The shipping industry will be free to continue producing more emissions for the next decade

Countries from across the world have this week been debating how to address shipping’s enormous climate impact. On Tuesday, all but three countries agreed to an amendment to the rules that would allow shipping emissions to continue to soar in the short term. Daisy Dunne discusses developments in an article on the Independent website. … Continue reading The shipping industry will be free to continue producing more emissions for the next decade →

Pick a topic and it’s increasingly easy to predict what someone might think about it based on their opinion about another topic in that same political basket of ideologies

Peter Ellerton, Senior Lecturer in Critical Thinking; Curriculum Director, UQ Critical Thinking Project at The University of Queensland writes on The Conversation website trying to answer three questions related to how people address climate change. What are your views? Climate explained: why do humans instinctively reject evidence contrary to their beliefs? Why do humans … Continue reading Pick a topic and it’s increasingly easy to predict what someone might think about it based on their opinion about another topic in that same political basket of ideologies →

Investors are pushing major European companies to make sure the “missing” costs of climate change are properly reflected in their financial statements

European and U.S. investors, who manage $9 trillion in assets, have sent 36 carbon-heavy companies a document setting out how they should account for the likely impact of the 2015 Paris climate accord on their future profits. Matthew Green and Simon Jessop explain latest developments in an article on the Reuters website. Investors tell … Continue reading Investors are pushing major European companies to make sure the “missing” costs of climate change are properly reflected in their financial statements →

Cape Town sets an example to African cities to develop a climate strategy

Alanna Rebelo, Karen Joan Esler, Michael Samways and Patricia Holmes of Stellenbosch University together with Tony Rebelo from the South African National Biodiversity Institute explain in an article on The Conversation website how Cape Town is addressing climate change. Cape Town's climate strategy isn't perfect, but every African city should have one It may … Continue reading Cape Town sets an example to African cities to develop a climate strategy →

New EEA data available from on GHG emissions from transport fuels

Achieving the 2020 target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport fuels remains problematic for most European Union Member States according to the latest reported data up to 2018 released by the European Environment Agency (EEA) this week. Still insufficient progress in making transport fuels more climate friendly, latest EEA data show The … Continue reading New EEA data available from on GHG emissions from transport fuels →

World’s publicly financed development banks pledge to use their financial muscle to rescue the global economy from the Covid-19 crisis and the climate emergency

The goal must be to build economies that are sustainable, resilient and inclusive says one head of a development bank. Encouragingly, we are seeing development banks take a more co-ordinated, integrated approach to address recovery plans and the need to ensure the Paris climate objectives are met. Fiona Harvey explains in an article on The … Continue reading World’s publicly financed development banks pledge to use their financial muscle to rescue the global economy from the Covid-19 crisis and the climate emergency →

New IISD report: G20 backtracks on fossil fuel funding phase-out

G20 governments are still spending more than half a trillion USD on oil, gas, and coal each year—and the pandemic has likely undone any progress on phasing out this support. In Doubling Back and Doubling Down: G20 Scorecard on Fossil Fuel Funding, researchers considered recovery commitments and pre-pandemic policies to rank G20 countries' progress in … Continue reading New IISD report: G20 backtracks on fossil fuel funding phase-out →

By shifting current policies and fundamental program designs, next-generation energy efficiency programmes can be a crucial tool for meeting deep carbon-reduction goals

Val Jensen writes on the Greentech media website about the need to revamp energy efficiency programmes to meet long-term energy and climate objectives. While he speaks about the United States, there are no doubt lessons for all of us. Revamped Energy Efficiency Programs Are the Key to Deep Carbon Reductions Across the U.S., governments … Continue reading By shifting current policies and fundamental program designs, next-generation energy efficiency programmes can be a crucial tool for meeting deep carbon-reduction goals →

The European Academies Science Advisory Council Perspective on Transformative Change

This pandemic reminds us how vulnerable this planet, and in particular humanity, really are. Another striking reminder is the latest publication of the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) available on its website. For more on the report see also: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q90lDeis7-o and https://youtu.be/5Gk9prsjmEg. Resistance and Challenges to Green Deals should not be underestimated “Scientific knowledge of climate … Continue reading The European Academies Science Advisory Council Perspective on Transformative Change →

New project aims to utilise cutting-edge wind propulsion technology to bring down the vast carbon emissions of commercial shipping

A maritime design specialist spun out of Sir Ben Ainslie’s yacht racing team (remember Ben won medals at five consecutive Olympics) will install solid 45-metre sails on cargo vessels with the aim of cutting emissions. Callum Jones discusses latest developments in an article on The Times website. Wind in the sails of emissions challenge … Continue reading New project aims to utilise cutting-edge wind propulsion technology to bring down the vast carbon emissions of commercial shipping →