Hemp is being touted as a building material for housing that may avoid some of the environmental, logistic and economic downsides of concrete

Proponents of hemp tout its non-toxic and mould, fire and infestation-resistant properties. Edward Helmore discusses the benefits of hemp in an article on the Guardian website. ‘It’s almost carbon-negative’: how hemp became a surprise building material Cannabis sativa, the plant of the thousand and one molecules, has a long and expansive reputation – as a folk … Continue reading Hemp is being touted as a building material for housing that may avoid some of the environmental, logistic and economic downsides of concrete →

The gap between official and real-world data on CO2 emissions from passenger cars in the EU has developed since introducing a new type-approval test procedure

A new study found that when official and real-world CO2 emission values of passenger cars in Europe are compared, the figures do not align. In an article on the Euractiv website, Sean Goulding Carroll discusses latest findings. Car emissions 14% higher than advertised by manufacturers, study finds The gap between official and real-world car … Continue reading The gap between official and real-world data on CO2 emissions from passenger cars in the EU has developed since introducing a new type-approval test procedure →

Australia’s energy transition – electricity generated by solar and on-shore wind is the cheapest

Graham Readfearn writes on the Guardian website about recent analysis showing that solar and on-shore wind is the cheapest options in Australia. Analysis shows that small modular nuclear reactors would provide most expensive power and will not be available until 2030. What are your views? Note that CSIRO is the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research … Continue reading Australia’s energy transition – electricity generated by solar and on-shore wind is the cheapest →

Florida community reaches LEED Zero

In an article on the Washington Post website, Nicolás Rivero discusses the world’s first LEED Zero Energy certified residential development in Hunter’s Point, Florida where every house produces more electricity than it uses. Why people don’t have to pay anything for electricity in this Florida community In this Florida development, no one pays an … Continue reading Florida community reaches LEED Zero →

Energy in Demand News, January 7, 2024

With the devastation of floods, heatwaves, hurricanes, forest fires and more, we know much more needs to be done to mitigate GHG emissions. Many commentators were concerned after COP28 last year that there was no sense of urgency. Read once more the comment from Fiona Harvey, published on EiD in December, on the need for … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, January 7, 2024 →

The role of small modular reactors in the energy transition

As the global need for decarbonisation becomes more urgent, small modular reactors are getting considerable attention. COP28 recognised the critical role of nuclear energy for reducing the effects of climate change. COP28 also saw 22 world leaders sign a declaration to make efforts to triple nuclear energy by 2050. SMRs have been touted as a … Continue reading The role of small modular reactors in the energy transition →

Energy in Demand News, December 31, 2023

EiD wishes you a Happy New Year and all the best for 2024 Hopefully you had a chance to relax over the festive season and to prepare for 2024. While the EU policy framework for energy efficiency and renewable energy is now in place, every effort must be made to scale up implementation. Check out … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, December 31, 2023 →

Is CCS the way forward in addressing climate change?

Oxford University’s Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment reveals alarming economic consequences of CCS dependency. One of the authors Rupert Way, discusses many of the conclusions of the report in an article on the smithschool.ox.ac.uk website. Heavy dependence on Carbon Capture and Storage ‘highly economically damaging’, says Oxford report high Carbon Capture and … Continue reading Is CCS the way forward in addressing climate change? →

European Commission calls on Member States to improve their National Energy and Climate Plans to ensure collective achievement of the EU´s 2030 targets

The Commission recently published its assessment of EU Member States' draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and issued recommendations to assist Member States in raising their ambitions in line with EU targets for 2030. The final Plans must be submitted by 30 June 2024. The draft updated NECPs bring us closer to meeting the … Continue reading European Commission calls on Member States to improve their National Energy and Climate Plans to ensure collective achievement of the EU´s 2030 targets →

Heat pumps as a service offered in Britain by Swedish company

Aira, which offers subscription service at no upfront cost, has sights set on UK’s growing heat pump market. Jillian Ambrose discusses latest developments in an article on the Guardian website. Swedish ‘Spotify of heat pumps’ hopes to reach more UK homes Britain’s plan to wean homes off fossil fuels has had a tepid start, … Continue reading Heat pumps as a service offered in Britain by Swedish company →