In the face of the ever-worsening climate crisis, this report aims to challenge the six harmful but influential energy transition myths. Together, these myths aim to persuade us that the private sector, free markets, cheaper prices and decentralisation can decarbonise the energy system — and that intellectual property rights and trade and investment protection agreements are necessary to facilitate this. These myths keep policy-makers, social movements and communities from defending, building and advocating for real solutions: public power systems that can democratically decarbonise society.
The Transnational Institute (TNI) is an international research and advocacy institute committed to building a just, democratic and sustainable planet. For nearly 50 years, TNI has served as a unique nexus between social movements, engaged scholars and policy makers.
At the policy level, we celebrated a huge shift in Europe against one of the biggest barriers to climate action, the Energy Charter Treaty. At the same time, we expanded and strengthened the global movement for energy democracy and a just transition, with a particular focus on North Africa. We deepened our collaboration with food producers, particularly fisher people’s movements, to resist false solutions to the climate and environmental crisis. We forged new alliances and authored cutting-edge analyses to challenge the growing menace of digital capitalism. In response to the growing global arms race and the juggernaut of militarism, we offered a unique and vitally important counter-narrative. We also drew the connections between securitisation and a number of salient issues, from drug policy to climate change, and urged more just and equitable approaches. Our proposals and narratives reached audiences around the world.
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