In 2010 about one third of Japan's electricity came from nuclear power, and there were plans to build a lot more. But then the 2011 disaster hit, and all Japan's nuclear power plants were shut down. So, the Japanese government decided to build 22 new coal-fired power stations. The plants can be quite easily converted … Continue reading “… the Japanese government chose blue hydrogen a decade ago when renewables were expensive, and they are now locked into a plan that no longer makes sense”
Author: Rod Janssen
China has a robust set of climate and energy policies and a strong track record when it comes to fulfilling its pledges to the international community: it just needs to do more
When it comes to climate change, no nation is more important than China. A common misconception is that China either lacks climate policies or fails to implement them. When it comes to China’s approach to climate change, the problem is not lack of policy implementation but rather a lack of policy ambition. Phillip Stalley, Endowed … Continue reading China has a robust set of climate and energy policies and a strong track record when it comes to fulfilling its pledges to the international community: it just needs to do more
Seeing the benefits of GFANZ
Many of you may not have heard of GFANZ but it could play a key role in finance climate change measures. F. Haider Alvi, Assistant Professor of Innovation Finance at Athabasca University in Canada discusses GFANZ in an article on The Conversation website. How global business could be the unexpected COP26 solution to climate … Continue reading Seeing the benefits of GFANZ
New EEA report on EU’s progress of phasing down the use of F-gases
The supply and use of climate-warming fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) rose slightly across the European Union and United Kingdom in 2020, according to the latest annual update on the EU’s progress of phasing down the use of F-gases published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) this week. EU remains on track to phase-down use … Continue reading New EEA report on EU’s progress of phasing down the use of F-gases
Will poorer countries be unfairly disadvantaged by EU climate protection regulations?
The EU is picking up speed with climate protection regulations. For imports from abroad, a carbon tax will soon be introduced. But poorer countries could be unfairly disadvantaged by this. Tim Schauenberg discusses latest developments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. CO2 tax at Europe's border: Revolution or protectionism? Earlier this year, … Continue reading Will poorer countries be unfairly disadvantaged by EU climate protection regulations?
Recent research finds that women aged 30-45 are particularly conscious of energy efficiency issues
New data from proptech firm houzen has shown that women are driving change within the home, leading the country’s sustainability retrofits. Robin Whitlock discusses the new data in an article on the Renewable Energy Magazine website. Women aged 30-45 leading the charge for sustainable retrofits in UK homes finds new survey According to research … Continue reading Recent research finds that women aged 30-45 are particularly conscious of energy efficiency issues
New EEA report on analysis of air quality in Europe
The vast majority of Europe’s urban population is exposed to levels of air pollutants above new World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, according to an updated European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis on air quality in Europe released this week. Europe’s urban population remains at risk due to levels of air pollution known to damage health … Continue reading New EEA report on analysis of air quality in Europe
The chemicals sector has largely slipped under the radar when it comes to climate
The chemicals sector is quite complicated. Only about half of the fossil fuels that the industry consumes are burned for their energy. The rest is used as feedstock for products such as plastics with the emissions released only when these products reach the end of their lives, for example, when waste plastic packaging or an … Continue reading The chemicals sector has largely slipped under the radar when it comes to climate
There is an opportunity to design emerging technologies with the circular economy in mind from the start
Matthew Davies, Associate Professor at Swansea University writes on The Conversation website about the need to recycle parts from solar panels and other emerging technologies in order to avoid unnecessary waste. Solar panels: we need to recycle parts of them to use again and avoid a mountain of waste Billions of solar panels globally will … Continue reading There is an opportunity to design emerging technologies with the circular economy in mind from the start
In Sweden, a movement advocating avoiding flying has gained influence since 2016 and has started to change the way travel is portrayed in the Swedish media
Recent research shows that there are shifting ideas and assumptions about holidays by plane in Swedish society. While flying is still widely presented as desirable, changes in some media coverage show the influence of the flight-free movement and illustrate that different perspectives of what constitutes a good life under climate change are gaining some influence. … Continue reading In Sweden, a movement advocating avoiding flying has gained influence since 2016 and has started to change the way travel is portrayed in the Swedish media
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 