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The report outlines the development of certification criteria for electrical utilities to ensure their financing aligns with the Paris Agreement. It establishes a global emissions intensity transition pathway based on the IEA Net Zero Emissions (NZE) by 2050 scenario, targeting near-zero emissions for the power sector by 2040. The criteria distinguish between existing capacity, which must follow phase-out or retrofitting benchmarks, and new capacity, which must be low-carbon as no new fossil fuel plants are eligible. It also details specific thresholds for non-combustion emissions in hydropower, geothermal, and bioenergy, and sets requirements for decarbonization measures like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and hydrogen co-firing.

A joint letter from multiple environmental and industry organizations argues that the European Commission's draft proposal for the Free Allocation Regulation (FAR) revision ignores previous political agreements by continuing to differentiate between steel production processes. The signatories contend that the current FAR incentivizes carbon-intensive iron ore processing over the use of ferrous scrap, which hinders the EU's circular economy goals and the steel sector's alignment with the 1.5°C Paris Agreement limit. They call for a shift to a product-based approach to free allocation to encourage the substitution of ore with scrap and accelerate the transition to net-zero steelmaking.

ClientEarth asserts that banks providing financial services to fossil fuel expanders like Saudi Aramco are contributing to climate-related human rights impacts. The organization argues that such financing violates the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines, creating significant legal risks through emerging mandatory human rights due diligence laws and greenwashing litigation. ClientEarth proposes specific 'red-lines,' including an immediate end to financing new fossil fuel exploration and requiring clients to publish Paris-aligned transition plans by H1 2024.

The EU aims to import 10 million tons of renewable hydrogen by 2030 to decarbonize heavy industry and transport, as domestic production is expected to fall short of demand. The report identifies the US Gulf Coast, Australia, and other regions with low renewable energy costs as key potential suppliers. To activate this trade, the EU needs to invest in port infrastructure (ammonia terminals and crackers), clarify certification schemes, and provide €15 billion to €20 billion in public support to offset green premiums over blue hydrogen. While Northwest Europe will rely heavily on imports, Southern Europe (Spain and Portugal) is expected to become more self-sufficient by the mid-2030s.

The report examines the intersection of Africa's industrialization goals under the AfCFTA and the global shift toward sustainability. It highlights that while Africa contributes minimally to global emissions, adopting green practices early can provide a competitive advantage and safeguard market access against regulations like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. However, the continent faces massive financial shortfalls, including an annual trade finance gap of USD 81 billion and a USD 90 billion gap for energy transition. The author proposes a synergy of climate and trade finance through Green Bonds, Public-Private Partnerships, and a 'Sustainable Trade and Investment Code' to guide the transition without creating punitive barriers for SMEs.

The report argues that nuclear energy is essential for a reliable, zero-carbon energy system but has stagnated since 1990 due to high costs and slow delivery. It proposes a 'fundamental reset' of the industry, shifting from bespoke mega-projects to standardized, manufactured products. Key recommendations include the creation of Independent Nuclear Development Organizations (INDOs) to integrate project delivery, a Global Licensing Authority (GLA) to harmonize international regulations, an International Technical Support Organization (ITSO) to assist embarking nuclear nations, and an International Bank of Nuclear Infrastructure (IBNI) to expand financing access. CATF analysis suggests these combined measures could reduce overnight construction costs by as much as 60% from first-of-a-kind to Nth-of-a-kind reactors.

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 analyzes the green agriculture landscapes of China and Brazil, highlighting their strategic trade partnership and shared climate challenges. It contrasts China's focus on production technology and pollution control with Brazil's emphasis on land use, deforestation, and livestock management. The document proposes a framework for Brazil to develop its own sustainable taxonomy and suggests seven action points for the two nations to establish a common green agriculture classification standard to facilitate cross-border capital flow and sustainable commodity value chains, particularly for soy and beef.

The report analyzes the green agriculture policies and finance markets of China and Brazil, emphasizing the strategic importance of their bilateral trade in soybeans and beef. It identifies a need for harmonized green taxonomies to reduce transaction costs and prevent greenwashing, providing specific recommendations for Brazil's upcoming sustainable taxonomy and a framework for bilateral cooperation.

The report outlines a methodology to distinguish between green, transition, and phase-down activities to mobilise private capital for Australia's net zero goals. It defines 'green' activities as consistent with Paris Agreement goals and 'transition' activities as those with a continued role in a net zero economy that lack low-carbon alternatives. The methodology recommends using internationally recognised 1.5°C aligned climate-science scenarios, specifically from the IEA and Climateworks, to objectively determine eligibility and avoid greenwashing and carbon lock-in.

