Virgin Atlantic’s ‘Jet Zero’ fuel may not be travel’s green future – it is more “a smoke-and-mirrors exercise to convince governments that SAF will enable aviation to continue its relentless growth on a sustainable basis”

The first transatlantic flight powered only by sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) took off from Heathrow airport this week. Airlines are pinning their hopes on SAF to slash emissions as they try to decarbonise flying before new electric and hydrogen-powered options are developed. In an article on The Conversation website, Gareth Dale, Reader in Political Economy, … Continue reading Virgin Atlantic’s ‘Jet Zero’ fuel may not be travel’s green future – it is more “a smoke-and-mirrors exercise to convince governments that SAF will enable aviation to continue its relentless growth on a sustainable basis” →

For countries to meet their goals to cut GHG emissions, stopping emissions from carbon-intensive industries like steel, cement and chemicals is imperative

Morgan Bazilian, Professor of Public Policy and Director, Payne Institute, Colorado School of Mines; Benjamin K. Sovacool, Professor of Energy Policy, University of Sussex; and Steven Griffiths, Senior Vice President for Research and Development, Professor of Practice in Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University write on The Conversation website about the importance of decarbonising industry if we … Continue reading For countries to meet their goals to cut GHG emissions, stopping emissions from carbon-intensive industries like steel, cement and chemicals is imperative →

Key issues that will dominate COP28

In an article on The Conversation website, Rachel Kyte, Visiting Professor of Government, University of Oxford provides an excellent overview of the important issues that will dominate COP28. COP28 begins: 4 issues that will determine if the UN climate summit is a success, from methane to money The United Nations climate conference is underway … Continue reading Key issues that will dominate COP28 →

France unveils 2030 energy targets

French Energy Transition Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher outlines in an interview the government's vision of the trajectory that would enable France to gradually reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Perrine Mouterde and Adrien Pécout undertake the interview in an article on the Le Monde website. French energy minister: Necessary transition 'is on a scale comparable … Continue reading France unveils 2030 energy targets →

Why is the UK’s ministry responsible for energy still ignoring so many energy saving options?

A new government department designed to deliver net zero seems to be ignoring the strategic role energy efficiency could and should play. Andrew Warren, Chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation discusses the approach of the government ministry in the November/December issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry. Note that since this article was published, … Continue reading Why is the UK’s ministry responsible for energy still ignoring so many energy saving options? →

New publication – EU Buildings Climate Tracker: A call for faster and bolder action

Buildings represent a significant potential for GHG emissions mitigation and the EU has many policies in place to help promote the improved energy performance of buildings. The policy foundation is the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive that is currently being revised. In fact the next negotiations (the trialogue) between the European Council, European Parliament and … Continue reading New publication – EU Buildings Climate Tracker: A call for faster and bolder action →

New report on importance of driving forward industrial energy efficiency

Manufacturers have been hit by soaring gas and electricity prices hitting record highs, leaving businesses desperate to cut their energy use, according to a new report Driving Industrial Energy Efficiencies, published this week by Make UK and Inspired PLC. Driving forward industrial energy efficiency is key to meeting net zero targets The new research … Continue reading New report on importance of driving forward industrial energy efficiency →

With a plan to spend €20 billion on a hydrogen pipe network, Germany bids to solve the hydrogen economy’s ‘chicken-and-egg’ dilemma

In an article on the Euractiv website, Nikolaus J. Kurmayer discusses Germany’s plans to build a network of hydrogen pipelines by 2032. Is this the right approach for the energy transition? Germany to back €20 billion bid to build hydrogen pipe network The German government is poised to put its weight behind a network … Continue reading With a plan to spend €20 billion on a hydrogen pipe network, Germany bids to solve the hydrogen economy’s ‘chicken-and-egg’ dilemma →

Paris to hold vote on whether SUVs should pay more for parking

The vote, to be held next February 4th, will be the second city-wide referendum on urban matters, after residents in April voted to ban rental e-scooters from the capital. An AFP news item on the Le Monde website discusses the upcoming referendum. Paris will have residents vote on increasing parking fees for heavy SUVs … Continue reading Paris to hold vote on whether SUVs should pay more for parking →

Energy in Demand News, November 12th, 2023

When you Google for social media and climate change, you see links on how it positively helps create awareness on the climate and you see others quite negative especially when there is deliberate misinformation. It was surprising this week to see an article in the Financial Times (behind a paywall) that Shell is tapping gamers … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, November 12th, 2023 →