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In 2021, wind and solar generated over 10% of global electricity for the first time, but record-high electricity demand led to a record rise in coal power and the largest absolute increase in power sector CO2 emissions ever recorded.

The authors argue that the seizure of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and threats to the Chernobyl site demonstrate the extreme dangers of nuclear facilities in conflict zones. They suggest the United States must develop a strategy to provide alternatives to Russian nuclear exports, monitor how these events affect global public perception of nuclear energy's role in climate mitigation, and adopt a more holistic approach to risk assessment that incorporates extreme climate projections and converging security threats.

The author contends that Bosnia-Herzegovina is facing a severe crisis of state stability, not due to dormant ethnic conflict, but because of a political elite that uses ethnic nationalism to maintain power and protect clientelist networks. The document highlights the destabilising actions of leaders like Milorad Dodik and Dragan Čović, who use blocking tactics and threats of secession to extort the national government. It criticises the international community, specifically the EU and US, for a passive 'carrot and stick' approach and superficial negotiations that fail to deter unconstitutional politics, warning that the current trajectory could lead to the de facto secession of the Republika Srpska and the dissolution of the state.

The 2021 gas crisis caused a paradigm shift in the EU's electricity transition, with skyrocketing prices making fossil gas more expensive than coal and enhancing the competitiveness of renewables. For the first time in Europe, combined wind and solar generation (547 TWh) exceeded gas (524 TWh). While solar growth is surging in countries like Spain and the Netherlands, it remains stagnant in others such as Italy, Czechia, and Romania. Additionally, the structural decline of nuclear power in the EU has slowed decarbonisation, as a significant portion of renewable growth has replaced lost nuclear output rather than fossil fuels.

The EU ETS is a 'cap and trade' system covering power, industry, and aviation across the EU and several other European nations. While it has successfully reduced emissions in the power sector, the document argues that free allocation of permits has led to stagnant industrial emissions and significant windfall profits for companies. The guide details the role of the Market Stability Reserve in managing oversupply and discusses the proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism as a potential replacement for carbon leakage protections.

The European Electricity Review 2022 identifies a 'paradigm shift' in the EU power sector where soaring gas prices in 2021 led new renewable energy to replace fossil gas instead of coal. While wind and solar reached record generation of 547 TWh in 2021, overall power sector emissions declined at less than half the rate required to meet 1.5°C targets. The report highlights that coal phase-outs are stalling in some regions, such as Poland, and that the structural decline of nuclear power is further slowing decarbonization by forcing renewables to replace lost nuclear capacity rather than fossil fuels.

The report analyzes the 2020-2021 outputs of seven UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies (HRTBs), noting a significant increase in climate-related references despite COVID-19 disruptions. It highlights a shift toward questioning developed nations on mitigation and fossil fuel extraction, alongside a consistent focus on adaptation and the participation of vulnerable groups. The document also examines key individual communications, such as Teitiota v. New Zealand and Sacchi et al. v. Argentina et al., which establish precedents for climate-induced human rights violations and extraterritorial jurisdiction.

The report presents survey data from 108,946 Facebook users worldwide, revealing high global levels of worry and belief that climate change is happening, though perceptions of its causes and the responsibility for action vary significantly by region. While there is widespread support for renewable energy and the belief that climate action will not harm economic growth, willingness to engage in organized climate activism remains low in most regions, with a notable exception in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The article argues that under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, referendums in Hungary have been repurposed to serve party interests and propagate anti-EU and anti-migrant narratives. It highlights the 2016 refugee referendum as a symbolic tool of propaganda and describes how the government obstructs opposition-led initiatives, such as those by the Socialist Party and the Momentum Movement. Additionally, the text details the use of 'national consultation surveys'—unregulated, state-funded polls sent to millions of households—to legitimize government policies through leading questions and strategic results.

Clean Air Task Force (CATF) conducted a survey of over 250 oil and gas sites across 11 EU member states using optical gas imaging, finding evidence of methane emissions at 180 of those sites. The report identifies storage tanks, vent stacks, and piping leaks as primary emission sources and highlights a significant problem with poorly maintained wells in Romania. CATF argues that current industry self-regulation and voluntary commitments are insufficient, as observed emissions often contradict corporate rhetoric. The report recommends that the EU implement a mandatory Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) program, ban routine venting and flaring, establish a robust monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system, set strict import standards for fossil fuels, and create a program to remediate abandoned wells.

