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The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), writing on behalf of the Life After Coal Campaign, calls on Nedbank to cease financing the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power stations. The CER argues that these projects, part of the Coal Baseload Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (CBIPPPP), are not 'procured' as claimed in the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2018 because they lack essential legal authorisations, including atmospheric emission and water use licences. The document asserts that these plants are unnecessary for electricity supply, excessively expensive, and would cost South Africa nearly R20 billion more than required. Furthermore, it highlights severe health risks for residents in the Waterberg-Bojanala and Highveld Priority Areas and warns that the plants' high greenhouse gas emission intensities would undermine South Africa's Paris Agreement commitments. The CER criticizes Nedbank for excluding these 'existing commitments' from its 2018 policy against financing new coal-fired power plants.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), writing on behalf of the Life After Coal Campaign, has called on Standard Bank to cease financing the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power stations. The CER argues that these projects are not 'procured' due to missing atmospheric emission, water use, and generation licences, and are subject to High Court reviews. The document asserts that the 2018 draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) incorrectly includes these projects despite a 'least cost' option consisting only of solar, wind, and gas. The CER claims the projects would cost South Africa nearly R20 billion more than necessary, increase electricity prices for consumers, and exacerbate severe health issues in the Waterberg-Bojanala and Highveld Priority Areas. Furthermore, the CER highlights that these plants would have greenhouse gas emission intensities 'almost 60% higher than Eskom’s Medupi and Kusile power stations', undermining South Africa's Paris Agreement commitments.

The Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) employs a three-step screening process to identify eligible green bonds and loans for its database: identifying green-labelled bonds, screening assets against the Climate Bonds Taxonomy, and evaluating the allocation of proceeds. To be included, a bond must allocate at least 95% of its proceeds to aligned green assets; any bond where more than 5% of proceeds are used for working capital, social projects, or non-aligned assets is excluded. The methodology explicitly excludes fossil fuel energy and any assets that extend the life of fossil fuel usage, such as 'clean coal'. The Climate Bonds Taxonomy covers eight categories: energy, transport, buildings, water management, waste management & pollution control, nature-based assets, industry & energy-intensive commercial, and information technology & communications (ICT).

The document highlights how climate change threatens energy infrastructure through extreme weather and shifting environmental conditions, which can jeopardize the financial viability of projects. It advocates for a resilience-based approach—focusing on robustness, resourcefulness, and recovery—and suggests a combination of technological, green, behavioural, and financial strategies to safeguard energy systems and support NDC mitigation goals.

The report examines the economic landscape of SADC, noting a decline in intra-regional trade and investment since 2013 and a persistent overdependence on primary commodities. It identifies key barriers to integration, including non-tariff barriers, infrastructure gaps in energy and transport, and a lack of policy harmonisation. While the report highlights the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), it argues that sustainable growth requires a shift toward regional sector complementarity and the creation of regional value chains (RVCs) to reduce vulnerability to global commodity price shocks.

ISS-oekom conducted a desk-based assessment of Encavis AG's Green Schuldschein against the Climate Bond Standard Version 2.1 and the Solar Energy Standard version 2.1. The verification focused on the selection of nominated projects and assets, internal processes and controls, and proposed reporting. Based on limited assurance procedures, ISS-oekom concluded that the Green Schuldschein is in conformance with the Pre-Issuance Requirements.

As of June 30, 2018, Australia and New Zealand have established themselves as leaders in the use of the Climate Bonds Standard, despite differing national climate policy environments. Australia's market is driven by major banks and sub-sovereign entities, with significant issuance in energy, transport, and buildings. New Zealand's market is more nascent, featuring a world-first green borrowing programme for geothermal energy. Both nations are noted for high levels of certification and best-practice reporting, though further policy support and project pipelines are needed to meet Paris Agreement targets.

The report analyzes the role of economic instruments in mobilizing private investment for clean energy in Indonesia, Mexico, and India. It examines specific mechanisms such as Indonesia's fossil fuel subsidy reforms, Mexico's Clean Energy Certificates (CELs), and India's Goods and Services Tax (GST), highlighting how these policies can either facilitate or obstruct the transition to renewable energy.

The report evaluates Kenya's development prospects to 2040, highlighting a contrast between strong human capital (health and education) and a significant deficit in core infrastructure (water and sanitation). While Kenya is a regional leader in ICT and renewable energy, it faces challenges from a large youth bulge, corruption, and climate-driven food insecurity. The report presents three scenarios: 'Stuck in Traffic' (current path), 'Tuko Kazi' (positive interventions), and 'Bila Hopes' (stagnation and instability).

