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

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

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

Energy in Demand News, June 1-2, 2025

Austria and Slovenia are the only European countries whose defence ministries have committed to reaching net zero military emissions, according to an analysis of 30 European countries (EU 27 plus Norway, Switzerland and UK). An article in the Guardian on the analysis added that only about one-third have worked out the size of their carbon … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 1-2, 2025

What roles do our pensions, investments and banking decisions play in supporting fossil fuel projects?

In an article on the Deutsche Welle website, Holly Young tries to answer that question and to look for green finance alternatives.   What role does your money play in the climate crisis? Personal finance is a climate blind spot for many — lagging behind decisions on things like diet, travel or shopping when it … Continue reading What roles do our pensions, investments and banking decisions play in supporting fossil fuel projects?

Social Climate Fund could subsidise up to 20 million heat pumps across Europe, new study finds

A new study finds that investing just one-third of the Social Climate Fund, the EU could subsidise up to 20 million heat pumps across the EU by 2032. This would be enough to reach all energy-poor households in nine EU countries and slash EU gas demand by 11% — nearly as much as the EU imported from Russia in 2024. The EU Social … Continue reading Social Climate Fund could subsidise up to 20 million heat pumps across Europe, new study finds

From Africa to Southeast Asia, the Trump administration is cancelling US support for projects designed to replace coal, oil and gas with clean energy

The US administration has pulled clean energy and just transition funding in South Africa and is pressuring EXIM and the World Bank to back fossil fuels. In an article on the Climate Home News website, Jo Lo discusses latest developments.   Trump shifts US funds from shutting down foreign fossil fuels to expanding them From … Continue reading From Africa to Southeast Asia, the Trump administration is cancelling US support for projects designed to replace coal, oil and gas with clean energy

Energy in Demand News, April 6-7, 2025

Let’s start this early spring week with some background music for you to enjoy reading this week’s newsletter. Everyone is still trying to come to grips with the “Liberation Day” tariffs that we’ve all been saddled with. The Guardian reports  that there have been some exceptions. “Trump’s new 10% universal tariffs – which are higher … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 6-7, 2025

US EPA causing serious problems for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

A faith-based Indiana group and heating contractors in Maine are among hundreds of businesses and organisations stymied by the Environmental Protection Agency’s attempt to claw back $20 billion of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. In an article on the Inside Climate News website, Marianne Lavelle and Dan Gearino detail what is going on and the … Continue reading US EPA causing serious problems for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

Energy in Demand News, March 2-3, 2025

Last week EiD referred to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) meeting this week in China and the concerns about fallout from a reported US exit. The meetings have started and US experts are not there. This weekend the Financial Times (behind a paywall) quotes several experts. “Decimating the nation’s core scientific enterprise, even … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 2-3, 2025