Shipping set to boost climate targets

Matt McGrath and Malcolm Senior write on the BBC News website about an important summit underway in London that will hopefully lead to more ambitious climate targets for the maritime industry.   Why shipping faces a showdown over greenhouse gas Ships crisscrossing our oceans give off as much planet-warming carbon through their smokestacks in a … Continue reading Shipping set to boost climate targets

New Joint Research Centre report on role of heat pumps in our energy transition

Replacing about a third of EU’s 86 million residential fossil fuel boilers with heat pumps could cut those households’ final energy consumption by 36% and their CO2 emissions by 28%. Heating of buildings accounts for almost 40% of final energy consumption and 36% of energy-related GHG emissions in the EU. Within these, residential buildings account … Continue reading New Joint Research Centre report on role of heat pumps in our energy transition

New EEA briefing on the human element for investing in energy renovations

A better understanding is needed of how owners, construction contractors and installers interact and perceive possible advantages of renovating their houses, apartments and other buildings to improve energy efficiency. This would help bolster European policies to shift the building sector to a carbon-neutral future. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published this week explores the … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the human element for investing in energy renovations

The UN didn’t get all the money it wanted for its climate programmes, leaving it reliant on the whims of wealthy donor nations

Joe Lo writes on the Climate Home News website about the budget concerns for funding the UNFCCC.   UN’s climate work at risk, after EU limits budget increase The European Union has ignored the warnings of the UN’s climate change body (UNFCCC) and stopped governments from giving it as much money as it says it … Continue reading The UN didn’t get all the money it wanted for its climate programmes, leaving it reliant on the whims of wealthy donor nations

Germany’s three-party coalition government agrees on changes in transition to phase out oil and gas in its heating strategy

The latest policy rift within Germany's three-party coalition government appears to have been resolved with a compromise deal. This time it was over planned changes to laws on heating. The coalition hopes to put the law before the Bundestag this week and to secure its passage before the summer break begins in July. An article on the Deutsche … Continue reading Germany’s three-party coalition government agrees on changes in transition to phase out oil and gas in its heating strategy

Europe’s energy and climate transition – how 2040 targets should be met

The EU’s climate advisory board has recommended the bloc adopt ambitious targets for 2040. Researchers say there are multiple options to slash emissions, with plenty of political wiggle room. An article on the Deutsche Welle website describes how the targets for 2040 will be met.   How will the EU reach its 2040 climate targets? … Continue reading Europe’s energy and climate transition – how 2040 targets should be met

Important Infographic: Buildings in the Fit for 55

EuroACE recently updated their infographic "Buildings in the Fit for 55 Package for a Climate Neutral Economy in 2050". This is a useful overview that you should find very useful. It takes into account the final version of five different files plus the Commission's proposal on EPBD. The infographic provides a detailed overview of where the energy performance … Continue reading Important Infographic: Buildings in the Fit for 55

Targeted help from governments can help us reduce our carbon footprint

People in rich countries can lead clean lives quicker if governments make it easy for them to ditch dirty habits. In an article on the Deutsche Welle website, Ajit Niranjan discusses what can be done to reduce our carbon footprint.   How can governments help people cut their carbon footprint? Some of the most powerful … Continue reading Targeted help from governments can help us reduce our carbon footprint

An international first: Dutch wind turbines shut down to prevent migratory birds from flying into the wind turbine blades

NL Times reports that wind turbines were shut down for four hours last weekend to protect migratory birds. It is planned that wind turbines will be shut down more often from this autumn, so that migratory birds can safely travel.   Wind turbines at sea shut down for the first time to protect migratory birds … Continue reading An international first: Dutch wind turbines shut down to prevent migratory birds from flying into the wind turbine blades

Solar is now growing much faster than any other energy technology in history

Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University, writes on The Conversation website arguing that the rise and rise of cheap solar is our best hope for rapidly mitigating climate change. Do you agree?   Despairing about climate change? These 4 charts on the unstoppable growth of solar may change your mind Last year, the … Continue reading Solar is now growing much faster than any other energy technology in history