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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.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics argues that transitioning to zero-carbon electricity grids powered by wind and solar is technically and economically feasible. It debunks common myths regarding the need for fossil fuel backups and grid overloading, highlighting that stability can be achieved through flexibility solutions, digitalisation, and cross-border interconnectors. The document provides real-world examples from countries like Denmark, Portugal, and Namibia, while noting that insufficient investment in grid infrastructure remains a primary obstacle to a faster global rollout.

This briefing examines the current state and potential of carbon capture and storage (CCS), noting that the vast majority of operational projects are linked to the oil and gas industry, specifically for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). While CCS is presented as a tool for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like cement and steel, the document highlights significant challenges including high costs, inconsistent capture rates, and the risk that the technology is used to prolong fossil fuel extraction.

This research paper by the Africa Policy Research Institute analyzes the outcomes of COP 28 in Dubai, assessing how the agreements and financial commitments align with the priorities of African nations and civil society organizations. It evaluates progress on the Loss and Damage fund, adaptation finance, the transition away from fossil fuels, and food system resilience, concluding that while historic agreements were reached, the scale of financial commitments remains insufficient to meet Africa's urgent climate needs.

This research paper examines the role of sub-national authorities in managing transboundary climate risks using case studies from Norway, France, and Germany. It argues that while the central role of local authorities in these risks is an open question, excluding them in favor of purely national management may create conflicts with local adaptation efforts. The authors advocate for multi-level governance partnerships and clear national mandates regarding the role of sub-national actors.

This research paper examines the challenges and expectations of municipalities in four Nordic countries regarding the development and use of consumption-based emission inventories to support climate action.

The fourth edition of the Production Gap Report by the Stockholm Environment Institute highlights a significant discrepancy between national net-zero promises and actual fossil fuel production plans, projecting that production in 2030 will far exceed levels consistent with global warming limits of 1.5°C and 2°C.

This policy brief from the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the role of municipalities and regional governments in strengthening carbon sinks within the context of EU LULUCF regulations, specifically highlighting the challenges and opportunities in forested nations.

This policy brief analyzes consumption-based emission estimation in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. It highlights that while territorial tracking is standard, consumption-based approaches are necessary to address embodied emissions from global supply chains and food production. Key barriers include data collection challenges and a lack of detailed guidance in the Greenhouse Gas Protocol for cities (GPC).

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) and the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (CPI/PUC-Rio) quantifies and characterizes climate finance flows for land use in Brazil from 2015 to 2020. It establishes a baseline for financial flows directed toward agriculture and forests, analyzing sources, disbursement channels, and climate objectives to identify gaps and increase transparency in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The Nordic countries have established basic adaptation policy cycles but lack the comprehensive monitoring and risk assessment systems needed to move beyond operating "in the dark," particularly regarding transboundary risks. Adaptation is characterized by a mainstreaming approach but suffers from low political priority, insufficient funding compared to mitigation, and a lack of economic incentives or penalizing measures. While there is awareness of the need for synergy with other goals like the SDGs, adaptation remains largely siloed.

This report by the Climate Bonds Initiative provides guidance for corporations and financial institutions on complying with the EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR). It details the regulation's mandatory due diligence and geolocation requirements for specific commodities, the potential future expansion of the law to include financial institutions, and the role of transition plans and third-party certifications in achieving compliance and broader sustainability goals.

This guide by Zero Carbon Analytics explains the role of heat pumps in decarbonising buildings and industry, detailing their technical operation, economic viability, and the policy barriers to their global adoption.

An analysis of 2022 EU Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) data reveals that the ten largest emitters are all coal power plants, with a high concentration of emissions in Germany and Poland. While long-term trends show a decline in coal power emissions, 2022 saw a 6% increase compared to 2021 due to the energy crisis, nuclear outages, and droughts.

This report by Ember analyses 2022 emissions data from the EU’s Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS), focusing on the power sector. It identifies a small number of coal power plants and utilities that dominate emissions in Europe, noting a temporary 3% increase in power sector emissions in 2022 driven by the energy crisis, despite a long-term downward trend in coal use.

This briefing by RMI argues that current global oil price benchmarks fail to account for the varying greenhouse gas emissions intensities of different crude oils, creating perverse market incentives. The author proposes incorporating emissions data, specifically via the Oil Climate Index plus Gas (OCI+), into benchmark pricing to reflect the true climate cost of production and encourage operators to reduce emissions.

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity source trends in 2022, detailing the growth of renewables like solar and wind, the continued dominance and record highs of coal, and the fluctuations in hydro, nuclear, gas, and bioenergy generation. It compares current trends against the IEA Net Zero Emissions scenario to highlight the growth rates required to limit global warming to 1.5C.

The Europe Gas Tracker Report 2023 by Global Energy Monitor analyzes the rapid expansion of gas infrastructure in the European Union following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The report argues that a 'gas panic' has led to uncoordinated buildouts of LNG terminals and pipelines that risk creating massive overcapacity and locking the region into fossil fuel dependency, potentially undermining the EU's climate goals under the European Climate Law and the Fit for 55 package.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative analyzes energy efficiency (EE) mechanisms for electricity-intensive consumers, comparing international experiences from the European Union, USA, China, and other nations with the current policy landscape in Brazil. It identifies direct and indirect benefits of EE, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and increased industrial competitiveness, and evaluates various regulatory, fiscal, and market-based instruments to provide recommendations for improving Brazil's energy efficiency framework.

The 'GUIDANCE NOTES: IGF Mining Policy Framework 2023' is a comprehensive guide published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) to help governments implement the Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF) Mining Policy Framework. The document provides detailed recommendations across six 'Pillars'—Laws, Policies, and Institutions; Financial Benefits; Socio-economic Benefits; Environmental Management; Post-Mining Transition; and Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining—to ensure the mining sector contributes to sustainable development and aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).