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The document examines the role of legal frameworks in governing foreign direct investment (FDI) and critiques traditional investment treaties and the ISDS system. It argues that these frameworks often prioritize investor protections over public interests, creating a 'regulatory chill' and imposing high financial burdens on states, particularly in the context of the energy transition. The guide proposes a shift toward treaties focused on cooperation and sustainable development, while detailing various national, bilateral, and multilateral reform strategies.

The report identifies a wide array of solutions to reduce agricultural methane, which accounts for approximately half of global anthropogenic methane emissions. Key strategies include improving livestock feed efficiency, using methane inhibitors like 3-NOP and Asparagopsis seaweed, implementing advanced manure treatments such as acidification and solid-liquid separation, and adopting water-management practices in rice cultivation like alternate wetting and drying. The authors emphasize that while many technologies are market-ready, widespread adoption is hindered by financial and regulatory barriers, necessitating stronger government support and private sector engagement.

This research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative outlines a framework and recommendations for scaling transition finance to decarbonize India's iron and steel sector, which is the country's largest carbon-emitting industrial sector.

In 2024, global prospective utility-scale solar and wind capacity grew by over 20% to 4.4 TW, though this remains only half of the 9 TW required to meet COP28's tripling renewables goal. While at least 240 GW of capacity became operational in 2024, project completion rates vary significantly: 76% in G7 countries, 55% in China, and 52% in other non-G7 countries. China leads in both operating capacity (at least 891 GW) and prospective projects, planning over two-thirds of all future utility-scale solar and wind projects. Conversely, G7 countries hold 45% of global GDP but are building only 10% of planned projects.

On 24 February 2025, the UN Security Council and General Assembly passed three resolutions on Ukraine, revealing significant fractures in Western unity and a strategic shift in the Global South's approach. While Europe continues to demand Russian accountability and territorial integrity, the Trump administration has pivoted toward de-escalation and negotiations, leading the US to abstain from or oppose resolutions with harsh condemnatory language. Concurrently, Global South nations, including South Africa, India, and Brazil, are increasingly adopting a pragmatic, non-aligned stance that prioritizes diplomatic mediation and national interests over binary confrontations.

The document examines the systemic failures of carbon offsetting, highlighting that most credits—particularly those for forestry and renewable energy—lack additionality and environmental integrity. It argues that offsetting often leads to an overall increase in emissions by delaying necessary mitigation and allowing continued investment in high-emitting technologies. The briefing concludes that carbon avoidance and reduction offsets have no place in ambitious climate policies, recommending that priority be given to direct emissions cuts and non-market-based climate finance.

The report identifies that India requires USD 300 billion in total investment by 2032 to meet its National Electricity Plan-14 targets. It argues that managing project-specific risks is essential to keep the cost of capital low, as a 400 basis point increase in this cost could result in India falling short of its 2030 renewable energy target by 100 GW. Key risks analyzed include commissioning delays, the complexities of Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) projects, PV module performance and localization, and the financial instability of distribution companies (DISCOMs).

This executive summary by Ember outlines the financial requirements and risk factors associated with India's goal of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, emphasizing that the cost of capital is a primary determinant of whether this target is met.

The report identifies four primary risks—product, customer, operational, and residual value—that hinder the financing of zero-emission trucks (ZETs) in India. It argues that deploying the first 10,000 ZETs is a critical step to demonstrate viability and build market confidence. To achieve this, the document advocates for a collaborative risk-management framework involving original equipment manufacturers, fleet operators, charge point operators, financiers, and development finance institutions to lower default probabilities and distribute potential losses.

Project ASTHA, a partnership between PRADAN and Schneider Electric in Sehal Bara Soli, Jharkhand, India, replaced unsustainable diesel pumps with solar-powered pumps and installed solar microgrids. This transition enabled farmers to grow multiple crop cycles annually, increasing family incomes by USD 710 to USD 830 and reducing rural-urban migration rates from 54% to 17%. The initiative also empowered women through the Ghagara Women Farmer Producer Company and improved educational opportunities via reliable electricity.

