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The fact sheet introduces 'transition indicators' as a tool to improve the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions and national adaptation plans. Based on case studies from seven countries, the document asserts that focusing on a few tangible metrics per sector—rather than abstract CO2 targets—facilitates public dialogue, guides policy implementation, and attracts private investment. It provides specific examples of indicators for water security in India, industrial decarbonization in Germany, transport in South Korea, buildings in China, renewable energy in the Netherlands, and sustainable agriculture in Kenya and Indonesia.

Carbon Market Watch (CMW) reports an estimated 2024 GHG footprint of 39.37 tCO2eq, overshooting its retrospective annual target of 22.61 tCO2eq by 74%. The organization's emissions increased from 34.03 tCO2eq in 2023, primarily due to aviation. Scope 2 emissions, largely from remote work and office energy, are the largest source, while aviation is the second largest. CMW has fully implemented several operational policies regarding ground travel, catering, and sustainable procurement, and maintains an internal carbon levy that raised 3,543 in 2024 to support climate advocacy in the global south.

In 2023, renewables reached a record 30% of global electricity generation, driven by solar and wind. Despite this, global power sector emissions rose by 1% to a record 14,153 million tonnes of CO2, as severe droughts caused a five-year low in hydropower, forcing a reliance on coal in countries like China and India. Solar was the fastest-growing source for the 19th consecutive year, while OECD countries continued to see falling emissions. Ember forecasts that 2023 marked the peak of power sector emissions, with a decline expected in 2024 as clean generation growth is projected to outpace electricity demand.

The 2024 state of global environmental governance is characterized by a 'polycrisis' of geopolitical tension, climate disasters, and economic instability. While some progress was made in Indigenous Peoples' participation and the establishment of the Cali Fund for biodiversity, major negotiations on plastic pollution and chemicals failed to reach landmarks. Climate finance remains a central point of contention, with the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) of USD 300 billion per year by 2035 falling short of developing countries' expectations. The report highlights a growing trend of environmental litigation at global courts and the persistent challenge of 'siloed' governance, where the three Rio Conventions operate independently despite the interconnected nature of climate, biodiversity, and land degradation.

The report analyzes the fragmented ecosystem of AI audits, distinguishing between organizational conformity assessments and academic performance evaluations. It details the roles of internal, external, and community auditors, the methodologies used—such as input variation and benchmarking—and the current state of enforceable regulations in the US, Canada, EU, UK, and China. The document argues for a more diverse, trustworthy audit ecosystem with better data access and a focus on global impacts, including environmental and labor concerns, to move beyond 'null compliance'.

The report analyzes how Russian propaganda has shifted from official state media to semi-covert tactics to bypass EU sanctions, while maintaining significant reach in the MENA region and Latin America. It identifies key vulnerabilities in the Western alliance—including economic stagnation in Germany, US isolationism, and the rise of far-right parties in the EU—that the Kremlin is likely to exploit. Additionally, it examines how Russia instrumentalizes the Israel-Hamas conflict to portray Western 'double standards' and promote a multipolar world order.

The 'Business Action Checklists' by the We Mean Business Coalition offers a practical framework for companies to decarbonize core operations within two to five years. It focuses on three primary areas: logistics, fleet management, and business travel, providing step-by-step guidance from initial energy measurement and auditing to the implementation of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and sustainable travel policies. The document emphasizes a 'start now, improve over time' approach, prioritizing the reduction of energy demand and the continuous improvement of data quality to manage transition risks and enhance competitiveness.

Türkiye has a rooftop solar technical potential of at least 120 GW, which could meet 45% of the country's 2022 electricity consumption. Despite this potential, solar's share of generation lags behind northern European countries. The report highlights that expanding rooftop solar could reduce residential electricity subsidies, which totaled approximately $3.6 billion from September 2022 to August 2023, and help industries avoid EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) penalties. It recommends implementing installation obligations for new buildings and adopting virtual net metering for apartments, drawing on successful global examples from China, Poland, and the Netherlands.

The author contends that current climate policies often fail because they do not address carbon inequalities or provide immediate economic relief, making them vulnerable to far-right populist rhetoric. The text proposes a 'post-growth' approach that prioritizes human well-being over profit and advocates for a 'militant' green-red alliance. A central practical solution highlighted is the use of energy communities—not-for-profit entities that allow citizens and municipalities to co-own renewable energy projects—to democratize energy production and reduce costs for vulnerable households. The author calls for the redirection of fossil fuel subsidies toward clean heating and the implementation of structural investments in deep renovations and electric mobility to prevent regressive social effects from policies like the expanded Emissions Trading System.

The IISD welcomes the launch of a new coalition for fossil fuel subsidy (FFS) reform at COP 28, which aims to increase transparency, evaluate barriers to reform, and develop national phase-out strategies. However, the IISD warns that public financial support for fossil fuels reached a record USD 1.7 trillion in 2022 and notes that only 16 countries have included FFS reform in their current nationally determined contributions (NDCs). To ensure success, the IISD recommends establishing a 2025 deadline for FFS removal in OECD countries and 2030 for non-OECD countries, reinvesting savings into just transition programs, and avoiding narrow definitions of subsidies that have historically delayed action.

