Big power plants are more likely to face cost overruns than smaller plants, according to a new study by the Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability.The researchers found that the average power plant project costs 40% more to build than expected and misses its target completion date by nearly two years. In an article on the … Continue reading The diseconomies of scale: study
Author: Rod Janssen
Call for an ‘energy savings first’ principle in Europe
Rather than an ‘energy efficiency first principle’ in Europe, Christoph Schwaiger discusses in an article on the Euractiv website that the French think-tank, négaWatt, is arguing for a new principle would be beneficial, focusing on not just how we use energy, but on how much energy we truly need. This comes closer to the sufficiency … Continue reading Call for an ‘energy savings first’ principle in Europe
New provisional data from EEA shows CO2 emissions from new cars registered in Europe slightly increased in 2024
After a steady and significant reduction from 2020 to 2023, average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars registered in Europe slightly increased in 2024, according to new provisional data published this week by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Average CO2 emissions from new cars and new vans slightly increased in 2024 Average CO2 emissions … Continue reading New provisional data from EEA shows CO2 emissions from new cars registered in Europe slightly increased in 2024
Energy in Demand News, June 1-2, 2025
Austria and Slovenia are the only European countries whose defence ministries have committed to reaching net zero military emissions, according to an analysis of 30 European countries (EU 27 plus Norway, Switzerland and UK). An article in the Guardian on the analysis added that only about one-third have worked out the size of their carbon … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 1-2, 2025
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, passed by the US House of Representatives last week, would slow efforts to green the energy system as climate change accelerated
Benjamin Storrow and E&E News write on the Scientific American website about the potential impact of the latest legislation that is going through the approval process in Washington. Republican Megabill Called a ‘Nightmare Scenario’ for Clean Energy The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" passed last week by the House would effectively end most clean … Continue reading The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, passed by the US House of Representatives last week, would slow efforts to green the energy system as climate change accelerated
Impact of climate change on bird migration
Migratory birds cover great distances to feed and breed, sometimes crossing continents and oceans in record time. Are they being impacted by rising global temperatures? On the Deutsche Welle website Melissa Escaria Parra discusses that impacty How climate change is altering bird migration Birds have always been a source of inspiration for humanity, with … Continue reading Impact of climate change on bird migration
Peruvian farmer loses climate case against RWE – but paves way for future action
In an article on the Deutsche Welle website, Louise Osborne discusses about a recent court case in Germany. Judges have dismissed a climate case brought by a Peruvian farmer against German energy company RWE seeking damages for endangering his home due to melting glaciers. Experts say that despite dismissing the lawsuit, the ruling sets a … Continue reading Peruvian farmer loses climate case against RWE – but paves way for future action
There are mounting calls for international cooperation to ensure production of “critical” minerals is sustainable and equitable
As countries rush to secure supplies of the materials needed to ramp up clean energy, a push for stronger governance rules is gathering momentum. Chloé Farand writes on the Climate Home News website about the plans for an international treaty. Does the world need a global treaty on energy transition minerals? Electric vehicles, batteries, … Continue reading There are mounting calls for international cooperation to ensure production of “critical” minerals is sustainable and equitable
Impact of cuts to US National Science Foundation by Trump administration
Established in 1950 the National Science Foundation (NSF )is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. It has had a great impact. Touch-screen technology, speech recognition, digital sound recording and the internet were all developed using NSF funding. In an article on The Conversation website, Paul … Continue reading Impact of cuts to US National Science Foundation by Trump administration
Save twice the ice by limiting global warming
More than three-quarters of the world's glaciers are set to vanish if climate change continues unchecked, a major new study warned Thursday, fueling sea-level rise and jeopardizing water supplies for billions. An AFP news item on the France 24 website discusses the study. Climate action could save half of world's vanishing glaciers, says study … Continue reading Save twice the ice by limiting global warming
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 