Search Climate Insights Directory

This fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) provides a comprehensive overview of global warming and climate change, explaining their causes, impacts on health and environment, and the strategies used for mitigation and adaptation. It details the role of greenhouse gases, the specific contributions of the livestock sector, and the current state of climate action within the United States and through United Nations frameworks.

This policy brief by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) argues that investment treaties should be reframed as public risk allocation tools rather than merely legal instruments. It contends that these treaties act as a form of 'unpriced public insurance' that transfers political and regulatory risks from private investors to host states, often without the safeguards or pricing mechanisms found in other de-risking tools.

This briefing note by the Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) examines the intersection of international trade and the sustainable bioeconomy. It provides a typology of trade-related policy instruments—including price-based measures, economic incentives, and regulatory requirements—that governments can use to promote nature-positive economic growth. The document emphasizes the need for international cooperation, particularly through the G20, to align these policies, avoid trade frictions, and support low- and middle-income countries in their transition to a sustainable bioeconomy.

This research paper argues that South Africa and the European Union (EU) should deepen their strategic interdependence in critical minerals to navigate geopolitical uncertainties and avoid the 'blackmailing logic' of mineral-for-security deals. It highlights the complementary nature of their economies, the EU's financial commitments to South Africa's energy transition, and the need to reconcile the EU's desire for strategic autonomy with South Africa's goal of domestic value addition.

This report by Global Energy Monitor (GEM) analyzes the potential for repurposing abandoned and soon-to-be-closed surface coal mines into solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants. It argues that these sites are ideal for solar development due to their existing proximity to grid infrastructure and the need for land reclamation, offering a pathway to align clean energy goals with local job creation and environmental restoration.

This report by RMI analyzes the global trajectory of electric vehicle (EV) adoption, noting that many markets have passed critical tipping points. It highlights that in the United States, the total cost of ownership for light-duty EVs is now lower than for gas-powered cars, while medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) electric trucks are trending toward cost parity with diesel. The document also discusses the role of battery recycling in potentially eliminating the need for additional mining by 2040.

This research paper outlines the priorities of South Africa's 2025 G20 presidency, which focuses on the theme "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability." The document details South Africa's efforts to center African developmental concerns within the G20, specifically targeting debt sustainability, climate adaptation finance, and the mitigation of illicit financial flows to ensure the grouping remains relevant amidst global fragmentation.

The E-Bike Rebate Program Guidebook, published by RMI, provides a comprehensive framework for local governments, nonprofits, and transportation agencies to design and implement e-bike rebate programs. It outlines a five-step process: establishing a project team and goals, designing funding and incentive structures, partnering with bike shops, executing community outreach, and managing the program launch and follow-up. The guide emphasizes equity, suggesting income-tiered rebates and diverse application methods to increase accessibility for low- and moderate-income residents.

This guide outlines the Renewables Investment for Social Equity (RISE) model, which enables tax-exempt entities to use the IRS 'direct pay' (elective pay) mechanism to deliver affordable solar energy to low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. The model allows tax-exempt organizations to own solar systems, install them at low or no upfront cost for residents, and recover costs via the Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit (ITC).

This report by Ember analyzes the technical and economic feasibility of achieving 24-hour solar electricity generation using solar panels paired with battery storage. It demonstrates that in sunny regions, near-continuous solar power is now cost-competitive, often cheaper than new coal or nuclear power, due to rapid declines in battery costs and the adoption of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) technology.

This policy brief by RMI examines how US governors are addressing rising electricity costs, which have increased by an average of 23% over the last decade. The document highlights actions taken by governors in at least 14 states since 2023 to balance immediate customer relief with long-term system cost containment, while warning against superficial measures like one-time bill credits that do not address underlying affordability challenges.

The report 'Rewiring for growth' examines how smarter grid strategies, including phased connections, flexible load agreements, and strategic siting, can accelerate the deployment of data centres and AI infrastructure while reducing the need for extensive grid expansion.

This policy brief summarizes a high-level roundtable hosted by Ember and the Clean Air Task Force during the 20th anniversary GLOBSEC Forum in Prague. The document argues that Europe must redefine energy security by transitioning from fossil fuel dependencies to clean firm power and electrification, while addressing new vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure and critical raw material supply chains.

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development analyzes geopolitical risks to development finance ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville. It identifies critical vulnerabilities for low-income countries—including aid cuts, trade instability, and debt crises—and proposes six implementation priorities to 'future-proof' the global development finance landscape.

This RMI briefing argues that repealing tech-neutral clean electricity tax credits, specifically the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) (48E) and Production Tax Credit (PTC) (45Y), would increase energy costs for farmers and rural electric cooperatives, undermine grid reliability, and derail planned clean energy investments in rural America.

RMI reports that US utilities face a projected 270 GW gap in electricity capacity due to rising demand from AI and electrification and the retirement of coal plants. While utilities are increasingly relying on gas-fired power plants, severe supply chain constraints among major turbine manufacturers—with delivery dates extending to 2030—and rising procurement costs threaten grid reliability and affordability. RMI suggests that alternative solutions such as energy efficiency, virtual power plants, and grid-enhancing technologies can meet nearly all projected near-term load growth.

This fact sheet by Zero Carbon Analytics analyzes the energy forecasts of the Institute for Energy Economics Japan (IEEJ), arguing that the institute projects unrealistically high future gas demand compared to the IEA, ExxonMobil, and BP. The document attributes these high forecasts to the IEEJ's assumptions regarding the high cost of renewables, a preference for thermal power as a backup, and an optimistic outlook for carbon capture and storage (CCS).

This report by the NewClimate Institute, published under the CASE project, analyzes monitoring frameworks for climate and energy targets in six developed economies to provide guidance for Southeast Asian countries pursuing carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions by 2050.

This guide by the Climate Bonds Initiative provides a framework for investors to evaluate and engage with sovereign transition plans. It outlines key elements of credible planning, including science-based targets, detailed investment and policy roadmaps, and robust governance and transparency measures, aiming to help investors assess the long-term sustainability of sovereign asset exposures.

This report by Energy Innovation analyzes the projected economic, environmental, and health impacts of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA), a 2025 budget Reconciliation legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The analysis compares a "Current Policies" scenario against an "EI House OBBBA" scenario, finding that the bill's repeal of clean energy tax credits and environmental standards would lead to higher energy costs, significant job losses in manufacturing, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and higher premature death rates.