The document identifies access to finance as a primary barrier to zero-emission truck (ZET) adoption in India due to investor hesitancy and higher interest rates compared to diesel trucks. It proposes three financial mechanisms—risk-sharing facilities, tailored insurance, and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS)—drawing on examples from California, China, and Europe to accelerate India's ZET market growth.

The document outlines strategies to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission trucks (ZETs) through demand, supply, and infrastructure interventions. It highlights a 170 percent surge in global ZET sales since 2020 and provides a tailored roadmap for India to establish a ZET ecosystem across short-, medium-, and long-term horizons.

The report outlines a strategic framework for India to secure critical energy transition minerals (CETMs) through domestic exploration, international cooperation, regular sector assessments, and the promotion of circular economy practices.

The report examines the 'double threat' of climate change to healthcare energy infrastructure: the physical disruption of energy supply and the increased demand for energy to treat climate-related health issues. Using data from Kenya, India, and Barbados, it identifies a wide range of resilience solutions—including decentralized clean energy, energy-efficient appliances, and grid hardening—while noting that adoption is currently limited by financial, regulatory, and technical barriers.

Thermal batteries store renewable electricity as high-temperature heat in abundant materials like graphite or bricks, providing a cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels for industrial processes requiring temperatures over 1,000°C. The technology supports grid stability by reducing renewable curtailment and offers a lower-risk alternative to hydrogen for industrial decarbonization. While facing challenges in wholesale electricity market access and infrastructure integration, the sector saw investment spike to over $350 million in 2024.

The report highlights a stark contrast between the $7 trillion in annual global fossil fuel subsidies and the limited funding for climate action. It proposes a $150 per tonne of CO2e levy on international shipping as a landmark mechanism to make polluters pay and fund a just energy transition. While supported by over 50 countries representing 66% of the global fleet, the levy is opposed by BRICS and Petro-States, who account for 68% of fossil fuel subsidies. The author contends that such a levy is legally viable and essential to keep global warming below 1.5°C.

India achieved a record 34.7 GW of power capacity additions in 2024, driven largely by solar PV. However, the report finds that replicating this record annual deployment would leave India short of its 500 GW non-fossil capacity target by 2030. To close this gap, annual wind and solar additions must grow by approximately 15% year-on-year, effectively doubling current record levels by the end of the decade. While renewables are on track to overtake operating coal capacity in total volume within two years, fossil fuels still contributed over two-thirds of the increase in power generation in 2024.

The document argues that environmentally harmful subsidies (EHS) exceed USD 2 trillion annually, creating perverse incentives that drive biodiversity loss and climate change. It proposes a theory of change based on the 'Multiple Streams and Policy Windows Framework'—defining the problem, identifying solutions, and creating political support—to catalyze reform. The playbook outlines 25 specific opportunities for philanthropic engagement, ranging from independent national assessments and technical support for Global South governments to the creation of 'first-mover clubs' of governments. It emphasizes that transparency alone is insufficient and that durable reform requires the co-development of repurposing strategies to support vulnerable groups and businesses transitioning away from harmful subsidies.

The document contains technical appendices for a report on reforming environmentally harmful subsidies (EHS). It introduces a 'Fiscal Pressure' indicator to identify countries where high debt and deficits create strong incentives for subsidy reform, and provides a stakeholder analysis mapping the influence and attitudes of businesses, governments, consumers, and civil society toward EHS reform.

Varanasi has seen a rapid increase in rooftop solar (RTS) installations, growing from 549 in February 2024 to nearly 10,000 by December 2024. This growth is attributed to a coordinated 'Varanasi model' involving state, district, and city administrations, which utilizes targeted deployment, aggressive consumer outreach, expanded vendor networks, and streamlined financial and technical processes.