Energy Transitions Commission

We have just published our latest briefing note: NDCs, NCQG, and Financing the Transition: Unlocking Flows for a Net-Zero Future.    “Climate finance“ will be a key subject at COP29, with debate in particular on the proposed “New Collective Quantified Goal“ (NCQG) for financial flows from high-income to low-income countries. But the term “climate finance“ is often used vaguely and broadly, covering several different challenges and priorities.    The ETC’s latest briefing note clarifies the nature and scale of different types of finance required, proposes four principles to ensure a useful conclusion of the NCQG debate and explains the vital role that updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) can and must play in unleashing financial flows.    Download the full analysis:  https://lnkd.in/eY4ANWeR

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲’𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘄. 𝗧𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗨 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 (𝗖𝗥𝗠) 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆. Systemiq Ltd.'s latest report, supported by Breakthrough Energy and the ETC with data and expert input from Minviro and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, "𝗔 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘄 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆-𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗨 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻", 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗨 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲’𝘀 𝗖𝗥𝗠 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲: 🔑 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 to leapfrog traditional processes with lower environmental impacts 💰 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁-𝗼𝗳-𝗮-𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 at commercial scale 📈 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 to stabilise prices for domestically produced materials ⚙️ 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 to fast-track high-impact projects 🌍 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 with targeted trade measures, while supporting innovation in partner countries To advance its energy transition, the EU must support rapid industrialisation of innovative processes and establish clear market signals to facilitate offtake agreements. Without these measures, creating a robust local supply chain will remain out of reach. The report highlights essential steps to bolster resource independence and sustainable industrial growth. ▶️ 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: https://lnkd.in/etrfvx8K #CleanEnergyTransition #RawMaterials #Innovation #Europe

The EU has made impressive strides in the energy transition, but can it sustain this momentum? Our latest blog post explores key policies that have helped drive decarbonisation in the EU to date, the challenges ahead on the global transition journey, and offers strategic recommendations for the new European Commission's green agenda in its five-year term ahead. Read about how Europe can maintain its leadership and competitiveness in the global clean energy race. This blog builds on a related ETC Whitepaper which was published today, that was drafted in consultation with Sandrine Dixson-Declève and subset of ETC members including (but not limited to) Iberdrola, Octopus Energy, European Climate Foundation, Impax Asset Management, and Rothschild & Co. #EnergyTransition #EU #EUClimateAction #CleanEnergy

As the new European Commission took office this month, we have just published our policy whitepaper: Solidifying the EU’s leadership in the global energy transition.  This note outlines current progress in reaching net-zero emissions by mid-century, alongside identifying further opportunities to solidify the European Union (EU)’s climate leadership. The paper recommends that the next 5-year agenda of the EU Commission:  - Avoids reversing previous policies to send clear market signals that will encourage investment and maintain momentum around the energy transition -Expands policy focus to areas beyond the power sector to ensure emissions achieved across all sectors   -Aligns industrial policy with environmental goals to ensure European companies can compete in the global marketplace Download the paper here: https://lnkd.in/gH-AD4QX

📢 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱: 𝗔 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝘄 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆-𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗨 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Europe’s shift to a low-carbon economy is at a tipping point. A new report from Systemiq Ltd., supported by Breakthrough Energy and the Energy Transitions Commission with data and expert input from Minviro and Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, reveals how innovation can sustainably transform the production of critical raw materials (CRMs) like lithium, graphite, and copper—essential for climate goals and strategic autonomy. The Challenge  Europe’s share of global CRM production has dropped from 25% to less than 7% in 40 years. The EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) sets bold 2030 targets for mining, refining, and recycling, but hitting them requires a game-changing approach. The Opportunity  The report highlights 7 breakthrough technologies to sustainably onshore CRM supply, with Primary Sulfide Leaching, Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) and Novel low-carbon graphite routes standing out.  By adopting these, Europe could slash the carbon footprint of EV batteries while securing critical resources (see attached image). Curious to learn more?  📥 Download the report now and see our policy recommendations to turn these opportunities into action.  https://lnkd.in/etrfvx8K #CleanEnergyTransition #RawMaterials #Europe #Innovation Tokai COBEX, I•ROX, Vulcan Energy, CarbonScape, Quadrature Climate Foundation, European Investment Bank (EIB), TechMet-Mercuria SA Eveline Speelman Alasdair Graham Lloyd Pinnell Benjamin NEVES Pravin Steele Penelope Le Menestrel Julia Reinaud

We are excited to have Ausgrid join our coalition of industry leaders, experts and NGOs working to accelerate the global energy transition and achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century. Ausgrid will bring valuable insights to our global energy community, from their work on community batteries, to Energy Storage as a Service (ESaaS) and DSO Models. Learn more about the largest electricity distributor on Australia's east coast here: https://lnkd.in/gWnY6-cw

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗨 #𝗥𝗮𝘄𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸? 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? Join us on: 📅 Tuesday 10 December 2pm-5:20pm at Cardo Hotel in Brussels (and online), where we'll be diving deep into 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆-𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗨 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲? 1️⃣ The energy transition needs a secure supply of critical raw materials (think copper, lithium, graphite, etc.). 2️⃣ New technologies could have an important role to play in boosting production while reducing the environmental impact of mining and refining 3️⃣ Systemiq Ltd. in collaboration with Breakthrough Energy and the ETC, will be publishing an innovation roadmap outlining how we can leverage new technologies to enhance the EU's critical raw material supply security, sovereignty, and sustainability 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁: * Keynote address by Lord Adair Turner, Chairman Energy Transitions Commission * Panel discussions featuring leading European innovators, policymakers, and experts Tokai COBEX, I•ROX, Vulcan Energy, CarbonScape, Quadrature Climate Foundation, European Investment Bank (EIB), TechMet-Mercuria SA * Networking opportunities RSVP ➡️ info@energy-transitions.org. Virtual participation is also possible.

