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The report finds that while many countries are committing to end new coal power, China continues to expand its capacity, offsetting global declines. In 2021, global operating coal capacity increased by 18.2 GW, largely driven by China, which accounted for 56% of new operational capacity. Despite COP26 commitments, a significant gap remains between current plans and the 1.5°C warming limit, which would require decommissioning an additional 1,100 GW of capacity by 2030. The report also critiques 'clean coal' technologies like CCS as costly and ineffective distractions from renewable energy.

The briefing analyzes 1,047 energy policies adopted between January 2020 and November 2021, finding that most governments prioritize short-term poverty reduction over long-term inequality reduction. While 60% of policies could reduce poverty, only 11% are likely to decrease inequality. The authors identify 'win-win' policies (e.g., energy efficiency in social housing) and 'lose-lose' policies (e.g., fossil fuel extraction support), arguing that the social outcomes of energy transitions depend heavily on policy design, contextual factors, and complementary social protections.

The report analyzes the intersection of voluntary sustainability standards (VSSs) and sustainable finance in eight agricultural commodity sectors. It argues that while VSSs effectively address environmental and social risks—such as deforestation and labor rights—they often lack the rigorous economic and business management criteria that financial service providers (FSPs) require for due diligence. By benchmarking 12 VSSs against sustainable finance frameworks, the document identifies gaps in areas like corruption prevention, economic viability, and climate adaptation. It recommends that VSSs align their criteria with FSP needs, that FSPs develop preferential loan programs for certified farmers, and that governments support land tenure and infrastructure to improve investment readiness.

The report finds that agricultural electricity subsidies in Haryana are regressive, with the wealthiest farmers receiving a disproportionate share of benefits. It suggests transitioning to solar-powered irrigation via the PM-KUSUM scheme, introducing slab-based tariffs, and improving the identification of poor farmers through inter-agency coordination.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has forced European states to prioritize energy security over climate goals, leading to a 'dash for LNG' that outbids developing nations and encourages a global return to coal. This shift undermines EU climate leadership and risks 'locking in' long-term fossil fuel infrastructure in Africa and Asia.

The report evaluates the integration of small-format electric vehicles (EVs) with rural minigrids, finding that while EVs can be cost-competitive with petrol alternatives, their success depends on high vehicle utilization and business models tailored to local needs. A Nigeria pilot using a two-wheeler leasing model showed promise, whereas an India pilot using a battery leasing model for three-wheelers failed due to high operational costs and drivers charging via the subsidized grid. Technoeconomic modeling indicates that EV charging can lower minigrid tariffs, particularly when charging occurs during daytime solar production, though the impact is modest unless fleet utilization is significantly increased.

The document maps the various 'entry points' for environmental policy within the WTO, ranging from formal committees and negotiating groups to newer, member-led plurilateral initiatives. It highlights that while no single environmental agreement exists, the WTO manages this nexus through general exceptions (GATT Article XX), monitoring bodies (TBT and SPS committees), and specific negotiations on fisheries subsidies and environmental goods. The brief also details three recent ministerial statements from December 2021 focusing on environmental sustainability, plastic pollution, and fossil fuel subsidy reform, which aim to foster cooperation ahead of the Thirteenth WTO Ministerial Conference.

The report identifies a dilemma in India's financial system where policies to increase green finance may raise overall credit risk due to the perceived lower quality of green assets, while risk-management policies may inadvertently reduce green finance flows by increasing the cost of capital. It highlights gaps in current regulatory, fiscal, and capital market frameworks, including the inadequacy of ESG ratings and credit rating systems to factor in climate risks. To resolve this, the author proposes a three-pillar strategy consisting of Policy Interventions, Regulatory Prescriptions, and Market and Institutional Mechanisms to support India's 1.5-degree pathway goals.

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.

