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Simple Tax Changes Can Unleash Clean Energy Deployment
The report identifies tax regulations as a primary barrier preventing US utilities from adopting low-cost renewable energy. It highlights how 'tax normalization' and the lack of tax liability for non-profit or loss-carrying utilities create 'perverse incentives' that favor fossil fuels. To meet President Biden's goal of 100 percent clean electricity by 2035, the author proposes eliminating tax normalization for the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and introducing 'direct pay' mechanisms to ensure all utility types can access clean energy incentives.
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Document type: Report
The Polish Climate Case
ClientEarth is supporting five Polish citizens in lawsuits against the Polish government, claiming that the state's failure to address climate change violates personal rights under the Polish Civil Code and human rights under the European Convention of Human Rights. The claimants seek a legally enforceable right to a healthy environment and a commitment from Poland to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 61% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2043 to align with the Paris Agreement's 1.5 degree goal. The document highlights Poland's heavy reliance on coal, with 70% of electricity coming from coal and significant public subsidies for fossil fuels, as well as the specific climate-related impacts—such as droughts, floods, and wildfires—experienced by the claimants.
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Document type: Briefing
FOSSIL FUEL EXIT STRATEGY
The report argues that stopping the expansion of fossil fuels is insufficient to meet the 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement; instead, an active wind-down of existing production is required. It proposes specific annual decline rates for coal (9.5%), oil (8.5%), and gas (3.5%) between 2021 and 2030. The authors conclude that this transition is technically feasible because global solar and wind potential could meet primary energy demand more than 50 times over, ensuring 100% energy access without risking energy security.
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Document type: Report
Researching Climate Change LESSON PLAN
The document is a pedagogical resource designed to teach the Ojibwe language using a video about climate change and its effects on boreal lakes. It includes a full English-Ojibwe transcript, a detailed sentence-by-sentence grammatical breakdown, a glossary of terms, and a lesson planning form for educators. The content focuses on scientific concepts such as the impact of decreased precipitation on lake color and the resulting habitat loss for lake trout, while providing the linguistic tools to express these concepts in Anishinaabemowin.
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Document type: Guide
Step Off the Gas: International public finance, natural gas, and clean alternatives in the Global South
The report finds that international public finance for gas in low- and middle-income countries is four times higher than for wind or solar, risking a 'dash for gas' that locks economies into high-carbon pathways. It argues that gas is no longer a necessary 'bridge fuel' because renewables are often cheaper and more effective for power, cooking, and industry. The document recommends that international financial institutions end support for gas and instead scale up clean energy finance, focusing on grid integration, technology transfer, and a just transition for workers.
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Document type: Report
Runter vom Gas: Internationale öffentliche Finanzierung, Erdgas und saubere Alternativen im Globalen Süden
The report finds that international public financing for gas projects in low- and middle-income countries is four times higher than for wind or solar, creating a 'lock-in effect' that threatens climate goals. It argues that gas is no longer a necessary 'bridge technology' because renewables are often cheaper and more effective for energy access. The document recommends that international financial institutions cease all support for gas infrastructure and instead fund grid integration, technology transfer, and a just transition for affected workers.
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Document type: Executive summary
Step Off the Gas
The report finds that international public finance for gas projects in low- and middle-income countries averaged nearly USD 16 billion per year from 2017 to 2019, which is four times the amount provided for wind or solar. It argues that the 'bridge fuel' concept is obsolete due to the urgency of the climate crisis, methane leakage, and the falling costs of renewables. The document recommends that international public finance institutions end all support for gas exploration, production, and long-lived infrastructure, instead scaling up finance for grid integration, technology transfer, and universal clean energy access. Case studies of Argentina, Egypt, and India illustrate risks such as high subsidies, dependence on volatile export markets, and the creation of redundant parallel infrastructures for gas and electric vehicles.
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Document type: Executive summary
Paremos con el gas: Finanzas públicas internacionales, gas natural y alternativas limpias en el sur global
The report finds that international public finance disproportionately supports natural gas in low- and middle-income countries, often exceeding support for wind and solar by four times. It argues that the 'bridge fuel' narrative is obsolete due to the falling costs of renewables and the risks of stranded assets and methane leaks. The document recommends that international financial institutions cease funding gas infrastructure and instead support clean energy integration, technology transfer, and a just transition, particularly for the poorest nations.
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Document type: Executive summary
Sortons du gaz
The report finds that international public finance disproportionately supports natural gas over renewables in the Global South, creating risks of stranded assets and carbon lock-in. It argues that renewables are now cost-competitive for most gas uses and recommends that public financial institutions cease support for gas infrastructure to prioritize clean energy transitions.
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Document type: Executive summary
Renewable Energy in the Minerals Sector: Assessing Opportunities for Africa
The document examines the transition of the mining sector from diesel and grid power to renewable energy (RE), primarily solar PV and wind. It argues that while RE has high initial capital expenditure, it offers lower long-term operating costs and provides a hedge against volatile fuel prices. The paper highlights the role of hybrid systems and energy storage in overcoming the intermittency of RE to meet the constant baseload demands of mines. It also explores the potential for portable RE systems for exploration sites and the use of rehabilitated mine land for utility-scale RE generation.
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Document type: Research paper
Estimating the Economic Impact of Chinese BRI Investment in Africa
The report assesses the impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) on African infrastructure, economic growth, trade, and debt sustainability. While finding that Chinese investment helps close the infrastructure gap and can boost GDP, the authors note risks including debt distress in specific countries, environmental degradation, and the crowding out of local manufacturing by Chinese imports. Case studies in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Nigeria demonstrate positive outcomes in transport and energy, though the failure of Nigeria's NIGCOM satellite highlights risks of using the continent as a testing ground. The report concludes that benefits generally outweigh costs, provided African nations improve project management and negotiate more symmetrical trade and loan terms.
