World Bank criticised over climate crisis spending

Controversy follows the president of the World Bank, David Malpass. Last month, the former US vice-president Al Gore led calls for the president of the bank to resign after he avoided a journalist’s questions on climate science. Malpass, nominated for the position by the Trump administration, later apologised but his apparent climate denial followed years … Continue reading World Bank criticised over climate crisis spending

New EEA briefings on sustainability of agriculture and food systems

A profound rethink of how we produce food and operate global food chains and related industrial processing sectors is needed to make them resilient and sustainable. Much more must be done to reduce their GHG emissions as well as their pressures on water resources and biodiversity — efforts which are currently almost stagnant — according … Continue reading New EEA briefings on sustainability of agriculture and food systems

A social tariff has shielded eligible households in Belgium from price fluctuations since 2002

While governments focus on how to protect consumers from escalating energy prices, Belgium shows an important way forward. Since 2002, eligible households have been shielded from price fluctuations in the energy market. People don’t have to struggle. Carl Packman discusses the approach taken by Belgium in an article on The Guardian website.   There is … Continue reading A social tariff has shielded eligible households in Belgium from price fluctuations since 2002

Comments on Britain’s mini-budget: OECD comments on UK approach to energy efficiency

It has been just over a week since the UK provided its latest approach to grow the economy. The UK publication Energy in Buildings & Industry (EiBI) provides the follow two comments related to the mini-budget. It should be noted that this week the government has injected £1.5 billion to support upgrades for 130,000 social … Continue reading Comments on Britain’s mini-budget: OECD comments on UK approach to energy efficiency

New EEA data shows that CO2 emissions from new cars dropped by 12% in 2020

Average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of new cars dropped by 12% in 2020 compared to the year before, according to final figures published this week by the European Environment Agency. The main reason for the sharp decrease of emissions was a surge in the share of electric vehicle registrations.   Average carbon dioxide emissions from … Continue reading New EEA data shows that CO2 emissions from new cars dropped by 12% in 2020

Richest countries not meeting renewable energy targets

Eleven of the 20 largest economies got a C or worse on a renewable energy report card, which assessed their plans to reach net zero and their targets for producing and using renewable energy. James Dinneen discusses the new results in an article on the new scientist website.   World’s richest countries fall short on … Continue reading Richest countries not meeting renewable energy targets

UK takes different approach to Europeans to addressing the current energy crisis

While the UK government on Friday announced an additional £1bn for energy efficiency obligations under new legislation, to begin from April 2023, undoubtedly the main focus of the new government is to increase energy supplies (yes, with a cap on consumer prices), largely of fossil fuels including fracking. The energy crisis is currently with us … Continue reading UK takes different approach to Europeans to addressing the current energy crisis

A dozen environmental NGOs on Monday launched a legal challenge to the EU’s decision to label gas and nuclear investments as green

It was definitely controversial for gas and nuclear to be considered green in the EU’s new taxonomy regulation. A dozen European NGOs are concerned enough that they have launched a legal challenge. Alice Tidey discusses the challenge in an article on the Euronews website.   Taxonomy: 12 NGOs launch legal challenge against EU's bid to … Continue reading A dozen environmental NGOs on Monday launched a legal challenge to the EU’s decision to label gas and nuclear investments as green

New UK government accused of failing to recognise the savings that could flow from making the nation more energy efficient

The new UK government under Prime Minister Liz Truss has stated that it will cap consumer energy prices but it will also undertake many efforts to increase energy supply, primarily from fossil fuels and nuclear. Alistair Osborne writes on The Times website that Jonathan Maxwell, founder and chief executive of Sustainable Development Capital, believes the … Continue reading New UK government accused of failing to recognise the savings that could flow from making the nation more energy efficient

While keeping the global average temperate rise below 1.5C may not be achieved, “we need to knuckle down as much as we can to prevent every 0.1C rise”

In an article on The Guardian website, Bill McGuire, professor emeritus of geophysical and climate hazards at UCL, argues that the goal of 1.5C by 2030 is arbitrary and now unachievable – yet working to prevent every 0.1C rise can still give us hope. What do you think?   Why we should forget about the … Continue reading While keeping the global average temperate rise below 1.5C may not be achieved, “we need to knuckle down as much as we can to prevent every 0.1C rise”