Cape Town sets an example to African cities to develop a climate strategy

Alanna Rebelo, Karen Joan Esler, Michael Samways and Patricia Holmes of Stellenbosch University together with Tony Rebelo from the South African National Biodiversity Institute explain in an article on The Conversation website how Cape Town is addressing climate change. Cape Town's climate strategy isn't perfect, but every African city should have one It may … Continue reading Cape Town sets an example to African cities to develop a climate strategy →

New EEA data available from on GHG emissions from transport fuels

Achieving the 2020 target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport fuels remains problematic for most European Union Member States according to the latest reported data up to 2018 released by the European Environment Agency (EEA) this week. Still insufficient progress in making transport fuels more climate friendly, latest EEA data show The … Continue reading New EEA data available from on GHG emissions from transport fuels →

Targets for emissions cuts released by Chinese government this week

China will use energy more efficiently over the next five years and expects its carbon emissions to be on a steady decline by 2035 at the latest, according to a roadmap for the country's development released after top-level political meetings this week. Kevin Foster explains latest developments on the Argus website. China lays out … Continue reading Targets for emissions cuts released by Chinese government this week →

On climate policies, China believes that Trump administration is “consensus-breaker and a troublemaker”

Beijing’s Foreign Affairs Ministry blamed Trump’s “negative stance” and “retrogression on climate change” for undermining progress on an international climate accord. Steven Mufson explains in an article on the Washington Post website. China delivers diatribe against U.S. climate policies China delivered a diatribe against U.S. climate policies on Monday, saying that under President Trump, … Continue reading On climate policies, China believes that Trump administration is “consensus-breaker and a troublemaker” →

Understanding Europe’s Renovation Wave

The European Commission unveiled a new energy efficiency strategy that could see 35 million buildings renovated and up to 160,000 green jobs created. It is useful to go directly to the EC website to have a better understanding. The following are questions and answers to help us better understand this new initiative. Questions and … Continue reading Understanding Europe’s Renovation Wave →

Two new EEA reports on the need for action to improve adaptation nationally and locally

Despite the increasing awareness of climate change impacts and the need to adapt, many of Europe’s cities and towns are struggling to handle the impacts of heatwaves, severe droughts and destructive floods. Two European Environment Agency (EEA) reports published today stress the urgent need for action to improve adaptation and resilience at local and national … Continue reading Two new EEA reports on the need for action to improve adaptation nationally and locally →

Understanding the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS)

We must reduce GHG emissions to net zero by 2050 to have a reasonable chance of limiting global warming to 1.5C. Human activities - mainly the burning of fossil fuels - are currently emitting far too much CO2 every year. One approach to reducing CO2 emissions is emissions trading – it is carrot-and-stick: emitters of … Continue reading Understanding the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) →

Irish government publishes new climate law which commits Ireland to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050

Paul O’Donoghue writes on the Times website about a new climate action bill published by the Irish government. The bill is a positive step forward for the climate agenda, but also for Ireland. It will make Ireland a leader when it comes to climate action. Climate change bill ‘will improve poor emissions record’ The … Continue reading Irish government publishes new climate law which commits Ireland to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 →

Reviewing international plans to cut GHG emissions

Jeannette Cwienk writes on the Deutsche Welle website about plans announced to reduce GHG emissions and whether they are enough to meet our Paris climate targets. How successful are international climate efforts? China has joined the EU in presenting new plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But are they doing enough? And how about … Continue reading Reviewing international plans to cut GHG emissions →

Discussing the concerns about the EU’s net-zero emissions plans

The net-zero emissions plans in the EU have come under fire because they include not only emissions from fossil fuel burning and cement production, but also CO₂ removal by “carbon sinks” like forests or the soil. Wolfgang Knorr, Senior Research Scientist, Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science at Lund University reviews on The Conversation website what … Continue reading Discussing the concerns about the EU’s net-zero emissions plans →