The growing importance of the EU Emissions Trading System

Derided for a decade for its ineffectiveness, this European emissions trading mechanism is now taking on a new significance writes Philippe Escande in an article on Le Monde website. Climate: 'The EU emissions trading system is now proving relevant' It can take a lot of patience, experimentation and tenacity to see a good idea … Continue reading The growing importance of the EU Emissions Trading System →

The “net zero” climate targets of 24 of the world’s largest companies fall far behind their promises

The “net zero” climate plans of 24 of the world’s largest companies add up to emissions reductions of only 36 percent, according to a report by the NewClimate institute and non-profit Carbon Market Watch. The strategies of the self-declared climate leaders, which include household names such as Amazon, Apple, Google, H&M, Nestle, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Walmart, are … Continue reading The “net zero” climate targets of 24 of the world’s largest companies fall far behind their promises →

Blog from Jane Marsh: Can the U.S. EPA Do More to Regulate Emissions from Energy?

The climate crisis is becoming more of a concern than ever before. With global temperatures rising, it is no surprise that certain regions are experiencing the effects of climate change, such as melting ice caps, more severe natural disasters and extreme droughts. The U.S. EPA is well-known for establishing regulations and requirements for companies and … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: Can the U.S. EPA Do More to Regulate Emissions from Energy? →

Sailing cargo ships are making a genuine comeback

Christiaan De Beukelaer, Senior Lecturer in Culture & Climate at The University of Melbourne writes on The Conversation website about the potential for wind-powered cargo ships to make a comeback globally. Amid much scepticism, he found most objections to wind-propelled shipping are based on four myths that can be easily debunked. Wind-powered cargo ships … Continue reading Sailing cargo ships are making a genuine comeback →

Fossil fuels still dominate the German heating market

A new heating report in Germany shows that oil and gas boilers continue to dominate the heating market. Heat pump sales, however, have increased more than 50%. According to the German heat pump association (BWP), the report “clearly shows that the incentives to switch heating systems to renewable technologies are not yet sufficient.” The heat … Continue reading Fossil fuels still dominate the German heating market →

New report shows Dutch sustainability criteria for biomass unlawful

A report, published this week by five (inter)national environmental organisations (Biofuelwatch UK, Comite Schone Lucht NL, Leefmilieu, Dogwood Alliance VS and Estonian Fund for Nature ES) shows that the largest certification programme (SBP) used for logging does not meet the Dutch sustainability criteria. Certification appears to be entirely in the hands of the wood pellet … Continue reading New report shows Dutch sustainability criteria for biomass unlawful →

Italy is pushing back against EU directive aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings

As the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive slowly winds its way through the approval process from EU institutions, Crispian Balmer and Valentina Za write on the Reuters website that the new Italian government is throwing up some obstacles. How serious are they? Italy gets cold feet over EU greener buildings plan … Continue reading Italy is pushing back against EU directive aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings →

We don’t need experimental or risky energy sources to save our planet

Mark Z Jacobson is a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University explains in an article on The Guardian website that the combination of wind, water and solar energy will be enough to solve our climate problems. Wind, water and solar energy is cheap, effective and green. He argues that there is no … Continue reading We don’t need experimental or risky energy sources to save our planet →

The promise of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies in our long-term climate strategies

Carbon removal technologies promise to help meet the world's emissions targets and keep climate change in check. But there are downsides. Martin Kuebler discusses in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Can 'untested' carbon removal technology BECCS deliver? Slashing emissions and transitioning to green energy is no longer enough to meet the world's climate … Continue reading The promise of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies in our long-term climate strategies →

New Slovak law enshrines in legislation the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050

Barbara Zmušková writes on the EURACTIV website about the new climate law in the Slovak Republic. Slovak government presents first-ever climate law The Climate Law, which for the first time officially enshrined in legislation the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, was presented by the Slovakian Environment Ministry on Monday. The law also … Continue reading New Slovak law enshrines in legislation the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 →