Tag: fossil fuel

US Carbon Management Policy Landscape: Brief

US Carbon Management Policy Landscape: Brief

July 18, 2025 | , ,

The brief address policies supporting carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, including overlapping carbon dioxide removal (CDR) methods such as direct air capture (DAC) and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS).  It concludes that the U.S. carbon management policy landscape demonstrates notable progress particularly through the Inflation Reduction Act’s expanded 45Q credits, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s demonstration funding, and ongoing Department of Energy R&D initiatives.

Read More
Global Status of Renewables: Report

Global Status of Renewables: Report

June 27, 2025 | ,

The report “Renewables 2025 Global Status Report” by REN21 highlights that in 2024, global renewable power capacity increased 18%, adding a record-breaking 741 GW. Solar PV was the primary driver, contributing 602 GW and accounting for 81% of the total capacity increase. Wind energy followed, adding 117 GW globally. Other renewable sources – whether for power, heat or transport fuels – accounted for only small additions to the global energy supply. China was the dominant contributor to new renewable power deployment, responsible for 60% of the global total. The Group of Seven (G7) nations accounted for just around 14%.

Read More
SDG7 Progress Report 2025

SDG7 Progress Report 2025

June 27, 2025 | ,

Progress toward 2030 targets remains off track, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, owing in part to the COVID-19 pandemic and 2022 energy crisis. Nonetheless, globally, policy progress and technological advances have shown some promising results, notably in boosting renewable energy deployment and achieving modest (though still insufficient) improvements in energy efficiency. Scaling up clean cooking and electricity access, boosting renewable energy use, and improving energy efficiency are essential for the achievement of the goals of SDG 7—and for meeting the development and socioeconomic environmental and socioeconomic challenges reflected in the SDG agenda as a whole.

Read More
Renewables point the way to Mexico’s energy security

Renewables point the way to Mexico’s energy security

May 26, 2025 | , , ,

Mexico’s energy security and affordability are at risk due to its high dependence on imported gas. 74% of domestic gas demand and 54% of the electricity generated in Mexico depend on gas purchased from the United States, making the country, its economy, and its citizens extremely vulnerable to potential geopolitical conflicts and price volatility. Achieving 45% clean energy by 2030 would reduce the country’s dependence on imported gas from the US for electricity generation by 20%. This growth in clean generation, based on the installation of 46 GW of solar and wind energy, would make it possible to avoid any investment in the construction of new combined-cycle power plants.

Read More
Virtual Power Plants in the Caribbean: Report

Virtual Power Plants in the Caribbean: Report

May 22, 2025 | , ,

The report “Reimagining the Electricity Sector in Island Nations with Virtual Power Plants” by RMI summarises that Caribbean countries are universally renowned for their turquoise waters, pristine environment, and vibrant local culture. However, a common plight lurks in the background of most islands: a deep dependence on expensive, polluting fossil fuels for electricity generation. This reliance contributes to the unique vulnerability of island nations to volatile global fuel prices that can cripple local economies by driving up electricity prices. Furthermore, the aging and fragile grid infrastructure in many Caribbean countries leads to numerous electricity outages each year. 

Read More
How the G7 Can Advance Action on Fossil Fuel Subsidies in 2025

How the G7 Can Advance Action on Fossil Fuel Subsidies in 2025

May 19, 2025 |

This article explores trends in G7 members’ fossil fuel subsidies, recent action by G7 members to phase out these subsidies, and recommendations for G7 leaders for 2025 and beyond to make meaningful progress. In 2023, total G7 fossil fuel subsidies rose by more than USD 40 billion above 2022 levels, which in turn were a large increase over preceding years. These increases were driven by countries’ responses to the energy crisis brought on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The 2023 increase was led by Germany, whose fossil fuel subsidies rose from USD 18 billion to USD 83 billion year-on-year due to its price brakes on gas, heat, and electricity.

