Europe needs a green industrial policy

As the European elections draw near, Paris and Berlin should move towards a common European approach to industrial policy – with three key elements: vision, funding, and governance, argue Sabine Nallinger and Thomas Pellerin-Carlin in an article on the EURACTIV website. Sabine Nallinger is managing director of Stiftung KlimaWirtschaft, a German CEO alliance of more … Continue reading Europe needs a green industrial policy

Energy in Demand News, September 10, 2023

This weekend’s G20 Summit in New Delhi has the theme “One Earth · One Family · One Future” (drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad) which is quite fitting, given the range of topics being covered. There have been discussions regarding strategies to tackle the challenges presented by climate change. Developing nations … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, September 10, 2023

No banks disclosed the share of total finance directed towards climate solutions in the last year, according to analysis by the TPI Centre

Only 6 of 26 banks have disclosed a commitment to end all on- and off-balance sheet activities that finance new coal capacity immediately. Only one of the banks’ net zero emissions commitments covers on and off-balance sheets activities. Five banks have publicly disclosed the quantitative results of climate scenario analysis to their shareholders and clients. … Continue reading No banks disclosed the share of total finance directed towards climate solutions in the last year, according to analysis by the TPI Centre

Africa climate summit adopts ‘Nairobi declaration’

The first ever Africa Climate Summit ended on Wednesday with a call for world leaders to back global taxes to fund climate action. The "Nairobi declaration" also calls for financial reforms to help African countries. The text is intended to define the shared position of the 54 countries of the African continent ahead of the … Continue reading Africa climate summit adopts ‘Nairobi declaration’

Africa’s climate security needs to be prioritised at COP28

Climate change has been exacerbating tensions across Africa. Maurizio Geri, a former NATO analyst on the Middle East and North Africa, writes on the EURACTIV website that the continent’s climate security ought to be prioritised at COP28 so that the rise of militarism can be countered.   West must use COP28 to reverse climate neglect … Continue reading Africa’s climate security needs to be prioritised at COP28

Germany has to raise its efforts to meet its long-term climate targets

A council of experts has said in its policy review that Berlin's proposals were insufficient for the mitigation of climate change. It added that the over 100 measures did not amount to a cohesive overall plan. The review’s findings are discussed in a Reuters news item on the Deutsche Welle website.   Germany's climate policy … Continue reading Germany has to raise its efforts to meet its long-term climate targets

Too few UK companies have an adequate plan for switching to a clean, green future, a new study has found

Nearly two thirds of emissions by UK firms are not covered by carbon-cutting targets, even though going green can be good for profits, a study by the global management consulting firm Bain & Co and charity the Carbon Disclosure Project finds. David Connett discusses the findings in an article on the iNews website. What is … Continue reading Too few UK companies have an adequate plan for switching to a clean, green future, a new study has found

Large majority of EU member states will hit 2030 solar targets ahead of schedule

New data from the SolarPower Europe lobby group shows that a large majority of EU member states will hit their 2030 solar targets ahead of schedule. Victor Jack discusses the results in an article on the Politico website.   EU blindsided by ‘spectacular’ solar rollout Explosive growth in solar power means most EU countries will … Continue reading Large majority of EU member states will hit 2030 solar targets ahead of schedule

Dedicated training programmes are needed throughout Europe to meet European Green Deal objectives

To meet clean-energy targets, Europe needs to train up a whole new workforce. Charlie Cooper discusses the job challenges in an article on the Politico website. In another article, Croatia, alone, will need about 30,000 employees per year with secondary school qualifications and university degrees to achieve its 2030 energy efficiency goals in the buildings … Continue reading Dedicated training programmes are needed throughout Europe to meet European Green Deal objectives

Alberta’s decision to pause approval of new renewable energy projects bewildering in a year when wildfires are at their record worst

Critics of the policy expressed concern that decision will weaken investor confidence in solar and wind energy in the region. The renewable energy industry wasn’t even consulted in advance. Leyland Cecco discusses the government’s decision in an article on the Guardian website. Well, for a bit of the other side of the argument., read this … Continue reading Alberta’s decision to pause approval of new renewable energy projects bewildering in a year when wildfires are at their record worst