The Financial Times columnist, Martin Wolf, argued this week (behind a paywall) that market forces are not enough to halt climate change. He notes that our efforts to decarbonise are going poorly. Furthermore, people just do not want to pay the price of decarbonising the economy. In explaining the global rise in electricity from fossil … Continue reading Energy in Demand, July 7, 2024
Category: decarbonisation
Blog by Stephen Davies: Natural gas is ‘clean’: unveiling the myth and proposing a sustainable alternative
The imperative to pivot toward sustainable energy practices has never been more critical, given the escalating climate emergency facing our planet. Against this backdrop, many are telling people that natural gas is a ‘clean’ alternative to conventional fossil fuels. However, this assertion skims over the complex, often detrimental environmental ramifications associated with its extraction and … Continue reading Blog by Stephen Davies: Natural gas is ‘clean’: unveiling the myth and proposing a sustainable alternative
For the EU to meet its climate goals, a strong policy push is needed to redirect financial flows towards transition financing
In a news item on the Euractiv website, a new report by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory provides the state of EU progress to climate neutrality, emphasising investment really needs to ramp up. EU needs to double investment to meet climate goals: report The European Union needs to double targeted investment to meet its … Continue reading For the EU to meet its climate goals, a strong policy push is needed to redirect financial flows towards transition financing
Energy in Demand News, June 23, 2024
There is more evidence that the corporate world is dropping or missing goals to cut GHG emissions. In an article in the Financial Times (behind a paywall), it is mentioned that large corporations such as Unilever, the Bank of America and Shell have “in the past year dropped or missed goals to cut emissions or … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 23, 2024
Energy in Demand News, June 16, 2024
No one said the zero-carbon energy transition would be easy. The world faces a “staggering” surplus of oil equating to millions of barrels a day by the end of the decade, according to the IEA. Growth in the world’s demand for oil is expected to slow in the coming years as energy transitions advance. At … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, June 16, 2024
Large language models such as ChatGPT are some of the most energy-guzzling technologies of all
Big tech is playing its part in reaching net zero targets, but its vast new datacentres are run at huge cost to the environment. Mariana Mazzucato, professor in the economics of innovation and public value at University College London, discusses the carbon footprint of ChatGPT in an article on the Guardian website. The ugly … Continue reading Large language models such as ChatGPT are some of the most energy-guzzling technologies of all
Energy in Demand, May 19, 2024
It is uncomfortable reading about the new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research and reported in the Guardian this week. The economic damage wrought by climate change is six times worse than previously thought. “A 1C increase in global temperature leads to a 12% decline in world gross domestic product (GDP), the researchers … Continue reading Energy in Demand, May 19, 2024
Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis signs law that removes most references to climate change in state law, bans offshore wind turbines in state waters and weakens regulations on natural gas pipelines
The state, which just had its hottest year since 1895, has taken steps to rip up its climate change policy foundation. The law also stops programmes designed to encourage renewable energy (prohibiting the construction of offshore wind turbines in state waters) and energy conservation. The legislation also deletes requirements that state agencies use climate-friendly products … Continue reading Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis signs law that removes most references to climate change in state law, bans offshore wind turbines in state waters and weakens regulations on natural gas pipelines
South Africa’s energy transition: the steps needed to move away from coal
Ricardo Amansure, Senior Researcher at the Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University writes on The Conversation about eight steps that the country needs to take to move away from coal. South Africa’s plan to move away from coal: 8 steps to make it succeed The South African government’s Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan was … Continue reading South Africa’s energy transition: the steps needed to move away from coal
Does promotion of nuclear energy in Australia make sense?
Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer, International Studies, University of South Australia writes in The Conversation website that he considers the promotion of nuclear energy in Australia as a climate obstruction tactic. Is it? Nuclear power makes no sense for Australia – but it’s a useful diversion from real climate action Opposition leader Peter Dutton argues Australia … Continue reading Does promotion of nuclear energy in Australia make sense?
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 