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Document type: Report
Turkey, Ukraine and Western Balkan countries compete for top spot in coal power air pollution in Europe
A small number of countries, primarily Turkey, Ukraine, and those in the Western Balkans, are responsible for the majority of coal power air pollution in Europe. Ukraine dominates PM10 emissions, while Turkey leads in NOx pollution. The report highlights that most of the most polluting plants are over 30 years old, though Turkey is an exception with some young plants among the top polluters. Many Energy Community countries failed to meet 2019 emission ceilings, and the report argues that subsidies and rehabilitation costs should instead be redirected toward the region's significant renewable energy potential.
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Document type: Report
What does the IEA Net Zero Scenario say?
The IEA Net Zero Scenario projects a massive expansion of solar and wind energy, with solar and wind together providing almost 70% of global electricity by 2050. It calls for an immediate end to new oil, gas, and unabated coal investments, forecasting a 90% decline in coal demand and a 275% decline in oil use by 2050. The transition relies heavily on the scaling of currently non-commercially viable technologies, including CCUS, hydrogen, and negative emission technologies (NETs), as well as a 60% increase in bioenergy use.
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Document type: Site page
Leveraging fiscal stimulus to improve energy transition: Case of South Korea and Indonesia
The report examines the impact of COVID-19 on the energy sectors of South Korea and Indonesia and evaluates their fiscal recovery programs. South Korea's Green New Deal (GND) explicitly integrates climate goals with economic recovery, focusing on green infrastructure and low-carbon energy. In contrast, Indonesia's National Economic Recovery (PEN) program primarily targets short-term health and social stability, with only 0.9% of its budget allocated to energy transition. The study identifies structural barriers in both nations—such as South Korea's centralized market and Indonesia's high financing costs—and recommends that future stimulus include specific emission targets and incentives to attract private investment.
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Document type: Report
Achieving a Fossil-Free Recovery
The report analyzes government energy-related spending during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that a significant portion of recovery funds still supports fossil fuel-intensive sectors. It proposes five core principles for a 'fossil-free recovery': ending public funding for fossil fuel production, reforming fossil fuel subsidies and taxes to raise revenue, 'swapping' those funds into clean energy (access, efficiency, transport, and power), incentivizing private investment in clean electricity, and ensuring a just transition for affected workers and communities.
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Document type: Report
What Is Needed to Meet US Climate Commitments
The United States aims to reduce carbon pollution to at least 50-52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. RMI asserts that this is achievable by immediately phasing out fossil fuel infrastructure and scaling three primary solutions: renewables (wind, solar, and batteries), electrification (electric vehicles and heat pumps), and holistic efficiency. The document emphasizes that cumulative emissions are the critical metric for limiting warming to 1.5°C and that the transition will provide significant public health benefits, job creation, and social equity, particularly for historically disadvantaged communities.
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Document type: Briefing
Uruguay: Leveraging Partnerships to Create Green Jobs and Ensure a Just Transition
Uruguay transitioned its electricity generation to 98% renewable sources by 2019 through the Energy Policy 2005–2030, significantly increasing wind power capacity and creating over 11,000 jobs in the renewable energy sector by 2018. This transition was supported by tripartite social dialogue involving the government, employers, and unions, as well as technical assistance from the International Labour Organization (ILO). While the shift successfully retired fossil-fuel plants with minimal worker impact through early retirement, it introduced challenges including the privatization of the electricity sector and a reliance on foreign manufacturers for renewable energy equipment.
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Document type: Case study
Mexico: Policymaking to Ensure Energy Justice in Renewables Development
Mexico has rapidly increased its solar and wind capacity to meet climate goals, but this expansion has faced significant social conflict. While the 2013-2014 Energy Reform introduced compulsory social impact assessments and consultation requirements to protect Indigenous rights, implementation gaps persist. Many communities report inadequate consultations and a lack of local benefit, leading to project delays and legal challenges, such as the 2020 Supreme Court ruling voiding permits for the Yucatán Solar Park.
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Document type: Case study
Zero-carbon power is a key milestone on the route to net-zero
The document identifies an "unspoken consensus" among the UK, EU, and US that transitioning to zero-carbon power by the 2030s is essential for reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. It analyzes official pathways, noting a shared commitment to rapidly phasing out coal and reducing fossil gas, while dramatically scaling up wind and solar power. The briefing highlights a "credibility gap" in other OECD nations, such as Japan and South Korea, which have net-zero targets but lack corresponding coal phase-out commitments.
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Document type: Briefing
POWERING AMERICA’S CLEAN ECONOMY A SUPPLEMENTAL ANALYSIS TO THE 2035 REPORT ELECTRICITY
The report demonstrates that the U.S. can achieve 80% clean electricity by 2030 without increasing wholesale electricity costs or compromising grid dependability. This transition would require 950 GW of new wind and solar capacity and 227 GW of battery storage, necessitating $1.5 trillion in clean energy capital investments. The '80% Clean' scenario avoids $1.7 trillion in health and environmental damages and 93,000 premature deaths through 2050 compared to a 'No New Policy' case. The analysis concludes that such a target is feasible and critical for enabling broader economy-wide decarbonization of transportation, buildings, and industry to align with a 1.5°C warming limit.
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Document type: Report