“The fossil fuel lobby is holding us back from negotiating a treaty that will end the plastics crisis”

The fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, is taking place in Ottawa, Canada. This meeting is being held pursuant to the resolution adopted by the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2), which requests the UN Environment … Continue reading “The fossil fuel lobby is holding us back from negotiating a treaty that will end the plastics crisis”

With the right incentives in place by governments and the construction sector, almost all cement produced around the world could be low-carbon

In an article on The Conversation website, Jamie Goggins, Professor of Civil Engineering, College of Science and Engineering at the University of Galway discusses how green cement production is showing real promise. What are your views?   Green cement production is scaling up – and it could cut the carbon footprint of construction Aside from … Continue reading With the right incentives in place by governments and the construction sector, almost all cement produced around the world could be low-carbon

Paris Olympic Games have target to produce half the emissions of the Rio and London games

Paul Messad writes on the Euractiv website about what Paris Olympic Games organisers have done to reduce its carbon footprint.   Climate friendly Paris Olympic Games focused on low carbon, repurposed construction The Paris Olympic Games have opted for low-carbon construction and the repurposing of existing facilities for its sports infrastructure. The target is to … Continue reading Paris Olympic Games have target to produce half the emissions of the Rio and London games

Did the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings build momentum for transformative change in Africa?

In an article on the African Arguments website, an expert panel gives their verdict on whether the Spring Meetings offered Africa hope that climate finance will be expanded and reformed.   Climate finance: Did the IMF/World Bank spring meetings move the dial? In a year in which climate finance will take centre stage in climate … Continue reading Did the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings build momentum for transformative change in Africa?

Infrared fabric heat-emitting “wallpaper” avoids the disruption and expense of heat pumps

Hundreds of millions of buildings across the world need clean heating. But retrofitting them all for heat pump installation is going to be expensive, disruptive, and take a long time. In an article on the Conversation website, Michael Siebert at Nottingham Trent University describes a completely different approach, using new high-tech infrared fabrics that emit … Continue reading Infrared fabric heat-emitting “wallpaper” avoids the disruption and expense of heat pumps

Discussions underway to make COP29 and COP30 smaller

While 84,000 delegates attended COP28 in Dubai, just 40,000-50,000 are expected at COP29 in Baku and COP30 in Belém. Alice Martins Morais, Matteo Civillini and Joe Lo write on the Climate Home News website about latest developments.   Peak COP? UN looks to shrink Baku and Belém climate summits UN climate chief Simon Stiell has … Continue reading Discussions underway to make COP29 and COP30 smaller

Britain’s energy transition: the concept of “net zero” has become a political slogan used to start a “dangerous” culture war over the climate

Chris Stark, the chief executive of the Climate Change Committee – an independent non-departmental public body that advises the United Kingdom and devolved Governments and Parliaments on tackling and preparing for climate change – says populist response and culture war around the term “net zero” is inhibiting environmental progress. In an article on the Guardian … Continue reading Britain’s energy transition: the concept of “net zero” has become a political slogan used to start a “dangerous” culture war over the climate

Global Stocktaking on Sustainable Energy (SDG7)

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) reports on United Nations environment and development negotiations. The following is its report on global stocktaking concerning Sustainable Development Goal 7. Achieving access to affordable and clean energy for all (SDG7) is considered indispensable to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and is, … Continue reading Global Stocktaking on Sustainable Energy (SDG7)

Energy in Demand News, April 21, 2024

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 … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 21, 2024

Spotting the fossil fuel industry’s disinformation tactics

Fossil fuel companies use their power to influence the debate on climate change and fossil fuels internationally, pushing disinformation campaigns advancing false or misleading climate solutions. Amy Westervelt and Kyle Pope have covered climate disinformation for a combined 20-plus years – here’s their guide on how to decode it   How to spot five of … Continue reading Spotting the fossil fuel industry’s disinformation tactics