Search Climate Insights Directory

The document defines traditional and synthetic securitization and analyzes how these mechanisms can be used by fossil fuel companies to diversify funding and manage balance sheets. It critiques current 'green' securitization definitions for being too broad and proposes a three-dimensional framework—focusing on use of proceeds, asset character, and company commitment—to prevent the mechanism from indirectly financing fossil fuel expansion. Reclaim Finance advocates for a regulatory framework that ensures transparency and restricts securitization to sustainable energy activities.

The research paper examines the intersection of G7 initiatives, such as the Energy for Growth in Africa Initiative and the Mattei Plan, with South Africa's role as a representative for African climate priorities. It highlights the tension between Western-led green transitions and African concerns over 'green protectionism' (specifically the EU's CBAM), the need for adaptation financing based on the 'common but differentiated responsibilities' principle, and the geopolitical competition for critical minerals. The author argues that the G7 must provide concrete deliverables and respect African agency to effectively bridge its goals with South Africa's upcoming G20 presidency.

The document challenges the narrative that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is the main cause of infrastructure delays, citing research that points instead to lack of agency resources and poor coordination. It suggests that rather than dismantling NEPA, policymakers should focus on increasing agency funding, harmonizing state and federal processes, and improving community engagement.

The 'Careers in Sustainable Energy: International Development' handbook is a guide produced by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) to help young people and professionals identify career roles and educational requirements within the sustainable energy and international development sectors.

Reclaim Finance is calling for shareholders to vote against the re-election of TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné at the May 24, 2024, Annual General Meeting. The organization argues that the company's strategy of developing new fossil fuel projects is incompatible with the 1.5°C warming limit and that management has ignored climate-related shareholder resolutions. Reclaim Finance highlights that TotalEnergies was the world's sixth-largest upstream oil and gas developer in 2023 and plans to allocate only 33% of capital expenditure to its low carbon and power division through 2028, while distributing 3.4 dollars to shareholders for every dollar invested in its integrated power business in 2023.

The document presents an Evidence Gap Map (EGM) developed by SEforALL and 3ie to guide policymakers and researchers toward rigorous evidence on sustainable energy in low- and middle-income countries (L&MICs). Based on a search of 22 academic databases and 29 grey literature sources, the EGM includes 703 studies (668 impact evaluations and 35 systematic reviews). The evidence base is geographically skewed, with nearly half of the impact evaluations focused on China or India, and significant gaps exist for countries with the most pressing electrification needs, such as Burundi and South Sudan. While improved cookstoves are the most evaluated technology, there is a total lack of rigorous evidence for interventions involving insurance, risk guarantee instruments, push and pull finance, and advocacy and diplomacy.

The 2024 Three Seas Summit emphasized the necessity of regional coordination and private capital to advance energy transition and infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe. Key priorities include strengthening ties with the EU and U.S., supporting Ukraine's reconstruction, and leveraging a portfolio of 143 priority projects—primarily in transportation (51%) and energy (39%)—to build economic competitiveness and climate resilience.

Reclaim Finance calls for a radical change in investor engagement with the oil and gas industry, arguing that current practices have failed to align the sector with a 1.5°C trajectory. The organization recommends that investors suspend new investments and use strategic routine votes—such as those for director re-election, remuneration, financial accounts, and dividends—to sanction companies continuing fossil fuel expansion. It specifically targets proxy advisors like ISS and Glass Lewis for failing to support climate action and suggests that dividends should be opposed unless 50% of capital expenditure is dedicated to sustainable energy.

Reclaim Finance argues that traditional shareholder engagement has failed to align the oil and gas sector with a 1.5°C trajectory, noting that 96% of these companies continue fossil fuel expansion. The organization recommends that investors suspend all new investments, particularly bonds, and integrate climate criteria into routine strategic votes. Specifically, it advises voting against the reelection of directors, executive remuneration, financial accounts, and dividends unless companies allocate 50% of capital expenditure to sustainable energy. Reclaim Finance also criticizes proxy advisors like ISS and Glass Lewis for failing to support climate resolutions.

The U.S. clean energy sector saw record growth in 2023, particularly in solar installations and EV sales, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. However, the transition faces significant headwinds from rising interest rates, supply chain shortages for transformers, and a lagging transmission system. To meet 2035 carbon-free electricity goals, annual renewable installation rates must nearly double, and transmission capacity may need to double or triple.

The report analyzes the impact of a 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) on interconnection costs for onshore wind and solar projects in the U.S. It finds that this credit could reduce overall project costs by 3% for solar and 1.7% for wind. More significantly, the analysis suggests the ITC could have bridged the cost gap for 22 GW of withdrawn projects and 15 GW of active projects across five regions, potentially bringing a total of 26-37 GW of capacity to fruition.

