhanced intersectoral collaboration, the quantification of health co-benefits to secure financing, and the exclusion of the fossil fuel industry from climate policymaking.

The report utilizes the REPO and E3ME-FTT:Power models to project China's power sector transition. Both models predict the eventual dominance of wind and solar power, though they differ on the specific technology mix and cost trajectories. The analysis emphasizes that market-based pricing and a robust Emission Trading System (ETS) are critical for supporting carbon neutrality goals, while highlighting the essential role of large-scale energy storage and carbon capture technologies to maintain system stability and reach net-zero emissions.

The report examines India's energy transition, comparing three models (MARKAL, EPS, and E3ME-FTT) to project electricity demand and the optimal generation mix for deep decarbonisation by 2050. It argues that decarbonisation is compatible with economic growth, potentially creating millions of net jobs and providing environmental co-benefits like reduced air pollution and water savings. However, it highlights significant risks, including land scarcity for solar projects, the need for massive green finance, and the challenge of a just transition for coal-dependent regions.

The report finds that while a majority of Indians are worried about local environmental hazards and support a transition to renewable energy, there is a significant gap in basic knowledge of global warming. Many respondents report high vulnerability to extreme weather and economic instability, yet express a strong willingness to adopt lifestyle changes and support government climate commitments.