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New satellite technology suggests methane leaks are more widespread than previously thought, increasing the risk of stranded assets for financial institutions supporting fossil fuel expansion, particularly shale reserves in the United States.

The document argues that falling renewable energy costs are making coal-fired power projects in South and Southeast Asia economically unviable, placing $4.8 billion of pending Japanese public financing at risk of becoming stranded assets.

The document assesses the legal validity of Uniper's claims of 'de facto expropriation' and violations of 'fair and equitable treatment' resulting from the Dutch coal phase-out law. It concludes that the law is a legitimate exercise of state regulatory powers to meet climate goals and that Uniper had no legitimate expectation of regulatory stability for coal investments.

Annual tracked climate finance averaged USD 579 billion in 2017/2018, a 25% increase from 2015/2016, though it remains far below the USD 1.6 trillion to USD 3.8 trillion annually needed for energy system transitions. Renewable energy remains the largest destination for finance, while low-carbon transport is growing rapidly. Private finance accounts for 56% of total flows, with a strong domestic preference as 76% of investment stays within the sourcing country.

The report analyzes the dependence of BRICS governments on fossil fuel revenues and the risks posed by the clean energy transition, including asset stranding and revenue loss. It provides 2017 data on revenues and subsidies, highlighting Russia's high fiscal exposure and the potential for 'fossil fuel to clean energy subsidy swaps' to fund a just transition.

India's energy system is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which provided 75% of its total energy supply in 2017. The state derives significant revenue from this sector—17.8% of general government revenue in 2017—but also provides substantial subsidies. While India has set ambitious renewable energy targets, including 450 GW, coal is projected to remain a mainstay of the energy mix through 2040. The government faces risks from stranded assets, with approximately 40 GW of coal-fired power plant capacity identified as "non-performing" as of 2018.

The document details Russia's high reliance on fossil fuels, which accounted for 90% of its total energy supply in 2017 and 23.6% of general government revenue. It highlights the dominance of state-owned enterprises like Gazprom and Rosneft, the government's strategy to expand exports to the Asia-Pacific region, and the significant fiscal gap created by the under-taxation of fossil fuel consumption. The report also examines various forms of production and consumption subsidies, as well as the role of the National Welfare Fund in managing windfall revenues.

The document analyzes South Africa's heavy reliance on coal, which provided 89% of its electricity in 2017. It details the fiscal impact of this dependence, noting that while fossil fuel production revenues are modest, consumption taxes—primarily the fuel levy—contribute significantly to government revenue. The report also highlights the role of state-owned enterprises like Eskom and PetroSA, the risks of asset stranding, and the government's commitment to a 'just transition' and carbon taxation despite political flux in energy policy.

Brazil's economy is influenced by significant fossil fuel reserves, particularly 'pre-salt' oil, though it is the least dependent on fossil fuels among BRICS nations due to biofuels and hydropower. In 2017, fossil fuel revenues accounted for 6.8% of general government revenue, while subsidies represented 0.3% of GDP. The government continues to seek increased oil and gas production despite climate commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030. Fiscal complexities include high state-level VAT on fuels, significant tax exemptions for production, and the earmarking of royalties for health and education.

The document analyzes China's heavy reliance on fossil fuels, particularly coal, and the fiscal implications of this dependence. It details the structure of government revenues from fossil fuels, the influence of state-owned enterprises, and the prevalence of subsidies. While China has implemented policies to reduce coal overcapacity and peak emissions by 2030, it continues to provide significant subsidies and finance fossil fuel projects internationally through the Belt and Road Initiative.

Mighty Earth opposes the Trump administration's removal of protections from millions of acres of US public lands and waters, warning that companies engaging in extractive activities in these areas face risks of stranded assets, legal challenges, and public backlash. The statement calls for companies and banks to adopt policies against new or expanded commercial activity on protected or formerly protected federal lands.

The document argues that while governments hold primary responsibility for climate policy, central banks and financial regulators (CBFRs) should actively use their powers to 'green' the financial system. It identifies systemic risks from 'brown' assets and the 'tragedy of the horizons,' where short-term financial metrics undervalue long-term climate risks. The briefing proposes a comprehensive toolkit for CBFRs, including the creation of a 'brown taxonomy,' mandatory climate disclosures, and the adjustment of risk-weightings and collateral haircuts to penalize carbon-intensive assets and reward green ones. It also suggests reforming quantitative easing (QE) and reserve management to move away from 'market neutrality' toward a model that supports sustainable investment.

ClientEarth warns that the current ISDS system may be used by fossil fuel companies to delay energy transition policies or shift stranded asset risks to taxpayers, creating a 'regulatory chill' that threatens the achievement of Paris Agreement temperature targets.

Thirty-three organizations support the Climate Risk Disclosure Act of 2019, arguing that standardized climate risk reporting by the Securities and Exchange Commission is essential for investor protection, financial stability, and the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The document argues that while a low-carbon future requires increased mining of specific minerals, South Africa must shift away from coal dependence toward a 'green industrialisation' strategy. It highlights how Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies can make mining less invasive and create new value chains in renewable energy components, while warning that automation and the abandonment of fossil fuels will necessitate large-scale worker reskilling to avoid social upheaval.

The report identifies a massive global expansion of LNG infrastructure, with at least 202 terminal projects in development representing $1.3 trillion in capital outlays. This growth is heavily concentrated in North America, where the U.S. and Canada account for 74% of proposed new export capacity. The authors argue that this expansion risks creating stranded assets as renewable energy costs fall and that the lifecycle greenhouse gas impact of these projects is comparable to, or exceeds, that of new coal-fired power plants. Consequently, the report calls for a moratorium on new LNG construction to align with IPCC targets requiring gas use to decline by 2030 and 2050.

The report advocates for "subsidy swaps," where governments redirect financial support from fossil fuels to clean energy (renewables and energy efficiency). It argues that while removing fossil fuel subsidies alone can reduce emissions, swapping those funds into clean energy magnifies long-term climate benefits and supports a "just transition" for workers and communities. The document provides evidence from India, Indonesia, Zambia, and Morocco to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach and suggests that governments should focus on large-scale on-grid renewables and leveraging private finance to maximize impact.

The document analyzes Mexico's fiscal dependence on fossil fuels amidst declining reserves and production. It highlights a shift where revenues from fuel consumption (IEPS and IVA) are becoming more significant than extraction revenues. The report warns against 'stranded assets' resulting from continued investment in fossil fuel infrastructure and recommends redirecting regressive subsidies toward clean energy and vulnerable populations to support a just energy transition.

The report examines the failure of current conservation finance to meet global needs, noting that only USD 50-53.4 billion is raised annually against a need of USD 150-440 billion. It identifies structural barriers such as low returns, high risk, and financial short-termism (the 'Tragedy of the Horizon'). The author proposes a systemic shift using natural capital accounting, mandatory corporate disclosures, and the active involvement of central banks and state investment banks to internalize environmental externalities and redirect capital toward sustainable activities.

The document analyzes the causes of financial distress in India's coal power sector, noting that approximately 18 per cent of installed capacity is 'stressed'. It identifies current drivers such as coal shortages and the financial instability of energy distribution companies (DISCOMs), while predicting future pressures from water scarcity, air pollution regulations, and the increasing cost-competitiveness of renewables. The author argues that government subsidies and preferential loans artificially mask these market signals. To prevent the burden of asset stranding from falling on the workforce, the brief suggests implementing complementary policies including general employment schemes, targeted social protection, and specific financing mechanisms.