Search Climate Insights Directory

Data center power demand in the US is projected to reach 35 GW by 2030, potentially accounting for 7.5% of total electricity consumption. RMI argues that this surge presents an opportunity to set a precedent for future large-scale electrification (e.g., EVs, manufacturing) by prioritizing energy efficiency, demand flexibility, grid-enhancing technologies (GETs), and carbon-free energy procurement. The document highlights the risk of utilities defaulting to new gas generation and urges regulators to implement system-level 'zoning' for the grid and equitable cost allocation for upgrades.

The 'Corporate Transition Investment Guide' (May 2024) by the Climate Bonds Initiative proposes a standardized classification system to help financial institutions assess and categorize corporate exposures based on their decarbonization transition maturity and credibility. The guide aims to simplify complex existing frameworks into a practical tool for tracking progress toward net-zero goals.

This guide by the Climate Bonds Initiative proposes a standardized classification system for financial institutions to assess and categorize the transition maturity, ambition, and credibility of their corporate exposures. The tool aims to help banks and investors manage transition risks and align their portfolios with net-zero goals by providing a consistent methodology to track corporate progress from initial commitment to full net-zero alignment.

This report by Global Energy Monitor analyzes the tension between expanding gas infrastructure and adopting renewable energy in Southeast Asia. It warns that current gas expansion plans, requiring over $220 billion in investment, risk locking the region into volatile fuel dependencies and delaying the energy transition, despite the cost-competitiveness and vast potential of solar and wind power.

This document is a consolidated record of decisions from the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) from 1997 to 2024. Key recent outcomes include the adoption of the 2024-2030 Strategic Plan, the approval of the 2024-2025 operating budget with a 20% increase in voluntary contributions, and the transition of the IAI headquarters from Uruguay to Panama. The IAI is expanding its network of Associate members (including institutions in Chile and Brazil) and establishing specialized research programs on the climate-health nexus and ocean sciences. Additionally, the institute is implementing policies for gender equity, diversity, and inclusion, and is working to create advisory committees for indigenous peoples and local communities.

The document records the decisions made during the 32nd Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), held via videoconference on May 22-23, 2024. The meeting focused on budget approvals, the adoption of a new Strategic Plan for 2024-2030, the expansion of institutional associates, and the planned relocation of the IAI Executive Directorate from Uruguay to Panama.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines global trends in the governance, management, and reprocessing of tailings from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). It highlights the severe environmental and health risks associated with the indiscriminate use of mercury and cyanide, the lack of specific regulatory frameworks for tailings management at international, regional, and national levels, and the potential for recovering critical minerals from these waste products.

This report by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) examines the current technological landscape of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and the potential for emerging technologies to drive sustainable development. It analyzes the ASM life cycle—from exploration to mine closure—and identifies gaps in technology adoption, particularly regarding worker safety, environmental protection, and financial inclusion. The document highlights the dual nature of technological advancement: while it can increase productivity and recovery rates, it also risks displacing labor, especially women, and potentially increasing environmental degradation through overmining.

This executive summary outlines a roadmap for rethinking international investment treaties by shifting the focus from fixing existing treaty problems to identifying the foundational policy problems the regime should solve. The authors analyze three main categories: the encouragement of sustainable investment, the regulation of investment project impacts, and cross-cutting governance and international cooperation issues.

This executive summary, published by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in May 2024, proposes a new framework for designing international investment treaties. Rather than focusing on the flaws of existing regimes, the document suggests a 'roadmap' approach that identifies urgent policy problems in international investment governance and evaluates whether treaties are the appropriate tool to solve them, emphasizing sustainable investment, the regulation of project impacts, and international cooperation.

The Nigerian DRE market is growing rapidly, driven by a high energy access deficit (88.5 million unserved) and a heavy reliance on expensive diesel generators. While the mini-grid and stand-alone solar sectors have seen significant growth and commercialization—supported by major initiatives like the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP)—barriers remain, including high interest rates (25-35%), currency volatility, and low local manufacturing capacity. Productive Use of Energy (PUE) in agriculture is a key emerging focus, though it remains largely grant-dependent.

This policy briefing examines the role of skills governance within South Africa's Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem to support the emerging green hydrogen (GH2) economy. It advocates for a shift from a jobs-centric education model to one based on 'economic wellbeing,' which integrates paid work with caregiving, environmental stewardship, and state infrastructure. The document proposes systemic innovations, including the use of green economy skills incubator hubs, innovative financing like social impact bonds, and the implementation of a Universal Basic Dividend (UBD) to ensure the wealth generated from common resources in the GH2 transition is equitably distributed.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the governance challenges facing critical mineral supply chains in Africa. It argues that while the global energy transition increases demand for minerals like lithium and cobalt, a lack of transparency and accountability risks causing environmental and socio-economic harm. The document advocates for the implementation of the African Mining Vision and a coordinated approach between national governments, private companies, and civil society to ensure the energy transition does not entrench global inequalities.

This research paper by the Stockholm Environment Institute evaluates two tactical urbanism interventions in Tallinn, Estonia, conducted as part of the 'Rohejälg' project in 2023. The study analyzes the impact of a temporary park at Raekoja plats (Town Hall Square) and spatial interventions in the area between Linnahall and the cruise terminal on user behavior, spatial perception, and local businesses.

This report by Ember analyzes Singapore's path to a net-zero power sector by 2045, emphasizing that the city-state's limited land and renewable potential necessitate a heavy reliance on regional grid interconnections and renewable energy imports from neighboring countries to replace natural gas.

The report 'Making clean power flexy' by Ember argues that clean flexibility—specifically battery storage and demand side flexibility (DSF)—is essential to integrate the rapid growth of wind and solar power in the European Union and phase out fossil fuel 'peakers'. It highlights a significant gap in national policy targets for these technologies despite projections that EU flexibility needs will double by 2030.

This executive summary by Ember argues that the rapid deployment of clean flexibility—specifically battery storage, demand-side flexibility, and grids—is essential to integrate increasing volumes of wind and solar generation into the European power system and avoid renewable energy curtailment.

This research paper explores industry perceptions of glass container refill schemes in the UK. Findings indicate that while local refill schemes are seen as potentially effective, industry stakeholders strongly prefer investing in colour-separated glass collection to increase the UK's recycling rate to 90% to address supply issues and net zero targets.

The Boom and Bust Coal 2024 report by Global Energy Monitor analyzes global coal power capacity trends, highlighting a net increase in operating capacity in 2023 driven primarily by China, despite a general global decline in new construction starts outside of China.

This briefing by Global Energy Monitor analyzes the impact of the Biden Administration's January 2024 pause on non-Free Trade Agreement (non-FTA) LNG export authorizations. It argues that the pause curbs a potential overbuild of U.S. export capacity without threatening European energy security, as U.S. capacity is still expected to grow significantly and European gas demand is forecast to decline.