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In 2025, global coal capacity increased by 3.5% while generation fell by 0.6%, reflecting a trend where coal plants are increasingly used as backup reserves rather than primary energy sources. This divergence is most acute in China and India, where record capacity additions coexist with falling generation due to the rise of wind and solar power. While the number of countries proposing new coal projects declined from 38 to 32, political interventions in the US and EU delayed planned retirements. Regionally, Latin America reported no new projects, while Russia and Kazakhstan continue to integrate coal into their long-term energy security strategies despite international financing constraints and sanctions.

The report examines the 'electrotech fast-track' for 74 Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) nations, arguing that rapid cost declines in solar, batteries, and electric end-use technologies allow these countries to bypass the 'fossil detour'. It highlights that 46% of CVF nations, by electricity demand, have already surpassed the US in solar penetration. The document details how solar is now less capital-intensive than fossil fuels and how decentralized solar-battery systems are becoming cheaper than grid extension for remote areas. It further argues that transitioning to electrotech reduces the $155 billion annual fossil fuel import drain and leverages CVF nations' strategic assets in critical minerals and manufacturing to gain geopolitical influence.

The report examines how national investment laws handle dispute prevention, management, and settlement (DPMS). It finds that while most laws include DPMS provisions—particularly in Africa and Asia—the use of international arbitration, especially through 'advance consent,' exposes states to significant financial risks. The authors advocate for prioritizing national courts and non-adjudicative mechanisms, providing a structured framework for states to reform their investment laws based on specific national policy problems rather than generic international standards.

The report examines how national investment laws handle the prevention, management, and settlement of disputes between investors and states. Based on an analysis of 167 laws, it finds that while dispute resolution is a common feature—particularly in Africa and Asia—the use of international arbitration and 'prior consent' clauses exposes states to significant financial and regulatory risks. The authors argue that states should prioritize national courts and administrative reviews over parallel arbitration systems and strongly recommend against including unilateral prior consent to international arbitration in national legislation.

The analysis finds that a sustainable tourism pathway for Geopark Teskei, based on nature-based infrastructure and ecosystem protection, generates USD 250 million in net benefits over 25 years, significantly outperforming the USD 17.6 million generated by conventional mass tourism. This shift increases net benefits per tourist from USD 7.90 to USD 113 and provides a return of USD 8.88 for every USD 1 invested. Key economic drivers include a transition to higher-value visitors and the avoidance of USD 31.9 million in environmental and infrastructure costs through improved waste and wastewater management.

The Glaciers to Farms (G2F) Program is a 10-year, multi-sectoral adaptation initiative designed to address the impacts of glacial retreat and water insecurity in Central and West Asia. Requesting USD 250 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to leverage a total of USD 3.5 billion, the program integrates science-based risk planning, investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, capacity building for agricultural MSMEs, and a regional knowledge platform. It targets 13.6 million direct beneficiaries and 31.5 million indirect beneficiaries, focusing on the Naryn, Pyanj, Kura-Aras, and Swat river basins. Key interventions include multi-hazard early warning systems, nature-based solutions for watershed restoration, and the development of innovative finance mechanisms like sustainability-linked bonds.

The document highlights the risks of planning water and energy sectors in isolation, particularly as climate change increases water stress and impacts hydropower. It proposes the combined use of the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) and Water Evaluation and Adaptation Planning (WEAP) tools, alongside macroeconomic modelling, to identify trade-offs and synergies. Case studies in Rwanda and Central Asia illustrate how this integrated approach can prevent GDP losses and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The brief further suggests that such integration helps countries align their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) to optimize limited climate finance.

The Water Evaluation and Adaptation Planning (WEAP) platform is a scenario-based modelling tool used in 190 countries to integrate supply- and demand-side perspectives for water resilience. It enables users to simulate climate-driven scenarios, evaluate adaptation strategies such as infrastructure upgrades and demand management, and analyze trade-offs at the water-energy-food nexus through integration with the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) and macroeconomic models. WEAP supports both top-down and locally led initiatives across various scales, from local watersheds to transboundary river basins.

The document outlines a structured approach to biodiversity monitoring, emphasizing the need for early planning and the selection of appropriate indicators based on project goals. It categorizes projects into four types—target-based, area-based, co-benefit, and restoration—and details various monitoring methods ranging from direct observation to advanced technologies like eDNA and AI. The guide highlights the importance of baselines, the distinction between correlation and causation, and the role of diverse actors, including rangers and citizen scientists, in data collection.

The guide outlines a framework for sustainable linear infrastructure (LI) development in snow leopard habitats, emphasizing the mitigation hierarchy—avoid, minimize, mitigate, restore, and offset. It details strategies across the project life cycle, from policy development and spatial planning to construction and maintenance, to reduce habitat fragmentation, wildlife-vehicle collisions, and other ecological disturbances. The document highlights critical knowledge gaps regarding snow leopard-specific crossing structures and calls for multidisciplinary collaboration and inclusive community consultation to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services.

