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Reclaim Finance calls on European financial institutions to phase out financing for metallurgical coal, noting that while some banks have project-level restrictions, many others have no commitments at all. The document highlights that the steel sector can become coal-free by the early 2040s and warns that continuing to fund metallurgical coal is a risky investment given the industry's transition toward cleaner alternatives.

The document is a personal statement by Jo Verrent, director of the UK-based organization Unlimited, discussing the tension between disability access needs and environmental sustainability. Verrent describes how necessary accommodations—such as non-recyclable medical supplies, taxi use due to fatigue, and energy-intensive hearing aid equipment—often conflict with standard 'green' guidance, leading to feelings of guilt and shame. The author criticizes environmental toolkits and apps for lacking nuance and stigmatizing the behaviors of disabled people. To address this, Verrent proposes centering disabled and marginalized people in climate debates, reforming green guidance tools to avoid stigmatization, and adopting a holistic approach to climate justice that includes disability justice. Additionally, the organization Unlimited is implementing internal decision-making tools that balance access requirements and fatigue levels with environmental impact.

The report argues that shifting from prescriptive 'recipe-based' concrete specifications to performance-based standards (PSS) is essential for scaling low-carbon concrete and meeting climate goals. It identifies key bottlenecks—specifically the lack of a standardized suite of tests for durability and workability—and proposes a collaborative model where project stakeholders (owners, engineers, contractors, and labs) use real-world projects as testbeds to gather data. The document outlines specific roles for each stakeholder, provides case studies from DOTs and private firms, and suggests starting points for testing strength, durability, and workability to build a robust, industry-wide PSS.

The EU and UK have withdrawn from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), but a 'sunset clause' in Article 47(3) may extend fossil fuel investment protections for up to 20 years, potentially until 2043. The author contends that the ECT is part of a systemic global issue involving over 2,800 bilateral investment treaties (BITs) and 450 treaties with investment provisions (TIPs) that facilitate investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) claims against climate policies. Current reform efforts by UNCITRAL, UNCTAD, the WTO, and the OECD are described as fragmented or focused on procedural rather than substantive changes. The document proposes the use of 'inter se' agreements to neutralize sunset clauses and the creation of a legally binding multilateral or plurilateral agreement to immediately remove investment benefits for fossil fuels and align financial flows with Article 2.1(c) of the Paris Agreement.

The report argues that a transatlantic electricity interconnector could enhance grid resilience and efficiency by leveraging the complementarity of time zones and weather patterns between Europe and North America. It highlights that a six-hour time difference creates arbitrage opportunities for solar production and demand, while uncorrelated or negatively correlated wind and temperature patterns can mitigate the impact of extreme weather. The author suggests that such an interconnector could be a more cost-effective tool for security of supply and decarbonisation than alternatives like nuclear power or hydrogen, though it would require significant government support and investment.

Ember modelling indicates that the UK can reduce biomass power generation by 55% to just 2% of total electricity generation by 2030 without compromising grid stability. This low-biomass pathway involves reducing biomass capacity by 2 GW—retaining only the equivalent of one unit at Drax—and replacing the lost generation primarily through increased power imports (6.9 TWh) and a slight increase in gas use (2.9 TWh). The report highlights that biomass power is significantly more expensive than gas or wind, costing £138/MWh under a Contract for Difference, and poses energy security risks due to its total reliance on imports, as Drax consumed 5.8 million tonnes of non-UK wood biomass in 2023. Despite the reduction in biomass, the UK would remain a net exporter of electricity, totaling 60 TWh annually.

Climate Outreach provided practical communication training to participants of the Conservative Environment Network (CEN) Academy, a residential course for young UK Conservatives. The training focused on using authentic personal stories and conservative-aligned communication strategies to advocate for the environment and engage in cross-party conversations.

Climate Outreach provided strategic communications support and message testing for Parents for Future UK and Mothers Rise Up to improve their engagement with parents. The project involved reviewing existing knowledge on parent engagement and testing narratives focused on protection, intergenerational togetherness, inheritance, and future chances. Results showed these messages resonated across various audience segments, including the 'Loyal Nationals', which increased the organisation's confidence in reaching a broader political spectrum. By 2024, Parents for Future UK had integrated strategic communications into its operations, expanding its expertise and training its volunteer network to ensure messaging is authentic and targeted.

In 2024, UK low-carbon renewables (wind, solar, and hydropower) are forecast to generate 37% of electricity (103 TWh), overtaking fossil fuels, which are set to provide 35% (97 TWh). Wind power is close to becoming the largest single source of UK power, forecast at 29% (82 TWh), just behind fossil gas at 30% (85 TWh). The year also marked the closure of the UK's last coal power plant, with gas power use set to decrease by 13% compared to 2023, reaching its lowest level since 1996. This decline in fossil fuel reliance is attributed to rising renewable generation, low electricity demand, and a 42% increase in net electricity imports.

