New EEA report on noise pollution in Europe

Just over 110 million people, or more than 20% of Europeans, are exposed to high levels of transport noise that exceed thresholds set under EU reporting rules and which harm our health, the environment and the economy, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report on noise pollution published this week. The report calls for … Continue reading New EEA report on noise pollution in Europe

Energy in Demand News, June 22-23, 2025

The European Union is making a big effort to decarbonise and to reduce its dependence on Russian gas. One of the options is to expand the use of nuclear energy. However, the Financial Times writes about how complicated it is to reduce dependence on Russia for nuclear fuel: “The EU has 101 nuclear reactors of … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 22-23, 2025

New EEA briefing on protecting and restoring Europe’s wild pollinators

Wild pollinators are crucial for our food production and ecosystems, yet they are under threat. To tackle the causes of their decline and secure their habitats, we need actions across economic sectors, governance levels, and society. Monitoring the diversity and abundance of wild pollinators is indispensable for assessing the effects of these actions, according to … Continue reading New EEA briefing on protecting and restoring Europe’s wild pollinators

The world’s largest sand battery has started working in Finland

Lottie Limb writes on the Euronews website about the world’s largest sand battery. The 15 metres wide battery can store a month's heat demand in summer.   ‘A very Finnish thing’: Big sand battery starts storing wind and solar energy in crushed soapstone The world’s largest sand battery has started working in the southern Finnish … Continue reading The world’s largest sand battery has started working in Finland

“It’s easier to blame climate professionals for not sticking to their own advice, than to think about change at a higher level”

Maddie Sinclair,, PhD Candidate, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow and Tess Davis, Research Associate, School of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow write on The Conversation website about how often climate professionals are criticised for not working sustainably enough. What are your views?   Why climate professionals are often held to unrealistic … Continue reading “It’s easier to blame climate professionals for not sticking to their own advice, than to think about change at a higher level”

“Rain is taking the world by storm as a renewable resource”

Rose Morrison writes on the Renewable Energy Magazine website about the potential for rain to produce electricity and become another important source of renewable energy.   Harnessing the Power of Rain: A New Frontier in Renewable Energy Generation Rain is taking the world by storm as a renewable resource. Falling water’s kinetic energy is at … Continue reading “Rain is taking the world by storm as a renewable resource”

US energy transition: Does Energy Star have a future?

In an article on The Conversation website, Magali A. Delmas, Professor of Management, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, Anderson School of Management, University of California, Los Angeles the impact that the US Energy Star label has had over the past three decades.   Energy Star, on the Trump administration’s target list, has a long … Continue reading US energy transition: Does Energy Star have a future?

New publication from BPIE: Making choices for home renovation: A guide for an effective implementation of EPBD Article 9.2

With the policy framework in place, now effective implementation of the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is a necessity. The Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) has just published a report to help in the implementation. The report is a practical guide to help member states implement Article 9.2 of the revised EPBD, focusing … Continue reading New publication from BPIE: Making choices for home renovation: A guide for an effective implementation of EPBD Article 9.2

Why have Display Energy Certificates started to disappear from public view in the UK?

It is important for consumers and the general public to know and understand the energy performance of buildings. For public buildings, the idea was to have Display Energy Certificates (DECs) that would allow the public know the performance of buildings that were deemed part of the public space. The UK, together with many EU member … Continue reading Why have Display Energy Certificates started to disappear from public view in the UK?

The EU accelerates the completion of the energy union

On its website, the European Commission published this week a news article on how it is completing the energy union.   In focus: Completing Europe’s energy union In 2015, the EU’s energy union strategy set out a bold vision to fundamentally transform our energy system. It envisioned a resilient energy union, with an ambitious climate policy, to … Continue reading The EU accelerates the completion of the energy union