Energy in Demand News, February 16-17, 2025

It is encouraging that institutional investors with $1.5 trillion in funds have told asset managers to step up on climate action or risk being dumped, according to the Financial Times (behind a paywall). “A group of 26 financial institutions and pension funds from Australia to the US, including Scottish Widows, the People’s Partnership and Brunel … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 16-17, 2025 →

Columbia Climate School Launches First in U.S. Climate Finance Degree

The Columbia Climate School announced the first master’s degree program in the United States for climate finance. In close collaboration with the Columbia Business School, this interdisciplinary degree will drive impactful solutions to the climate crisis through advanced financial tools and scientific knowledge. This is the third master’s programme announced by the Climate School, in addition … Continue reading Columbia Climate School Launches First in U.S. Climate Finance Degree →

The global energy transition needs bold action

Jennifer Layke, Global Director of the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition writes on the World Resources Institute about what it takes to accelerate the global energy transition. What are your views? 6 Opportunities to Accelerate the Global Energy Transition The way we make and use energy is changing. With prices falling … Continue reading The global energy transition needs bold action →

Blog by Stefania Moruzzi: Defining sustainability in manufacturing

Over 75% of the global top 50 machine builders are actively promoting ways in which their machines enable greater sustainability for manufacturers – from energy efficiency to retrofitting. New research from Siemens Financial Services reveals how these machine builders define sustainability enablement, based on their published statements. There is no question that manufacturers are investing … Continue reading Blog by Stefania Moruzzi: Defining sustainability in manufacturing →

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 →