Author: Rod Janssen

The richest 10% are responsible for half of all global emissions

Carbon emissions of richest 10% are up to 40 times bigger than poorest, and ignoring divide may make ending climate crisis impossible, experts say. Damian Carrington discusses recent analysis in an article on the Guardian website.   Revealed: the huge climate impact of the middle classes The richest 10% of people in many countries cause … Continue reading The richest 10% are responsible for half of all global emissions →

France unveils 2030 energy targets

French Energy Transition Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher outlines in an interview the government's vision of the trajectory that would enable France to gradually reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Perrine Mouterde and Adrien Pécout undertake the interview in an article on the Le Monde website.   French energy minister: Necessary transition 'is on a scale comparable … Continue reading France unveils 2030 energy targets →

‘Breakthrough battery’ from Sweden may cut dependency on China

Northvolt, Europe’s only large homegrown electric battery maker, has said it has made a lower cost, more sustainable battery designed to store electricity which does not use lithium, nickel, graphite and cobalt. Bernd Radowitz discusses this new development in an article on the Recharge News website.   Northvolt eyes global storage markets with 'cost-effective' sodium-ion … Continue reading ‘Breakthrough battery’ from Sweden may cut dependency on China →

New EEA report on European air quality health assessment

Air pollution in Europe remains well above recommended World Health Organization (WHO) levels, posing a significant threat to our health. According to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) air quality health assessment published this week, 253,000 deaths could have been avoided in the EU if the fine particulate matter concentrations had met WHO recommendations. Exposure … Continue reading New EEA report on European air quality health assessment →

Why is the UK’s ministry responsible for energy still ignoring so many energy saving options?

A new government department designed to deliver net zero seems to be ignoring the strategic role energy efficiency could and should play. Andrew Warren, Chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation discusses the approach of the government ministry in the November/December issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry. Note that since this article was published, … Continue reading Why is the UK’s ministry responsible for energy still ignoring so many energy saving options? →

Climate textbooks removed from Texas state science curriculum

Although Texas adopted standards in 2021 that requires eighth-graders be taught the basics about climate change, some argue that measure does not go far enough. Republican board member condemns photos in some textbooks for being unfairly critical of oil and gas industry. Texas’s Republican-controlled education board voted on Friday not to include several climate textbooks … Continue reading Climate textbooks removed from Texas state science curriculum →

“Regardless of an individual’s stated environmental opinion and beliefs most opted for the easiest, but least impactful options”

In an article on The Conversation website, Alice Brock and Ian Williams of the University of Southampton discuss how too many of us, while aware of climate change and its impact, are simply too complacent to take effective action. Do you agree with them?   Climate complacency: study finds even the most informed people would … Continue reading “Regardless of an individual’s stated environmental opinion and beliefs most opted for the easiest, but least impactful options” →

New publication – EU Buildings Climate Tracker: A call for faster and bolder action

Buildings represent a significant potential for GHG emissions mitigation and the EU has many policies in place to help promote the improved energy performance of buildings. The policy foundation is the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive that is currently being revised. In fact the next negotiations (the trialogue) between the European Council, European Parliament and … Continue reading New publication – EU Buildings Climate Tracker: A call for faster and bolder action →

Energy in Demand News, November 19, 2023

This week the Financial Times reported (behind a paywall) that oil and gas companies face “virtually no extra borrowing costs compared with less polluting companies, despite efforts by the UN and international organisations to encourage banks and big investors to reduce their lending to the fossil fuel sector which is behind global warming.” The S&P … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, November 19, 2023 →