Friends of the Earth International calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, describing the situation as both a genocide and an ecocide. The organization emphasizes that climate justice is unattainable without a free Palestine and reports on solidarity actions by its member groups across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa. The statement specifically notes the environmental destruction of watercourses, agriculture, and renewable energy infrastructure in Palestinian territories.

Friends of the Earth International calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, describing the situation as a 'genocide' and 'ecocide' with over 43,000 deaths. The organization argues that climate justice is unattainable without a free Palestine and highlights the environmental destruction caused by the war, including damage to renewable energy infrastructure and water sources. Member groups across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa have participated in solidarity actions, and the federation is soliciting donations to provide green energy and water purification systems to refugees in Gaza.

The document examines the potential for rechannelling Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) from wealthy IMF member states to Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), specifically the African Development Bank (AfDB), to address Africa's annual financing gap of over $400 billion. It details a proposal where SDRs would serve as hybrid capital, allowing the AfDB to leverage funds up to four times on capital markets. The brief identifies significant political and legal barriers, including the European Central Bank's (ECB) monetary financing prohibition and the lack of formal commitment from major holders like China, Japan, and the US. It recommends that South Africa's G20 presidency use diplomacy to seek ECB clarification, coordinate a Liquidity Support Agreement (LSA) with bilateral partners, and explore innovative fiscal tools such as SDR bonds or direct allocations to prescribed holders.

The document examines the challenge of carbon leakage, where carbon pricing in one jurisdiction drives emissions to others. It evaluates several policy responses: international carbon pricing frameworks, Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs), carbon cost containment (such as free allocations in ETS), subsidies, and product standards. Each tool is analyzed based on its effectiveness in preventing leakage, its impact on decarbonization incentives, administrative complexity, and potential conflicts with WTO law or international principles like 'common but differentiated responsibilities'.

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are viewed as a potential source of reliable, emissions-free electricity in Canada, capable of replacing fossil-fuel baseload plants and diesel generators in remote areas. While Canada possesses an established nuclear industry and uranium reserves, SMRs are currently classified as 'wild cards' because they are not yet commercially viable and face significant technical, financial, and regulatory hurdles. Current Canadian efforts include a joint strategic plan by Ontario, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, with specific projects such as a reactor at the Darlington site and a micro-reactor at Chalk River. However, global examples, such as cancelled projects in the United States, highlight a trend of mounting costs and lengthening timelines that challenge the technology's competitiveness against wind and solar power.

Small modular reactors (SMRs) are emerging nuclear energy technologies producing 300 MW or less, offering a potential source of reliable, emission-free electricity for Canada's energy transition. While Canada possesses a strong nuclear industry and uranium reserves, SMRs are currently classified as a 'wild-card' technology due to high costs, regulatory hurdles, and a lack of commercial viability. Despite these challenges, several Canadian provinces and the federal government are investing in SMR development, with projects planned for Ontario, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick.

This report by QuotaClimat examines how climate disinformation has moved from social media fringes into mainstream news outlets, particularly in France. It identifies structural vulnerabilities in the media industry—such as financial crises, the rise of 'infotainment', and a regulatory vacuum—that allow anti-science narratives to proliferate. The document argues that news media, despite their perceived credibility, often act as channels for disinformation through 'false balance' and selective framing. It concludes by advocating for a new legislative framework in France to mandate environmental coverage standards and strengthen the role of the regulator, Arcom.

The document examines the transition of South Africa to a coalition-based national government following the May 2024 elections, where the ANC lost its majority. It argues that for the GNU to be effective, partners must prioritize accountability and service delivery over the retention of power. By analyzing the instability of local coalitions in South Africa and comparing them with experiences in Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, and Western Europe, the brief advocates for the adoption of formal, written coalition agreements to manage ideological tensions and improve governmental stability.

The report evaluates the integration of permanent carbon removals—specifically BioCCS and DACCS—into the EU ETS. It identifies a critical tension: while direct integration can drive deployment and maintain market liquidity as the emissions cap approaches zero, it risks 'abatement deterrence' where removals substitute for necessary emissions reductions. The authors warn that without supply controls, BioCCS deployment could exceed sustainable biomass limits, potentially harming biodiversity and LULUCF carbon sinks. To mitigate these risks, the report recommends a gradual integration strategy that maintains the gross emissions cap, implements technology-specific supply controls, and introduces differentiated allowances. It also emphasizes that the EU ETS alone is likely insufficient to incentivize high-cost technologies like DACCS or to achieve net-negative emissions post-2050, necessitating additional public funding tools and long-term policy frameworks.

The analysis finds that climate change has increased the number of winter days with minimum temperatures above 0°C across the United Kingdom, with a national average of 11 additional days per year. England experienced the highest increase with 12 additional days, followed by Scotland and Wales with 10, and Northern Ireland with 8.

The document examines the phenomenon of carbon leakage, where carbon pricing in one jurisdiction leads to increased emissions in others. It evaluates several mitigation tools, including Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs), carbon cost containment measures (such as free allocations in ETS), subsidies, and product standards, while noting the political and practical hurdles of achieving a coordinated global carbon price.