UK takes different approach to Europeans to addressing the current energy crisis

While the UK government on Friday announced an additional £1bn for energy efficiency obligations under new legislation, to begin from April 2023, undoubtedly the main focus of the new government is to increase energy supplies (yes, with a cap on consumer prices), largely of fossil fuels including fracking. The energy crisis is currently with us … Continue reading UK takes different approach to Europeans to addressing the current energy crisis →

A dozen environmental NGOs on Monday launched a legal challenge to the EU’s decision to label gas and nuclear investments as green

It was definitely controversial for gas and nuclear to be considered green in the EU’s new taxonomy regulation. A dozen European NGOs are concerned enough that they have launched a legal challenge. Alice Tidey discusses the challenge in an article on the Euronews website. Taxonomy: 12 NGOs launch legal challenge against EU's bid to … Continue reading A dozen environmental NGOs on Monday launched a legal challenge to the EU’s decision to label gas and nuclear investments as green →

WEF podcast transcript on carbon offsets

As we wonder about the impact of carbon offsets, the World Economic Forum provides a podcast that should give us a wider view of their benefits. Robin Pomeroy, Podcast Editor at the WEF, discusses carbon offsets with Rachel Kyte, co-chair of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative and with Dharsono Hartono, UpLink Top Innovator, and … Continue reading WEF podcast transcript on carbon offsets →

New EEA report on the feasibility of Europe achieving the zero pollution action plan’s noise reduction target

About 18 million people suffer long-term annoyance from transport noise in the EU. The European Commission’s zero pollution action plan aims to reduce the number of people chronically disturbed by transport noise by 30% by 2030, compared to 2017 levels. According to the European Environment Agency’s assessment, published this week, reaching this target is unlikely … Continue reading New EEA report on the feasibility of Europe achieving the zero pollution action plan’s noise reduction target →

Crisis in Spain over threat to olive oil industry

Spain’s Jaén Province, home to one fifth of the world’s supply of “green gold,” is having to cope with climate change and threats to its way of life. David Segal and José Bautista discuss in an article on the New York Times website. The Olive Oil Capital of the World, Parched The branch, plucked … Continue reading Crisis in Spain over threat to olive oil industry →

New UK government accused of failing to recognise the savings that could flow from making the nation more energy efficient

The new UK government under Prime Minister Liz Truss has stated that it will cap consumer energy prices but it will also undertake many efforts to increase energy supply, primarily from fossil fuels and nuclear. Alistair Osborne writes on The Times website that Jonathan Maxwell, founder and chief executive of Sustainable Development Capital, believes the … Continue reading New UK government accused of failing to recognise the savings that could flow from making the nation more energy efficient →

Researchers have made significant progress towards creating a new type of battery charging technology – quantum batteries

Scientists hope discovery will usher in a new era of ultra-efficient batteries. Anthony Cuthbertson discusses in an article on The Independent website. Quantum battery breakthrough paves way for instant recharging Researchers have made significant progress towards creating a new type of battery charging technology, which could hold the potential to revolutionise energy storage. Quantum batteries use … Continue reading Researchers have made significant progress towards creating a new type of battery charging technology – quantum batteries →

Blog from Jane Marsh: The first half of 2022 marked by renewables generating over 25% of electricity in the US

A shift toward renewable power is more evident than ever amid calls to reduce energy consumption and bolster energy security in the United States. According to recorded data by the Energy Information Administration (EIA), energy from sun, wind and heat resources enabled a 25% increase in electricity generation in 2022 — a feat the U.S. … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: The first half of 2022 marked by renewables generating over 25% of electricity in the US →

While keeping the global average temperate rise below 1.5C may not be achieved, “we need to knuckle down as much as we can to prevent every 0.1C rise”

In an article on The Guardian website, Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at UCL, argues that the goal of 1.5C by 2030 is arbitrary and now unachievable – yet working to prevent every 0.1C rise can still give us hope. What do you think? Why we should forget about the … Continue reading While keeping the global average temperate rise below 1.5C may not be achieved, “we need to knuckle down as much as we can to prevent every 0.1C rise” →

Decarbonising the energy system by 2050 could save trillions

For decades, scientists have called for a transition to clean energy to prevent the worst impacts of climate change but fears that such a transition would be costly and harm the economy have held back progress. However, a study from the Oxford Martin Programme on the Post-Carbon Transition published this week shows the reverse: an … Continue reading Decarbonising the energy system by 2050 could save trillions →