New energy law adopted in France — major shift in strategy

Forrest Crellin and America Hernandez write on the Reuter’s website about the shift in energy policy in France. Renewable energy targets (wind and solar) have been cut or loosened compared with previous ambitions while nuclear power is now central to the government’s decarbonisation strategy. France aims to boost decarbonised power production by 20% over … Continue reading New energy law adopted in France — major shift in strategy →

Electric motors in Europe: a no brainer for accelerating replacement

When one hears that one technology uses about 70% of a factory’s electricity consumption and that about half of those deployed are over 10 years old with a quarter over 20 years, one wonders why the market to replace them is sluggish at best. Yes, it is time for a shake-up. The technology under discussion … Continue reading Electric motors in Europe: a no brainer for accelerating replacement →

Rewriting the rules of climate science: AI, indigenous knowledge and the future of the IPCC

In an article on The Conversation website, Hannah Cloke, Professor of Hydrology, University of Reading discusses how dozens of experts have been meeting to rewrite the rules for compiling the world’s most important climate reports. How diverse voices are transforming the UN’s climate science An environmental expert from Nigeria, a climate policy consultant from … Continue reading Rewriting the rules of climate science: AI, indigenous knowledge and the future of the IPCC →

Kicked down the road: Britain’s £12bn energy efficiency delay

Despite promises to the contrary, the government continues to delay raising EPC standards for non-residential buildings. In a column in the February issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry, Andrew Warren, chair of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, shares his frustrations about the cost of inaction and highlights some of the other potential health and … Continue reading Kicked down the road: Britain’s £12bn energy efficiency delay →

Designed for a different climate: why our cities are now at risk

In an article on The Conversation website, Mohamed Shaheen, Lecturer in Structural Engineering, Loughborough University discusses that design rulebooks were based on decades of historical weather data and that these rulebooks are now becoming obsolete since they were written in an era of cooler climates. City skylines need an upgrade in the face of … Continue reading Designed for a different climate: why our cities are now at risk →

Denying the danger: why climate change is a public health emergency

The Trump administration has revoked the bedrock scientific determination that gives the government the ability to regulate climate-heating pollution. President Trump on Thursday announced he was erasing the scientific finding that climate change endangers human health and the environment, ending the federal government’s legal authority to control the pollution that is dangerously heating the planet. … Continue reading Denying the danger: why climate change is a public health emergency →

New EEA report on value of rail as a low-emission alternative for moving people and goods in Europe

Transport remains Europe’s most persistent climate challenge. While rail offers a low-emission alternative for moving people and goods, Europe’s continued reliance on road transport is keeping greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions high, according to a report published this week by the European Environment Agency. Rail offers a major opportunity for Europe to cut transport … Continue reading New EEA report on value of rail as a low-emission alternative for moving people and goods in Europe →

European Investment Bank’s energy efficiency for SMEs initiative is on track to surpass its targets

The Energy Efficiency for SMEs initiative – the first European Union-wide programme dedicated to accelerating energy savings in small and medium‑sized enterprises – is on track to surpass its targets following a successful first year of operation. The initiative delivered €6 billion in financing in 2025, enabling up to 150,000 SMEs across Europe to invest in … Continue reading European Investment Bank’s energy efficiency for SMEs initiative is on track to surpass its targets →

Energy in Demand News, February 8-9, 2026

There is mixed news on climate-related philanthropy this week. Michael Bloomberg’s donations on climate action have topped $3 billion over a decade, “including a recent boost to contributions to the UN’s climate body, as broader financial support slides in the Trump era,” reports the Financial Times. “The 83-year-old pledged nearly $270mn to two climate initiatives … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 8-9, 2026 →

Reflections on an industrial energy efficiency conference this week

The European Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (eceee) held a three-day conference this past week in Rome. The gathering brought together about 150 experts from various technical and non-technical fields related to industry. Timing was perfect because industry is at a crossroads with increased concerns about costs and competition not to mention long-term climate … Continue reading Reflections on an industrial energy efficiency conference this week →