France’s energy transition needs more emphasis on renewable energy

France is losing €6-9 billion a year in gas imports because the country failed to meet its renewable energy goals agreed upon at the European level, according to a new think-tank study unveiled this week. Paul Messad discusses the report in an article on the Euractiv website. Renewable energy delay is costing France billions: … Continue reading France’s energy transition needs more emphasis on renewable energy →

Preparing for COP28: The Emirates are seeking international clout as the Gulf’s most proactive nation on climate action

The Gulf oil and gas exporter is going big on renewable energy investment and food security, while expanding hydrocarbon production. Chloé Farand reviews the plans of the UAE host of COP28 in an article on the Climate Change News website. UAE plans to have it both ways as Cop28 climate summit host If there … Continue reading Preparing for COP28: The Emirates are seeking international clout as the Gulf’s most proactive nation on climate action →

New EEA briefing on methane emissions in the EU

While emissions of methane across the European Union have decreased over past years, the overall reduction in emissions needs to accelerate to meet 2030 and 2050 EU climate objectives. Increased global efforts to reduce methane emissions would also be needed to mitigate global warming in the short term, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) … Continue reading New EEA briefing on methane emissions in the EU →

Hope is not lost: 2022 was an historic year for international climate policy

A lot of the reports out of COP27 in Egypt reflect failure of the international community to make any progress to raise the ambition needed to stay on the path to limit global warming to 1.5℃. Katherine Lake, Research Associate at the Centre for Resources, Energy and Environmental Law at the University of Melbourne takes … Continue reading Hope is not lost: 2022 was an historic year for international climate policy →

New EEA publication on Europe’s commitments for sustainability and energy system from the perspective multiple, interconnected crises

The European Environment Agency’s (EEA) assessments have shown that Europe and world face unprecedented environment and climate challenges that require ambitious policy responses, such as the European Green Deal. Published recently, EEA Signals 2022 looks at Europe’s commitments for sustainability and energy system from the perspective multiple, interconnected crises. Moving towards sustainability in times … Continue reading New EEA publication on Europe’s commitments for sustainability and energy system from the perspective multiple, interconnected crises →

The latest EU state to leave the Energy Charter Treaty: Luxembourg

The Luxembourg government has decided to exit the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), an international trade and investment agreement concluded in the early 1990s to protect investments in the energy sector, Luxembourg’s Minister of Energy and Spatial Planning, Claude Turmes, announced on Friday 18 November. Frédéric Simon discusses latest developments in an article on the Euractiv website. … Continue reading The latest EU state to leave the Energy Charter Treaty: Luxembourg →

A country’s ability to pursue major energy reforms hinges on the government’s capacity to defuse political opposition

Jared Finnegan, Lecturer in Public Policy at University College London (UCL) writes on The Conversation website about why some have been more successful than others in pursuing energy reform. Energy transitions: why countries respond differently to the same problem Russia’s invasion of Ukraine upended global energy markets. Sanctions on Russian exports and the suspension … Continue reading A country’s ability to pursue major energy reforms hinges on the government’s capacity to defuse political opposition →

Carbon emissions: “You have to ask: When are they going to go down?”

Pandemic recovery and an uptick in the use of coal amid the Ukraine war are significant drivers behind carbon emissions. Roshni Majumdar discusses latest developments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. COP27: Fossil fuel carbon emissions to hit all-time high Climate scientists warned Friday that harmful carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels … Continue reading Carbon emissions: “You have to ask: When are they going to go down?” →

Comprehensive action is needed to make up for Australia’s woeful performance on energy efficiency over recent decades

Hugh Saddler, Honorary Associate Professor, Centre for Climate Economics and Policy, Australian National University writes on The Conversation website about a new governmental consultation paper on what it calls its National Energy Performance Strategy. Let’s hope Australia’s new government gets policies and programmes on the right track. What are your views? Australia’s record on … Continue reading Comprehensive action is needed to make up for Australia’s woeful performance on energy efficiency over recent decades →

EU planning major reform of its anti-pollution legislation

As part of a major reform of the EU’s anti-pollution legislation, the European Commission said it planned to tighten air quality standards, including on one of the most dangerous pollutants, fine particulate matter. Jennifer Rankin discusses latest developments in an article on The Guardian website. EU plans tighter controls on pollution as doctors call … Continue reading EU planning major reform of its anti-pollution legislation →