A study by World Weather Attribution found that human-induced climate change made a March 2025 heatwave in Central Asia approximately 4 °C hotter and three times more likely. The event saw temperatures exceeding 30 °C even at 1000m altitude, affecting regions including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The analysis notes that climate models underestimate the recent increase in March temperatures, meaning the reported influence of climate change is a conservative estimate. The heatwave coincided with critical agricultural periods, such as the sowing of spring wheat in Kazakhstan and the flowering of export fruit crops, potentially impacting yields in a region where agriculture employs up to 50% of the workforce.

The document details how GHE leverages tourism and corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding to install decentralized solar micro-grids in remote Himalayan villages in Ladakh. These projects provide clean energy to homes, schools, and health centers, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving living standards. Key outcomes include the electrification of 94 villages in Ladakh, the training of over 200 women as entrepreneurs and solar technicians, and the mitigation of over 230,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The model emphasizes community ownership, where households eventually take over operations and maintenance, and integrates livelihood support through homestays and traditional handicrafts.

In 2024, global coal power reached a 20-year low in new capacity additions (44 GW), though the total global fleet still grew by 18.8 GW. While the EU27 saw a fourfold increase in decommissioned capacity and the UK closed its last coal plant, China saw record construction starts (94 GW) and India proposed record new capacity (38 GW). Russia has emerged as a leading developer of new coal projects, ranking fifth globally for development capacity, with plans focused on Siberia and the Far East to support energy demand and the domestic coal industry.

The report finds a significant gap between renewable energy targets and actual projects in development across the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) region. While six CCA countries have targets totaling 43 GW of renewable additions by 2030–2040, only 30 GW are in development, leaving a 13 GW deficit. Fossil fuel expansion remains dominant, with more than three times as much fossil capacity under construction (11.8 GW of oil and gas plus coal) as wind and utility-scale solar (3.5 GW). Azerbaijan, the COP29 host, is highlighted for limited ambition, with no wind or solar projects in development beyond 2027, calling into question its commitment to a 30% renewable share by 2030.

The report finds that in the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) region, fossil fuel capacity under construction is more than three times that of wind and utility-scale solar. While non-fossil projects (including hydropower and nuclear) have a larger total pipeline, they suffer from long lead times and lower construction rates. Most CCA countries are failing to meet their renewable energy targets, with a 13 GW deficit in development across six countries. COP29 host Azerbaijan is highlighted for having a limited pipeline of renewables beyond 2027, calling into question its climate leadership.

The SAP002 project, implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP), focuses on improving climate resilience in the Naryn, Osh, and Batken regions of Kyrgyzstan. As of June 2024, 48% of planned activities have been completed, including the installation of eight Automatic Weather Stations and the training of nearly 9,000 farmers in climate-resilient practices. While the project has successfully increased food security and improved access to drinking water in some areas, it has faced delays due to high staff turnover in government agencies and technical team instability. The evaluation highlights a significant paradigm shift in community awareness of climate change, though a majority of beneficiaries remain unwilling to pay for localized climate services.

The report identifies that buildings account for up to 70-80% of collective emissions from buildings, transport, and waste in secondary cities of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. While both nations have introduced energy efficiency targets—Uzbekistan aiming for a 50% improvement in overall economy energy efficiency by 2030 and Kazakhstan targeting a 15% reduction in energy intensity by 2029—implementation is hindered by significant energy subsidies (up to 50% for residential buildings) and a lack of technical capacity. The document maps 12 international entities providing project preparation support and proposes 12 recommendations to address gaps in data, awareness, institutional coordination, and dedicated financial instruments.

The E-Mobility Program seeks 169.92 million USD from the Green Climate Fund to leverage a total investment of 454.4 million USD for the transition to zero-emission urban mobility. The program focuses on the large-scale deployment of battery electric buses (BEBs), the integration of non-motorized transport (NMT), and the implementation of ecosystem-based adaptation measures to increase the resilience of urban transport infrastructure against flooding and extreme heat. It targets a total GHG emission reduction of 11,415,080 tCO2eq over the asset lifetime and aims to benefit approximately 3.68 million people.

In 2023, global coal capacity reached a record 2130 GW, driven largely by China, despite a decline in new construction starts outside China. While 101 countries have committed to avoiding new coal, significant pre-construction pipelines remain in China and India. Central Asia is identified as a region moving against the global trend, with proposed coal capacity reaching 45% of its current operational capacity, led by Kazakhstan.

The report analyzes gender disparities in seven Asian countries, focusing on national policies, economic opportunities, human development, and the transport sector. It identifies systemic barriers such as lower labor force participation, wage gaps, and limited access to private vehicle ownership for women. A critical finding is the prevalence of sexual harassment in public transport, particularly in Georgia and Indonesia. The document argues that the transition to e-mobility offers an opportunity to challenge sex-segregated occupations and improve women's access to jobs and loans. It recommends integrating gender strategies into investment projects to enhance safety and promote women's entrepreneurship in the e-transport market.