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The report concludes that the EU's demand for fossil gas and oil is in a long-term structural decline, making new production projects—especially in the Arctic—unnecessary and incompatible with 1.5°C warming limits. Analysis shows that existing production and current contracts will likely exceed EU demand by the 2030s in net-zero aligned scenarios, creating a risk of oversupply and stranded assets.

A coalition of 60 trade ministers asserts that the global trading system must move beyond "business as usual" to support the Paris Agreement. They advocate for breaking silos between trade, finance, and environment ministries to catalyze investment in clean energy, support climate-vulnerable nations, and reform the global financial system to promote net-zero trade finance and sustainable supply chains.

The report finds that many major companies rely on low-impact Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) that do not contribute to additional renewable capacity. While some are transitioning to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) or 24/7 hourly matching, global initiatives like the GHG Protocol and RE100 are criticized for providing insufficient incentives for these higher-quality strategies. Additionally, supply chain renewable electricity remains a significant gap for most assessed companies.

The research examines whether sub-national governments can effectively manage transboundary climate risks, as opposed to the traditional focus on nation-states. Through case studies in Paris, Klepp, and the Upper Rhine region, the authors find that while local authorities are interested in these risks, their capacity to lead is uncertain. However, the paper warns that leaving transboundary risk management solely to national governments may create conflicts with local adaptation measures. Consequently, the authors advocate for strong partnerships between public and private stakeholders across all levels of governance and call for national governments to explicitly define the role of sub-national authorities in managing these risks.

A study of municipality officials in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden reveals that while fewer than half actively measure consumption-based emissions, there is broad interest in doing so to identify sustainable measures toward climate neutrality. Respondents believe municipalities can influence emissions by cooperating with residents and businesses, but they require standardized methods and reliable data because many lack the resources to create independent inventories.

The report argues that CCS is essential for the EU to reach climate neutrality by 2050, noting that current deployment rates are far below required levels and that no operational CO2 storage sites currently exist within the EU. It recommends setting clear deployment targets for CCS, DACCS, and BECCS, and establishing a strategic plan to distribute storage basins across the region by 2035 to avoid over-reliance on the North Sea. To address financial barriers, the author suggests coordinating funding, using carbon contracts for difference (CfDs), and creating a dedicated tender for capture capacity. The report also emphasizes the need for a common regulatory framework for cross-border CO2 transport, the creation of an aggregation platform to match CO2 sources with sinks, and the development of market demand for near-zero carbon products. Finally, it advocates for the prioritization of permanent industrial carbon removals (DACCS and BECCS) and their gradual integration into compliance markets like the EU ETS, provided robust standards and monitoring are in place.

The analysis demonstrates that ships built or retrofitted with dual-fuel capacity for ammonia can meet or exceed EU marine sector decarbonization targets at costs equal to or lower than conventional heavy fuel oil (HFO) ships when carbon pricing is applied. A new build fully powered by ammonia can reduce lifetime emissions by 77% with a lifetime fuel cost equivalent to an HFO ship, while retrofits can reduce emissions by 41-52% at a lower overall cost. The report highlights that ammonia's viability depends on the availability of varying carbon intensities—from 'moderate CI' produced via natural gas with carbon capture to 'very low CI' produced via electrolysis—and notes that while ammonia is already handled globally, its toxicity requires purpose-built ship systems and ongoing safety validation by the IMO.

The document explains the EU's State aid control system, which generally prohibits government financial support to companies to protect the internal market unless the European Commission approves it. It details the 'State aid rulebook', including block exemptions and guidelines, and highlights the lack of systematic climate and environmental mainstreaming in these rules. The guide also outlines the procedural challenges for CSOs, who are typically treated as 'third parties' without formal standing to lodge complaints or challenge decisions in EU courts, and provides strategies for CSOs to influence State aid design and transparency.

The guide identifies key barriers to Just Transitions—including institutional capacity gaps, structural labour market vulnerabilities, and limited financing—and offers a strategic roadmap for policymakers. It argues that Just Transitions must move beyond a narrow focus on the energy sector to become a holistic, cross-ministerial strategy integrated into national development plans. Key recommendations include adopting needs-based capacity building, establishing robust social protection systems, and shifting international climate finance toward a more participatory, social-justice-oriented model.

