Energy in Demand News, April 14, 2024

This week Politico reported about a leaked draft report outlining the EU’s priorities for the next five years. It hardly mentions climate and shockingly only mentions “environment” as a promise to create a “business-friendly environment.” The report says that green groups are incensed. “This plan expects 20th-century military strategy to protect people from 21st-century security … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 14, 2024

“We’re turning sewage into jet fuel and I can’t think of many things that are cooler than that”

That quote from James Hygate, chief executive of a new UK startup has a 525,000-tonne order for product of Firefly’s proposed refinery in Essex from low-cost airline Wizz Air. Gwyn Topham discusses latest developments in an article on the Guardian website.   UK startup lifts lid on plan to turn human waste into jet fuel … Continue reading “We’re turning sewage into jet fuel and I can’t think of many things that are cooler than that”

AI can make a significant contribution to tackling climate change

In an article on The Conversation website, Kirk Chang, Professor of Management and Technology, University of East London and Alina Vaduva, Director of the Business Advice Centre for Post Graduate Students at UEL, Ambassador of the Centre for Innovation, Management and Enterprise, University of East London, discuss the potential of AI to help address climate … Continue reading AI can make a significant contribution to tackling climate change

Upcoming Paris Olympics halving the carbon footprint of London 2012 and Rio 2016

Organisers say they are setting a precedent by using existing or temporary venues for most events and focusing on low-carbon building for the rest. Angelique Chrisafis discusses the plans in an article on the Guardian website.   'Greenest ever Games’: how the Paris Olympics hopes to inspire a new era of global sporting events Beneath … Continue reading Upcoming Paris Olympics halving the carbon footprint of London 2012 and Rio 2016

An international agreement on limiting the supply of fossil fuels is needed

The latest science on climate change is unequivocal: the world must eliminate fossil fuel-based energy systems – and fast. Such a phase-out requires international cooperation to restrict the supply of fossil fuels, including coal, oil and gas. This won’t be easy, but it is possible. In an article on The Conversation website, Harro van Asselt, … Continue reading An international agreement on limiting the supply of fossil fuels is needed

SBTi stirs up controversy

A decade ago, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) was launched with the goal of mobilising the private sector for climate action. Today, it stands as the largest and most influential validator of corporate climate targets, having confirmed the 2030 goals of around 5,000 companies. But not all is going well. Employees at SBTi have … Continue reading SBTi stirs up controversy

Switzerland’s condemnation by the ECHR is a valuable development in the fight against global warming

Can a state be held liable for failing to protect its citizens from the consequences of climate change? By answering this question in the affirmative on Tuesday, April 9, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) handed down an unprecedented decision. This ruling should set a precedent in the 46 member states of the Council … Continue reading Switzerland’s condemnation by the ECHR is a valuable development in the fight against global warming

Europe needs €800bn to meet 2030 climate targets, says industry

The Brussels-based European Round Table for Industry this week published two new reports by the Boston Consulting Group that lay out the state of play and articulate the challenges in Europe’s energy transition. As the countdown continues to the European elections and appointment of the next European Commission later this year, the European Round Table … Continue reading Europe needs €800bn to meet 2030 climate targets, says industry

Banks made big climate promises but a new study doubts they work

Using European Central Bank lending data, researchers said there was not evidence that voluntary commitments were effective in reducing emissions. Hundreds of banks, insurers and asset managers vowed to plow $130 trillion in capital into reducing carbon emissions and financing the energy transition as they introduced the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero. But a … Continue reading Banks made big climate promises but a new study doubts they work

Energy in Demand News, April 7, 2024

The Financial Times (behind a paywall) anticipates that the AI revolution will be a boon for natural gas, according to fossil fuel bosses. “AI’s soaring energy needs will rise well beyond what renewable energy and batteries can deliver, executives argue, making more planet-warming fossil fuel supplies crucial even as governments vow to slash their use.” … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 7, 2024