New IEA analysis on energy efficiency

Using energy more efficiently has proven to be an extremely successful and cost-effective way to reduce energy demand. Highly developed and well proven policy instruments already exist to deliver increased energy efficiency, such as Ecodesign in Europe and Japan’s Top Runner. These policy tools can also support fuel switching and better demand management, helping to … Continue reading New IEA analysis on energy efficiency →

A pact to phase out fossil fuels in November’s UN climate talks is the only credible response to the warnings of scientists

Simon Lewis, professor of global change science at University College London and University of Leeds provides an opinion piece in the Guardian giving two reasons why the just published IPCC synthesis report is crucial for the upcoming COP28 in November-December. What are your views? The IPCC’s climate report has drawn the battle lines for … Continue reading A pact to phase out fossil fuels in November’s UN climate talks is the only credible response to the warnings of scientists →

New EEA briefing assesses the costs and benefits of climate change adaptation

A better understanding of the costs and benefits of adaptation measures to counter climate change is needed according to a recent European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing which assesses the main methods, challenges and constraints in taking action. Improvements needed in assessing costs, benefits of climate change adaptation There is an urgent need to speed … Continue reading New EEA briefing assesses the costs and benefits of climate change adaptation →

France has not yet put in place the overall strategy needed to achieve a “leap forward” in its climate action

In an interview with Audrey Garric on the Le Monde website, the president of the High Council on Climate, Corinne Le Quéré , observes that while the French response to global warming isn't bad, there is no guarantee that the country will be able to meet its climate targets. Corinne Le Quéré is the president of the … Continue reading France has not yet put in place the overall strategy needed to achieve a “leap forward” in its climate action →

1.5°C – dead or alive? The risks to transformational change from reaching and breaching the Paris Agreement goal

The historical failure to sufficiently tackle the climate and ecological crisis could create consequences that challenge the ability of societies to tackle the root causes of this crisis. This is a doom loop: the consequences of the crisis and the failure to address it draw focus and resources from tackling its causes. Damian Carrington writes … Continue reading 1.5°C – dead or alive? The risks to transformational change from reaching and breaching the Paris Agreement goal →

The efficiency of electricity generation from existing EU waste incineration facilities is appallingly low

A new study published this week by Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) shows that the efficiency of electricity generation from existing EU waste incineration facilities is appallingly low. The RECYCLING magazine website provides a news item on the study. New study: Energy efficiency of EU waste incinerators appallingly low Equanimator’s study ‘Debunking Efficient Recovery: the … Continue reading The efficiency of electricity generation from existing EU waste incineration facilities is appallingly low →

New study on health benefits from increased energy efficiency

Angela Symons writes on the Euronews website about a study published inthe journal The Lancet Planetary Health showing the health effects from increased energy efficiency. Could insulating your home make you live longer? New study shows surprising energy efficiency gains Reaching net zero emissions could prolong people’s lives significantly, new research reveals. More than … Continue reading New study on health benefits from increased energy efficiency →

New EU mobility patterns study: insights into passenger mobility and urban logistics

The European Commission recently published the results of a broad study on new mobility patterns, unveiling the mobility choices of citizens across the EU, and how the urban logistics sector is developing in 16 cities. Key findings The EU-wide survey on passenger mobility showed that, on average, EU citizens travelled 27 km per day, for … Continue reading New EU mobility patterns study: insights into passenger mobility and urban logistics →

Understanding the carbon footprint of coffee consumption

Luciano Rodrigues Viana, Charles Marty, Jean-François Boucher and Pierre-Luc Dessureault, all of the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) write on The Conversation website about better understanding the carbon footprint of coffee. They decided to study the carbon footprint of several techniques used to prepare coffee at home, and it turns out that coffee capsules … Continue reading Understanding the carbon footprint of coffee consumption →

“Why can’t we do what we need to do to stop destroying our planet while we still have the chance?”

That question animates Dr. Ann-Christine Duhaime’s new book, “Minding the Climate: How Neuroscience Can Help Solve Our Environmental Crisis,” published by Harvard University Press. A neurosurgeon explores how our tendency to prioritise short-term consumer pleasures spurs climate change, but also how the brain’s amazing capacity for flexibility can—and likely will—enable us to prioritise the long-term … Continue reading “Why can’t we do what we need to do to stop destroying our planet while we still have the chance?” →