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The document analyzes the factors driving the high demand for BRICS membership, introducing the concept of 'magnetic pull'—where ideas about development and systemic reform act as coalition magnets. It traces the group's expansion from South Africa's entry in 2010 to the 2023 enlargement (adding Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE) and the 2024 introduction of a 'Partner Country' category. While the group's appeal is rooted in South-South cooperation and de-dollarization, the author notes challenges to internal cohesion and the limits of its attraction, as seen in Argentina's rejection of membership.

The document provides a detailed analysis of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), which aims to secure the EU's supply of 17 strategic raw materials by 2030. It highlights the risks of fast-tracked permitting for 'Strategic Projects', the potential for 'greenwashing' through private certification schemes, and the challenges facing Indigenous Peoples and local communities in exercising their rights to participation and consent. The guide also examines the interaction between the CRMA and existing EU environmental directives, such as the Habitats and Birds Directives, and outlines the limited access to justice available to stakeholders.

The report finds a significant gap between renewable energy targets and actual projects in development across the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) region. While six CCA countries have targets totaling 43 GW of renewable additions by 2030–2040, only 30 GW are in development, leaving a 13 GW deficit. Fossil fuel expansion remains dominant, with more than three times as much fossil capacity under construction (11.8 GW of oil and gas plus coal) as wind and utility-scale solar (3.5 GW). Azerbaijan, the COP29 host, is highlighted for limited ambition, with no wind or solar projects in development beyond 2027, calling into question its commitment to a 30% renewable share by 2030.

The report finds that in the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) region, fossil fuel capacity under construction is more than three times that of wind and utility-scale solar. While non-fossil projects (including hydropower and nuclear) have a larger total pipeline, they suffer from long lead times and lower construction rates. Most CCA countries are failing to meet their renewable energy targets, with a 13 GW deficit in development across six countries. COP29 host Azerbaijan is highlighted for having a limited pipeline of renewables beyond 2027, calling into question its climate leadership.

The report updates a 2021 map of advanced nuclear projects, noting an increase from over 30 to nearly 80 demonstrations globally. While North America has seen significant commercial deals and licensing milestones, China and Russia lead in actual construction and operation. The authors argue that the U.S. must accelerate federal support for fuel supply and licensing to avoid falling further behind in a geopolitical and clean energy race.

The Gender Action Plan for the GCF-IFC Scaling Resilient Water Infrastructure (RWI) Facility aims to increase women's economic participation in climate-resilient water infrastructure. The plan focuses on integrating women as leaders, employees, suppliers, and consumers through gender-smart solutions, gender diagnostics for all projects, and the mitigation of gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH). Key targets include ensuring all projects are gender flagged and screened for GBVH risks, with a program-level budget of $160-200K for initial gender screenings.

The GCF Secretariat report details progress on its 2024 work programme, highlighting a new organizational structure launched on 9 September 2024 to improve investment efficiency and country ownership. Key achievements include the approval of 28 funding proposals for USD 1.5 billion and the operationalization of the 2024–2027 Readiness Strategy. The Secretariat is implementing the "Efficient GCF" initiative to reduce project review times and is developing a revised accreditation framework to simplify access. While programming targets are on track, challenges persist in private sector pipeline development and the procurement of no-objection letters.

Since 2023, Chinese firms have committed over US$100 billion in outbound foreign direct investment (OFDI) across at least 130 major cleantech transactions, spanning solar, wind, batteries, and new energy vehicles (NEVs). This 'going global' strategy is driven by domestic overcapacity, which has caused solar module prices to drop 60% and battery prices 50% year-on-year, and a need to circumvent trade barriers from the US and EU. The report highlights China's dominance in the global battery supply chain, where it holds over 80% of manufacturing capacity, and its expansion into markets like Morocco, Brazil, and Thailand. For Australia, the report notes that Chinese OFDI reached a multi-decade low of US$613 million in 2023, and argues that Australia should clarify its foreign investment rules to attract Chinese private capital for onshore value-adding in critical minerals and renewable energy infrastructure.

The report argues that the global push to triple renewable energy capacity must prioritize the quality of investments over quantity to avoid 'green extractivism'. It introduces three core criteria for public finance: driving a 100% renewable future by phasing out fossil fuels, ensuring democratic energy systems through grants and decentralization, and centering human rights and nature. The document criticizes multilateral development banks (MDBs) for continuing to fund fossil gas and relying on debt-creating loans rather than grants. Through case studies in India, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Indonesia, it contrasts the harms of large-scale, profit-driven projects with the benefits of community-led, small-scale renewable energy solutions.

