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The Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2026 by Sustainable Energy for All indicates that the world is off track to meet all Sustainable Development Goal 7 targets by 2030. While global electricity access has improved, progress is decelerating and heavily concentrated in Asia, leaving Africa with the vast majority of the unelectrified population. Clean cooking access is failing to keep pace with population growth in Africa, and global renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements are too slow to meet the required trajectories.

This report examines the challenges small island nations face in managing end-of-life (EOL) electric vehicle (EV) batteries, highlighting logistical, regulatory, and technical barriers. It discusses the necessity of specialized workforces and the complexities of international transport, while presenting Bermuda's phased strategy as a potential model for other remote regions.

This research paper proposes 'transition compacts'—negotiated, sector-specific packages bundling trade disciplines, investment, technology transfer, and transition timelines—as a more equitable alternative to the current patchwork of unilateral green industrial policies and carbon border adjustments. The author argues that existing frameworks, including the WTO and Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs), suffer from structural flaws or a lack of binding equity provisions, whereas transition compacts would link market access to verified emissions performance and binding support for developing nations.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) argues that the 11th Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, must address the root cause of ocean degradation by confronting the expansion of offshore oil and gas and rejecting speculative marine geoengineering technologies.

This report by Ember analyzes the economic impact of the 2026 Hormuz crisis on Türkiye, detailing how the country's high dependence on imported fossil fuels leads to significant increases in its energy import bill. It argues that accelerating clean electrification in transport and buildings is the most effective way to permanently reduce these structural economic risks.

This report by Ember analyzes the declining role of gas in the global electricity mix as of 2025, noting that gas share has fallen for five consecutive years. The analysis highlights that while global gas generation has not yet peaked in absolute terms, its growth has slowed significantly as renewables increasingly meet new electricity demand, particularly in the G7 and large emerging economies.

This research paper analyzes the economic and environmental potential of producing sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) using corn stover and e-fuels in the U.S. Corn Belt, contrasting these with conventional food crop-based biofuels.

This fact sheet by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the global economic and energy impacts 100 days into the Iran war, specifically focusing on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. It details spikes in oil and gas prices, disruptions to fertiliser and food supply chains, and a subsequent surge in clean energy policy and investment, particularly within Asia.

This research paper by the Institute for Security Studies explains the concept of the demographic dividend, focusing on the first dividend where the working-age population grows relative to dependants. It details the metrics used to identify this window of opportunity and compares the timing, peak ratios, and durations of this dividend across various global economies, with a specific focus on Africa and Nigeria.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies examines global 'wildcards' and megatrends—including great-power instability, generative AI, and the biosphere crisis—that could disrupt future scenarios for Africa and the world by 2043.

This statement argues that Africa must reclaim its development policy space within a fragmented global trading system to ensure the green transition enables industrialization rather than reinforcing historical patterns of extraction and unequal exchange.

The Climate Bonds Initiative's Q1 2026 report details the state of the global aligned GSS+ (Green, Social, Sustainability, and Sustainability-linked) debt market. As of March 2026, the cumulative aligned volume reached USD 6,986.0 billion, with green-labelled debt remaining the dominant theme. While the overall market saw a 9% decline in supply compared to Q1 2025 on a like-for-like basis, specific regions like France and Germany showed strong activity in social and green bonds, respectively.

This report by the Institute for Security Studies analyzes Morocco's development trajectory toward 2043, comparing a 'Current Path' forecast with eight sectoral scenarios and a combined 'Agenda 2063' scenario. It highlights Morocco's transition toward higher-value manufacturing, its strategic geographic position, and critical challenges including water scarcity, energy import dependence, and regional territorial disputes.

An introductory report on Malawi's development trajectory, detailing its long-term vision for industrialization, current socio-economic challenges, and severe fiscal pressures exacerbated by climatic shocks and the loss of international funding.

The Boom and Bust Coal 2026 report by Global Energy Monitor analyzes global coal power capacity trends in 2025, noting a decoupling where new capacity additions increased while overall electricity generation declined. The report highlights that coal commissioning is increasingly concentrated in China and India, while other nations see a shrinking pipeline of new projects.

This report by RMI examines the potential for integrating carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies into municipal and industrial wastewater treatment and biosolids management. It identifies two primary intervention categories: alkalinity management to store carbon as bicarbonates in water, and the processing of biosolids through methods like biochar production, biomass burial, and incineration with carbon capture. The report highlights synergies such as the safe disposal of hazardous contaminants like PFAS and the use of existing pumping infrastructure to reduce capital and energy costs.

This research paper presents the 'Financial Flows scenario', a model using the International Futures (IFs) forecasting platform to assess the impact of increased aid, foreign direct investment (FDI), and remittances, alongside reduced illicit financial flows (IFFs), on Africa's development indicators through 2043.

This research paper analyzes illicit financial flows (IFFs) in Africa, estimating that approximately US$89 billion leaves the continent annually. It identifies multinational commercial activities (65%) and criminal/corrupt activities (35%) as the primary drivers. The document highlights the resulting deficits in health and education spending and critiques the US as a secrecy jurisdiction. It evaluates efforts to combat IFFs through the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), the EITI, and the OECD/G20 BEPS framework, noting that African nations seek a higher global minimum corporate tax rate of 20%.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the transition from annual to hourly matching for accounting scope 2 emissions. It argues that hourly matching—requiring electricity consumption to be matched by renewable generation in the same hour—provides a more accurate reflection of decarbonisation and creates stronger market signals for renewable energy deployment than current annual standards. While 100% matching can be costly, the document suggests that partial matching (e.g., 80-90%) can maintain climate benefits while reducing costs. The briefing notes that the GHG Protocol is updating its Scope 2 Guidance, with a release expected in 2027, and highlights that hourly matching is already being implemented through 45 projects globally and specific regulatory frameworks like the EU's CBAM.

This briefing by Zero Carbon Analytics examines the funding landscape of the global ocean economy, noting that while public investment has increased over the last decade, it remains significantly below the estimated USD 550 billion needed annually by 2030. The report highlights a heavy reliance on official development assistance (ODA), which is currently facing cuts from major donors, and emphasizes the economic and climate benefits of closing the sustainable ocean funding gap.