UK government’s plans for sustainable “garden communities” likely to create 200,000 car-dependent families

A study into 20 proposed developments suggests transport links and local amenities are poor with communities requiring expanded road systems. This hardly seems sustainable. Tom Bawden explains in an article on the inews website. Garden community projects could create 200,000 car-dependent families, study suggests A flagship project to build more than 50 green housing … Continue reading UK government’s plans for sustainable “garden communities” likely to create 200,000 car-dependent families →

New EEA assessment on cutting emissions through reducing and using bio-waste

Bio-waste is one of the key waste streams in Europe and holds great potential for the circular economy. According to the European Environment Agency’s new assessment, reducing and using bio-waste could cut emissions, improve soils and provide energy. Recycling bio-waste is also key for meeting the European Union’s target to recycle 65 % of municipal … Continue reading New EEA assessment on cutting emissions through reducing and using bio-waste →

Critical electricity infrastructure is vulnerable to cyberattacks, particularly during a pandemic

Any cyberattack is of concern but as we try to decarbonise our energy systems, resulting in the increased use of electricity, these threats have to be a priority. Henri van Soest, PhD Candidate in Land Economy at the University of Cambridge discusses many of the issues in an article on The Conversation website. Cybercriminals … Continue reading Critical electricity infrastructure is vulnerable to cyberattacks, particularly during a pandemic →

“If the wind industry is going to expand, they really have to move into deeper water”

Stanley Reed writes on the New York Times about recent developments in offshore wind power. The wind power industry sees an opportunity in allowing wind turbines to be pushed into deeper water. A New Weapon Against Climate Change May Float A strange-looking contraption that could represent a new frontier in clean energy wallowed in … Continue reading “If the wind industry is going to expand, they really have to move into deeper water” →

German WindEnergie Association expects to play key role in producing hydrogen

There is a lot of talk recently about the importance of green hydrogen in our low carbon energy transition. An article on the FuelCellsWorks website discusses the reaction of the German WindEnergie Association to the national hydrogen strategy in Germany. What are your views? Wind Energy can Turn Hydrogen Green as Early as 2020 … Continue reading German WindEnergie Association expects to play key role in producing hydrogen →

The environmental benefits of using timber in the construction of tall buildings are compelling

Three years ago, the fire at the Grenfell Tower in London led to the deaths of 72 and the disruption of lives of many more. A ban on constructing with timber is one of the more misguided responses to Grenfell according to Rowan Moore in an article on The Guardian website. What are your views? … Continue reading The environmental benefits of using timber in the construction of tall buildings are compelling →

Breakthrough with lifetime of batteries for electric vehicles lasting five times longer than average

We are always interested in technology innovation and we have seen a lot of progress in the development of batteries for electric vehicles. Louise Boyle writes on The Independent website about latest developments from the world’s largest maker of batteries for electric vehicles. Landmark million-mile battery to power electric vehicles is ready for production … Continue reading Breakthrough with lifetime of batteries for electric vehicles lasting five times longer than average →

“Very few countries still have stringent confinement. We expected emissions to come back, but that they have done so rapidly is the biggest surprise”

There was a lot of cheering when we saw CO2 emissions dropping as we all faced a lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis. But they are suddenly rebounding as countries loosen the confinement conditions. Fiona Harvey discusses latest developments in an article on The Guardian website. 'Surprisingly rapid' rebound in carbon emissions post-lockdown Carbon … Continue reading “Very few countries still have stringent confinement. We expected emissions to come back, but that they have done so rapidly is the biggest surprise” →

Over the past decade, the trust that owns the Empire State Building has invested more than $30 million to make it more energy efficient

Steve Hanley writes on the CleanTechnica website about what has happened to improve the energy performance of the Iconic Empire State Building in New York City.. What are your views? Empire State Building Slashes Carbon Emissions By 40% With Energy Saving Upgrades Construction of the Empire State Building in New York City couldn’t have … Continue reading Over the past decade, the trust that owns the Empire State Building has invested more than $30 million to make it more energy efficient →

While Germany’s transition to clean energy has had successes one major failure is the nation’s decades-long unwillingness to cut emissions from cars and trucks

A world leader in cutting emissions from electricity production, the German government, in thrall to the auto industry, ‘overlooked’ pollution from cars and trucks. Dan Gearino explains in a detailed article on the InsideClimate News website. Love is Blind: How Germany’s Long Romance With Cars Led to the Nation’s Biggest Clean Energy Failure The … Continue reading While Germany’s transition to clean energy has had successes one major failure is the nation’s decades-long unwillingness to cut emissions from cars and trucks →