Search Climate Insights Directory

The Europe Gas Tracker Report 2024 by Global Energy Monitor analyzes the ongoing expansion of gas infrastructure in Europe. Despite a decrease in gas demand and a shift toward renewables, the region continues to plan and build LNG terminals and pipelines, which the report argues creates significant financial risk, environmental damage, and infrastructure overcapacity.

Friends of the Earth International issues a statement criticizing the proposed EU-Mercosur trade agreement, arguing that it prioritizes corporate interests over human rights, environmental sustainability, and local economies. The organization highlights opposition from both Latin American social movements and European farmers, while calling for a shift in global trade policies during the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference.

Stora Enso is transitioning from a declining paper business to a renewable materials company, targeting the food and building sectors. Through partnerships with entities like Tetra Pak and the creation of innovation accelerators, the company aims to derive 15% of its revenue from new products. While it has successfully launched recycling infrastructure in Poland and developed sustainable alternatives to plastics, it continues to face financial pressures and the challenge of scaling niche products for mainstream adoption.

This report by Ember analyzes the technical potential for rooftop solar expansion in Türkiye, estimating that the country could install at least 120 GW of capacity, which would meet 45% of its 2022 electricity consumption. The study identifies significant opportunities in residential and industrial sectors to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and lower the fiscal burden of electricity subsidies.

This report by Ember analyzes the underreporting of coal mine methane (CMM) emissions, finding that global emissions may be up to twice as high as government figures reported to the UNFCCC. It highlights systemic failures in monitoring, noting that 97% of reported emissions rely on general emission factors rather than direct measurement, and recommends mandatory direct monitoring, satellite verification, and international support for low-income countries to mitigate this potent greenhouse gas.

The report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) analyzes global coal mining employment and the necessity of a 'just transition' for workers. Using a new dataset from the Global Coal Mine Tracker, GEM estimates that nearly 2.7 million people are directly employed at operating coal mines. The report warns that hundreds of thousands of jobs are at risk due to planned mine closures by 2035 and 2050, regardless of climate policies, and that significantly more layoffs would occur if the world adheres to 1.5°C and 2°C warming scenarios.

The Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights 2023 report by Ember analyses global electricity generation from January to June 2023. It finds that global power sector emissions plateaued, increasing by only 0.2%, as significant growth in wind and solar was offset by a historic decline in hydropower generation caused by droughts.

This research paper examines the evolution of multilateralism through the lens of relations between the European Union (EU) and the BRICS grouping (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), particularly against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The author argues that a 'structural disjuncture' exists between the EU's preference for bilateral strategic partnerships and BRICS' pursuit of an inclusive, South-South multilateral model that challenges Western-led global governance and economic norms.

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 report by Ember proposes an ambitious wind and solar expansion plan for Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries to improve energy security and lower electricity prices. Using the PyPSA-CEE model, the study argues that accelerating renewables deployment could reduce wholesale power prices by 29% and make the region electricity self-sufficient by 2030.

This report analyzes the 2022 activities of United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies (HRTBs) regarding state obligations in the context of climate change. It tracks the increasing frequency of climate-related recommendations in state review processes and examines specific trends in mitigation, fossil fuel regulation, adaptation, and the protection of vulnerable groups, including Indigenous Peoples and persons with disabilities.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law and the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights analyzes the 2022 activities of seven UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies (HRTBs) regarding climate change. It documents an increase in climate-related references in State reporting procedures and highlights key developments in General Comments and individual communications, specifically the landmark Billy et al. v. Australia case.

The report 'Weathering the winter' by Ember analyzes the EU power system's performance from October 2022 to March 2023. It finds that a combination of record renewable generation and significant reductions in electricity demand prevented a predicted return to coal and gas, resulting in the lowest winter power sector emissions on record.

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.

Ember analyzes loopholes in the EU methane regulation that could lead to an additional 2.2 million tonnes of methane emissions by 2050. The report highlights that coal mines are the largest energy sector methane source in the EU, dominated by Polish operations, and argues that tightening venting thresholds and prioritizing the closure of high-methane mines are cost-effective ways to meet climate goals.

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 briefing by Ember argues that the European Union's Fit-for-55 renewable energy target of 40% for 2030 is outdated due to the rapid acceleration of clean technology deployment. Based on industry forecasts for solar, heat pumps, and electric vehicles, the analysis suggests the EU is currently on course to reach a 45% renewable energy share by 2030, with the potential to reach 50% if policy and financial support are strengthened.

This fact sheet by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the state of energy markets one year after the invasion of Ukraine, detailing the European Union's rapid reduction of Russian gas imports, the acceleration of the global energy transition toward renewables, and the financial impacts of energy sanctions on Russia and high fuel prices on global consumers.