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 →

Canada’s energy transition to net-zero emissions: need to upgrade 600,000 existing homes and 750 million square metres of existing commercial space per year between now and 2040

have to act now, and the shift will require a co-ordinated effort between government, industry and residents. Abdul Matin Sarfraz discusses the challenges and costs in an article on the National Observer website.   The cost of turning older buildings into climate-fighting machines While Canada has set a deadline to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions … Continue reading Canada’s energy transition to net-zero emissions: need to upgrade 600,000 existing homes and 750 million square metres of existing commercial space per year between now and 2040 →

India sees the proposed EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism as discriminatory and a trade barrier

In a news item on the EURACTIV website, India is concerned about CBAM and will raise it at the World Trade Organization. What are your views?   India plans to challenge EU carbon tax at WTO Indian plans to file a complaint to the World Trade Organisation over the European Union’s proposal to impose 20% … Continue reading India sees the proposed EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism as discriminatory and a trade barrier →

New report from Strategic Perspectives: “Turning the European Green Deal into Reality” will bring security and benefits for businesses and households

With most of the laws adopted to implement the 2030 climate target, Strategic Perspectives takes stock of the European Green Deal. What began as a vision to make Europe the first continent to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 has not only evolved into the world’s most comprehensive set of laws to decarbonise the economy. The … Continue reading New report from Strategic Perspectives: “Turning the European Green Deal into Reality” will bring security and benefits for businesses and households →

Update on the energy performance of buildings

Improving the energy performance of our buildings is a high priority as countries roll out their net-zero energy transition strategies. This week there were two interesting articles you should be aware of: The Mortgage Solutions website writes that around 80 per cent of landlords have already completed energy efficiency works in the UK. Check out … Continue reading Update on the energy performance of buildings →