EiD is always trying to encourage zero carbon transport. It was a pleasant surprise to see such an article in The Economist this week. Entitled Forget EVs. Cycling is revolutionising transport, the article provides strong evidence that the cities that have promoted cycling have really benefited from lower congestion to better air quality. “In London cyclists now outnumber cars in the City, the financial district, by two to one. Paris, where they now outnumber motorists across the whole city, is catching up with Europe’s traditional bike capitals, Amsterdam and Copenhagen, though cycling is still growing in those cities, too.” There is also a good example from Montreal: “On a sunny Thursday over a ten-minute period at rush hour, your correspondent counted 132 bicycles (at least a half dozen of which had children on the back) flowing one way. In the adjacent—and much wider—automobile lane 82 cars (almost all carrying just their driver) and one city bus moved by in a bumper-to-bumper crawl.” The article concludes: “Still, in cities that have made them mainstream, the idea of going back to car-clogged streets is considered ridiculous. In the Netherlands a former prime minister, Mark Rutte, made a point of riding to work. In Denmark last year King Frederik arrived at a charity event with his two sons in the front box of an electric cargo bike. In Paris there is a new complaint: bicycle traffic jams. Montreal is reaching that point now too, at least in summer. On yer bike.” Yes, on yer bike for sure.
The Financial Times Moral Money newsletter this week focused on climate risk and the insurance industry. It gave the example of Japan that has taken a different approach. Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance recently acquired Integrated Design & Engineering, a consultancy focused on natural disaster mitigation. “An insurer buying an engineering company is highly unusual. But it reflects a wider trend in the sector, as insurers and reinsurers try to strengthen their clients’ defences against climate risks.” It will be good to find out how successful they are and to see if this becomes a growing trend.
DNV, the Norwegian independent expert in assurance and risk management, published its ninth edition of its annual report, Energy Transition Outlook 2025. Encouragingly, the global shift towards cleaner energy remains resilient despite a slowdown in the United States. Energy security has become the primary driver of energy policy and this is accelerating the deployment of renewables. Howevver, policy reversals and renewed support for fossil fuels in the US will delay national emission reductions by around five years. DNV estimates annual carbon dioxide emissions will be 500–1000 million tonnes higher than last year’s forecast. You can download the report here.
In planning travel over the upcoming weeks, here are some useful ideas to help you along:
- Country Living Magazine provides 3 European train routes set to transform travel in 2025.
- Check out the Good Night Train website for the unique way to travel through Europe while you sleep. Note, however, EiD post on latest cancellation.
- World Walks provides us with walking holidays in Europe.
- For those who want to combine hiking with food and wine in Europe and Australia, check out the Hedonistic Hiking website.
- Cycling for Softies provides us with the 15 Best Cycling Holidays in Europe 2025.
David Brin (b. 1950), an American scientist and science fiction author, reflects on the psychology of leadership and tyranny: “It’s said that “power corrupts”, but actually it’s more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power. When they do act, they think of it as service, which has limits. The tyrant, though, seeks mastery, for which he is insatiable, implacable.”
EiD welcomes your views about this week’s selection of posts on the zero-carbon energy transition:
- “Compared to what would be required for a path that keeps to the goals of the Paris Agreement, they’re largely insufficient”
- Sound advice on energy efficiency from two world experts
- Yes, renewables overtake coal as world’s biggest source of electricity but look at where the greatest growth is
- New analysis: Top news sources for Global Warmings’ Six Americas
- The Power of Using Less: Exposing the Politics Behind Energy Denial
- Nobel prize for chemistry awarded to three scientists for their work on metal organic frameworks that can be used to extract water from desert air, capture carbon dioxide, or store toxic gases
- World’s largest oil, gas companies involved in under 1.5 % renewable energy projects
- Leading companies want EU to repeal prominent corporate sustainabilitiy laws to increase the region’s competitiveness
- New Zealand’s energy transition: isn’t there a role for renewables?
Please send your comments on any of the posts. Please recommend EiD to your friends and colleagues.
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Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 