Jeff Bezos’s $10bn Earth Fund cuts ties with Science Based Targets initiative

Phoebe Weston writes on the Guardian website about the decision of the Earth Fund to halt funding to the STBi. The decision to stop backing SBTi comes as Amazon founder seeks to curry favour with Donald Trump. Jeff Bezos fund ends support for climate group amid fears billionaires ‘bowing down’ to Trump Jeff Bezos’s … Continue reading Jeff Bezos’s $10bn Earth Fund cuts ties with Science Based Targets initiative →

Energy in Demand News, January 26, 2025

Apart from watching what is going on in Washington DC , our attention has understandably focused again this week on the devastation in the Los Angeles area from the continuing wildfires. The total area affected was recently estimated at more than 16,000 hectares and it is going to take years and a lot of money … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, January 26, 2025 →

Update on Scotland’s green ambitions

The Energy Saving Trust has recently published its report on progress in Scotland entitled “Supporting Scotland’s Green Ambitions: December 2024 report.” The Energy Saving Trust receives many enquiries about how the programmes it delivers on behalf of the Scottish Government work and what changes they deliver on the ground. These are from both organisations seeking … Continue reading Update on Scotland’s green ambitions →

Energy in Demand News, December 15, 2024

BP and Shell are scaling back electricity ambitions to escape the ‘valley of death,’ according to the Financial Times website (behind a paywall). Over the past five years, the two companies had spent a combined US$18 billion to be major players in electricity. But now Shell has sold its retail electricity business in Germany, the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, December 15, 2024 →

One major bank in UK will factor in energy performance certificate ratings when deciding how much to lend to borrowers from this week

Emily Braeger writes on the iNews website about a change in lending policy from one of the major lenders in Britain. Those buying the most energy-efficient homes will be able to borrow slightly more than they would if their home had an average rating. Halifax also says those buying the least efficient properties will be … Continue reading One major bank in UK will factor in energy performance certificate ratings when deciding how much to lend to borrowers from this week →

US support for backing outstanding mortgages giving only vague guidance on climate-related catastrophe

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which backstop most U.S. mortgages, know floods and fires are a growing problem. But little action has been taken. Lydia DePillis discusses this growing issue in the US. One wonders how the new administration will deal with this issue? Mortgage Regulators Are Shrugging Off Climate Risk. It Could Cost … Continue reading US support for backing outstanding mortgages giving only vague guidance on climate-related catastrophe →

Energy in Demand News, December 8, 2024

How many times have we heard President-elect Donald Trump say: “We will drill, baby, drill.” It’s not clear that producers will fall in line. For the past six years, the US has already been the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration, and produces about … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, December 8, 2024 →

Financiers warn net zero borrowing binges “risk fuelling boom and fust cycles”

Tim Wallace writes on the Telegraph website about warnings from the Institute of International Finance that nations could be forced to step up spending to stay on track with net zero targets. What are your views? Net zero borrowing binges ‘risk fuelling boom and bust cycles’ Net zero borrowing binges by governments risk fuelling … Continue reading Financiers warn net zero borrowing binges “risk fuelling boom and fust cycles” →

Energy in Demand News, November 24, 2024

The talks at COP29 ran 33 hours late, and came close to collapse. In the end richer countries pledged a record $300bn to help the developing world fight climate change, but the deal is facing recrimination that it comes nowhere near addressing poorer countries' challenges from global warming. The New York Times (behind a paywall) … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, November 24, 2024 →

There is still greenwashing when it comes to carbon offsets

The results of a recent survey raises questions about how some companies use carbon offsets and cast doubt on how effective voluntary carbon markets – at least in their current state – are in assisting a global transition to net-zero-emissions In an article on The Conversation website, Sehoon Kim, Assistant Professor of Finance, University of … Continue reading There is still greenwashing when it comes to carbon offsets →