Read More
Grid is the key to unlock ASEAN energy investment: EMBER

Grid is the key to unlock ASEAN energy investment: EMBER

May 19, 2025 | , ,

With the rise of clean energy technologies, renewables in the region are set to grow exponentially to meet increasing demand. There is no better time than now for ASEAN member countries to focus on stronger grids to keep pace with competition for foreign investments with requirements for clean energy, namely modernisation, expansion, adoption of flexibility options, regional integration, market reforms, and mobilisation of finance. Additionally, ASEAN’s commitment to ensure all member countries grow together means market-level development in the renewable energy sector is fuelling larger demand for interconnections. Sharing of renewable energy resources will happen at a more rapid pace in the future. Grids and interconnections, as enablers of these evolving dynamics, will bring cost reduction potential, faster net-zero emission vision, enhance energy security, attract more investment and create more jobs.

Read More
Clean Energy Economy in Canada

Clean Energy Economy in Canada

May 12, 2025 | ,

Streamlining Canada involves accelerating regulatory and permitting processes for clean growth projects. Connecting Canada means investing in and accelerating the build-out of critical trade, energy, and transportation infrastructure. Buy Canada has quickly turned into a trendy phrase, but for policymakers the definition should include growing the market for Canadian products. Promoting Canada boils down to expanding and diversifying export opportunities while also incentivizing global companies to build here.

Read More
Carbon markets are a critical enabler for decarbonisation: Singapore’s Dr Tan See Leng 

Carbon markets are a critical enabler for decarbonisation: Singapore’s Dr Tan See Leng 

May 9, 2025 |

The current economic environment which is marked by slowing growth, resurgence in protectionism, and inflationary pressures could result in countries and companies delaying action. But nature waits for no one, and the effects of climate change will continue to persist and will worsen. Choosing inaction today is effectively also choosing to accelerate towards a certain and grim future. Singapore recognises that carbon markets are a critical enabler for decarbonisation. International cooperation is needed for both countries and companies to achieve their climate commitments. But carbon markets continue to stall. The three key obstacles are: a lack of common standards, financing gaps, and capacity constraints.

Read More
Business Perspective on Transitioning away from Fossil Fuels: Report

Business Perspective on Transitioning away from Fossil Fuels: Report

May 9, 2025 | , , , ,

This report “Powering up: Business perspectives on shifting to renewable electricity” by E3G summarises that business executives issue a ringing endorsement (97%) for a rapid shift to renewables-based electricity, sending a powerful message to governments to quickly phase out fossil fuels from the grid. As the driving force of the global economy, the world’s corporations exert a strong influence on the pace at which fossil fuels are phased out and renewables are adopted. For companies to fully swing behind renewable electricity, however, governments need to move quickly to remove barriers to the transition. 

Read More
APAC Energy Transition Readiness Assessment: Report 

APAC Energy Transition Readiness Assessment: Report 

May 2, 2025 | , , ,

The energy transition readiness assessment (ETRA) framework provides a structured, data-driven, and forward-looking approach to evaluate and analyze the readiness of developing Asian countries for energy transition. Most developing Asian countries require significant efforts to close the energy transition gaps to enable an effective transition, yet the readiness landscape is varied, indicating distinct opportunities and challenges among countries. Developing Asia’s energy transition readiness will be determined, in part, by the quality of its energy infrastructure, its ability to handle climate shocks, the flexibility of its power system, and readiness for digital solutions.

Read More
Five Key Priorities to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies in Canada

Five Key Priorities to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies in Canada

February 24, 2025 |

To fully eliminate fossil fuel subsidies, Canada must start by publishing a comprehensive inventory of all financial supports to the sector—whether or not they are labelled as “efficient”—and update it regularly. This should include clear timelines for phasing out existing supports, such as those highlighted above. Canada should also move beyond qualifying terms and address all forms of financial support to the fossil fuel industry. This should go hand-in-hand with tackling domestic public finance for fossil fuels from Canadian crown corporations, amounting to at least CAD 7.6 billion to CAD 13.5 billion annually in recent years. Moreover, Canada can support a wider shift in financial flows to drive the energy transition, such as through strong, sustainable finance regulations for the private sector and encouraging pension funds to align their portfolios with credible net-zero scenarios.

Read More
Some California Oil Refineries See a Future in Biofuels. Here’s Why That’s Problematic.

Some California Oil Refineries See a Future in Biofuels. Here’s Why That’s Problematic.

