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The Corporate Climate Stocktake 2023 reveals that while clean technology adoption is accelerating in sectors like power and road transport, systemic barriers—including infrastructure gaps, high 'green premiums', and workforce shortages—persist. The report argues that national emissions targets alone are insufficient and calls for multilateral coordination of industrial policy and sector-specific strategies to drive the diffusion of clean technologies.

The briefing argues that adopting a 45% renewable energy target by 2030 would halve EU fossil gas imports compared to the 40% target in the Fit for 55 plan, resulting in €43 billion in additional savings in 2030 and an estimated €200 billion between 2025 and 2030. It warns that relying on LNG diversification creates new dependencies and exposes the EU to global price shocks and high methane emissions, particularly from the US. The analysis highlights that countries like Italy, France, and Poland would see significant cost reductions, while warning that Poland's current plans for increased gas power generation could lead to power shortages and reduced competitiveness.

The report details how the Kaunisvaara mine, operated by Northland Resources and later Kaunis Iron, has caused extensive land loss, disrupted reindeer migration and health, and induced psychological stress for the Muonio reindeer herding district. It highlights a significant gap between the 'moderate' impacts predicted during licensing and the actual severe consequences, noting that the district has received no financial compensation since 2012. The study also examines the systemic failure of Swedish legislation to protect Sámi rights, leaving the district marginalized in decision-making and forced into unsuccessful negotiations with mining companies.

The document examines the IEA's WEO 2022, specifically the Net-Zero by 2050 (NZE) scenario, to outline a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. It argues that fossil fuel demand is peaking and that achieving the 1.5°C target requires a total transformation of energy investment, characterized by a '9 for 1' ratio of clean energy to fossil fuel spending by 2030.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has the potential to become a global leader in zero-carbon fuels, particularly hydrogen, by utilizing its geographic position and natural resources. While countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE have announced projects using wind, solar, and natural gas with carbon capture, the region requires international cooperation and demand signals to scale infrastructure. Success depends on transitioning from one-off projects to a systematic approach that addresses high costs and infrastructure gaps, supported by partnerships between MENA countries and buyers in Asia and the EU.

The author argues that current climate efforts are in a 'catastrophic equilibrium' where unabated fossil fuel growth outpaces clean energy investment. To address this, the document advocates for three principles: recognizing the immense scale of the challenge by investing in all plausible zero-carbon technologies (including nuclear and carbon capture), moving beyond 'black box' economic models that ignore real-world constraints like land use and geopolitics, and embracing a diversified portfolio of strategies to hedge against uncertainty and risk.

IDFC members reported a record $224 billion in green finance commitments in 2021, with climate finance accounting for 95% of the total. Mitigation finance reached $186.6 billion, while adaptation finance decreased by 24% to $20.9 billion. Biodiversity finance grew by 31% to $18.4 billion. The majority of climate finance was provided by non-OECD institutions and directed toward the East Asia and Pacific region.

The document examines the role of Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) in facilitating the shift from fossil fuels to clean energy in five emerging economies. It argues against the use of natural gas as a 'bridging fuel,' citing price volatility, the risk of stranded assets, and methane emissions. Instead, it advocates for 'leapfrogging' directly to renewables, noting that solar and wind are cost-competitive and better suited for expanding energy access in rural areas. The brief emphasizes that a gas-led transition would be economically disadvantageous and inconsistent with the 1.5°C Paris Agreement goal.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 represents the largest congressional action to date on climate change, allocating nearly $370 billion toward disadvantaged communities and clean energy. It introduces technology-neutral tax credits starting in 2025, a 10-year runway for energy incentives, and significant funding for domestic manufacturing of solar, wind, and batteries. Rhodium Group modeling suggests the IRA could increase U.S. greenhouse gas reductions to 31%-44% by 2030, potentially meeting the U.S. nationally determined contribution when combined with other agency and local actions. The law also establishes the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and provides incentives for electric vehicle adoption, though domestic content requirements may affect the scale of EV growth.

The document argues that power grids must become the backbone of the energy system to achieve a carbon-neutral economy by 2050, transporting 50% or more of Europe's energy. It identifies critical barriers including underinvestment, lack of data transparency, inefficient connection queues, and fragmented system planning. Ember recommends shifting to a "first ready, first served" approach for grid connections, introducing clear investment incentives, and establishing an integrated, system-level planning framework coordinated by an independent body to ensure grid development anticipates rather than lags behind clean energy growth.