ClientEarth argues for the full alignment of EU air quality standards with the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines through legally binding limit values. The document proposes strengthening the legislative framework by introducing an independent Scientific Advisory Board on Healthy Air, enhancing the requirements for air quality plans, and expanding monitoring to include Black Carbon and Ultrafine Particles. It further calls for explicit access to justice provisions, harmonised compensation for health damages, and the introduction of administrative penalties for public authorities that fail to comply with air quality standards.

The text examines the global decline of trust in democracy, linking it to economic inequality, technological shifts, and social transformation. It positions Green politics as a solution to this crisis through the promotion of active citizenship, the creation of a socially just and sustainable vision of prosperity to replace fossil-fuel-based social democracy, and the democratic reform of the European Union.

The report examines the role of indigenous knowledge in bridging climate data gaps in Africa, highlighting how traditional observation methods and community-based forecasting can enhance the accuracy of early warning systems when integrated with scientific meteorology. It identifies the decline of this knowledge due to modernization and the preference for top-down scientific models, while providing examples of successful 'co-production' of climate information in countries like Kenya.

The Three Seas Initiative (3SI) is criticized for prioritizing fossil gas infrastructure over renewable energy, which risks locking in emissions beyond 2050 and violating the EU's Climate Law. As of July 2021, fossil gas projects outnumber renewables in the 3SI database by more than two to one. Many of these gas projects are described as 'zombie projects'—outdated relics that have failed to attract financing or remain unutilized, such as the BRUA and Eastring pipelines. The document highlights that EU gas consumption must decline sharply to meet a 55% emissions reduction by 2030. While the 3SI Investment Fund (3SIIF) recently made its first energy investment in solar developer Enery Development, the briefing argues that significant political and financial shifts, including from the US, are needed to catalyze the region's renewable energy potential and align with the 'Fit for 55' package.

The Clean Air Task Force proposes a comprehensive methane reduction strategy for the EU centered on five pillars: mandatory Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs, a ban on routine venting and flaring, rigorous Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems, strict import standards for fossil fuels, and a dedicated program to seal abandoned oil and gas wells.

The text examines the transition from 'public democracy' to 'platform democracy,' where social media algorithms prioritize sensationalism and disinformation over facts to maximize advertising revenue. It highlights how this environment undermines shared truths, citing examples like Donald Trump's use of misinformation and the role of bots in spreading climate change denial. The author proposes legislative interventions, such as mandatory fact-checking for users who encounter disinformation, the banning of micro-targeting, and the promotion of non-commercial platforms like Mastodon and Peertube. Furthermore, it advocates for treating large platforms as news organizations that must promote independent, ethically grounded journalism to reduce polarization and protect democratic stability.

The document traces a series of Romanian protest waves, starting with the 2013 Rosia Montana anti-mining movement and the 2015 Colectiv nightclub fire protests, which challenged government corruption and systemic failures. It argues that these movements helped citizens overcome a historical fear of state repression dating back to the 1990-1991 Mineriade, eventually leading to the rise of centre-right parties like USR and PLUS. The author notes that while these new parties adopted some green policies, the formal Green party in Romania remains weak due to the continued dominance of the Social Democrats (PSD) and internal organizational issues.

The guide argues that public understanding of net-zero is currently limited and that governments must adopt evidence-based, tangible, and inclusive communication strategies to mobilize society. It recommends avoiding technical jargon, using positive imagery, and focusing on local realities and immediate actions to build public confidence and support for climate targets.

The report argues that while not explicitly stated, the Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) grants EU citizens a right to air quality within legal limit values. It identifies significant barriers to justice in several Member States and advocates for the use of the Francovich doctrine to allow individuals to seek compensation for health damages. ClientEarth recommends that the European Commission explicitly codify this individual right in the revised AAQD, introduce coercive remedies for non-compliance, and alleviate the burden of proof for claimants seeking damages.

The document analyzes the misuse of direct democracy in Hungary since 2010, arguing that referendums and 'national consultation surveys' serve as instruments for political mobilization and propaganda. It highlights the Fidesz-KDNP government's strategy of calling symbolic referendums to advance anti-EU narratives while obstructing opposition-led initiatives. The text also notes how the Momentum Movement successfully used a local referendum in Budapest to oppose the 2024 Summer Olympic bid, forcing the government to withdraw it.