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This briefing examines the current state and potential of carbon capture and storage (CCS), noting that the vast majority of operational projects are linked to the oil and gas industry, specifically for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). While CCS is presented as a tool for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like cement and steel, the document highlights significant challenges including high costs, inconsistent capture rates, and the risk that the technology is used to prolong fossil fuel extraction.

This report by Ember analyzes the technical potential for rooftop solar expansion in Türkiye, estimating that the country could install at least 120 GW of capacity, which would meet 45% of its 2022 electricity consumption. The study identifies significant opportunities in residential and industrial sectors to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and lower the fiscal burden of electricity subsidies.

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) issued a statement welcoming a new joint ministerial coalition on fossil fuel subsidy (FFS) reform launched by the Netherlands at COP 28. While the IISD views the coalition as a promising 'first-mover club', it provides six specific recommendations to ensure the initiative converts international commitments into national policy frameworks by COP 29.

This report by RMI analyzes the strategic importance of green hydrogen imports for the European Union to meet its 2030 decarbonization and energy security targets. It argues that domestic production alone will be insufficient to meet demand, particularly in Northwest Europe, and that the EU must urgently address policy gaps in funding, certification, and port infrastructure to facilitate trade with global suppliers like the United States and Australia.

This report details the activities of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Directorate from 1 July 2023 to 13 October 2023. It focuses on the implementation of decisions from the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP-31), specifically regarding research programs on climate-health and ocean systems, science diplomacy, and the expansion of institutional associations.

This case study by RMI examines the Mississippi Clean Hydrogen Hub (MCHH), developed in collaboration with Hy Stor Energy, to demonstrate how large-scale geological storage of green hydrogen can enhance energy security and resiliency for the United States and its international partners. The document details how the MCHH can provide a secure, zero-carbon energy supply to critical industrial sectors, reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets and imported commodities, and support strategic trade partners in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

This report by Ember analyses Chinese customs data from the first half of 2023, detailing a 34% increase in solar module exports. It highlights that while global manufacturing capacity is sufficient to meet 1.5C climate pathways, bottlenecks in installation and grid integration are leading to an accumulation of solar panel stocks in warehouses, particularly in Europe.

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 research paper by the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) examines the disparity between solar energy potential and installed capacity in developing economies, attributing the gap to high costs of capital driven by sovereign and off-taker risks. The authors propose the establishment of a Global Credit Guarantee Facility (GCGF) to de-risk cross-border financing and lower risk premiums for renewable energy projects in Emerging Market & Development Economy (EMDE) countries.

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.

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.

This briefing provides a framework for addressing legal questions regarding the use of the CO2 Performance Ladder, a carbon management system used in public procurement to provide award advantages to certified organizations.

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 by Ember argues that the European Union's Fit-for-55 renewable energy target of 40% for 2030 is outdated due to the rapid acceleration of clean technology deployment. Based on industry forecasts for solar, heat pumps, and electric vehicles, the analysis suggests the EU is currently on course to reach a 45% renewable energy share by 2030, with the potential to reach 50% if policy and financial support are strengthened.

This report analyzes Green Public Procurement (GPP) in the EU, highlighting that public procurement accounts for 15% of global GHG emissions. It focuses on the construction and road transport sectors—each contributing 12% of government procurement emissions—and provides 17 recommendations based on case studies from eight EU Member States to harmonize fragmented policies and help the EU achieve a 55% emissions reduction by 2030.

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the implementation of Green Public Procurement (GPP) across eight EU Member States, focusing on the road transport and construction sectors. It identifies significant gaps between stated climate targets and actual procurement practices, highlighting barriers such as fragmented governance, lack of standardized data, and limited capacity among procurement officers. The document provides best practice examples from various regions and offers 17 policy recommendations to harmonize GPP across the EU to support the 2030 climate target of a net 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

This report by Ember provides a detailed analysis of electricity generation sources within the European Union for 2022, comparing these figures against trends from 2000 and 2015. It details the growth of solar and wind power, the temporary rise in coal, the stability of gas, and the significant declines in nuclear and hydro generation during 2022.