Between October 2021 and September 2022, wind and solar energy became the primary source of electricity in Chile, accounting for 27.5% of generation and surpassing coal at 26.5%. This shift follows a period of rapid growth where wind and solar generation doubled between 2018 and 2021. Since 2016, these renewable sources have fully met the growth in electricity demand, contributing to a 6% reduction in annual CO2 emissions between 2016 and 2021 despite an 11% increase in demand. The report highlights Chile's progress toward its goals of 80% renewable electricity by 2030 and a zero-emissions grid by 2050, noting the closure of 8 coal plants as part of a broader decarbonization plan.

For the first time, wind and solar generated more of Chile's electricity than coal over a 12-month period (October 2021 to September 2022), with wind and solar accounting for 27.5% and coal 26.5%. Since 2016, wind and solar have met all growth in electricity demand, contributing to a 6% drop in annual power sector emissions between 2016 and 2021 despite an 11% increase in demand. Chile aims for 80% renewable electricity by 2030 and a zero-emissions grid by 2050, though the report notes that IEA guidelines suggest a coal phase-out by 2030 for OECD countries.

An analysis of global modelled pathways concludes that new oil and gas fields and new fossil import infrastructure in Europe are incompatible with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

In the first half of 2022, global renewable energy growth met all new electricity demand, preventing a rise in fossil fuel generation. Wind and solar energy specifically met 77% of this new demand, avoiding $40 billion in fuel costs and 230 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. However, the report notes that severe droughts in China and global heatwaves in July and August 2022 led to a resurgence in coal and gas use, meaning total electricity sector emissions for the full year 2022 could still reach record highs.

In the first half of 2022, global electricity demand rose by 3%, and this growth was entirely met by renewables, which prevented a 4% increase in fossil fuel generation. While wind and solar met 77% of this demand growth, hydro met the remainder. However, the report notes that subsequent rises in coal and gas generation in July and August, driven by droughts in China and global heatwaves, mean that total power sector CO2 emissions for 2022 may still reach a record high.

Türkiye can reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels for power generation from 50% in 2021 to less than 25% by 2030 by accelerating the deployment of solar and wind energy. Achieving this requires reaching 40 GW of solar and 30 GW of wind capacity by 2030, which would result in these sources providing 34-38% of total power generation. This transition is framed as a means to both achieve the 2053 net zero target and improve energy independence and trade balances.

The document asserts that Canada's reliance on oil, gas, and coal leaves it vulnerable to global market volatility and geopolitical shocks, despite being a major producer. It argues that renewable energy sources like wind and solar are now more cost-effective than fossil fuels and can provide long-term price stability because they do not require input fuels. The brief highlights Canada's existing hydroelectric capacity as a key asset for balancing variable renewables and suggests that electrifying transport and heating will further reduce exposure to fossil fuel price spikes. It concludes that prioritizing investments in flexible, integrated electricity grids and energy efficiency is essential for achieving a non-emitting electricity grid by 2035 and ensuring affordable energy security.

The document analyzes the link between the EU's dependence on Russian fossil fuels and its current inflationary crisis, highlighting how wind and solar energy have provided significant cost savings. It advocates for the adoption of the RePowerEU proposal to increase renewable energy and energy efficiency targets to ensure long-term energy security and maintain the EU's global climate leadership.

Low-temperature industrial heat (up to 165C) accounts for approximately 35 percent of U.S. industrial process heat demand and produced 171 million metric tons of CO2 in 2021. Industrial heat pumps are identified as the most efficient and cost-effective zero-carbon solution for this range, outperforming alternatives like electrolytic hydrogen, bioenergy, and carbon capture and sequestration. Modeling suggests that a full transition to heat pumps by 2050 would reduce industry GHG emissions by 284 MMT (16 percent) relative to a business-as-usual case and prevent over 3,000 premature deaths by 2050. Economically, this shift could increase U.S. GDP by over $42 billion in 2030 and create 275,000 jobs in 2030. While heat pumps have higher capital costs than natural gas technologies, the gap is small and likely narrowing due to rising natural gas prices and falling electricity costs. The report recommends federal financial support via the DOE's AMMTO and IEDO offices, as well as the implementation of technology-neutral energy efficiency and GHG emission standards.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) critiques the SAREM draft for lacking definitions of 'decent work', failing to provide a robust framework for monitoring local content compliance, and ignoring the potential for a local recycling industry. The document argues that the current market-led approach risks a 'race to the bottom' on price, which undermines local manufacturing. To counter this, the IEJ recommends aggressive local content requirements (LCRs) of 50% for future public procurement, the use of import tariffs to protect nascent industry, and the provision of low-cost public debt to offset the higher costs of locally produced components. It further advocates for a Technology Transfer System (TTS) to build local technical capacity and the establishment of municipal-level recycling depots for solar PV modules to prevent environmental damage and create jobs.