An international agreement on limiting the supply of fossil fuels is needed

The latest science on climate change is unequivocal: the world must eliminate fossil fuel-based energy systems – and fast. Such a phase-out requires international cooperation to restrict the supply of fossil fuels, including coal, oil and gas. This won’t be easy, but it is possible. In an article on The Conversation website, Harro van Asselt, … Continue reading An international agreement on limiting the supply of fossil fuels is needed →

Switzerland’s condemnation by the ECHR is a valuable development in the fight against global warming

Can a state be held liable for failing to protect its citizens from the consequences of climate change? By answering this question in the affirmative on Tuesday, April 9, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) handed down an unprecedented decision. This ruling should set a precedent in the 46 member states of the Council … Continue reading Switzerland’s condemnation by the ECHR is a valuable development in the fight against global warming →

Energy in Demand News, March 3, 2024

The bad news from the IEA this week is that, globally, CO2 emissions increased by 410 million tonnes, or 1.1%, in 2023. The good news from the IEA is that global energy-related CO2 emissions rose less strongly in 2023 than the year before even as total energy demand growth accelerated. IEA analysis shows that the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 3, 2024 →

Climate litigation – flagship cases illustrate certain tactics which maximise the chance of a win

In an article on The Conversation website, Morgiane Noel, PhD Candidate, Migration, Climate Change, Human Rights, European Law and International Law, Trinity College Dublin discusses what it takes for successful climate litigation. Three secrets to successful climate litigation Courts around the world are handling an increasing number of climate and environmental cases due to … Continue reading Climate litigation – flagship cases illustrate certain tactics which maximise the chance of a win →

New report discusses the challenges that Bangladesh is facing to adapt to climate change

The south Asian country is a world leader in climate adaptation, but without more funding the country will struggle to protect its people, a report from the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) warns. Thaslima Begum discusses the findings of the report in an article on the Guardian website. Why Bangladesh is … Continue reading New report discusses the challenges that Bangladesh is facing to adapt to climate change →

New EEA briefing on the ‘just transition’ to sustainability

What do we mean by a ‘just transition’ to a sustainable future? A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, looks into how a shift to a greener, climate-neutral, circular economy will impact our society and describes how policies must be informed by concepts of justice and fairness if they are to succeed. … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the ‘just transition’ to sustainability →

Climate activism – “there is a method to the seeming madness”

In an article on The Conversation website, Shannon Gibson, Associate Professor of International Relations and Environmental Studies, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences writes about the “wild ride” climate activism has been on lately. From throwing soup to suing governments, there’s strategy to climate activism’s seeming chaos − here’s where it’s headed … Continue reading Climate activism – “there is a method to the seeming madness” →

Energy in Demand News, February 4, 2024

This week the European Commission will propose the new level of ambition for GHG emissions reductions it considers necessary for 2040. The Financial Times (behind a paywall) notes that the EU’s climate chief, Wopke Hoekstra, “has warned the bloc must not be lured into a “false narrative” that action against global warming is undermining the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 4, 2024 →

The coming months will determine if COP29 will be a success and whether benefits will trickle down to vulnerable communities in developing countries

Evans Njewa, chair of the Least Developed Countries group and an official in Malawi’s environment ministry, writes on the Climate Home News website argues that rich nations always say they need their parliaments approval for climate finance at COPs – now is the time to start For Cop29 to succeed, rich nations must get … Continue reading The coming months will determine if COP29 will be a success and whether benefits will trickle down to vulnerable communities in developing countries →

Norway’s district court in Oslo recently made a decision on fossil fuels that compels energy firms to account for the industry’s entire carbon footprint

In an article on The Conversation website, Daria Shapovalova, Senior Lecturer in Energy Law, University of Aberdeen writes about a recent court ruling in Norway that requires energy companies seeking oil and gas licenses to consider scope 3 emissions. Oil firms forced to consider full climate effects of new drilling, following landmark Norwegian court … Continue reading Norway’s district court in Oslo recently made a decision on fossil fuels that compels energy firms to account for the industry’s entire carbon footprint →