Reclaim Finance establishes a comprehensive framework to identify insufficient or greenwashed corporate climate transition plans. The report outlines five essential steps for a robust plan: setting science-based absolute emission targets, developing a detailed decarbonization strategy (including financial alignment and fossil fuel phase-outs), implementing a value-chain engagement strategy, integrating reporting and governance, and addressing just transition and biodiversity. It further maps these criteria to the EU's European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) and the European Central Bank's (ECB) supervisory expectations to help companies and financial institutions meet regulatory obligations.

India's cumulative aligned GSS+ debt reached USD 55.9bn by December 2024, a 186% increase since 2021. Green debt dominates the market, accounting for 83% of the total volume, with low-carbon energy as the primary use of proceeds. The market is supported by sovereign green bonds and evolving regulatory frameworks from SEBI, RBI, and IFSCA. While green debt is mature, social and sustainability segments remain small but show growth potential. Significant investment needs are identified for 2030, particularly in renewable energy (USD 179bn private need) and electric mobility (USD 153bn private need), while hard-to-abate sectors like steel and cement require an estimated USD 650bn for decarbonisation.

Natural Justice's 2024-2028 strategy focuses on the legal empowerment of African communities to defend their rights against harmful extractive projects and climate impacts. The organisation employs a 'Litigation Plus' approach, combining strategic legal action with community-led research and policy influencing. Key priorities include securing land tenure, protecting traditional knowledge via the Nagoya Protocol, and promoting a just energy transition. The strategy is implemented through three main programmes: Standing with Communities, Defending Rights against Environmental and Social Impacts, and Affirming and Securing Rights to Lands, Resources and Knowledge.

Reclaim Finance challenges the credibility of Crédit Agricole's December 2023 energy transition commitments, citing a lack of precise definitions for terms like "low-carbon energies" and "clean technologies." The organization argues that the bank's targets—including tripling annual renewable energy funding in France by 2030 to reach 3 billion euros—are insufficient compared to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Net Zero Emission by 2050 scenario, which requires a 6:1 ratio of sustainable to fossil fuel energy financing by 2030.

The report identifies a critical gap in the energy policy lifecycle, which it terms the "policy valley of death," where a lack of effective planning prevents financial incentives from achieving emissions targets. It argues that waiting for a decarbonized system to self-assemble through individual projects is inefficient and fails to address the scale of mid-century needs. To resolve this, the authors propose five principles for effective energy planning: being proactive and risk-aware, adopting a multi-jurisdictional and systems-perspective, co-creating plans with all stakeholders, utilizing comprehensive scenario-based analysis, and establishing actionable roadmaps with accountable progress tracking. The document further details five essential components for a durable plan: a stakeholder engagement roadmap, proactive risk-aware analysis, an implementation roadmap, progress tracking mechanisms, and knowledge-sharing centers.

The report examines the migration crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean, highlighting the interconnectedness of forced displacement with climate change, energy poverty, water scarcity, and healthcare deficits. It focuses on Cyprus as a primary destination for asylum seekers, detailing the strain on infrastructure in the south and the lack of legal frameworks in the north. The author proposes a bi-communal strategy, including a joint Rapid Response Committee and a reception center in the UN Buffer Zone, to manage these transnational human security threats through cooperation between Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities.

ClientEarth calls for global leaders at COP28 to implement bold legal actions to phase out fossil fuels. The organization emphasizes the need to eliminate the $7 trillion in global fossil fuel subsidies reported by the IMF for 2022 and to combat greenwashing and disinformation used by the fossil fuel industry to delay climate action. ClientEarth advocates for bans on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship, citing precedents such as the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and its own legal actions against companies like BP, KLM, and Total.

The report examines the DOE's Community Benefits Plan (CBP) process, which requires grant applicants to commit to equitable community and workforce strategies. While the CBP is credited with forcing developers to prioritize equity and job quality, the report identifies significant challenges, including limited DOE capacity, rushed timelines, and growing stakeholder fatigue. Community surveys reveal deep skepticism due to unfulfilled past promises and a preference for environmental quality improvements over clean energy funding. The report recommends that the DOE improve accountability, provide seed funding for commitments, and leverage other federal agencies to support under-resourced community groups.

The document explores community ownership of clean energy infrastructure as a means to address socio-political and techno-economic barriers to deployment. It details various ownership models used in the US and Europe, including LLC direct ownership, partnership 'flips', and cooperatives, while highlighting the potential impact of the US Inflation Reduction Act's transferability and direct pay provisions.