The latest victims of the culture wars in America: woke white goods

Emma Beddington writes on the Guardian website about the latest victim of cultural wars in America. Apparently, energy efficiency and lower electricity bills are unAmerican. What are your views? Free the fridges! Make dishwashers great again! US conservatives have odd priorities If you’ve ever wished your dishwasher used more water, or found your fridge … Continue reading The latest victims of the culture wars in America: woke white goods →

Generative AI is an energy hog

Chris Baraniuk writes on the BBC News website about the impact on electricity grids from the growth in generative AI. Electricity grids creak as AI demands soar There’s a big problem with generative AI, says Sasha Luccioni at Hugging Face, a machine-learning company. Generative AI is an energy hog. “Every time you query the … Continue reading Generative AI is an energy hog →

Energy in Demand, May 19, 2024

It is uncomfortable reading about the new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research and reported in the Guardian this week. The economic damage wrought by climate change is six times worse than previously thought. “A 1C increase in global temperature leads to a 12% decline in world gross domestic product (GDP), the researchers … Continue reading Energy in Demand, May 19, 2024 →

Energy in Demand News, May 12, 2024

In the energy transition governments have been losing fuel duties in the shift away from combustion engines. The Financial Times (behind a paywall) writes that, globally, policymakers are imposing new taxes on electric vehicles because last year there was a drop in receipts of $10 billion. The net loss is projected to rise to $110 … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 12, 2024 →

The world’s largest carbon-capture plant just switched on

After decades of hype and doubt, giant factories that can pull thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere are starting to spin up. Experts say we’ll need carbon capture to offset stubborn emissions that can’t easily be cut with existing green technology. In an article on the CNN website, Laura Paddison discusses … Continue reading The world’s largest carbon-capture plant just switched on →

The European Commission’s approach to industrial carbon management

In February, the European Commission published its new approach to industrial carbon management. The following is the press release from February 6th (edited by EiD concerning dates). Commission sets out how to sustainably capture, store and use carbon to reach climate neutrality by 2050 The European Union is committed to reaching ‘net zero' CO2 … Continue reading The European Commission’s approach to industrial carbon management →

Shell sold millions of ‘phantom’ carbon credits

Subsidy scheme in Alberta allowed oil major to register carbon credits equivalent to twice the volume of CO₂ captured. Greenpeace describes the deal with Alberta as a 'hidden subsidy' that awarded money for 'phantom' credits. Benjamin Shingler discusses the new report in an article on the CBC News website. Shell sold millions of carbon … Continue reading Shell sold millions of ‘phantom’ carbon credits →

Energy in Demand News, May 5, 2024

A three year US congressional investigation finds that the world’s largest oil groups had privately acknowledged for decades that burning fossil fuels causes climate change. The findings followed a three-year probe that unearthed internal documents from the major energy companies with evidence of concerted campaigns “to confuse and mislead the public while working unceasingly to … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 5, 2024 →

Expected impact of the EU Net-Zero Industry Act

The EU’s Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) will have little impact on Europe’s target to produce more technologies needed for the energy transition, experts argue that a new large-scale initiative was necessary after the EU elections. Jonathan Packroff discusses what the experts said in an article on the Euractiv website. Europe’s net-zero industry law will … Continue reading Expected impact of the EU Net-Zero Industry Act →

Too little, too late: G7 climate commitments fall short

Climate and energy ministers from G7 nations agreed a coal exit deadline – with a caveat, but made little progress on other fossil fuels and finance. Matteo Civillini discusses the results of the meeting in an article on the Climate Home News website. G7 offers tepid response to appeal for “bolder” climate action When … Continue reading Too little, too late: G7 climate commitments fall short →