February 24, 2025 |

The uptick in petroleum refineries converting to bio-based diesel production in California raises a series of questions and uncertainties. This holds true even as the limited supply of waste feedstocks, the negative climate impacts of utilizing virgin vegetable oil, and the future of the RFS might disincentivize further conversions.  Currently, the excessive incentivization for biofuels risks slowing the necessary move away from liquid fuels while also driving global land-use change and greenhouse gas emissions. As California strives to achieve its decarbonization targets, policymakers must carefully consider these implications. Developing a transition roadmap that holistically considers the various environmental and social impacts of different transition pathways is an important next step.

Read More
United States’ 2035 NDC: Multi-Model Study

United States’ 2035 NDC: Multi-Model Study

February 6, 2025 | ,

This study presents a multi-model and bottom-up assessment of the potential emissions and sectoral implications of an expanded set of federal and non-federal policy measures beyond current policies, which may be used in efforts to inform updated climate targets and prioritize supporting actions. Although this study focuses on the US which recently announced an updated NDC, it provides a framework that countries globally can employ as they update their NDCs in the coming months.

Read More
Implementing Bioenergy in EU: 2024 Update

Implementing Bioenergy in EU: 2024 Update

February 6, 2025 | ,

Renewables made up 18% of total energy supply in the EU27 in 2022. The renewable energy share in final energy consumption was 22% , of which 60% from biomass. Energy supply in the EU still relies for around 70% on fossil fuels, particularly oil and gas. In terms of fossil fuels, the European Union has a high import dependency (95% for oil, 88% for gas and 53% for coal), making its energy production and economy quite vulnerable. In contrast to fossil fuels, for bioenergy carriers and waste (used for energy) net import dependency is below 5%.

Read More
Interplay of Renewables and Gas in Japan: Report

Interplay of Renewables and Gas in Japan: Report

February 6, 2025 | ,

Japan faces substantial challenges in managing its energy trade deficit and high end-user costs while aggressively pursuing decarbonization targets amidst geopolitical tensions. There are significant concerns about Japan’s ability to meet its emissions targets, casting doubts on its broader 2050 decarbonization plans. The draft 7th Strategic Energy Plan proposes ambitious raised targets for renewable energy, nuclear power, and a reduction in fossil fuel use by 2040, while acknowledging that power demand will rise.

Read More
Japan’s draft energy plan fails to meet the clean energy transition imperative

Japan’s draft energy plan fails to meet the clean energy transition imperative

February 3, 2025 |

Japan’s recent draft of its seventh Strategic Energy Plan (SEP) fails to make the most of the country’s renewables potential, putting the country off track for decarbonising its power sector. The plan, which outlines Japan’s energy transition goals for 2040, must be updated to reflect its international commitments: tripling renewables by 2030, phasing out coal power and transitioning away from fossil fuels. Ultimately, the consequences of a lack of ambition on clean energy leave Japan at risk from missed investment, climate damage costs and economic drain from fossil fuel imports.

Read More
Key Energy Trends Shaping 2025: Brief

Key Energy Trends Shaping 2025: Brief

January 24, 2025 | ,

The return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency introduces further unpredictability, raising questions about the country’s participation in the Paris Agreement and its approach to global climate governance. Meanwhile, inflationary pressures and fragmented trade policies complicate coordinated international efforts to address these pressing issues. Amid this backdrop, clean energy transitions encounter formidable challenges, including entrenched reliance on fossil fuels and insufficient progress in key low-carbon technologies.

Read More
The Energy Transition in 2025: What to Watch For

The Energy Transition in 2025: What to Watch For

January 20, 2025 |

As we enter a new year, the race between tipping points is clearer than ever. 2024 was likely the hottest year on record, raising the risk of earth system tipping points if we fail to speed up solutions. But despite warnings of a slowdown, solutions continue to race forward. As cleantech becomes cheaper than ever, 2024 saw record uptake in renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and more. These positive tipping points are happening worldwide — with major progress in China and the Global South. With national climate plans due in February, it is time to include all sectors, pollutants, and solutions — and then hit the ground running.

Read More
Sweden 2024 Energy Policy Review: IEA

Sweden 2024 Energy Policy Review: IEA

November 29, 2024 | , ,

This Policy Review aims to provide practical, timely advice to Sweden as it advances its energy and climate strategy. The report also highlights areas where Sweden’s leadership can serve as an example in promoting secure clean energy transitions. It also promotes the exchange of best practices among countries to foster learning, build consensus and strengthen political will for a sustainable and affordable clean energy future.

Read More