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This policy brief analyzes the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) and the UK Critical Minerals Strategy (CMS), evaluating their potential to support African industrialization. It argues that both frameworks are primarily driven by domestic energy and economic priorities, focusing on reducing dependency on China and mitigating geopolitical risks. The author contends that current capital allocations and the emphasis on domestic processing capacity are insufficient to attract private investment for African value addition and beneficiation, suggesting a need for a shift in political and commercial relations to align with African industrialization goals.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and the Global Initiative for Economic, Social & Cultural Rights (GI-ESCR) analyzes the 2023 activities of UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies (HRTBs) regarding states' human rights obligations in the context of climate change. It tracks the increasing frequency of climate-related references in state reporting procedures and examines specific themes such as fossil fuel extraction, the right to a healthy environment, loss and damage, and intergenerational equity.

In the first half of 2024, wind and solar power generated 30% of the European Union's electricity, surpassing fossil fuels (27%) for the first time. This shift occurred despite a 0.7% rebound in electricity demand, driven by structural capacity growth and favorable weather conditions, leading to a 17% decline in fossil fuel generation and a 31% drop in power sector emissions compared to the first half of 2022.

This research paper argues that South Africa's current skills planning system is inadequate for the emerging green hydrogen economy (GHE) due to a reliance on quantitative data and a lack of anticipatory capacity. The author advocates for the integration of strategic foresight (SF) and skills foresight (SF) into the post-school education and training (PSET) system, specifically within technical vocational education and training (TVET). The paper proposes four priority areas: strengthening skills anticipation systems, enhancing TVET sector responsiveness, developing transversal skills, and fostering a renewed education-related social compact to bridge the gap between TVET and universities.

This research paper by Ember analyzes draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) from EU Member States to determine if current national ambitions align with the REPowerEU plan and the Fit-for-55 package. The analysis finds that while renewable energy targets have increased significantly since 2019, the EU is still projected to fall short of its 2030 goals for renewable electricity share, solar capacity, and wind capacity.

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity generation trends in 2023 across solar, wind, coal, gas, hydro, nuclear, and bioenergy. It highlights record growth in solar and wind, a slight increase in coal generation driven by droughts in China, and the gap between current growth rates and the IEA Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenario requirements.

In 2023, the share of renewables in the global electricity mix exceeded 30% for the first time, driven by record growth in wind and solar. However, a record fall in hydropower generation and rising electricity demand led to a marginal increase in fossil fuel generation, resulting in global power sector emissions reaching a new record high of 14,153 million tonnes of CO2.

The April 2024 report by Global Energy Monitor and partners reveals that while global coal capacity reached a record 2,130 GW in 2023, there is a stark divide: China continues to expand its fleet, while most other countries are reducing new construction. The report highlights that only 15% of operational capacity has retirement plans aligned with the 1.5°C goal. Regional analysis shows significant progress in the EU and UK, stability in Sub-Saharan Africa (dominated by South Africa), and a lack of new projects in the MENA region.

This report, published by Global Energy Monitor and a coalition of partners, tracks global coal-fired power plant capacity as of April 2024. It highlights a paradoxical trend where global coal capacity reached record highs in 2023, driven primarily by China, despite a general decline in new coal construction in the rest of the world and increasing phase-out commitments.

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.

The Stockholm Environment Institute argues that the proposed EU Critical Raw Materials Act risks exacerbating human rights breaches and 'green colonialism' against the Indigenous Sámi people in Northern Europe. While welcoming the inclusion of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for 'strategic' projects, the authors identify critical weaknesses in the act's reliance on Member State bureaucracies, certification schemes, and the lack of resources for Indigenous participation. They propose three amendments: an EU-level oversight mechanism for grievances, mandatory FPIC standards for certification schemes, and a funding mechanism to support affected rights-holders during fast-tracked licensing processes.

This policy brief from the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the role of municipalities and regional governments in strengthening carbon sinks within the context of EU LULUCF regulations, specifically highlighting the challenges and opportunities in forested nations.

The Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights 2023 report by Ember analyses global electricity generation from January to June 2023. It finds that global power sector emissions plateaued, increasing by only 0.2%, as significant growth in wind and solar was offset by a historic decline in hydropower generation caused by droughts.

This guide by Zero Carbon Analytics explains the role of heat pumps in decarbonising buildings and industry, detailing their technical operation, economic viability, and the policy barriers to their global adoption.

This report by Ember proposes an ambitious wind and solar expansion plan for Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries to improve energy security and lower electricity prices. Using the PyPSA-CEE model, the study argues that accelerating renewables deployment could reduce wholesale power prices by 29% and make the region electricity self-sufficient by 2030.

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 report 'Weathering the winter' by Ember analyzes the EU power system's performance from October 2022 to March 2023. It finds that a combination of record renewable generation and significant reductions in electricity demand prevented a predicted return to coal and gas, resulting in the lowest winter power sector emissions on record.

This report by Ember analyzes global electricity source trends in 2022, detailing the growth of renewables like solar and wind, the continued dominance and record highs of coal, and the fluctuations in hydro, nuclear, gas, and bioenergy generation. It compares current trends against the IEA Net Zero Emissions scenario to highlight the growth rates required to limit global warming to 1.5C.

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.