GEMM December Newsletter
- Pragatie
- Dec 15, 2025
- 5 min read
Keeping you up-to-date on the latest in renewable energy and sustainability.
Welcome to the December edition of the GEMM Energy Monthly Newsletter. We aim to bring you the latest in renewable energy advancements, highlight sustainability efforts, showcase GEMM's current projects, and provide valuable insights for a brighter, more sustainable future.
World Energy Outlook 2025: What's Powering the Future
The IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2025 offers a widely recognized snapshot of how the global energy landscape is evolving. Updated each year, it compiles the latest data, emerging technologies, and policy signals to illustrate the different pathways the energy system could take — and what those pathways might mean for security, affordability, access, and emissions.
Rather than making predictions, the WEO uses scenario analysis to highlight how various policy and investment choices could shape the future. From current trajectories to more climate-aligned ambitions, it helps frame how decisions made today influence long-term outcomes.
This year’s edition lands at a critical time, with geopolitical uncertainty and rapidly shifting energy markets pushing countries to rethink how they balance security, sustainability, and cost. A key storyline gaining global attention: the rising strategic importance of critical minerals, which underpin nearly every major clean energy technology.
Emission Gap Report 2025: Are We Closing the Climate Gap? Spoiler: Not Quite
This year’s Emissions Gap Report brings a mix of tiny wins and big reality checks. If countries fully deliver on their climate promises (NDCs), global warming is now projected at 2.3–2.5°C. Stick to current policies? We’re heading for 2.8°C. Slightly better than last year, yes — but most of that “improvement” comes from technical tweaks, not stronger action. In simple terms: progress is happening… but at a painfully slow pace.
To stay aligned with the Paris Agreement, global emissions need to drop 35% by 2035 for a 2°C world, and 55% for the dream 1.5°C pathway. With politics, time, and ambition all working against us, crossing 1.5°C now looks likely within the next decade.
The good news? Clean tech is ready to roll. Solar and wind are booming, prices are falling, and solutions exist. The challenge isn’t technology — it’s willpower, money, and global cooperation.
Every fraction of a degree matters. The tools are in our hands. The question is — will we use them in time?
The 2035 Climate Target: Moving Forward Together
The U.S. has set a new climate target: reducing emissions by 61–66% by 2035 compared to 2005 levels, submitted on December 19, 2024. While this goal isn’t fully aligned with the 1.5°C target, it shows progress and intent from both sides of the political aisle, each advancing toward a greener future in their own ways.
Quick snapshot:
Target: 61–66% emissions reduction by 2035 (vs 2005)
Submitted: December 19, 2024
Reality check: Not fully 1.5°C-compatible
Opportunity: Local leaders, cities, and businesses can lead the charge
Climate policy may be political — but climate action? That’s everyone’s game. Even if federal momentum slows, subnational initiatives can keep the U.S. moving forward in the race against climate change.
Developed Countries
UK: No new oil & gas licences but still allowing extra drilling in existing fields; mixed signals on EVs; keeps windfall tax; moving green levies to general taxes.
US: Targeting 100% clean power by 2035; stronger methane/HFC action; new 2035 climate goals coming.
China: Accelerating renewables; planning to phase down coal; submitting stronger 2035 climate targets; teaming with US on super-pollutants.
EU: Strong 2025 climate plans with ambitious emissions cuts.
G20: Slow progress overall; emissions still rising; not meeting 1.5°C pathway.
Developing / “3rd World” Countries
India: Delaying stricter rules for solar/wind due to weather uncertainty; pushing for better forecasting + storage; still targeting 500 GW non-fossil by 2030.
Other developing nations: Submitting ambitious climate plans but depend heavily on international funding; strong focus on fairness and a just transition.
Global Reality Check
Current pledges only close 14% of the gap needed for 1.5°C.
World is still on track for 2.3–2.5°C warming.
Clean energy is growing, but cuts to fossil fuels aren’t fast enough.
2026 Renewable Energy Outlook: Fast, Flexible and Full of Momentum
Despite policy and supply chain pressure in 2025, renewables still made up 93% of new US capacity. In 2026, the focus shifts from speed to smart, resilient growth.
Investors are prioritizing mature, revenue-ready projects, hybrid portfolios, and strategic mergers—seeking stability and scale over early-stage risk.
Supply chains are all about agility: diversifying suppliers, reshoring components, and stockpiling materials to stay ahead of tariffs and sourcing rules.
Meanwhile, storage leads the market, driven by nonstop demand from AI and data centers, making solar-plus-storage and virtual power plants the new backbone of the grid.
The US market is accelerating—but with smarter money, flexible supply strategies, and storage at the center.
Local
Philadelphia Goes Green: A Bold Step Toward a Carbon-Neutral Future
Philadelphia is turning up the heat on climate action — but in a good way! The City has officially committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050, setting an ambitious path toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. To make this vision a reality, it’s launched a new Climate Action Playbook, hired its very first Chief Resilience Officer, and rolled out an Environmental Justice Commission to ensure every community has a voice in the journey.
So what does this mean? Think smarter buildings, cleaner energy, greener transport, and less waste — all working together to create a net-zero emissions city. From expanding solar power and boosting energy efficiency to helping vulnerable neighborhoods adapt to climate challenges like extreme heat and flooding, Philadelphia is putting action behind its promises.
And it doesn’t stop there! New programs like Solarize Philly, Zero Waste initiatives, and building performance upgrades are powering this transition, while expert panels and resilience teams ensure the City stays prepared for what’s ahead. The message is clear: Philadelphia isn’t just planning for the future — it’s actively building a cooler, more resilient, and more equitable one.
Philadelphia’s Climate Comeback: Key Highlights
80%+ of streetlights upgraded to LEDs, contributing to a 21% drop in gun violence.
Renewable energy now at 30%, driven by the Adams Solar Project.
200M+ plastic bags kept out of landfills since the bag ban.
Municipal vehicle emissions down 10% since 2019.
Updated Climate Resilience Plan underway to prepare for heat, storms, and flooding.
Citywide emissions down 31% since 2006, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
Philadelphia Energy Campaign (2016) has created 8,400+ jobs and targets 10,000 by next year.
Stay connected!
We're excited to continue this journey with you, by sharing news and insights on sustainability and progressing our path toward a better future. Stay tuned for our newsletter next month.
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