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This policy brief by the NewClimate Institute examines the inclusion of non-CO2 emissions (methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases) in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), highlighting a general lack of gas-specific quantitative targets and focusing on the potential for China to increase its ambition in the next NDC cycle.

The RES Tracker Methodology V2 describes Ember's process for collecting and categorizing national renewable energy deployment ambitions for the power sector across 96 countries and the EU as of November 2024.

This report by Global Energy Monitor analyzes the power sector transition in the Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) region, highlighting a significant gap between stated renewable energy targets and actual project pipelines. It finds that fossil fuel capacity is being built at more than three times the rate of wind and utility-scale solar, with oil and gas leading the buildout. The report specifically critiques COP29 host Azerbaijan for low ambition in its renewable energy plans and a continued reliance on gas.

The November 2024 Peace & Security Council Report examines the African Union's (AU) efforts to integrate climate change into security frameworks, the strategic direction of Africa's foreign policy, the outcomes of the AU's first G20 Summit, and the coordination between the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the UN Security Council (UNSC).

The November 2024 Warming Projections Global Update by the NewClimate Institute reports that global warming projections for 2100 have stagnated over the last three years. Current policies set the world on a path toward 2.7°C of warming, while the most optimistic scenario, assuming full implementation of all announced targets, projects 1.9°C. The report highlights a critical disconnect between the escalating climate crisis and the urgency of government policy implementation, noting that while renewable energy growth is record-breaking, it is being offset by all-time high fossil fuel subsidies.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the proposal to expand the contributor base for climate finance to include emerging economies. It argues that while some emerging countries already contribute voluntarily, mandating their contributions at the current rate of developed countries would only provide an additional USD 51.19 billion, which is approximately 5.12% of the estimated USD 1 trillion annual need for developing countries. The document emphasizes that developed countries must maintain primary responsibility and calls for clearer definitions of 'developed countries' and 'climate finance' during the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) negotiations at COP29.

A briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs outlining the expected agenda for the 2024 BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, focusing on post-expansion integration, trade in local currencies, global governance coordination, and climate transition strategies.

This fact sheet by Ember warns that Romania's hard coal production in the Jiu Valley is significantly more methane-intensive than the limits set by the EU Methane Regulation of May 2024, risking penalties if intensity is not reduced by 2027.

This briefing by the Stockholm Environment Institute provides a policy overview of solar and wind energy in Mongolia as of June 2024. It details the country's renewable energy potential, current installed capacity, legislative frameworks, financing from international partners, and gender disparities within the sector.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International and partners arguing that the current multilateral system, led by the United Nations, has failed to address global crises due to the dominance of corporate interests and geopolitical power struggles, calling for a democratic restructuring of global governance.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International, Transnational Institute, and IT for Change criticizing the current UN-led multilateral system as a failure that prioritizes corporate interests and neoliberalism over the needs of the Global South and the planet.

A statement by Friends of the Earth International, Transnational Institute, and IT for Change arguing that the current UN-led multilateral system has failed due to corporate capture and geopolitical conflict, and calling for a democratic global government to address climate and social crises.

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 Global Energy Monitor examines China's coal mining sector, highlighting a record-breaking production of 4,700 million tonnes in 2023 and a massive pipeline of proposed new capacity. It details the environmental impact, specifically the sector's role as a primary source of global coal mine methane emissions, and analyzes the tension between China's energy security needs and its 'dual-carbon' climate goals.

This research paper by Global Energy Monitor analyzes the market dominance of the top three gas turbine manufacturers—GE Vernova, Siemens Energy, and Mitsubishi Power—and the financial and geopolitical risks they face as the energy transition accelerates. The report highlights the industry's reliance on 'hydrogen-ready' technology and long-term service contracts as precarious strategies in the face of rising renewable energy capacity and potential gas power overcapacity.

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the geopolitical competition between global powers—specifically the US, China, and Russia—within Africa. It argues that African states are increasingly pursuing a strategy of non-alignment and diversification to avoid becoming proxies in global disputes, seeking instead equal partnerships and autonomy. The paper suggests that African agency can be enhanced by strengthening the African Union (AU), diversifying international partnerships, and prioritizing internal economic integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area.

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.

This guide by RMI explains the role of ammonia (NH3) in the energy transition, detailing its current fossil-fuel-based production, the transition to low-carbon 'colors' of ammonia, and its potential as a zero-carbon fuel for maritime shipping and a carrier for hydrogen transport.

An address by Dirco Minister Ronald Lamola outlining South Africa's foreign policy, which emphasizes active non-alignment, the centrality of Africa through Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA, and solidarity with peoples resisting occupation in Palestine and Western Sahara.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) analyzes trade frictions arising from national and subnational plastic pollution measures implemented by WTO members. By examining Specific Trade Concerns (STCs) and Trade Policy Review (TPR) questions, the authors identify six primary types of regulatory issues—timing, transparency, stakeholder engagement, proportionality, justification, and discrimination—and provide recommendations to help policy-makers design measures that minimize trade disruptions.