Despite growing at an unprecedented rate last year, renewable energy sources are still not being deployed quickly enough to put the world on track to meet an international goal of tripling renewables by 2030, new data shows. According to figures published on Thursday by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewables are the fastest-growing source of power worldwide. But IRENA’s analysis found that even if renewables continue to be deployed at the current rate over the next seven years, the world will fall 13.5% short of the target to triple renewables to 11.2 terawatts.
This week, BP raised its forecasts for oil and gas demand in the latest sign that the transition to clean energy has slowed. This is not looking good.
In the context of COP29 in Azerbaijan in November, there is a global call to the UNFCCC to include cultural heritage, the arts and creative sectors in climate policy. See how classical music Is taking on climate change. This was published a few years ago but is still relevant.
In planning travel over the upcoming weeks, here is some useful news to help you along:
- Lonely Planet’s train expert provides his top 5 rail journeys in Europe 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.
- Climbing House provides the 11 Top Climbing Spots in Europe.
- Epic Road Rides provides their choice of the best places to cycle for a cycling holiday this summer.
- 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. Why not start with a nature walk in Turkey.
- CopenPay – To get tourists to act more sustainably Wonderful Copenhagen is launching a new initiative: Pay for a variety of Copenhagen attractions with climate-friendly actions.
John Lennon (1940-1980), an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame as the founder, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles, gives us his views on life: “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.”
EiD welcomes your views about this week’s selection of posts on the zero-carbon energy transition:
- EEA briefing on how to future-proof sustainability policies
- China continues to lead the world in wind and solar, with twice as much capacity under construction as the rest of the world combined
- For shipping, “absolute emission reductions required this decade, and the sustainability of the sector in the long term, can mostly be unlocked with efficiency”
- The emotional side of energy and climate policy
- “I think the challenge for new nuclear is that it is just expensive”
- How companies calculate their carbon footprints
- World Economic Forum: “We therefore have one message for all businesses and policy-makers: Get ready to act on energy efficiency to meet global climate goals and achieve an effective energy transition.”
- Brazil is no stranger to mass population movements triggered by climate change but the public is unprepared for future extreme climate events
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Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 