Is it two steps forward and one step back or the reverse. The climate and energy transition is underway. The question is what way? This week in an article on the Financial Times (behind a paywall), the global financial services company J P Morgan said that the world needs a “reality check” on its move from fossil fuels to renewable energy saying it may take “generations” to hit net-zero targets. It quotes their head of global energy strategy, Christyan Malek, “While the target to net zero is still some time away, we have to face up to the reality that the variables have changed. Interest rates are much higher. Government debt is significantly greater and the geopolitical landscape is structurally different. The $3tn to $4tn it will cost each year come in a different macro environment.” This same week, Unilever, the global consumer goods company said it would scale back its environmental and social aims as the company bows to pressure from shareholders to cut costs. Quoted on the Guardian website, the chief executive Hein Schumacher said that said people’s focus on environmental and social issues was “cyclical”: “When you have a huge drought for a number of months but everything else is going fine, the attention is on climate. These days it’s about wars and rightly so, that’s at the forefront.” Environmental groups are not impressed, to say the least.
As we prepare for COP29 in Azerbaijan in November, remember there is a global call to the UNFCCC to include cultural heritage, the arts and creative sectors in climate policy. Check out the call from the Climate Heritage Network to put culture at the heart of climate action. Let us know if there are other cultural activities related to addressing our climate crisis that you would like to promote.
In upcoming weeks there are two events not to miss. In May there is Australia’s 2024 Energy Efficiency National Conference. In June, eceee holds its bi-annual summer study. It’s theme is “Sustainable, Safe and Secure Through Demand Reduction.” Check out details on the two events here.
Numbers of the week: There are 439,100 posts on TikTok concerning climate change. Energy in Demand has 1,922.
- In planning travel over the upcoming weeks, here is some useful news to help you along:
- The inews website provides Europe’s most exciting new rail routes for 2024.
- For the best hikes in Europe in 2024, there are many good suggestions on the 57 hours website. For those who want to combine hiking with food and wine, check out the Hedonistic Hiking website.
- 5 stunning spring cycling destinations in Europe are recommended on the Get Your Guide website.
- There is always the option of virtual tourism at the Xplore Nature Channel. There are now 130 videos. Find out more about the channel here.
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), the Italian polymath of the High Renaissance who was active as a painter, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor and architect, provides valuable words on sophistication: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
EiD welcomes your views about this week’s selection of posts on the zero-carbon energy transition:
- European Citizens’ Panel provides recommendations on energy efficiency
- New assessment from EEA and ECHA of the drivers and impact of chemical pollution
- Lessons from the Cold War to address environmental sustainability
- Blog by Stephen Davies: Should more UK property owners follow Norway in adopting heat pumps?
- Latest public opinion on climate and aviation in Europe
- France is aiming for one million new heat pumps a year to be manufactured in the country by 2027
- New tool empowers regions in their energy transition across Europe
- Spotting the fossil fuel industry’s disinformation tactics
Please send your comments on any of the posts. Please follow us on X at @EnergyDemand and @rodjanssen. Please recommend EiD to your friends and colleagues.
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Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 