EU taxonomy is a classification system that is a cornerstone of the EU’s sustainable finance framework. It defines the criteria for economic activities that are aligned with a net zero trajectory by 2050 and the broader environmental goals beyond climate. The taxonomy regulation entered into force on July 12th 2020. Its classification of what constitutes “green” investments has already landed the European Commission with legal challenges because nuclear energy and gas were added to the definition of green investments. A Financial Times newsletter this week (behind a paywall) reports that “a coalition of five NGOs backed by a 35,000-name petition are taking the commission to court over a decision to now include planes and ships that run on fossil fuels in the taxonomy. Investors can therefore direct money towards these means of transport as long as they meet certain efficiency standards. The NGOs deem the restrictions to be “weak”. The FT newsletter continues: “The taxonomy is set to mobilise billions of euros of private finance,” said David Kay, legal director at the NGO Opportunity Green. “But the aviation and shipping criteria send completely the wrong signal to investors — directing investments to planes and ships that will pollute the climate for decades to come.”
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. It was announced this week that the Cure are set to release live recordings of two new, previously unreleased songs on an environmentally friendly vinyl edition, with all profits to benefit the climate charity EarthPercent, founded by Brian Eno. According to the Guardian article, the release is part of the Naked Record Club, which sells limited-edition records made from sustainable vinyl that is estimated to use 80-90% less electricity than traditional steam vinyl pressing machines.
To ensure that the zero carbon energy transition gains momentum we need a new generation of experts to continue the good work. EiD encourages all young researchers (born after 1989) in energy efficiency and biomass to submit contributions for next year’s Young Energy Researchers Conference on March 5th as part of World Sustainable Energy Days, March 5-8, 2025 in Wels, Austria. Altogether there are six conferences and a tradeshow packed into the four days. The theme of this year’s energy efficiency conference is “2025: Competitive, collective, climate-neutral!” Submissions for the young energy researchers conference are invited from any scientific field (e.g. technology, engineering, economics, social sciences, architecture, law, arts) and must be in English only. The deadline for submissions is October 10th. Rod is a member of the scientific committee for the young researchers’ conference.
In planning travel over the upcoming weeks, here is some useful ideas to help you along:
- Lonely Planet’s train expert provides his top 5 rail journeys in Europe for 2024.
- According to Euronews, starting in February next year, the new European Sleeper train will travel between Brussels and Venice, passing through nine different cities.
- 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 in September and October.
- There is always the option of virtual tourism at the Xplore Nature Channel. There are now 130 videos. With the seasons soon changing, why not take a virtual nature walk in Germany.
- The Guardian provides 15 tips for the reluctant camper to love life beneath the stars.
Richard Hofstadter (1916-1970), an American historian and public intellectual of the mid-20th century provides us with another important message this week: “A large segment of the public willingly resigns itself to political passivity in a world in which it cannot expect to make well-founded judgments.”
EiD welcomes your views about this week’s selection of posts on the zero-carbon energy transition:
- EEA publishes updated European city air quality viewer: Uppsala is Europe’s cleanest city
- Simple steps that cities can also slow the pace of urban heat island-driven warming trends – learning from ancient Rome
- How developing countries can benefit as clean energy investment doubles globally
- Storylines could transform the way organisations understand and report their exposure to climate risk
- “Continuing to denigrate renewables, and capturing too much political attention, nuclear proponents achieve only one thing – slowing down the transition to renewables”
- Can fuel poverty be eliminated or “must this goal always remain just beyond our grasp?”
- Innovation is key for our clean energy transition
- Los Angeles is promising a “car-free” Summer Games for 2028 Olympics
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 