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 →

New EEA report on the urgent need to prioritise the use of biomass

There are increasing and competing demands for using biomass in the EU, using it for bio-based products in sectors such as construction, energy, transport, furniture and textile industries, but also reserving it for nature conservation and carbon sequestration. The European Environment Agency (EEA) report, published recently, stresses that there is an urgent need to prioritise … Continue reading New EEA report on the urgent need to prioritise the use of biomass →

The benefits of cement co-processing in the carbon neutrality pathway

The European industry associations are working closely with their members. It is encouraging to see what is happening in the cement sector. From de-commissioned wind blades to end-of-life tyres and agricultural waste, co-processing offers a circular solution to Europe’s waste problem – whilst reducing the cement sector’s CO2 emissions. Its potential should be fully recognised … Continue reading The benefits of cement co-processing in the carbon neutrality pathway →

New EEA briefing on the benefits of investing in clean technology and a green industry in Europe

Europe has committed to ambitious sustainability targets in the coming decades, including achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This transition requires large investments while public budgets are under increasing pressure from security needs, inflation, ageing population, and other priorities. Published this week, a European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis looks at this challenge and identifies investments in … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the benefits of investing in clean technology and a green industry in Europe →