Civil society organisations have written to AIIB President Jin Liqun to express concern over the bank's limited engagement with external stakeholders. The group argues that the AIIB's current internal focus overemphasizes project benefits and underplays risks. They propose several critical discussion topics for the 2024 Annual Meeting, including the bank's fossil fuel divestment, Paris Agreement alignment, and the development of a Gender Action Plan. The letter also highlights logistical barriers for participants in Uzbekistan, including visa difficulties and the risks associated with the country's closed civic space.

The briefing examines the global trend of shrinking lakes and reservoirs, highlighting a study that found 53% of nearly 2,000 lakes experienced significant storage declines between 1992 and 2020. It distinguishes between anthropogenic drivers, such as unsustainable consumption seen in the Aral Sea, and climate drivers, such as increased evaporation in Mongolia. The author argues that this attribution allows policymakers to choose between demand management and behavioral changes for overuse, or infrastructure resilience and conservation for climate-driven losses.

This report by the Climate Policy Initiative examines the landscape of project preparation and finance for net zero carbon buildings (NZCBs) in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It highlights the critical role of building decarbonization in meeting regional climate goals, identifies barriers such as energy subsidies, and maps the activities of 12 international entities providing project preparation support to develop investable project pipelines.

The author contends that the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline would undermine China's energy security by increasing dependence on Russia, create unnecessary capital expenditure in an oversaturated market, and conflict with China's goal to peak carbon emissions by 2030.

The report identifies that buildings account for up to 70-80% of collective emissions from buildings, transport, and waste in secondary cities of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. While both nations have introduced energy efficiency targets—Uzbekistan aiming for a 50% improvement in overall economy energy efficiency by 2030 and Kazakhstan targeting a 15% reduction in energy intensity by 2029—implementation is hindered by significant energy subsidies (up to 50% for residential buildings) and a lack of technical capacity. The document maps 12 international entities providing project preparation support and proposes 12 recommendations to address gaps in data, awareness, institutional coordination, and dedicated financial instruments.

The E-Mobility Program seeks 169.92 million USD from the Green Climate Fund to leverage a total investment of 454.4 million USD for the transition to zero-emission urban mobility. The program focuses on the large-scale deployment of battery electric buses (BEBs), the integration of non-motorized transport (NMT), and the implementation of ecosystem-based adaptation measures to increase the resilience of urban transport infrastructure against flooding and extreme heat. It targets a total GHG emission reduction of 11,415,080 tCO2eq over the asset lifetime and aims to benefit approximately 3.68 million people.

In 2023, global coal capacity reached a record 2130 GW, driven largely by China, despite a decline in new construction starts outside China. While 101 countries have committed to avoiding new coal, significant pre-construction pipelines remain in China and India. Central Asia is identified as a region moving against the global trend, with proposed coal capacity reaching 45% of its current operational capacity, led by Kazakhstan.

The report analyzes gender disparities in seven Asian countries, focusing on national policies, economic opportunities, human development, and the transport sector. It identifies systemic barriers such as lower labor force participation, wage gaps, and limited access to private vehicle ownership for women. A critical finding is the prevalence of sexual harassment in public transport, particularly in Georgia and Indonesia. The document argues that the transition to e-mobility offers an opportunity to challenge sex-segregated occupations and improve women's access to jobs and loans. It recommends integrating gender strategies into investment projects to enhance safety and promote women's entrepreneurship in the e-transport market.

The report outlines a methodological framework for evaluating infrastructure in the Shymkent–Tashkent–Khujand economic corridor, comparing 'business-as-usual' scenarios with sustainable alternatives for transport and buildings. It proposes shifting from road-based freight to electrified rail and adopting green building standards to reduce CO2 emissions, lower operational costs, and improve health and employment outcomes. The assessment utilizes the SAVi methodology to integrate externalities, such as the social cost of carbon and health impacts, into a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis.

The report identifies four 'pillars' of protest—demands, strategy, composition, and organization—that influence the size of a movement and the likelihood of regime loyalty shifts. It argues that non-violent, broad-based campaigns demanding regime change are most likely to succeed and lead to democratic consolidation. However, it notes a recent decline in the success rate of such movements and a rise in anti-liberal protests. For international democracy promoters, the report recommends investing in civil society infrastructure during stable periods rather than attempting to instigate regime shifts.

The Energy Progress Report 2024 reveals that the world is not on track to achieve any of the 2030 targets for SDG 7. While 91% of the global population has electricity access, progress reversed in 2022, leaving 685.2 million people without power, with 83% of the deficit in Sub-Saharan Africa. Clean cooking access stands at 74%, but 2.1 billion people still rely on polluting fuels. Renewable energy's share in total final energy consumption was 18.7% in 2021, and global energy intensity improved by only 0.8% in 2021, far below the 2.6% target. International public financial flows to developing countries rebounded to USD 15.4 billion in 2022 but remain well below the 2016 peak of USD 28.5 billion.