A net-zero pathway for Canada’s oil and gas sector is key for Canada’s climate goals

A cap on the oil and sector’s emissions can deliver that pathway is an important way forward for Canada to meet its climate goals. The Canadian Climate Institute and Net-Zero Advisory Body discuss the need for a cap on oil and gas emissions in an article on the Climate Institute’s website.   Canada needs a … Continue reading A net-zero pathway for Canada’s oil and gas sector is key for Canada’s climate goals

What role can large-scale heat pumps play in Germany’s energy transition

Oil, coal and gas still provide most energy for heating in Germany. Large-scale heat pumps offer a cost-effective, climate-neutral alternative that use waste and environmental heat. Gero Rueter discusses their potential in an article on the Deutsche Welle website.   Energy crisis: Can large-scale heat pumps replace fossil fuels for heating? As Germany and other … Continue reading What role can large-scale heat pumps play in Germany’s energy transition

Insurance companies also wield enormous power over the energy transition

Insurers are paying more for extreme weather while continuing to finance and underwrite activities that warp the climate. They can block or enable fossil fuel projects by choosing whether to insure them and for what price. Speeding up the switch to green energy would cut their exposure to catastrophic weather.  Climate activists are pushing them … Continue reading Insurance companies also wield enormous power over the energy transition

Reforms needed for multilateral development banks to provide more capital for sustainable development

Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) could make billions more in investment capital available for sustainable development. That is the astounding finding of a recent report, commissioned by the G20. Given that MDBs’ whole purpose is to maximise the impact of their funds, their donors are wondering why they have left money on the table. Donors and … Continue reading Reforms needed for multilateral development banks to provide more capital for sustainable development

COP27 in November really is turning into a crucial meeting

Since COP26 in Glasgow last year, emissions have reached record levels after the pandemic downturn. And this year alone, we’ve seen dozens of catastrophic disasters ranging from drought in the Horn of Africa to floods in Pakistan, South Africa and Australia, and wildfires and heatwaves in Europe, the United States, Mongolia and South America, among … Continue reading COP27 in November really is turning into a crucial meeting

“Taxes on air travel are far more socially just than taxes on necessities such as home energy use”

Milena Buchs, Professor of Sustainable Welfare at the University of Leeds and Giulio Mattioli, Research Fellow, Department of Transport Planning at the Technical University of Dortmund in an article on The Conversation website argue that a carbon tax on air travel would be much more progressive, they would burden richer people more than poorer people … Continue reading “Taxes on air travel are far more socially just than taxes on necessities such as home energy use”

World Bank criticised over climate crisis spending

Controversy follows the president of the World Bank, David Malpass. Last month, the former US vice-president Al Gore led calls for the president of the bank to resign after he avoided a journalist’s questions on climate science. Malpass, nominated for the position by the Trump administration, later apologised but his apparent climate denial followed years … Continue reading World Bank criticised over climate crisis spending

New EEA briefings on sustainability of agriculture and food systems

A profound rethink of how we produce food and operate global food chains and related industrial processing sectors is needed to make them resilient and sustainable. Much more must be done to reduce their GHG emissions as well as their pressures on water resources and biodiversity — efforts which are currently almost stagnant — according … Continue reading New EEA briefings on sustainability of agriculture and food systems

Accelerating SDG7 action

Sustainable Development Goal 7 is one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. It aims to "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all." It is important to look at the work that is underway through the UN High-level Dialogue on Energy to see what … Continue reading Accelerating SDG7 action

Too many technical difficulties to overcome to make hydrogen a viable low-carbon heating fuel

Fiona Harvey writes on The Guardian website about a new study that questions the suitability of hydrogen for home heating. What are your views?   Hydrogen is unsuitable for home heating, review concludes Hydrogen is unsuitable for use in home heating, and likely to remain so, despite the hopes of the UK government and plumbing … Continue reading Too many technical difficulties to overcome to make hydrogen a viable low-carbon heating fuel