New report on overhauling investment governance for a just zero-carbon future

The Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI) recently released a briefing titled “International Investment Governance and Achieving a Just Zero-Carbon Future,” available in both English and French. The briefing discusses how the current international investment regime is hostile to states’ ability to address the climate crisis and will deter, delay or water down states’ climate-related … Continue reading New report on overhauling investment governance for a just zero-carbon future

EU planning major reform of its anti-pollution legislation

As part of a major reform of the EU’s anti-pollution legislation, the European Commission said it planned to tighten air quality standards, including on one of the most dangerous pollutants, fine particulate matter. Jennifer Rankin discusses latest developments in an article on The Guardian website.   EU plans tighter controls on pollution as doctors call … Continue reading EU planning major reform of its anti-pollution legislation

France’s largest bank under pressure to stop financing the development of fossil fuels

NGOs which previously took the French government to court have taken steps towards a lawsuit against the bank, the world's leading financer of oil and gas majors. Stéphane Mandard discusses latest developments in an article on the English section of the Le Monde website.   BNP Paribas warned to stop financing fossil fuels and 'climate … Continue reading France’s largest bank under pressure to stop financing the development of fossil fuels

The “perfect solution” to climate change and energy security?

The presidency of upcoming climate talks is embracing fossil gas as a “transition” fuel, despite its polluting impact. Joe Lo discusses latest developments in an article on the Climate Change News website.   Cop27 host Egypt plans to push gas as ‘the perfect solution’ Cop27 host Egypt and 16 other gas-exporting governments have pledged to … Continue reading The “perfect solution” to climate change and energy security?

New EEA report on progress in EU reducing GHG emissions and energy consumption

GHG emissions and energy consumption rose in 2021 due mostly to Europe’s post-pandemic recovery, according to the latest ‘Trends and Projections’ report published this week by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Most EU Member States successfully achieved the EU’s 2020 climate and energy targets and are now turning their sights toward climate neutrality while also … Continue reading New EEA report on progress in EU reducing GHG emissions and energy consumption

Can COP 27 help close the emissions gap?

The window to reign in climate-wrecking emissions and limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is fast closing, says a new UN report. Societal transformation may be the only way to avoid a coming calamity. Stuart Braun discusses the recent report in an article on the Deutsche Welle website.   Climate crisis: Widening emissions gap threatens … Continue reading Can COP 27 help close the emissions gap?

New EEA briefing on urban prosumption

Europe’s urban centres offer opportunities for citizens to produce renewable energy as prosumers according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week. Cities can play a key role in Europe’s shift to a low-carbon future. Facilitating urban prosumption can help accelerate this process.   Cities can offer new opportunities for prosumers of renewable … Continue reading New EEA briefing on urban prosumption

Who will claim Crimea’s GHG emissions?

Countries usually try to lower emissions, but both Kyiv and Moscow claim Crimea’s carbon impact as their own. Michael Birnbaum discusses this strange situation in an article on the Washington Post website.   At war, Russia aims to claim Ukraine’s land — and its carbon emissions Countries usually try to lower their carbon emissions, not … Continue reading Who will claim Crimea’s GHG emissions?

The global energy transition: have we lost momentum in reaching a net-zero future?

In the short term, it feels like countries are abandoning their energy transition plans and the goal of limiting global warming to under 2°C. But in the mid-to-long term, there is still of flicker of hope for a net-zero future. Here we have a detailed blog on the Zurich insurance company website.   Is hope … Continue reading The global energy transition: have we lost momentum in reaching a net-zero future?

Blog from Erik Gudbjerg: High energy cost leads to new habits, they can also reduce global warming

The Danes' energy supply has been hit by the perfect storm at the moment. Together with the rest of Europe, we want to reduce our dependence on Russian energy so that Russia has a harder time financing their war against Ukraine. However, although huge savings and shifts to other forms of energy have already been … Continue reading Blog from Erik Gudbjerg: High energy cost leads to new habits, they can also reduce global warming