Approving 2040 climate targets in the EU proving quite a challenge

In an article on the Business Green website, Andrew Warren, chair of the British Energy Efficiency Federation and a former special advisor to the UK House of Commons environment select committee writes about how hard-right members of the European Parliament have been given the rapporteur role that could prove hugely influential in shaping the EU's … Continue reading Approving 2040 climate targets in the EU proving quite a challenge →

Top UN court says countries must act on climate change

The International Court of Justice called global warming an “urgent and existential threat” at a closely watched case in The Hague. The following is the report from the Earth Negotiations Bulletin from the International Institute for Sustainable Development.   International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change … Continue reading Top UN court says countries must act on climate change →

Energy in Demand News, July 20-21, 2025

The New York Times this week reported on how cultural festivals in France are adapting to the summer heat. The theatre festival in Avignon has banned events from 2 pm to 5 pm. And in order to lower the carbon footprint, the Avignon festival will only accept foreign acts if they also have other engagements … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 20-21, 2025 →

The pullout of ArcelorMittal from the German green steel plan highlights the risk for companies to fully embark on a green transition course

Insa Wrede writes on the Deutsche Welle website about ArcelorMittal’s new plans. Despite being offered billions in subsidies, steel giant ArcelorMittal has suspended plans to transition to green steel production in Germany. Is this an isolated case — or a warning sign for the entire industry?   ArcelorMittal's pullout plunges German green steel in doubt … Continue reading The pullout of ArcelorMittal from the German green steel plan highlights the risk for companies to fully embark on a green transition course →

Solar installations have grown by more than 10% every year in the UK for the last three years

Jamie Gibbs writes on the Energy Saving Trust website about the growing popularity of solar panels in the UK and the Solar Roadmap that the government just published.   Plug-in solar panels and the rooftop revolution Solar power is on the rise. Over 1.5 million homes in the UK have solar panels installed. And looking … Continue reading Solar installations have grown by more than 10% every year in the UK for the last three years →

“What happened to plans for so-called sustainable aviation fuel?”

In an article on The Conversation website, Salman Ahmad, Lecturer in Operations and Supply Chain Management, University of the West of Scotland writes about why flying is still so dependent on fossil fuels.   Why your holiday flight is still not being powered by sustainable aviation fuel As you wait in the departure lounge for … Continue reading “What happened to plans for so-called sustainable aviation fuel?” →

Concerns about ‘repression’ of environmental activists in France

Stéphane Mandard writes on the Le Monde website this week about a report published on July 3rd that Amnesty International expressed concern about 'growing attacks' on freedoms of expression, protest and association, warning of a 'deterrent effect' on climate action.   Amnesty International condemns 'repression' of environmental and climate activists in France On Wednesday, July … Continue reading Concerns about ‘repression’ of environmental activists in France →

The UK government is ignoring energy saving opportunities outside homes

The UK government recently pledged to reduce levies for energy-intensive businesses, but writing  in the July/August issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry,  Andrew Warren, chair of the British Energy Efficiency Federation (BEEF) questions why they have not been given any incentive to actually reduce the energy they use. Is it any different in your … Continue reading The UK government is ignoring energy saving opportunities outside homes →

Energy in Demand News, July 13-14, 2025

Almost three-quarters of all solar and wind power projects being built globally are in China, according to a new report by Global Energy Monitor, a non-governmental organisation based in San Francisco. In its account of the report, the Financial Times notes that of the 689GW  of utility-scale solar and wind projects under construction globally, China … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 13-14, 2025 →

China’s energy transition: for ethnic minority communities, where they live, how they work and the cultural practices they depend on have all been shaped by state environmental policies, often without meaningful input or representation

In an article on The Conversation website, Reza Hasmath, Professor in Political Science, University of Alberta writes about the impact of China’s energy transition on its ethnic minorities.   How China’s green transition is reshaping ethnic minority communities China has emerged as a global front-runner in the fight against climate change, with sweeping policies aimed at curbing … Continue reading China’s energy transition: for ethnic minority communities, where they live, how they work and the cultural practices they depend on have all been shaped by state environmental policies, often without meaningful input or representation →