Impact
Turning power sector data into climate action.
Turning power sector data into climate action
Ember was launched in March 2020 with a mission to accelerate the global electricity transition from coal to clean.
It brings together a team of power sector experts who turn data into action, with the goal of driving real-world change to limit global heating to 1.5C.
Our aim is to make decarbonising the power sector understandable and accessible to campaigners and policymakers. We provide free-to-use data and unbiased analysis to help drive evidence-led policy change and shift the narrative.
2021 highlights
We have supported high impact, politically-viable policies that lead to a zero-carbon electricity system.
We highlighted Poland’s coal mine methane problem, shaping the EU methane strategy and engaging with mining companies. We met with Cabinet Members of EVP Timmermans, Commissioner Simson and DG ENER to discuss coal mine methane in the context of the EU methane strategy under development. Mining companies were also under pressure from Poland’s Ministry of State Assets after this publication.
Read the reportWe highlighted the EU countries swapping coal for gas in our Just Transition report, after which Europe voted to block fossil gas in the Just Transition fund.
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We showed that a UK gas phase-out in the power sector is possible by 2035 or before. We held a roundtable with big energy companies and BEIS and found support for clean power across both private and public sectors. We also shared our UK Clean Power Plan report with Conservative MPs and No. 10. Our recommendations to the UK government, work with other NGO’s and timely analysis played a key role in the UK government announcing a 2035 clean power target. This commitment in the run up to COP26 let other countries see the possibility of phasing out fossil fuels.
Read the reportWe have shaped the global narrative, securing extensive media coverage around the world to show the growing momentum of the global electricity transition and draw attention to key barriers to progress.
Our report makes recommendations targeted at improving the measurement, reporting, mitigation and, ultimately, avoidance of coal mine methane emissions. Published after the Australian election in May 2022 it aimed to raise awareness and set objectives for the incoming government. There has since been a national media debate which didn’t exist before, and our report has been linked to planned updates to the draft Queensland Industry Development Plan.
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We published the world’s first unbiased analysis of the global electricity transition and update it biannually, empowering campaigners with country-by-country data and trends.
Read the reportWe demonstrated that fossil gas is to blame for soaring electricity prices around Europe, not EU climate policy. Presentations to academics, think tanks and MEPs, experts, industry roundtables, plus widespread media coverage helped shape narrative. Our chart was even used by the European Commission.
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Looking ahead
To limit global heating to 1.5 degrees and avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis, Europe and the OECD need to phase-out coal power by 2030, and globally by 2040. We will continue to expand our work in target countries around the world to drive a shift from coal to clean electricity, avoiding false solutions like fossil gas and unsustainable biomass.