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This report by Ember analyzes the declining role of gas in the global electricity mix as of 2025, noting that gas share has fallen for five consecutive years. The analysis highlights that while global gas generation has not yet peaked in absolute terms, its growth has slowed significantly as renewables increasingly meet new electricity demand, particularly in the G7 and large emerging economies.

In 2025, record solar and wind growth met 99% of global electricity demand increases, causing fossil fuel generation to decline for the first time since 2020. Renewables surpassed coal as a share of global electricity generation for the first time in a century, reaching 33.8%.

This briefing from RMI and the New Energy Industrial Strategy (NEIS) Center analyzes the global energy crisis triggered by the US-Iran war. It argues that while governments are currently relying on short-term fixes like strategic reserves and subsidies, the crisis provides an opportunity to accelerate the transition to clean energy, electrification, and efficiency to reduce long-term vulnerability to volatile global fuel markets.

The Türkiye Electricity Review 2026 by Ember analyzes Türkiye's electricity generation in 2025, highlighting a rapid shift toward wind and solar energy, which reached a record 22% share. Despite this growth, coal remains the primary power source at 34%, with a significant reliance on imports. The report also details the economic impact of drought on hydropower and Türkiye's substantial battery storage project pipeline.

This research paper by Jakkie Cilliers of the Institute for Security Studies argues that the UN Security Council (UNSC) is losing legitimacy and effectiveness because its structure is out of step with current geopolitical realities. The author highlights the dysfunction caused by the dominance of the five permanent members (P5) and the need for reform to address 21st-century security threats, including cybercrime, AI, and regional conflicts in Africa and the Middle East.

This research paper by Jakkie Cilliers outlines the legal mechanisms for amending the UN Charter to reform the UN Security Council and warns that the high threshold for ratification threatens the legitimacy of the entire UN system.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies examines how Africa's health and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) trajectories will impact global development, security, and economic stability. It highlights the potential for a demographic dividend if health outcomes improve, while warning that fragile health systems and climate-linked vulnerabilities could increase global pandemic risks and drive migration toward Europe and the Middle East.

A report by Zero Carbon Analytics explains how conflict in the Middle East is triggering an energy crisis in Bangladesh due to its heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, particularly those passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The document details the resulting fiscal strain, industrial disruptions, and the systemic risks of delaying a transition to renewable energy.

This briefing by Ember analyzes the impact of a March 2026 energy shock caused by conflict in the Middle East, which led to spikes in European gas prices and increased fossil import costs. The document highlights how varying levels of reliance on gas for electricity generation across EU member states create disparate levels of exposure to price volatility, arguing that reducing gas dependency is the only effective way to build resilience against such shocks.

This report by Ember analyzes the impact of a March 2026 escalation of conflict in the Middle East on European energy prices. It highlights how the resulting spike in gas prices increased the EU's fossil import bill and electricity costs, while demonstrating that countries with lower reliance on gas-fired power, such as Spain, are more resilient to such shocks.

The steel industry, responsible for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, faces a critical need for decarbonization as demand is projected to rise 39% by 2050. While integrated blast furnaces (BF-BOF) dominate production, the report identifies Hydrogen-DRI as the only current net-zero commercial technology, though it struggles with high costs and hydrogen availability. The authors propose a three-pronged innovation strategy: 'Make Less' (circularity and alternative materials), 'Make Better' (retrofitting and improving DRI), and 'Make New' (disruptive low-temperature and modular furnaces). To overcome capital intensity, the report suggests startups target high-margin niche products like high-purity iron and monetize industrial waste streams to gain commercial traction.

This report by RMI examines the decarbonization of the cement and concrete sector, which contributes nearly 8 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. It outlines a strategic framework for innovation categorized as "Make Less," "Make Better," and "Make New," while highlighting the funding gap and the necessity of updating prescriptive industry standards to performance-based specifications to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon materials.

The Global Landscape of Climate Finance 2025 summary handout reports that global climate finance reached a record USD 1.9 trillion in 2023, driven largely by private sector growth. Despite this increase, a significant gap remains between current flows and the investment needed to meet global climate goals, with mitigation finance dominating the landscape while adaptation finance saw a decline in 2023.

The chemicals industry, a $4.7 trillion sector responsible for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is at a critical juncture for decarbonization. RMI and Third Derivative identify three primary innovation pathways: 'Make Less' (circularity), 'Make Better' (process efficiency), and 'Make New' (defossilized production). Despite the potential for near-zero emissions, the sector is undercapitalized, with only 3% of climate tech VC investment going to chemicals and plastics. Startups are navigating high capital costs and a 60% drop in clean industry investment in 2024 by leveraging non-dilutive funding, strategic partnerships with incumbents, and targeted certifications to access premium markets.

This report by RMI examines the potential for integrating electrochemical carbon removal (CDR) technologies into coastal desalination value chains. It identifies synergies between desalination processes—such as the use of brine as a feedstock and shared pumping infrastructure—and the potential for these integrations to mitigate the environmental impacts of brine discharge while contributing to global climate goals.

This briefing by RMI argues for the establishment of a standardized near-zero emissions threshold for iron production to stimulate investment and trade in decarbonized steel. It proposes a threshold of 350 kgCO2e/t iron and suggests implementing a 'book and claim' market mechanism to connect corporate buyers with clean iron producers, overcoming the complexities of multi-tiered supply chains.

A report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and Friends of the Earth US analyzing the risks and geographic scope of marine geoengineering technologies, arguing that these speculative interventions threaten all ocean basins and distract from fossil fuel phaseout.

This research paper examines how artificial intelligence (AI) can drive economic growth, enhance security, and foster international cooperation among the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). It argues that while AI cooperation is currently nascent, it can help these nations challenge Western dominance in technology and governance, provided they align their diverse regulatory approaches and address challenges like job displacement and economic imbalances.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines ambition benchmarks for the third generation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) due in 2025. It argues that to align with the 1.5 °C target, countries must commit to tripling renewable energy capacity, phasing out fossil fuel production, and eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, while ensuring a just and equitable transition.

This executive summary from the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes international development funding for outdoor air quality projects from 2018 to 2022. It highlights a chronic underfunding of clean air efforts, which represent only 1% of total international development funding, and notes a significant imbalance in funding distribution and a reliance on loans over grants.