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This report analyzes the emerging role of grid-scale batteries in the European Union as of 2025, highlighting their ability to compete with expensive gas-fired power during peak demand hours and reduce the curtailment of renewable energy. Using Italy as a primary example and California as a comparative case study, the document details how falling battery costs and widening price spreads are driving a record project pipeline aimed at lowering wholesale electricity prices and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines how climate change is reducing the quantity and quality of sparkling wine globally. It details the impact of extreme weather on yields and pricing in key regions like France, Spain, and Italy, the chemical changes in grapes that alter flavor profiles, and the risks to agricultural workers. The document also discusses the limitations and costs of adaptation measures, noting that traditional wine-growing regions face a high risk of becoming unsuitable if global temperatures rise by 2°C or more.

This end-of-year commentary by Ember synthesises key findings from 2025 regarding the global energy transition, highlighting how solar and wind power have begun to outpace global electricity demand growth and reshape energy dynamics through the rise of "electrotech" and battery storage.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics challenges the claim that renewable energy increases electricity prices, arguing that real-world data from the US, EU, Australia, and India often show a correlation between high renewable uptake and below-average power prices.

RMI analysis indicates that flexible service connections—agreements where charging sites curtail load during peak hours—can significantly increase the number of electric trucks the grid can support without costly infrastructure upgrades. Focusing on PG&E's territory in Northern California, the report finds that shifting just 1 megawatt of load can allow the majority of feeders to support 10 additional heavy-duty trucks.

This fact sheet from RMI explains the function and application of renewably powered minigrids (and microgrids), detailing three primary configurations—isolated, undergrid, and interconnected—and providing global examples of their use in enhancing energy resilience and access in the Caribbean, Africa, and the United States.

Friends of the Earth conducted lab tests on Target's Good & Gather brand baby food in August 2025, finding a higher variety of pesticides than in 2024. The analysis of apple and pear fruit purées revealed 29 different pesticides, including carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and PFAS, despite levels being below U.S. EPA limits.

This research paper analyzes clean cooking policies across G20 countries, arguing that the current reliance on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidies is financially unsustainable, often fails to reach the poorest populations, and contradicts net-zero goals. The authors advocate for redirecting these subsidies toward electric cooking and renewable energy alternatives to achieve universal access by 2030.

This briefing by RMI explains how 'flexible service connections' can accelerate the deployment of electric truck charging infrastructure by allowing fleets to access underutilized grid capacity without waiting for multi-year utility upgrades.

This policy brief by RMI argues that Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) can mitigate the grid constraints currently delaying the interconnection of data centers and other large loads in the United States. The document proposes three commercial models to accelerate VPP deployment and suggests policy reforms in interconnection, integrated planning, and customer protection to ensure the US remains competitive in the AI race.

This briefing from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) describes the Water Evaluation and Adaptation Planning (WEAP) platform, a scenario-based modelling tool designed to help decision-makers understand climate impacts on water systems and develop adaptation strategies. It highlights WEAP's role in supporting National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and provides examples of its application in various global regions to manage water scarcity, resource allocation, and transboundary river basins.

This briefing by RMI argues for the adoption of two complementary methane intensity metrics—gas loss rate and volumetric methane intensity—to accurately track and reduce methane waste across the diverse global oil and gas supply chain. It highlights the variability of emissions across different asset types and countries and suggests that demand-side policies in major markets could accelerate the transition to low-leakage production.

This briefing by RMI argues that affordability programs for low-income utility customers reduce system-wide energy costs by lowering utility debt and collection expenses, which are otherwise passed on to all ratepayers.

This report analyzes the convergence of nature-based solutions (NbS) and climate adaptation and resilience (A&R) finance, highlighting a massive funding gap where annual nature flows (USD 200 billion) and adaptation funding for developing countries (gap of USD 194-366 billion) are insufficient. Through case studies like Forest Carbon in Southeast Asia and Wildfire Resilience Insurance in the US, the report demonstrates that NbS can reduce adaptation costs and lower insurance premiums. However, scaling these solutions is hindered by difficulties in impact measurement, a lack of standardized metrics, and perverse government subsidies totaling USD 1.8 trillion annually. The authors argue for a shift from reactive to preventive investment strategies and the development of credible, localized impact metrics to unlock private capital.

This research paper by RMI proposes the establishment of a government-led Advance Market Commitment (AMC) to scale carbon removal technologies. It argues that current voluntary and compliance markets are insufficient to meet the gigaton-scale requirements needed by midcentury and provides a framework for governments to coordinate demand, harmonize standards, and catalyze private investment to bridge the funding and deployment gap.

This report by Ember analyzes the challenge of solar and wind energy curtailment in Chile, where renewable generation has grown rapidly but is hindered by limited transmission and storage capacity. It proposes a phased package of policy and technical measures—including battery storage, dynamic line rating, and demand response markets—to reduce waste and maximize the potential of Chile's clean energy resources over the next five years.

This policy brief by Ember analyzes the challenge of renewable energy curtailment (vertimientos) in Chile, where solar and wind generation have grown rapidly but are hindered by transmission bottlenecks and a lack of system flexibility. The document proposes a 'Clean Flexibility Kit' of short, medium, and long-term measures—including battery storage, dynamic line rating, and demand response markets—to maximize the use of clean energy and reduce economic losses for investors.

This report by the World Resources Institute examines the potential for U.S. states to lead the deployment of Direct Air Capture (DAC) technologies as federal funding and policy support for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) face rollbacks and uncertainty.

This report by RMI argues that battery energy storage systems (BESS) can enhance grid reliability and affordability by providing resource adequacy, stability, and resilience. Using California and Texas as successful models, the document highlights how well-defined ancillary service markets and clear interconnection rules allow batteries to compete with fossil fuel generators, reducing costs and improving grid stability. It specifically contrasts these successes with the PJM region, where high uplift costs and interconnection hurdles hinder battery deployment.

This RMI fact sheet examines the practice of gas line extension allowances—subsidies where existing customers fund the cost of connecting new buildings to the natural gas system—and the movement among US states to phase them out to lower utility bills and support electrification.