Recent study shows Estonia amongst the countries with the most energy efficient buildings in Europe

The Estonian Research Council has published on the Eurekalert website the results of a recent study that shows the progress made in Estonia to build energy efficient buildings. Scientists: Estonia has the most energy efficient new nearly zero energy buildings A recent study carried out by an international group of building scientists showed that … Continue reading Recent study shows Estonia amongst the countries with the most energy efficient buildings in Europe →

Reviewing progress in addressing climate change since the Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol, which created the first binding targets to limit greenhouse gas emissions, went into effect in February 2005. Some experts say it was a "game changer," but others question its long-term effectiveness. Tim Schauenberg reviews developments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Tackling climate change from Kyoto to Paris and … Continue reading Reviewing progress in addressing climate change since the Kyoto Protocol →

How smart hot water heaters can help South Africa’s energy transition

An estimated 5.4 million electric water heaters in South African homes and public buildings use around 40 GWh of energy per day, requiring 12% of operational capacity from the electricity grid at peak times. MJ (Thinus) Booysen, Associate Professor at the Electrical & Electronic Engineering Department at Stellenbosch University explains the benefits of smart water … Continue reading How smart hot water heaters can help South Africa’s energy transition →

SMEs and the low carbon energy transition

While large businesses have more possibilities to make the low carbon energy transition, Ariel Edesess, Postdoctoral Researcher in Low Carbon Technology at Liverpool John Moores University explains in an article on The Conversation website about the difficulties facing SMEs to do the same. What are your views? Why some green policies can actually harm … Continue reading SMEs and the low carbon energy transition →

Bushfires in Australia show we need a more systems approach to avoid collapse

Anthony Richardson, Tutor and Researcher, Centre for Urban Research at RMIT University writes on The Conversation website about the need for more systems thinking to address climate change. He uses examples from the recent bushfires in Australia. No food, no fuel, no phones: bushfires showed we're only ever one step from system collapse This … Continue reading Bushfires in Australia show we need a more systems approach to avoid collapse →

German car manufacturer Daimler making huge investments in electromobility and autonomous transport as it seeks to dethrone US rival Tesla

More and more regularly now we are reading on the business or environment pages about the efforts to mainstream electric vehicles. Nik Martin writes on the Deutsche Welle website about the plans outlined by Daimler’s new CEO. Daimler doubles down on austerity as electric era beckons Daimler's new CEO has promised the luxury German … Continue reading German car manufacturer Daimler making huge investments in electromobility and autonomous transport as it seeks to dethrone US rival Tesla →

Generating electricity from rain

There are many innovations in our low-carbon energy transition. It is hard to believe that a generator can briefly light up 100 LED bulbs with a single drop. Jon Fingas explains in an article on the engadget website. Rain may soon be an effective source of renewable energy There have been numerous attempt to … Continue reading Generating electricity from rain →

Why do so many climate change initiatives globally tend to get started, make some progress and then get stuck or even regress?

Matthew Hoffmann and Steven Bernstein, Professors of Political Science and Co-Directors at the Environmental Governance Lab at the University of Toronto write about why so many actions on climate change starts well but then “gets stuck.” Have you experienced this? Why action on climate change gets stuck and what to do about it Work … Continue reading Why do so many climate change initiatives globally tend to get started, make some progress and then get stuck or even regress? →

Start-up makes products from waste materials, then ensuring they’re recyclable when consumers have finished with them

Can you imagine that the gold medals at this year’s upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo will be made from e-waste? Well, they will be. Alex Lawson writes in the London Evening Standard about a business venture about closed loop manufacturing. What are your views? The duo using waste to take the climate change fight upmarket … Continue reading Start-up makes products from waste materials, then ensuring they’re recyclable when consumers have finished with them →

Story map from the EEA on the worsening impacts of climate change over the next decades

Europe’s many regions are expected to face worsening impacts of climate change over the next decades. A compilation of several existing maps published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) today illustrates how drought, heavy rain and flooding, forest fires and sea-level rise could affect some selected regions in Europe, including Central Europe, the Iberian peninsula, … Continue reading Story map from the EEA on the worsening impacts of climate change over the next decades →