For last week’s World Energy Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, Nicholas Stern, the economist and academic and author of the Stern Report on the economics of climate change, was asked several questions related to energy and climate policy by the UK’s Independent. The Big Questions: Is fracking the answer to the UK’s energy needs? … Continue reading Nicholas Stern answers . . .
Category: climate change
Quotes of the week
In his eceee column reacting to the Commission’s 2030 climate and energy policy framework, presented on January 22nd, Hans Nilsson provides us with a quote within a quote: . . . it is worth being reminded of the words of the Danish professor Noergaard when he said that “it might not be cost-effective to save … Continue reading Quotes of the week
The European Commission in the news
This week, the European Commission presented its long-expected 2030 climate and energy policy framework, whereby there will be a binding target for GHG emissions, a modest binding EU (but not at the member state level) target for renewable energy and, once again, a non-binding target for energy savings. The purpose behind the policy framework is … Continue reading The European Commission in the news
Providing incentives to employees who reduce their carbon footprint
Jennifer Paterson writes in employeebenefits.com about the programme that Swiss Re, one of the world’s leading reinsurance companies, has to promote energy efficiency amongst its staff. EiD thinks a lot of other companies should be paying attention to this. Swiss Re extends incentives for energy efficiency Swiss Re has extended its financial support for employees … Continue reading Providing incentives to employees who reduce their carbon footprint
Canada in a league of its own in addressing climate change
Canada is determined to go on its own and has now admitted that the priority is fossil fuel development and not emissions reduction. Stephen Leahy writes in the Guardian that Canada has reported to the UN that GHG emissions will increase significantly by 2030. It should be noted that the Guardian also reports this week … Continue reading Canada in a league of its own in addressing climate change
Agreeing on 2030 climate and energy goals proving illusive within European Commission
Reuters news service provided an article in The Guardian about the controversy within the European Commission itself in agreeing on climate and energy goals for 2030. Undoubtedly, the EU wants to be a global leader but there is also the cold reality of trying to re-build momentum in the lagging economy. Can the two be … Continue reading Agreeing on 2030 climate and energy goals proving illusive within European Commission
Coal use in Germany increases even though the low carbon transition is underway
No one said the transition to a low carbon economy would be high and everyone is watching Germany’s effort with great interest. Stefan Wagstyl writes in the Financial Times that electricity production from brown coal actually rose last year and now it is at the highest level since 1990. The new coalition government envisages the … Continue reading Coal use in Germany increases even though the low carbon transition is underway
Views on sustainability
The environmentalist Tony Juniper writes an excellent article in the Guardian hoping sustainability will be firmly on the political agenda in 2014 but fearing the philosophy of growth at any cost will continue. The growth versus environment narrative needs to change in 2014 The last year was not a landmark one for progress on … Continue reading Views on sustainability
Scaling back efforts to combat climate change will come at a price
As mentioned in EiD last week, the UK government is re-thinking its climate change initiatives and giving more emphasis to energy supply options such as shale gas and nuclear energy expansion. Pilita Clark writes in the Financial Times about a new report from the Committee on Climate Change, an independent, statutory body established under the … Continue reading Scaling back efforts to combat climate change will come at a price
Coal on the move?
Sustainable coal? Ignoring reality? The fundamentals on energy policy? Sophie Yeo writes for the Guardian Environment Network about the pressure the world coal industry is putting on global climate negotiations to face reality about the real importance of coal. We have seen the World Bank and many other financial institutions stop funding coal-fired power plants … Continue reading Coal on the move?
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 