Search Climate Insights Directory

This World Resources Institute fact sheet describes the European Union's Just Transition Mechanism, a financial and technical framework designed to support EU member states in phasing out high-emissions activities, particularly coal, while mitigating socio-economic disruption.

The 2020 global coal power landscape was characterized by a sharp increase in capacity in China, which offset declines elsewhere and led to the first global increase in coal capacity since 2015. While the US and EU saw record closures, China's provincial governments accelerated coal projects as economic stimulants. Conversely, several Southeast Asian and South Asian nations began canceling planned projects due to financing difficulties and shifting policies.

The report analyzes the EU power sector in 2020, highlighting a landmark moment where renewables generated 38% of electricity, overtaking fossil-fired generation for the first time. While coal generation saw a significant decline, the report notes that the transition speed remains insufficient to meet 2030 and 2050 climate targets, partly due to the persistence of gas generation and a record drop in nuclear output.

This report by Agora Energiewende and Ember analyzes the European power sector in 2020, highlighting a milestone where renewables overtook fossil fuels as the primary source of electricity for the first time in the EU.

This report by Ember analyzes the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of EU countries to assess the trajectory of the EU power sector toward 2030. It finds that while renewable energy is expected to grow, the EU is not on track to meet the European Commission's recommended 55% emissions reduction target due to slow fossil fuel phase-outs and insufficient wind and solar deployment, particularly in seven specific member states.

In the first half of 2020, renewable electricity generation exceeded fossil fuel generation for the first time in the EU-27, driven by new installations, favorable weather, and a COVID-19-related drop in electricity demand.

An analysis of preliminary 2019 emissions data from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), highlighting a significant decline in power sector emissions driven by the collapse of coal power and the emergence of steel plants as primary emitters in several countries.

This fact sheet details a EUR 200 million green bond issued by Alerion Clean Power Spa on December 19, 2019, to finance and refinance wind power projects in Europe and Italy.

This report by Sandbag analyzes how the disparity in carbon pricing between the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and its non-EU neighbors leads to 'carbon leakage,' where high-carbon electricity, primarily from coal, is imported into the EU. The authors argue that this undermines EU climate goals and incentivizes the continued use of coal in neighboring states. To combat this, the report proposes the implementation of a border carbon adjustment (BCA) specifically for electricity imports.

This briefing note from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) outlines recommendations for UNFCCC Parties at COP-25 to integrate human rights, gender equality, and participatory processes into climate action. It emphasizes the need for rights-based safeguards in Article 6 market mechanisms, the ratification of the Escazú Agreement, and the protection of indigenous peoples and local communities in adaptation and loss and damage frameworks.

This briefing note from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues for the integration of procedural rights—specifically access to information, public participation, and access to justice—into climate governance and the implementation of the Paris Agreement. It highlights the roles of the Aarhus Convention and the Escazú Agreement in promoting environmental democracy and provides specific recommendations for the COP-25 agenda to ensure climate policies are inclusive, rights-based, and gender-responsive.

This report by Sandbag analyzes the significant decline in coal-fired electricity generation across the European Union during the first half of 2019, attributing the collapse to the rise of renewables, carbon pricing driving a switch to natural gas, and plant closures.

This report by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and Sandbag analyzes the draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of 21 EU Member States that use coal for electricity. It finds that the EU is on track to miss the goal of stopping coal use by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C, with 60 GW of capacity projected to remain in 2030.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International calling for a radical systemic overhaul of global energy, food, political, and economic systems to prevent global warming from exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius. The document argues that current incremental measures and 'false solutions' are insufficient and that a transition to decentralized, people-led renewable energy is necessary to achieve climate justice.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International calling for a radical systemic change in global energy, food, political, and economic systems to limit global warming to 1.5°C and achieve climate justice.

The Carbon-Free Regions Handbook: Finance is a guide for regional governments on organizing and delivering financial solutions to enable low-carbon transitions. It outlines strategies for increasing capital availability, overcoming up-front costs, creating market incentives, and reducing procurement costs for clean energy assets.

The 2018 Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy (RISE) report provides a global inventory of policies and regulations supporting Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), focusing on electricity access, clean cooking, energy efficiency, and renewable energy across 133 economies from 2010 to 2017.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International calling for a global, people-led transition away from 'dirty energy'—including fossil fuels, nuclear power, and large-scale hydroelectric projects—to combat the planetary emergency of climate change.

A 2017 statement by Friends of the Earth International calling for a global, grassroots-led energy revolution to replace 'dirty energy'—including fossil fuels, nuclear, and large-scale hydro—with decentralized, community-centered energy systems to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International calling for a people-led energy transition to combat the climate emergency, arguing that the Paris Agreement is insufficient and that fossil fuels, nuclear power, and large hydroelectric dams must be replaced by community-centered energy systems.