Decarbonising the energy system by 2050 could save trillions

For decades, scientists have called for a transition to clean energy to prevent the worst impacts of climate change but fears that such a transition would be costly and harm the economy have held back progress. However, a study from the Oxford Martin Programme on the Post-Carbon Transition published this week shows the reverse: an … Continue reading Decarbonising the energy system by 2050 could save trillions →

The city of Copenhagen, often celebrated as one of the world’s greenest for its cycling culture and other initiatives, recently defaulted on its pledge to become carbon-neutral by 2025

Since 2012, when Copenhagen launched its plan to become the first carbon-neutral city in the world by 2025, the city has enjoyed international recognition and a significant branding boost. The early failure in the global race to net zero emissions (a balance between CO₂ emitted and absorbed) may foreshadow backtracking by other target-setters. In an … Continue reading The city of Copenhagen, often celebrated as one of the world’s greenest for its cycling culture and other initiatives, recently defaulted on its pledge to become carbon-neutral by 2025 →

New EEA report on need to ensure soils are no longer a net source of GHG emissions in Europe

Soils can both remove carbon from the atmosphere or emit greenhouse gas emissions. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published recently, European soils are currently a net source of greenhouse gas emissions and, if not addressed, this could pose a risk to the EU climate targets. Mitigation actions can reduce the loss of … Continue reading New EEA report on need to ensure soils are no longer a net source of GHG emissions in Europe →

African leaders frustrated that leaders from the north avoided COP27 preparatory meeting on adaptation

With two months to go until COP27, leaders of African countries had hoped to take advantage of the Rotterdam meeting held this last week to summon international attention on adaptation concerns. Well, they were disappointed. Laurence Caramel discusses the situation in an article on the Le Monde website. African leaders denounce rich countries' absence … Continue reading African leaders frustrated that leaders from the north avoided COP27 preparatory meeting on adaptation →

Going to 100% renewable energy expensive but new study shows payback would take just six years

Mark Jacobson and his team at Stanford University have published a renewable energy study in which they argue the payback time is just 6 years. Steve Hanley discusses in an article on the Clean Technica website. Switching The World To Renewable Energy Will Cost $62 Trillion, But The Payback Would Take Just 6 Years … Continue reading Going to 100% renewable energy expensive but new study shows payback would take just six years →

New EEA report on increase in GHG emissions from heavy-duty vehicles

GHG emissions from heavy-duty vehicles — trucks, buses and coaches — have increased in the EU almost every year since 2014, mainly due to increasing demand for freight transport. According to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, efficiency improvements have not been enough to stop growth in total emissions and a shift … Continue reading New EEA report on increase in GHG emissions from heavy-duty vehicles →

Germany’s 9 euro summer rail pass experiment brought many benefits

After three months, the special offer in Germany of the 9-euro ticket for nationwide use on local and regional public transport made tourist highlights accessible at low cost and even achieved some carbon emissions reductions. Some news agencies note that 52 million tickets were purchased during the three month experiment. Kate Connolly discusses in an … Continue reading Germany’s 9 euro summer rail pass experiment brought many benefits →

Carbon capture’s role has been rejigged as a climate solution in recent years

A new report discusses the benefits of using carbon capture and storage technology to help address climate change. The report states that CCS is a 50-year-old technology with variable results in capturing and storing carbon dioxide. Project developers have almost always reused the captured carbon for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), producing oil and gas and … Continue reading Carbon capture’s role has been rejigged as a climate solution in recent years →

India providing mixed signals in setting the tone for emerging economies to show leadership in climate action

India has the potential to set the tone for emerging economies’ climate action over the coming decade. However, its NDC commitments significantly understate the ambition in its own national climate policies. Tarun Gopalakrishnan, Junior Fellow, Climate Lab at Tufts University, in an article on The Conversation website, discusses India’s climate policies. A tale of … Continue reading India providing mixed signals in setting the tone for emerging economies to show leadership in climate action →

New EEA report on energy prosumers

Citizens, institutions and businesses can help deploy renewable energy and reduce fuel imports by becoming prosumers who both produce and consume energy. A European Environment Agency (EEA) report, published recently, shows that prosumption already exists in many forms and it is expected to grow with enabling policies and better and cheaper technology. Citizens can … Continue reading New EEA report on energy prosumers →