The negotiations taking place before a climate conference are always complicated. This is proving true this year as well. The Financial Times reports (behind a paywall) that western countries have clashed with Saudi Arabia over the role it should play to “kick-start a UN fund to help poorer countries deal with the loss and damage of climate change.” There is even wrangling over where the fund will be based and who should contribute to it ahead of COP 28. This is happening during the week that the world is mourning the death of our dear friend Saleemul Huq (see this week’s post) who was instrumental in COP27 to have the loss and damage fund approved. There is now a petition to name the Loss & Damage Fund as the Loss & Damage Huq fund.
The eceee Zero Carbon Industry event will take place 30–31 January 2024 in Antwerp, Belgium. Europe’s industrial context has changed considerably over the last couple of years. Europe has increased its climate ambition to achieve full climate neutrality by 2050, the COVID-19 pandemic has perturbed consumer demand and supply chains, and Russia has caused an unprecedented energy crisis but also opened up new opportunities. This conference is an opportunity to discuss the way forward to not only decarbonisation but also improving Europe’s industrial competitiveness. The call for abstracts is now open until November 20th. The description of the panels is available here. To submit an abstract, please go here. To get an idea of what the conference will be like, have a look at the films and presentations from last year’s conference.
With so many people on the move this year, here is some useful news to help you along:
- It is encouraging to see the growing demand for train travel. Euronews provides us with the best new European train routes launching in 2023 and 2024.
- For those interested in a nice hike through Europe, Moon and Honey Travel recommend 22 best day hikes in Europe.
- If you’re interested in a cycling trip this year, have a look at the Best Cycling Destinations in Europe.
- For those travelling in the US, Lonely Planet provides 9 of the most incredible train journeys in the USA.
- SlowWays in Britain is a network of walking routes that connect all of Britain’s towns, cities and national parks. Over 130,000 km of routes join up all of Great Britain’s towns and cities. There is even an app available for your phone.
Bertrand Russell (1872-1970), the British mathematician, philosopher, logician, and public intellectual, gives us much to think about this week: “It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I have been searching for evidence which could support this.”
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Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 