In 2021, wind and solar power reached a record 10.3% of global electricity generation, but this growth was insufficient to offset a historic surge in electricity demand. Consequently, global coal generation and power sector CO2 emissions both hit all-time highs, with coal meeting 59% of new demand. While 50 countries now derive over 10% of their power from wind and solar, the report warns that the global energy transition is significantly off track from the IEA's net-zero pathway, which requires wind and solar to grow by 20% annually through 2030.

In 2021, global electricity demand grew by 5.4%, the fastest rate since 2010. While solar and wind generation continued to rise, coal generation reached an all-time high, leading to a 7% increase in power sector CO2 emissions. This resulted in the first increase in global electricity carbon intensity since 2011, moving the sector further away from the IEA's 1.5 degree pathway.

The report highlights the potential for India to establish a sustainable battery industry by implementing reuse and recycling strategies for lithium-ion batteries. It forecasts that between 3.5 and 17 GWh of batteries from passenger and freight vehicles will reach the end of their usable life by 2030. By capturing value through second-life applications and mineral recovery, India can reduce its reliance on imported precious metals and support its goal of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy generation by 2030.

The methodology evaluates carbon credits across seven quality objectives: robust GHG impact determination, avoidance of double counting, addressing non-permanence, facilitating the transition to net zero, institutional arrangements of the crediting program, environmental and social impacts, and host country ambition. It employs a standardized scoring system (1-5) using point systems and 'inverse weighing' to ensure that a low score in one critical criterion cannot be offset by high scores in others. The guide focuses on ex-post credits and provides detailed indicators for assessing additionality, vulnerability in collapsed markets, and the alignment of credits with the Paris Agreement's Article 6 and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The document examines India's engagement in global climate politics, specifically focusing on the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a mechanism for promoting sustainable energy in Africa. It argues that the ISA contributes to climate change mitigation while enhancing energy security and sustainable livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa by providing access to various forms of capital for poor communities. The text concludes by urging African policymakers to implement complementary initiatives to support the continent's population of over 1.33 billion people.

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 research identifies systemic feedbacks that lock the Punjab agricultural system into crop residue burning despite legal barriers and the existence of more profitable alternatives. It concludes that while government policy is necessary, achieving sustainability requires transformative shifts toward crop diversification, circular business models, and green financing, with financial institutions playing a key role in leveraging these changes.

Reclaim Finance calls on Crédit Agricole to stop financing Russian coal, oil, and gas companies, specifically highlighting the bank's role as a main banker for Gazprom. The letter demands divestment from a provided blacklist of Russian energy firms and the suspension of support for non-Russian companies still active in Russia, such as TotalEnergies, until they withdraw.

The document argues that reducing methane emissions by at least 45% by 2030 is essential to meet the 1.5°C target. It details sector-specific interventions: transitioning to agroecology and plant-based diets in agriculture, eliminating fossil fuels and fixing leaks in the energy sector, and implementing a waste hierarchy focused on organic waste prevention and composting in the waste sector. It further proposes a global governance framework based on monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV), national action plans, and financial assistance for developing countries.

The report argues that while the Global Methane Pledge aims for a 30% reduction by 2030, a 40–45% reduction is necessary to meet the 1.5°C target. It details sector-specific interventions: shifting to plant-rich diets and improving livestock management in agriculture; phasing out fossil fuels and implementing leak detection in energy; and prioritizing organic waste prevention and composting in the waste sector. It further advocates for a global governance framework based on monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV), national action plans, and financial assistance for developing countries.

The document identifies a dilemma in India's financial system where increasing green finance is perceived to raise credit risk, while strict risk management may constrain green capital flows. It argues that current frameworks, including Basel III, do not adequately factor in climate-related financial risks. To bridge the investment gap—estimated at USD 170 billion per annum—the report recommends a three-pillar approach: policy interventions (such as carbon pricing and green government securities), regulatory prescriptions (including modified risk weights and carbon ratings), and market mechanisms (such as standardized disclosure frameworks and capacity building).