Adapting Germany’s trains to a changing climate

Even though trains are the safest and most sustainable mode of transportation, they are vulnerable to extreme weather. David Ehl questions on the Deutsche Welle what lessons can be learned from the recent train derailment in southern Germany. How can Germany's railways become more climate resilient? Emergency services were met with a scene of destruction. … Continue reading Adapting Germany’s trains to a changing climate →

Five legal strategies to protect the environment

In an article on The Conversation website, Dana Zartner, Professor of International Studies, University of San Francisco discusses five strategies that have been developed over the past couple of decades. How the nature of environmental law is changing in defense of the planet and the climate While the dangerous effects of climate change continue … Continue reading Five legal strategies to protect the environment →

The US Department of Energy marginalises GHG emissions in new report

In an article on the New York Times website, Maxine Joselow and Brad Plumer discuss a new report developed by the 2025 Climate Working Group, a group of five independent scientists assembled by Energy Secretary Chris Wright with diverse expertise in physical science, economics, climate science and academic research. The agency asked the five climate … Continue reading The US Department of Energy marginalises GHG emissions in new report →

EU policies aimed at cutting energy are ‘lamentably inadequate’

A news item on the website for the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) raises concerns about energy efficiency efforts in the EU. Energy efficiency policies are ‘lamentably inadequate’ and reduction targets should be doubled, according to environment academics from the University of East Anglia. EU energy efficiency efforts are not enough Researchers … Continue reading EU policies aimed at cutting energy are ‘lamentably inadequate’ →

Energy in Demand News, July 27-28, 2025

It is summer time in Europe but the news has not slowed down. The post below on the IEA is disturbing and we can all hope that the US remains a member of the IEA in order to make a valuable contribution to our sustainable energy future. There is a good report from SciencesPo on … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 27-28, 2025 →

US Energy Secretary floats withdrawal from IEA

Mitchell Beer writes on The Energy Mix website that the Trump administration is threatening to pull the United States out of the International Energy Agency if the IEA doesn’t bring its independent forecasts in line with the administration’s support for a more fossil-friendly future. What are your views? U.S. Threatens to Quit IEA if … Continue reading US Energy Secretary floats withdrawal from IEA →

The Science Based Targets initiative says that, to be 1.5C-aligned, financial institutions must stop funding firms that are expanding fossil fuel production and use

This week, the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) launched a net zero standard for banks, asset managers and insurance companies, which requires them to end financing for firms that are expanding coal projects immediately and for those expanding oil and gas projects by 2030. In an article on the Climate Home News website, Joe Lo … Continue reading The Science Based Targets initiative says that, to be 1.5C-aligned, financial institutions must stop funding firms that are expanding fossil fuel production and use →

“Sportswashing” is taking over the Tour de France

The world is watching the end of the three-week Tour de France cycling race. Oscar Korbosli writes on the Le Monde website that the fossil fuel industry is heavily sponsoring this event. At the end of June, the French oil giant TotalEnergies announced it had signed an official three-year partnership with the Tour de France, … Continue reading “Sportswashing” is taking over the Tour de France →

As more countries develop their climate plans in advance of COP30, it’s time for leaders across the globe to face the hard truths of climate science

In an article on The Conversation website, Piers Forster, Professor of Physical Climate Change; Director of the Priestley International Centre for Climate, University of Leeds and Debbie Rosen, Research and Innovation Development Manager for the Priestley Centre for Climate Futures, University of Leeds provide a wake-up call about how serious our climate crisis is. So … Continue reading As more countries develop their climate plans in advance of COP30, it’s time for leaders across the globe to face the hard truths of climate science →

New report from SciencesPo on the EU taxonomy in practice

Titouan Chalavon, Clara Klint and Barbora Rapantova have written a report for the SciencesPo European Chair for Sustainable Development and Climate Transition on how the EU taxonomy has helped drive energy efficiency investments. The following is the abstract for the report. The EU taxonomy in practice: driving energy efficiency investments? Mapping insights from stakeholders … Continue reading New report from SciencesPo on the EU taxonomy in practice →