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The 'Sustainable Debt Global State of the Market H1 2025' report by the Climate Bonds Initiative provides a comprehensive analysis of aligned green, social, sustainability, and sustainability-linked (GSS+) debt. As of the end of H1 2025, the cumulative aligned volume reached USD 6.2 trillion, with H1 2025 alone contributing USD 555.8 billion. The report details the dominance of green bonds, the resurgence of social debt, the stability of sustainability-labelled debt, and the specific alignment trends of sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs). It also highlights the introduction of the European Green Bond Standard, the rise of data-centre focused asset-backed securities, and the strategic priorities for COP30, including methane abatement and the Tropical Forest Forever Fund.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) synthesizes the climate, sustainability, energy, and climate finance commitments made by G20 member countries from 2008 to 2024. It tracks the evolution of these commitments through various summits, highlighting the shift from general statements to specific frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the challenges posed by inconsistent national policies, particularly those of the United States. The document also details the priority areas for South Africa's 2025 G20 presidency, which emphasizes solidarity, equality, and sustainability.

This report by the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) examines the evolution of the G20's agenda regarding food systems and global food security. It details the initiatives of various G20 presidencies, the role of international organisations like the FAO and WFP, and the synergies between G7 and G20 priorities. The document specifically outlines South Africa's priorities during its 2024-2025 G20 presidency, focusing on inclusive growth, climate resilience, and the empowerment of women and youth in agrifood systems.

Zero Carbon Analytics reports on the economic benefits of rooftop solar for households, specifically simulating potential savings for Japanese homes in FY 2020. The report argues that while Japan has the lowest clean energy share among G7 nations, it has significant untapped potential for residential solar to reduce electricity costs and carbon emissions.

This report analyzes the impact of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) on coffee production in the East African Community (EAC) and its role in accessing the EU market. Meta-analysis shows that mulching, organic manure, and irrigation significantly increase yields, while agroforestry substantially boosts carbon sequestration. The EU is a primary export destination, accounting for 60.1% of EAC coffee exports in 2021, but access requires compliance with strict sustainability, deforestation, and phytosanitary regulations.

The report by Ember argues that the European Union must rapidly scale up 'clean flexibility' solutions, particularly battery storage, to complement the fast growth of wind and solar power. It highlights that without such flexibility, the EU will fail to capture abundant renewable energy, leading to higher reliance on fossil fuels and increased costs. The document provides evidence of current solar dominance in several Member States and simulates the potential for batteries to reduce fossil fuel imports and costs by 2030.

Ember analysis indicates that global solar capacity additions will reach 593 GW in 2024, a 29% increase over 2023. This growth is driven by continued dominance in China and the US, as well as emerging markets like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, significantly exceeding several industry forecasts.

This briefing analyzes the rise of climate litigation against major fossil fuel companies, noting that 86 lawsuits have been filed, with annual filings nearly tripling since 2015. The most prevalent cases seek compensation for climate damages (38%), followed by claims of misleading advertising (16%) and demands for emissions reductions (12%). The report highlights a shift toward criminal litigation, targeting executives for 'crimes against humanity' and involuntary manslaughter, and notes a growing trend in challenging project permits and corporate directors' liability.

This report by Ember examines the potential for agrivoltaics (agri-PV)—the simultaneous use of land for solar electricity and food production—in Central Europe, specifically Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. It argues that agri-PV can enhance farmer profits, increase certain crop yields, and significantly boost renewable energy production without compromising food security.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development evaluates the progress of the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) signatories in shifting international public finance from fossil fuels to clean energy, finding that while fossil fuel funding has decreased significantly, clean energy investment has not increased at a commensurate scale.

This research paper examines the intersection of the G7's climate and energy agendas with South Africa's role as a representative for African interests. It analyzes the outcomes of the Italian G7 presidency, including the Energy for Growth in Africa Initiative and the Mattei Plan, while highlighting tensions over 'green protectionism' and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR-RC).

In the first half of 2024, wind and solar power generated 30% of the European Union's electricity, surpassing fossil fuels (27%) for the first time. This shift occurred despite a 0.7% rebound in electricity demand, driven by structural capacity growth and favorable weather conditions, leading to a 17% decline in fossil fuel generation and a 31% drop in power sector emissions compared to the first half of 2022.

This report, produced by the Climate Bonds Initiative and Peking University, examines the role of transition finance in decarbonising China's power sector. It emphasizes the necessity of credible, science-based transition plans to attract capital and avoid greenwashing, while analyzing the use of sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) and use-of-proceeds (UoP) instruments. The document provides a framework for electrical utilities to develop transition roadmaps and includes case studies of Vattenfall, Enel, and China Huaneng Group to illustrate varying levels of alignment with global standards.

This research paper by Ember analyzes draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) from EU Member States to determine if current national ambitions align with the REPowerEU plan and the Fit-for-55 package. The analysis finds that while renewable energy targets have increased significantly since 2019, the EU is still projected to fall short of its 2030 goals for renewable electricity share, solar capacity, and wind capacity.

This briefing by Ember reports that in April 2024, fossil fuels generated less than a quarter of the European Union's electricity for the first time, reaching a record low of 23%. This decline was driven by record wind and solar output and a recovery in hydropower, leading to a 22% year-on-year drop in power sector emissions for that month.

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity generation trends in 2023 across solar, wind, coal, gas, hydro, nuclear, and bioenergy. It highlights record growth in solar and wind, a slight increase in coal generation driven by droughts in China, and the gap between current growth rates and the IEA Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenario requirements.

The report 'Making clean power flexy' by Ember argues that clean flexibility—specifically battery storage and demand side flexibility (DSF)—is essential to integrate the rapid growth of wind and solar power in the European Union and phase out fossil fuel 'peakers'. It highlights a significant gap in national policy targets for these technologies despite projections that EU flexibility needs will double by 2030.

The Boom and Bust Coal 2024 report by Global Energy Monitor analyzes global coal power capacity trends, highlighting a net increase in operating capacity in 2023 driven primarily by China, despite a general global decline in new construction starts outside of China.

The April 2024 report by Global Energy Monitor and partners reveals that while global coal capacity reached a record 2,130 GW in 2023, there is a stark divide: China continues to expand its fleet, while most other countries are reducing new construction. The report highlights that only 15% of operational capacity has retirement plans aligned with the 1.5°C goal. Regional analysis shows significant progress in the EU and UK, stability in Sub-Saharan Africa (dominated by South Africa), and a lack of new projects in the MENA region.

This report, published by Global Energy Monitor and a coalition of partners, tracks global coal-fired power plant capacity as of April 2024. It highlights a paradoxical trend where global coal capacity reached record highs in 2023, driven primarily by China, despite a general decline in new coal construction in the rest of the world and increasing phase-out commitments.