Newsletter • January 22, 2023 (example)

UN Secretary General Guterres at Davos: fossil fuel producers “mislead consumers, investors and regulators with false narratives”

UN Secretary General António Guterres was not holding back his criticism of fossil fuel producers at the World Economic Forum annual meeting at Davos, Switzerland this week. Read the EiD post on what he said. Also at the WEF gathering at Davos, EC President Ursula von der Leyen presented her “Green Deal Industrial Plan” how the EU will take its next steps. Let’s see what impact both of them have in getting us back on track to meet our long-term climate and energy objectives.

As we march towards COP28 in the United Arab Emirates on November 30 to December 12^th, theFinancial Times this weekend (behind a paywall) writes that their national emissions reduction target is rated as “highly insufficient” by the independent scientific research group Climate Action Tracker. “The economy-wide emissions reduction target of 31 per cent by 2030, compared to a “business as usual” scenario in 2030, would result in emissions more than tripling compared to 1990 levels.” The UAE has already been criticised naming Dr. Sultan al-Jaber, CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. On the positive side, Jaber also heads Masdar, one of the largest renewables groups worldwide. At COP27 in Egypt, more than 600 fossil fuel lobbyists attended, 25 per cent more than at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021. The largest delegation of 60 came from UAE. Who knows what will happen this year. We certainly need to ensure that the lobbyists for energy efficiency and renewable energy are ready to argue for the zero-carbon energy transition.

Travel allows us to explore other cultures, but it’s also harmful for the environment. Can changing your mode of transportation make a difference? Check out the views of Lisa Stüve, writing on the Deutsche Welle website.

J.B. Phillips (1906-1982), the English writer and clergyman, gives us his views on how to have impact from words: “If words are to enter men’s minds and bear fruit, they must be the right words shaped cunningly to pass men’s defenses and explode silently and effectually within their minds.”

EiD welcomes your views about this week’s selection of posts on the zero-carbon energy transition:

• New EU mobility patterns study: insights into passenger mobility and urban logistics
• ‘Make Europe the home of clean tech’: European Commission President calls for more subsidies to fund EU’s future
• At Davos, UN Secretary General critical of fossil fuel industry of refusing to abandon a business model at odds with human survival
• Trees, trees and yet more trees can help make Europe’s cities more comfortable
• Is carbon removal technology the answer to addressing climate change?
• The Netherlands is facing a surprising threat: souped-up electric bikes
• The demand for electric tuk-tuks is growing in Thailand
• New standards should bring greater scrutiny of carbon offsets and give buyers confidence their money is helping protect the environment

Please send us your comments on any of the posts. EiD hopes you will follow us on Twitter at @EnergyDemand and @rodjanssen. Please recommend EiD to your friends and colleagues.

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