The report examines the potential for international cooperation to mitigate the risks of unilateral border carbon adjustments (BCAs), such as 'green protectionism' and trade retaliation. It evaluates the G7 Climate Club, GASSA, and the OECD's IFCMA using a framework of 'input legitimacy' (inclusiveness and institutional strength) and 'output legitimacy' (effectiveness in achieving five specific goals). The analysis finds that while none are currently ideal for BCA cooperation, the IFCMA shows the most promise due to its focus on data and comparability. The report warns that domestic political priorities and existing policy path dependencies, such as the EU's established CBAM, hinder the creation of a unified international approach.

The report examines the risks associated with LNG export projects in Mozambique, particularly those involving the European Union. It finds that these projects have caused social displacement, environmental damage, and increased sovereign debt without delivering promised economic development. The authors argue that the 'gas for development' narrative is unsupported by evidence, as Cabo Delgado's socio-economic conditions have worsened since gas discoveries. Financial risks include volatile global gas prices, declining long-term demand due to the energy transition, and contractual designs that delay government revenues until the 2030s. Furthermore, the report highlights an erosion of sovereignty through investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanisms and the prioritization of infrastructure security over civilian protection. It recommends that Mozambique reassess operational projects, halt new LNG developments, and prioritize sustainable economic diversification.

The December 2023 update finds that global warming projections have stalled, with current policies leading to 2.7°C of warming by 2100. Even the most optimistic scenario, including all announced targets, results in 1.8°C, exceeding the 1.5°C Paris Agreement goal. The report highlights a growing implementation gap and warns that reliance on carbon capture and storage (CCS), e-fuels, and carbon offsets are 'false solutions' that delay necessary deep emission cuts. It urges governments to submit 1.5°C-aligned 2035 targets by February 2025 and to commit to a complete phase-out of fossil fuels.

The RMI Aluminum GHG Emissions Reporting Guidance establishes a framework for product-level emissions reporting in the aluminum sector. It defines fixed system boundaries—benchmarking and full—to ensure comparability regardless of a producer's vertical integration. The guidance emphasizes the use of primary data, provides specific calculation procedures for primary and recycled aluminum, and outlines a hierarchy for sourcing renewable energy to drive sectoral decarbonization.

The Transparent 2023 report details the plastic footprints of nine ReSource Member companies in 2022, noting a total of 5.10 million metric tons of plastic sold to retailers and consumers. While the use of recycled content increased to 12.0% of the aggregate portfolio, the report highlights that 87.9% of plastic remains derived from virgin fossil-based inputs. Progress in eliminating problematic plastics (PS, PVC, and small plastics) has slowed, though they now make up 1.2% of portfolios compared to 3.2% in 2018. The report emphasizes the need for a transition from reuse pilots to scaled deployment and advocates for a legally binding UN global treaty to address the systemic nature of plastic pollution.

The paper examines how strategic assessments can be used to streamline the approval of clean growth projects in Canada, particularly in light of the 2023 Supreme Court ruling on the Impact Assessment Act. It suggests that by shifting the regulatory burden from individual project assessments to broader strategic analyses of policies and systemic issues, Canada can accelerate its energy transition. The author recommends implementing clear triggers, a tiered approach to assessment, and robust outcome tracking, drawing on international examples from the EU and US.

The paper examines how strategic assessments—which analyze policies and systemic issues rather than individual projects—can accelerate Canada's net zero transition. It highlights that while the 2019 Impact Assessment Act provides a framework, the tool remains underused and lacks formalization. By adopting global best practices such as tiering, formal triggers, and outcome monitoring, Canada could more efficiently manage cumulative impacts and share regulatory burdens between strategic and project-level assessments.

Ember's Coal Mine Methane Reporting Data Tracker indicates that Australian coal mines may emit up to double the methane levels reported to the government. The report highlights a significant gap between official UNFCCC figures and independent estimates from the IEA, Global Energy Monitor, and satellite studies, suggesting an annual under-reporting of 680,000 to 1.1 million tonnes of methane. This discrepancy is attributed to the continued use of outdated estimation methods and generic factors under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cth). Despite joining the Global Methane Pledge in 2022, Australia lacks a national Methane Action Plan or sectoral targets for energy methane emissions.

The document details Africa's objectives for COP28, emphasizing the need for systemic reform of the global financial architecture to close the adaptation financing gap and operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund. It advocates for a just energy transition that supports Africa's move up the green technology value chain, particularly regarding critical minerals, and calls for the inclusion of community-based organizations and youth in climate decision-making.

The report finds that global coal mine methane (CMM) emissions may be up to twice as high as government figures reported to the UNFCCC. It highlights a systemic failure in measurement, noting that 97% of reported emissions rely on generic emission factors rather than direct measurement. The analysis identifies 22 countries that may be underreporting emissions by more than 100%, with severe discrepancies noted in South Africa, Indonesia, and Germany. Ember recommends mandatory direct measurement for all mines, the use of satellite verification, and international financial support for low-income countries to implement these standards.