Europe-wide poll on attitudes to flying and climate change has revealed a large majority of people now support a ban on short-haul flights

The European Investment Bank polled 28,088 people, across all 28 European Union member states (including Britain, which was a member at the time) with 62 per cent stating they supported a ban on short-distance flights, and 72 per cent said they would support a carbon tax on flights. Harry Cockburn explains more results in an … Continue reading Europe-wide poll on attitudes to flying and climate change has revealed a large majority of people now support a ban on short-haul flights →

As with climate change, our collective ability to confront the pandemic is shaped by our brains. We are bad at thinking about tomorrow

As our activities change almost hourly because of the coronavirus, Somini Sengupta writes on the New York Times about the lessons learned between climate change and addressing the pandemic. What Climate Change Can Teach Us About Fighting the Coronavirus “Alarming levels of inaction.” That is what the World Health Organization said Wednesday about the … Continue reading As with climate change, our collective ability to confront the pandemic is shaped by our brains. We are bad at thinking about tomorrow →

New EEA briefing on need for EU member states to accelerate actions to reach GHG effort sharing targets

Emission cuts in the European Union’s (EU) Effort Sharing sectors need to accelerate considerably from 2018 onwards to achieve the current EU 2030 targets, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week. In particular, the large amount of emission reductions from planned measures in the transport sector need to materialise through concrete … Continue reading New EEA briefing on need for EU member states to accelerate actions to reach GHG effort sharing targets →

Brussels: “in the city of the EU Green Deal, new plans aim to give the streets back to pedestrians and help residents counter the crisis of a warming planet”

For anyone traveling through the centre of Brussels recently, you notice so many road works to create car-free zones. Martin Kuebler writes on the Deutsche Welle about how the city is transforming itself. Let us know how you see the changes? Greening the city: How Brussels is planning for climate change The Belgian capital … Continue reading Brussels: “in the city of the EU Green Deal, new plans aim to give the streets back to pedestrians and help residents counter the crisis of a warming planet” →

Ireland not on track to meet its long-term decarbonisation goals

Fossil fuel use in sectors a threat to Ireland’s long-term green energy goals. Kevin O’Sullivan discusses Ireland’s energy transition situation in an article on the Irish Times website. Transport and heat emissions holding back progress on decarbonising Significant progress in decarbonising power generation in Ireland is being undermined by increases in carbon emissions from … Continue reading Ireland not on track to meet its long-term decarbonisation goals →

An influential group of investors is for the first time demanding that all UK-listed companies disclose how the climate emergency will impact their business

The Investment Association is giving UK companies three years to explain how they will adapt to the climate emergency. Kalyeena Makortoff explains in an article in The Guardian. Leading investor group tells companies to set out climate crisis plans An influential group of investors is for the first time demanding that all UK-listed companies … Continue reading An influential group of investors is for the first time demanding that all UK-listed companies disclose how the climate emergency will impact their business →

Rather than debating the causes of climate change or assigning blame, the US military focuses on how climate change undermines security, and on practical steps to slow its advance and minimise damage

Michael Klare, Professor Emeritus and Director, Five College Program in Peace and World Security Studies at Hampshire College writes on The Conversation website about the role the military can play in addressing climate change, especially when so many in the US are sceptical A military perspective on climate change could bridge the gap between … Continue reading Rather than debating the causes of climate change or assigning blame, the US military focuses on how climate change undermines security, and on practical steps to slow its advance and minimise damage →

Just how ready is each of us to undertake radical steps in our own lives to address climate change?

There’s overwhelming public acknowledgement that action has to be taken on climate change. But only a minority want to make changes to our lifestyle. Andrew Warren, chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation provided his views in the February issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry. How Far Are You Prepared To Go? No … Continue reading Just how ready is each of us to undertake radical steps in our own lives to address climate change? →

Needing leadership for our global climate and energy challenges

This week, Nick Butler, the Financial Times energy columnist and visiting professor and chair of the Kings Policy Institute at Kings College London, raised an important issue this week about the need for a world institution for climate and energy. Here are some of the important points he raises: It’s time to provide detailed steps … Continue reading Needing leadership for our global climate and energy challenges →

Call for accountants to put their skills to use by helping companies prepare for a climate emergency

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales ICAEW and other industry groups want climate risk to be integrated into company audits. They believe accountants should demonstrate the risks to business posed by the climate crisis, such as the impact of flooding or the effect of drought on the price of crops needed in … Continue reading Call for accountants to put their skills to use by helping companies prepare for a climate emergency →