The briefing highlights the momentum of corporate and municipal climate commitments and advocates for a 'next generation' of low-carbon solutions. It suggests that moving beyond simple wind and solar additions to include technologies like energy storage, nuclear energy, and demand response—implemented through utility-customer partnerships—can more effectively 'green' the grid and reduce overall system emissions at a lower cost.

California relies on natural gas for approximately one-third of its electricity, but analysis shows no new gas plants are needed to meet 2030 needs, and 28 existing plants could be retired as early as 2018 without compromising reliability.

Mining operations, particularly in developing countries, suffer from extreme energy inefficiencies, with diesel power often converting only 12 percent of energy into measurable work. Transitioning to renewable energy like solar and wind can reduce costs—which can account for up to 30 percent of total expenditures—and help companies secure a "social license to operate" by providing energy access to remote communities. Examples include Rio Tinto's solar plant in Australia and Windiga Energy's project in Burkina Faso. RMI and the Development Partner Institute are facilitating the creation of innovative business models to coordinate the complex interests of mining companies, communities, and multilaterals.

Suez has committed to reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 from a 2014 baseline, a target approved by the Science Based Target initiative. The company focuses on transitioning customers to a "use-and-recover approach" through circular economy practices, such as diverting waste from landfills to reduce methane and converting wastewater treatment plants into carbon-neutral "bio-factories." To manage financial risk and guide technology choices, Suez employs an internal carbon price based on the EU ETS and IEA scenarios. By 2017, the company reported a 5.69% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2014 and supported nearly 200,000 jobs worldwide through its activities and supply chain.

The letter presents findings from a University of Cape Town Energy Research Centre (ERC) report which argues that the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power stations are unnecessary and costly. The report indicates these plants would increase system costs by R19.68 billion and raise greenhouse gas emissions by 205.7Mt CO2eq over 30 years, potentially undermining South Africa's Paris Agreement commitments. The authors urge the Development Bank of Southern Africa to stop funding the Thabametsi project.

The Life After Coal Campaign, citing a report by the University of Cape Town's Energy Research Centre (ERC), argues that the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power stations are unnecessary, financially risky, and environmentally harmful. The campaign asserts that these projects would increase system costs by R19.68 billion and raise greenhouse gas emissions by 205.7Mt CO2eq over 30 years, potentially accelerating a 'utility death spiral' for Eskom. They contend the projects fail the 'value for money' requirement of the 2011 Electricity Regulations and urge the Minister of Energy to abandon them in favor of more economical renewable energy alternatives.

The project aims to support 40,000 to 60,000 people in the Brazilian Amazon by replacing diesel-based energy with solar power and implementing adaptation strategies to combat floods, droughts, and sea-level rise.

The document examines the intersection of mining, governance, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa. It argues that while the global energy transition will double demand for minerals like copper, lithium, and cobalt, African countries must strengthen institutions to ensure these resources drive broad-based industrialisation rather than remaining as disconnected enclaves. The author analyzes specific governance failures and opportunities in South Africa, Guinea, Botswana, and Tanzania, emphasizing the need for stable legal frameworks, the protection of ecological integrity, and the formalisation of artisanal mining. It concludes that leapfrogging traditional development trajectories via renewable energy and smart technology is possible if governments prioritize inclusive institutions over the interests of politically connected elites.

The report highlights a pipeline of 38 green infrastructure projects in Indonesia for 2018-2019, ranging from a USD15m solar project to a USD6bn high-speed rail development. It emphasizes the role of green finance, specifically green bonds and the world's first sovereign green sukuk, in bridging a USD150bn infrastructure investment gap. Key sectors identified include low-carbon transport (rail and BRT), renewable energy (geothermal and hydropower), sustainable water and waste management, and the built environment (certified green buildings).

The analysis finds that renewable energy growth is positively associated with India's GDP, employment, and energy security, while helping to reduce the fiscal deficit and net energy imports. Despite these benefits, the report projects that India will likely miss its 175 GW renewable energy target by 2022, instead reaching it between 2027 and 2033 depending on the scenario. Under an optimistic scenario, renewable energy could add up to 4.52 million domestic jobs by 2042.

The report analyzes the relationship between renewable energy (RE) and macroeconomic factors in India, finding that RE growth is positively associated with GDP, interest rates (call rates), and remunerative tariffs, while negatively correlated with fiscal deficits, energy imports, and unemployment. Using an ARDL model, the authors project three scenarios (business as usual, optimistic, and pessimistic) for RE capacity through 2042. They conclude that India's target of 175 GW by 2022 is overly ambitious and likely to be achieved between 2027 and 2033. The report also estimates that an optimistic scenario could add up to 4.52 million jobs by 2042 and improve India's Energy Security Index (ESI) from 0.41 to 0.58.