Search Climate Insights Directory

A case study on the economic transition of Wałbrzych, Poland, following the rapid closure of its coal mines in the mid-1990s. The document highlights how a lack of proactive planning led to severe unemployment and poverty, while later efforts through special economic zones and EU investments have provided a path toward recovery and a low-carbon economy.

This World Resources Institute fact sheet describes the European Union's Just Transition Mechanism, a financial and technical framework designed to support EU member states in phasing out high-emissions activities, particularly coal, while mitigating socio-economic disruption.

This briefing by Ember analyzes energy scenarios from the UK, EU, and US, identifying a consensus that achieving zero-carbon electricity by the 2030s is a critical milestone for meeting 2050 net-zero targets. The report details the necessary phase-out of coal and gas, the required acceleration of wind and solar deployment, and the role of system flexibility and low-carbon firm power.

The 2020 global coal power landscape was characterized by a sharp increase in capacity in China, which offset declines elsewhere and led to the first global increase in coal capacity since 2015. While the US and EU saw record closures, China's provincial governments accelerated coal projects as economic stimulants. Conversely, several Southeast Asian and South Asian nations began canceling planned projects due to financing difficulties and shifting policies.

This report by Global Energy Monitor and partners analyzes global coal power plant trends in 2020, highlighting a stark divergence between China's rapid expansion and a general global decline. While many countries in the US, EU, and Southeast Asia are decommissioning plants or canceling new projects due to financial pressures and climate goals, China's surge in new capacity offset global reductions, leading to a net increase in global coal capacity for the first time since 2015.

The report analyzes the EU power sector in 2020, highlighting a landmark moment where renewables generated 38% of electricity, overtaking fossil-fired generation for the first time. While coal generation saw a significant decline, the report notes that the transition speed remains insufficient to meet 2030 and 2050 climate targets, partly due to the persistence of gas generation and a record drop in nuclear output.

This policy brief by the NewClimate Institute discusses the opportunities and risks associated with the thermal modernization of buildings in Poland, emphasizing the need for better monitoring of financial flows to effectively utilize EU funding from the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

This report by Agora Energiewende and Ember analyzes the European power sector in 2020, highlighting a milestone where renewables overtook fossil fuels as the primary source of electricity for the first time in the EU.

The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2021 evaluates 57 of the world's highest greenhouse gas emitters, finding that no single country is currently on a path compliant with the Paris Agreement goals. While the European Union improved its ranking to 16th place, the report highlights a stark divide between leading nations and G20 members like the USA, Saudi Arabia, and Russia, who are rated 'very low'.

An analysis of European electricity generation in October 2020, showing that zero-carbon sources—driven by favorable weather and recovering nuclear output—outpaced fossil fuels as the primary power source.

This report by Ember analyzes the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of EU countries to assess the trajectory of the EU power sector toward 2030. It finds that while renewable energy is expected to grow, the EU is not on track to meet the European Commission's recommended 55% emissions reduction target due to slow fossil fuel phase-outs and insufficient wind and solar deployment, particularly in seven specific member states.

This report by Ember analyzes methane emissions from Poland's coal mining sector in 2018, highlighting that Poland was responsible for 70% of methane leaks from operational coal mines in Europe. The document quantifies the climate impact of these leaks, identifies the primary corporate emitters, and proposes six solutions to reduce emissions, including legislative action from the European Commission and the inclusion of methane in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme by 2030.

This report by Ember analyzes methane emissions from Polish coal mines in 2018, highlighting that Poland accounted for 70% of methane leaks from active coal mines in Europe. The document argues that these emissions have a more significant climate impact than the CO2 emissions from the Bełchatów Power Plant and identifies specific companies and mines responsible for the majority of these leaks, while proposing six policy solutions to reduce emissions.

This policy brief examines how the European Union (EU) Green Deal operationalizes the concept of 'just transition' through a territorial approach. It analyzes the use of the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM) to engage subnational carbon-intensive regions, aiming to bypass national-level political resistance to carbon neutrality by 2050. The author identifies several risks, including the potential for national governments to block funding, the lack of monitoring for vulnerable groups, and the need for the EU to address the global geopolitical impacts of decarbonization on fossil fuel-producing countries.

This report by Ember analyzes monthly electricity generation data in Europe, noting that EU electricity demand nearly returned to 2019 levels by August 2020, which contributed to a rise in coal generation.

Globalworth Real Estate Investments issued a EUR400m inaugural green bond on 29 July 2020 to finance green buildings and energy efficiency projects. The bond, part of a EUR1.5bn programme, was oversubscribed by more than 2x. Globalworth is a REIT focused on assets in Poland and Romania with a portfolio valued at over EUR3bn in 2019.

In the first half of 2020, renewable electricity generation exceeded fossil fuel generation for the first time in the EU-27, driven by new installations, favorable weather, and a COVID-19-related drop in electricity demand.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment within the mining sector. It examines immediate disruptions to labor and supply chains, the varying risks across the mining lifecycle, and the short-term responses from governments and corporations. The document concludes with strategic recommendations to build long-term resilience through automation, local procurement, and updated regulatory frameworks.

An analysis of preliminary 2019 emissions data from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), highlighting a significant decline in power sector emissions driven by the collapse of coal power and the emergence of steel plants as primary emitters in several countries.

The 2020 Global Electricity Review by Ember analyzes global electricity generation changes in 2019, highlighting a record 3% fall in global coal-fired generation and a corresponding 2% drop in power sector CO2 emissions. While the EU and US saw significant coal collapses, China's coal generation rose, making it responsible for over half of global coal generation for the first time. Wind and solar generation grew by 15%, though the report notes that this growth rate is slowing and may be insufficient to meet Paris Agreement goals without concerted global effort.