What is the carbon storage and sequestration potential of Europe’s many land and marine habitats? A first scoping analysis, published recently by the European Environment Agency (EEA), found that forests and wetlands can play an important role in storing carbon but doing so should take account of potential impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. … Continue reading New EEA briefing on carbon storage and sequestration potential of Europe’s many land and marine habitats
Category: carbon emissions
Japan beefing up its building codes
Zero Energy Homes (ZEH) and Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB) guidelines will be used to enforce the revised building codes according to a news item on the Rethink Tokyo website. They will come into effect after 2025. Energy conservation architecture to be mandatory for Japan real estate from 2025 On April 22nd, the Cabinet of … Continue reading Japan beefing up its building codes
New UN group to scrutinise companies’ pledges to cut planet-heating GHG emissions
Saphora Smith writes on the Independent website about a new UN group set up to tackle greenwashing. The chair of the new group, Catherine McKenna, says: ‘I believe that most people want to do the right thing but they have to pushed.’ Hopefully this group will have some real impact. ‘Transparency is the best … Continue reading New UN group to scrutinise companies’ pledges to cut planet-heating GHG emissions
Calling for greater energy efficiency to reduce EU dependence on Russian fossil fuels
Initiatives to improve energy efficiency can reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels. They can also help increase the union’s influence in the global south. Mats Engstrom discusses the issues in an article on the European Council on Foreign Relations website. Efficient influence: Energy initiatives for a geopolitical Europe Russia’s brutal war on … Continue reading Calling for greater energy efficiency to reduce EU dependence on Russian fossil fuels
Building materials have a heavy carbon footprint and present a concrete challenge to the climate
We need to rethink the way we construct our buildings in order to reduce embodied carbon. The strategies to reduce embodied carbon already exist – from building smarter to decarbonising building materials. To shine a light on these solutions, the Programme for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB) recently published a working paper presenting key facts … Continue reading Building materials have a heavy carbon footprint and present a concrete challenge to the climate
Because “British people are no-nonsense pragmatists who can make decisions based on the information” the government will not “impose” measures to improve energy efficiency
The UK has some of the least energy-efficient homes in Europe, with 19 million houses and flats needing extra insulation. In February the national Climate Change Committee said the government’s policy on insulation was ‘very poor’ and a lot more needed to be done. However, the government, with its new Energy Security Strategy, will not … Continue reading Because “British people are no-nonsense pragmatists who can make decisions based on the information” the government will not “impose” measures to improve energy efficiency
The dream of the climate-neutral city, with very low to zero emissions, is within reach, say experts
Spewing most of the world's heat-trapping gases, fast-growing cities need to be transformed into clean, low emissions ecosystems in the struggle against climate breakdown. Stuart Braun writes on the Deutsche Welle website how cities can be a microcosm of successful climate mitigation. Cities are major polluters: Can we make them climate neutral? Around 85% … Continue reading The dream of the climate-neutral city, with very low to zero emissions, is within reach, say experts
Putting some urgency into need to deploy heat pumps in Europe
As the European Union tries to free itself from Russian gas, it should offer subsidies and policy supports to boost heat-pump adoption, a new report says. Jeff St. John discusses in an article on the Canary Media website. How to move Europe from gas heat to heat pumps — fast Heat pumps play a major role in … Continue reading Putting some urgency into need to deploy heat pumps in Europe
Certifying vineyards for carbon neutrality
Dave McIntyre writes on the Washington Post website about the effort one company in California is taking to have its vineyard certified as carbon neutral. What do you think? What it takes for a winery to earn a Climate Neutral certification When Jess Baum joined Fetzer Vineyards in August 2020 as the company’s new … Continue reading Certifying vineyards for carbon neutrality
Irish government defends plans to promote energy efficiency in response to spiralling cost of living pressures
In contrast to the measures announced by the UK government this week, the Irish prime minister (known as the Taoiseach) defended plans to promote energy efficiency and demand restraint including taking shorter showers and driving less, as part of an overall response to spiralling cost of living pressures. Mark Hilliard and Vivienne Clarke discuss latest … Continue reading Irish government defends plans to promote energy efficiency in response to spiralling cost of living pressures
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 