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 →

Energy in Demand News, November 5th, 2023

The negotiations taking place before a climate conference are always complicated. This is proving true this year as well. The Financial Times reports (behind a paywall) that western countries have clashed with Saudi Arabia over the role it should play to “kick-start a UN fund to help poorer countries deal with the loss and damage … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, November 5th, 2023 →

Will Germany really phase out coal by 2030?

Germany's finance minister has questioned the country's ability to phase out coal as an energy source by 2030. Abandoning the goal could deepen division within Germany's ruling coalition. The issue is discussed in a news item on the Deutsche Welle website this week. Germany: Minister casts doubt on 2030 coal exit Germany's finance minister … Continue reading Will Germany really phase out coal by 2030? →

New EEA briefing on the assessment of EU national adaptation actions

Climate risk assessments that take account of threats like heatwaves, droughts, floods and wildfires are increasingly being used to inform and improve national adaptation policies according to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) assessment of national adaptation actions published recently. Heatwaves, droughts, other extreme weather events increasingly influencing adaptation policies The EEA briefing ‘Is … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the assessment of EU national adaptation actions →

UK passes Energy Act

Laws have been passed in the UK to help unlock £100bn of private investment in energy infrastructure, accelerate development of offshore wind and bring more competition to networks. The UK Energy Act 2023, which has received Royal Assent, will deliver a more efficient energy system in the long term, helping to keep costs low. … Continue reading UK passes Energy Act →

The EU’s European Innovation Council Tech Report 2023 is published

The European Innovation Council operates at the forefront of scientific and technological developments. This ambition is underlined by the EIC Tech Report 2023 highlights novel technologies and innovations submitted to the EIC under Horizon Europe. The report has an emphasis on early-stage research projects, funded following extensive independent expert review. It also includes some areas … Continue reading The EU’s European Innovation Council Tech Report 2023 is published →