The report outlines the activities of the Climate Story Lab Nordic 2023/2024, which supported nine climate films to develop impact strategies and narratives. It argues that storytelling is a critical infrastructure for the energy transition, capable of moving beyond scientific facts to address the emotional and existential dimensions of the climate crisis. The document provides a handbook of essays from scientists, filmmakers, and practitioners, emphasizing the need to reach the 'moveable middle' of the population and the importance of centering climate justice and local contexts in narratives. It concludes by calling for a more robust 'storytelling ecosystem' that supports independent filmmakers and challenges the influence of fossil fuel industry narratives.

The paper examines the 'petroculture' of Norway, where oil is treated as a 'sacramental substance' and a guarantor of prosperity. It analyzes how the oil industry and political actors use 'oil myths'—narratives that frame oil as a savior—to maintain social acceptance for continued extraction and to resist energy transition. The author argues that this 'petromania' creates a psychological and cultural barrier to climate action, often framing the phase-out of oil as a betrayal of national identity and the workers who built the nation's wealth.

The document examines how climate change acts as a 'threat multiplier' that exacerbates gender-based violence (GBV) by interacting with existing structural vulnerabilities and gender power dynamics. It highlights that women and gender minorities face distinct risks due to their specific labor roles, such as water collection and farming, and limited access to resources. While review articles show an increase in GBV following extreme weather events, the author notes a lack of robust quantitative data and a significant knowledge gap regarding sexual and gender minorities. The brief calls for governments to translate UN Women, Peace and Security (WPS) commitments into action through gender-sensitive disaster relief and the inclusion of marginalized groups in adaptation planning.

The report examines the rise of 'algorithmic warfare,' characterized by the fusion of AI with small satellites, robotic systems, and mobile devices. It analyzes how AI enhances the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) and situational awareness while warning of critical vulnerabilities such as 'brittleness,' lack of explainability, and the risks of relying on private-sector partnerships. The authors argue that ethical AI deployment is not only a moral necessity but a strategic advantage.

The WWF Markets Institute report outlines key surprises from 2023, including the rapid reach of AI and progress on global plastics, while highlighting systemic risks to the food system from climate change. It argues for a shift toward 'true cost' market mechanisms, the adoption of soil microbiology science, and the use of next-generation genetics to replace chemical inputs. The report emphasizes the need for better Scope 3 emissions traceability, the rehabilitation of stranded assets, and the creation of pre-competitive knowledge-sharing platforms to build global food system resilience.

Reclaim Finance asserts that the 'transitioning away from fossil fuels' agreement at COP28 must be backed by concrete action from rich countries. It calls for the EU, US, Canada, Norway, the UK, and Australia to end domestic oil and gas production, stop their financial institutions from enabling global fossil fuel expansion, and provide concessional finance for just coal retirements and renewable energy deployment in the Global South.

ClientEarth asserts that banks providing financial services to fossil fuel expanders like Saudi Aramco are contributing to climate-related human rights impacts. The organization argues that such financing violates the UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines, creating significant legal risks through emerging mandatory human rights due diligence laws and greenwashing litigation. ClientEarth proposes specific 'red-lines,' including an immediate end to financing new fossil fuel exploration and requiring clients to publish Paris-aligned transition plans by H1 2024.

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 report analyzes the impact of amine-based carbon capture retrofits at two petroleum refineries and two cement plants in California and Texas. It finds that because carbon capture systems require the removal of pollutants like sulfur dioxide and particulate matter from flue gas to operate effectively, their installation leads to significant reductions in criteria air pollutants and associated public health improvements. While the systems cause a small increase in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the combined climate and health benefits are estimated to be 1.5 to 4 times greater than the costs of the technology.

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.

The Stockholm Environment Institute warns that the EU Critical Raw Materials Act may exacerbate human rights breaches and 'green colonialism' in the Sámi homeland. While welcoming the inclusion of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and FPIC in the draft, the authors argue these are insufficient due to gaps in national legislation in Sweden and Finland, the potential for weak certification schemes, and the lack of resources for Sámi communities to engage with fast-tracked licensing. They propose an EU-level oversight mechanism, stricter certification standards requiring FPIC, and a funding mechanism to support affected rights-holders.