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This report by Ember analyzes the alignment between the ten-year grid development plans of European Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and national energy policy targets for 2030. It highlights a risk that transmission grids may become physical barriers to the energy transition if infrastructure planning is based on under-ambitious renewable energy scenarios.

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 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 note by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the Global Initiative for Economic, Social & Cultural Rights (GIESCR) reviews the 2023 activities of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) regarding climate change. It details the Committee's focus on mitigation policies, adaptation strategies, and the transition away from fossil fuels across various State parties' Concluding Observations (COBs) and Lists of Issues (LOIs).

The report 'Ready, Set, Go: Europe’s Race for Wind and Solar' by Ember analyses the gap between current wind and solar deployment rates in the European Union and the capacities required to align with a 1.5C climate pathway by 2030. It finds that the EU is not on track, with annual additions forecast to reach only half of the required levels by 2026. The report identifies administrative permitting barriers as a primary cause of underperformance, noting that permitting times frequently exceed EU legislative limits.

European countries are accelerating their transition to renewable energy to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels. EU national plans now target a 63% share of renewable electricity by 2030, with planned fossil fuel generation slashed by 31% compared to 2019 strategies. Major importers like Germany and Italy have significantly raised their renewable targets, while several Central and Eastern European nations have announced coal phase-out dates. The REPowerEU proposal further aims for a 69% renewable electricity share by 2030 and the deployment of 10 million heat pumps.

This report describes the methodology used by Ember to measure the impact of energy policy changes announced by national governments between 2020 and 2022, focusing on the transition from fossil fuels to renewables and clean energy.

This briefing discusses how hybrid clean energy systems—combining local renewable resources like solar with baseload resources like geothermal—can address energy and climate injustices in marginalized communities. It highlights the disproportionate impact of extreme heat and aging gas infrastructure on low-income communities of color and evaluates policy interventions and technical models, such as a geothermal pilot in Massachusetts, to improve energy security and resilience.

This report by Ember analyzes the progress of European Union member states in phasing out coal-fired electricity generation by 2030. It highlights that while the EU is rapidly reducing coal use—driven significantly by Germany's commitment to exit coal by 2030—three countries (Poland, Czechia, and Bulgaria) remain heavily reliant on coal and are lagging behind the rest of the bloc.

Germany's commitment to exit coal by 2030 isolates Poland, the Czech Republic, and Bulgaria, who are projected to account for over 95% of the EU's coal electricity generation by 2030. While the rest of the EU-27 is on track to reduce coal generation by 99% by 2030, these three countries plan a reduction of only 42%.

This report by Ember analyzes the progress of European Union member states in phasing out coal power by 2030. It highlights that while the EU is rapidly reducing coal electricity generation—accelerated by Germany's aim to exit coal by 2030—a small group of countries, specifically Poland, Czechia, and Bulgaria, are transitioning much more slowly and will account for the vast majority of the EU's remaining coal power in 2030.

This report by Ember analyzes the progress of European Union member states in phasing out coal-fired power generation by 2030. It highlights a significant divergence between most EU countries, which are rapidly reducing coal use, and a small group of countries—specifically Poland, Czechia, and Bulgaria—that are projected to account for the vast majority of the EU's remaining coal power production by 2030.

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 Ember investigates the phenomenon of 'carbon leakage' where EU countries import electricity from non-EU countries that lack carbon pricing, effectively offshoring emissions to 'offshore carbon havens' like Turkey and Ukraine. The authors argue for the implementation of a Border Carbon Adjustment (BCA) on electricity imports to protect the integrity of EU climate policy and incentivize carbon pricing in neighboring states.

This report by Sandbag analyzes how the disparity in carbon pricing between the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) and its non-EU neighbors leads to 'carbon leakage,' where high-carbon electricity, primarily from coal, is imported into the EU. The authors argue that this undermines EU climate goals and incentivizes the continued use of coal in neighboring states. To combat this, the report proposes the implementation of a border carbon adjustment (BCA) specifically for electricity imports.

This report by Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and Sandbag analyzes the draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of 21 EU Member States that use coal for electricity. It finds that the EU is on track to miss the goal of stopping coal use by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C, with 60 GW of capacity projected to remain in 2030.

This research paper analyzes the 2016 EU-Turkey migrant deal, arguing that while it has succeeded in its primary goal of deterring arrivals via the Aegean Sea, it has done so at a significant humanitarian and legal cost. The author contends that the deal, combined with border closures across Eastern and South Eastern Europe, has trapped refugees in squalid conditions and pushed migrants toward more dangerous smuggling routes, while potentially undermining the international principle of non-refoulement.

This briefing analyzes the UN Sustainable Development Summit, which focused on the adoption of the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It examines the successful negotiation process led by the Open Working Group (OWG), initial national commitments to implementation, and outstanding requirements such as the development of indicators and the outcome of the Paris Climate Change Conference.

A statement by Jagoda Munic, President of Friends of the Earth International, reflecting on the devastating floods in the Balkans and the urgent need for a global shift away from fossil fuels and consumption-based economic models to combat climate change.