The author contends that the global food system requires a transformation focused on 'moving the bottom'—the least efficient 10-20% of producers who generate 60-80% of environmental impacts while producing only 5-10% of the product. The text asserts that improving these producers is the only way to achieve absolute reductions of 50% in food's overall footprint and 80% in food-related GHG emissions. This shift would require governments to mandate a 'license to operate' based on resource limits and could be supported by more responsible producers providing technical or financial assistance. The document emphasizes that incremental change is insufficient and that urgent action is needed to protect biodiversity, soil health, and the climate.

Bavaria currently has 2.6 GW of installed wind capacity, but the report finds that reducing the minimum distance between turbines and residences to 800 metres could increase this capacity nearly sixfold to 15 GW. Such an expansion would generate 22 TWh of electricity, accounting for 22% of Germany's onshore wind power and allowing Bavaria to reduce its annual gas consumption by 27%. The report highlights that the current '10H rule'—requiring a distance ten times the turbine's height—has stalled project permitting, and suggests that adopting more flexible distance rules, similar to those recently implemented in Poland, would enhance energy sovereignty and save billions in gas costs.

The EU aims to import 10 million tons of renewable hydrogen by 2030 to decarbonize heavy industry and transport, as domestic production is expected to fall short of demand. The report identifies the US Gulf Coast, Australia, and other regions with low renewable energy costs as key potential suppliers. To activate this trade, the EU needs to invest in port infrastructure (ammonia terminals and crackers), clarify certification schemes, and provide €15 billion to €20 billion in public support to offset green premiums over blue hydrogen. While Northwest Europe will rely heavily on imports, Southern Europe (Spain and Portugal) is expected to become more self-sufficient by the mid-2030s.

The document examines the disproportionate impact of climate change on African youth and their subsequent rise in activism. It highlights the gap between youth demographics and political leadership in Africa, the specific climate vulnerabilities in countries like Nigeria and Sudan, and the systemic barriers activists face, including financial constraints and state repression. The author calls for the establishment of youth councils, dedicated funding, and protection mechanisms to ensure young people can shape climate-resilient policies.

The document outlines ten principles for coal retirement mechanisms (CRMs), emphasizing the immediate cessation of coal expansion, the replacement of lost power with sustainable renewables, and the use of concessional financing in developing countries. It argues that CRMs must avoid emissions leakage, carbon offsets, and retrofitting delays while ensuring transparency and the remediation of social and environmental harms.

The brief provides scientific and legal arguments to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, asserting that the climate emergency constitutes a threat to fundamental human rights. It emphasizes that States have a positive obligation to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions based on the best available science, specifically the 1.5°C target. The document argues that this duty includes regulating 'Carbon Majors' and avoiding 'false solutions' like carbon offsetting and unproven geoengineering, which may undermine genuine decarbonization. It concludes that failure to take effective, science-based action violates the rights to life, health, and a healthy environment, particularly for marginalized groups and future generations.

The analysis by Ember and Initiative Klimaneutrales Deutschland finds that Bavaria's wind energy capacity could be significantly increased by relaxing the '10H' distance rule. Reducing the minimum distance to 800 meters could increase capacity to 15 GW, allowing the state to replace 14 TWh of gas-based electricity generation and reduce annual gas consumption by 28 TWh, potentially saving between 1.3 billion and 3.4 billion euros annually.

The briefing analyzes the relationship between gas dependency, electricity prices, and inflation in the EU from 2021 to 2023. It finds that gas-based marginal pricing drives electricity costs and energy inflation, while renewable energy and energy efficiency can lower and stabilize these prices. The authors contend that the ECB's current broad interest rate hikes hinder the capital-intensive investments needed for this transition, potentially undermining the bank's own price stability mandate. They recommend targeted monetary policy to support the energy transition.

The report finds that ADNOC's climate strategy is not aligned with a 1.5°C pathway, characterized by significant oil and gas expansion and insufficient transparency. ADNOC has the highest absolute short-term expansion overshooting the IEA NZE scenario worldwide, with 8,343 mmboe from fields with Final Investment Decisions (FID) after 2021. The company plans to increase crude oil production capacity by 25% between 2020 and 2027 and intends to expand its LNG capacity through new terminals in the UAE, India, and the Netherlands. Low-carbon investments represent only 10% of its 2023-27 CAPEX, and renewables are projected to make up less than 7% of its energy mix by 2030. Furthermore, ADNOC lacks scope 3 emission targets and does not provide detailed financial statements or production forecasts for 2030, hindering a full assessment of its transition risks.

The report examines the vulnerability of global trade infrastructure to climate change, highlighting that maritime, land-based, and air transport are all exposed to acute and slow-onset hazards. It identifies critical 'chokepoints' in global supply chains, particularly for food and raw materials, and notes that current adaptation efforts by governments and businesses are insufficient. The document argues for a systemic, global approach to climate-proofing trade infrastructure to prevent catastrophic economic losses and support the low-carbon transition.