One Week on from #COP29 – ETC Reflections 👇 COP29 underscored both progress and persistent gaps in the net-zero transition. The summit reaffirmed critical global goals, including tripling renewables by 2030, and spotlighted the accelerating pace of the clean energy revolution. Technologies like solar PV, batteries, and EVs continue to exceed expectations, with adoption surging even in emerging markets such as Pakistan and Southeast Asia. However, ETC Chair Adair Turner described the political outcomes of COP29 as “only an inching forward,” with uneven ambition and policy support slowing the pace of transition. At events with partners and members, we emphasised the role of “NDCs 3.0” in providing the ambition and granularity needed to scale finance and accelerate climate progress. While countries such as the United Kingdom and Brazil submitted updated NDCs – an encouraging signal – proposals to tighten commitments were deferred to COP30, leaving a critical ambition gap. Our recent work on #CredibleContributions underscores the need for much stronger commitments in 2025, particularly around high-emitting sectors and regions. Our NDCs, NCQG, and Financing the Transition analysis reinforced the need for precision in defining and sourcing climate finance. COP29 highlighted ongoing challenges, including a persistent lack of clarity on categories, quantities, and allocation between mitigation and adaptation. Future agreements must separate mitigation finance from adaptation and loss-and-damage support to achieve greater transparency and impact. During Week 1, we also hosted a panel on Supply Chains in Transition: Trade Policies, Geopolitics, and the Path to Net-Zero, featuring diverse perspectives from Jon Creyts (CEO of RMI), Rebecca Collyer (Executive Director, PIE & ReNew2030 at European Climate Foundation), Arun Sharma (Group Head for Sustainability and Climate Change at Adani Group), and Zhang Haimeng (Vice President and CSO at LONGi Solar). This discussion tackled critical trade issues, including the impact of Europe’s CBAM, regional supply chains, and the geopolitical dynamics shaping global climate efforts. Ultimately, while technological progress is undeniable, political ambition and clarity must catch up. Without addressing these barriers, the global transition will struggle to gain the momentum needed to limit warming to well below 2°C. The global transition is accelerating at a technological level, but political frameworks lag behind. The road ahead demands both granularity and ambition – especially in climate finance and mitigation targets. COP29 served as a timely reminder: while progress is real, the scale of action still falls short of what’s needed. Let’s seize this moment to push for actionable solutions that bridge the gap between ambition and implementation. #COP29 #NetZero #ClimateAction #EnergyTransition 

Following the outcomes of COP29, the call to raise ambition in the next round of NDCs has never been clearer. While updated submissions from the United Kingdom and Brazil demonstrated steps forward in global climate commitments, the level of ambition must be raised across the board to reach net-zero targets.  Rapid progress in the low-carbon transition is being made. Projected deployment of wind and solar PV is expected to more than double by 2035 compared to 2023 levels, and in the same period, deployment of EVs is expected to quadruple globally. At COP29, significant strides were made for clean tech investment including the launch of the Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge and the implementation of Article 6 on carbon trading. Governments must reflect this technological progress as well as existing policy commitments in the next round of NDCs due by COP30 in Brazil – these should account for countries’ diverse contexts and capacity to support, and deliver, the transition to a net-zero economy globally.  However, ambition alone will not translate into progress - NDCs must help turn ambition into action. In addition to defining clear and detailed roadmaps for implementation and measurable, comprehensive targets, “NDCs 3.0” must act as clear investable plans.   Given the scale of investment needed to meet conditional targets, and their importance in overall emissions reductions, these targets in “NDCs 3.0” should contain clear, quantified investment needs to leverage the international community to scale up climate finance.  Download the #CredibleContributions insights briefing here: https://lnkd.in/eQfdmpgj 

Clarity and ambition are paramount for ensuring adequate climate finance flows for achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century. In response to the COP29 outcome on the New Collective Quantified Goal, the focus of the "Baku to Belem Pathway" should be to meet the climate finance needs of developing countries. However, critical gaps must be addressed in this roadmap to ensure meaningful impact. Clarity on Finance Flows: The scale of different types of financial flows included in the Baku to Belem Pathway should be more clearly defined. It should define flows of funding towards mitigation, adaptation and loss & damage. And define the types of finance required for each of these areas, from private investment, public finance, MDB enabled finance, and grants. A Broader Pool of Contributors: To meet the scale of needs, countries such as China and high-income oil and gas producers must also provide funds. New Sources of Funds: Carbon taxes on aviation and shipping, revenues from CBAMs, and contributions from oil and gas producers, as proposed under initiatives like the Climate Finance Action Fund, offer promising pathways to expand financial resources. The COP29 announcement must be the start, not the end. Achieving a sustainable transition to a net-zero economy by mid-century is possible with sufficient financial flows directed towards climate mitigation, adaptation, and addressing loss and damage. Read our analysis from NDCs, NCQG and Financing the Transition for more clarity: https://lnkd.in/dhArVGK5