Bold new initiative from European Commission to address carbon emissions

Andrew Warren, Chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation writes about a bold initiative to meet head on the inherent trade incompatibility caused by unpriced emissions from companies outside Europe. The column was in the May 2021 issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry. The EU’s new tool to create a level playing field … Continue reading Bold new initiative from European Commission to address carbon emissions →

“We should get net zero right – not get rid”

There have been lots of discussions recently about the concept of net zero emissions. Some have been criticised for misinterpreting it. Some feel it is not a good concept at all. Richard Black, Honorary Research Fellow, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London; Steve Smith, Executive Director, Oxford Net Zero, University of Oxford; and Thomas Hale, Associate … Continue reading “We should get net zero right – not get rid” →

Upcoming events in June

Here are three important not-to-be-missed events in June. eceee summer study – June 7-11 eceee’s bi-annual summer study is coming June 7-11, this year as a virtual event. The theme is “A New Reality” which definitely seems appropriate in this pandemic environment. There is an increasingly urgent climate crisis, and we simply can’t go … Continue reading Upcoming events in June →

Blog from Jane Marsh: How Much Does Climate Change Cost the Economy?

Over the past century, planet Earth has experienced various changes to its atmosphere's composition and weather patterns. The growing endangered species list and frequency of natural disasters signify the global ecosystem's price for our actions. Our environmental education and media exposure focus on ecological destruction. Though this is a major cause of rising global temperatures, … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: How Much Does Climate Change Cost the Economy? →

The forest protection carbon offsetting market used by major airlines for claims of carbon-neutral flying faces a significant credibility problem

As we lift the restrictions from the Covid pandemic, many more will be flying for work or holidays. If you plan to fly, first read this article by Patrick Greenfield in The Guardian about growing concerns about carbon offsets. Carbon offsets used by major airlines based on flawed system, warn experts The forest protection … Continue reading The forest protection carbon offsetting market used by major airlines for claims of carbon-neutral flying faces a significant credibility problem →

European Commission updates its EU industrial strategy

This week the European Commission updated the EU Industrial Strategy to ensure that its industrial ambition takes full account of the new circumstances following the COVID-19 crisis and helps to drive the transformation to a more sustainable, digital, resilient and globally competitive economy. It shows support for industrial sectors that are strategic to the European … Continue reading European Commission updates its EU industrial strategy →

Net zero targets are a powerful way to signal common cause between nations but a sense of solidarity requires these targets be consistent with demands for climate justice

The Paris Agreement broke a long-standing political deadlock by allowing each country to develop its own nationally determined contribution to cutting global emissions. Net zero can be an important focus for climate action. Three academics argue that it must not become a set of blinkers that seeks to compel all countries down a single path. … Continue reading Net zero targets are a powerful way to signal common cause between nations but a sense of solidarity requires these targets be consistent with demands for climate justice →

Keeping temperature rises below 1.5℃ cannot be guaranteed, given the history of action to date, but the goal is certainly not impossible

From now until COP26 we are going to read more and more about the challenges to keep temperatures below 1.5℃. Some are arguing it is already impossible. But four eminent academics argue that with the right political action, we can achieve such an objective. Bill Hare, Director, Climate Analytics, Adjunct Professor, Murdoch University (Perth), Visiting … Continue reading Keeping temperature rises below 1.5℃ cannot be guaranteed, given the history of action to date, but the goal is certainly not impossible →

Accelerating America’s shift to a carbon-free electric power system

In the last 15 years, the US has seen a dramatic change in its shift to a carbon-free electric power system. Ryan Wiser, Bentham Paulos, Dev Millstein and Joseph Rand from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory write on The Conversation website about this shift. Pay particular attention to what has happened to projected energy demand. … Continue reading Accelerating America’s shift to a carbon-free electric power system →

The EU is addressing climate change through the potentially potent tool of fine print of financial regulations

Jill Ward, Silla Brush and John Ainger from Bloomberg write on the Washington Post website about the EU embedding environmental goals in standards for banks, money managers, insurers and member states’ public spending plans. Why EU Climate Weapon Is in the Financial Fine Print The fight against climate change involves more than wind turbines … Continue reading The EU is addressing climate change through the potentially potent tool of fine print of financial regulations →