The world’s existing fleet of coal-fired plants grew by 19.5GW last year, of which more than half was commissioned in China

The world needs to stop building new plants and close existing ones at almost five times the current rate to meet Paris agreement goals. In order to meet the Paris climate agreement, all coal-fired plants need to be closed by 2040 and no new ones can come online but such is not the case at … Continue reading The world’s existing fleet of coal-fired plants grew by 19.5GW last year, of which more than half was commissioned in China →

A pact to phase out fossil fuels in November’s UN climate talks is the only credible response to the warnings of scientists

Simon Lewis, professor of global change science at University College London and University of Leeds provides an opinion piece in the Guardian giving two reasons why the just published IPCC synthesis report is crucial for the upcoming COP28 in November-December. What are your views?   The IPCC’s climate report has drawn the battle lines for … Continue reading A pact to phase out fossil fuels in November’s UN climate talks is the only credible response to the warnings of scientists →

The EU Net Zero Industry Act must not be protectionist

How the EU might respond to clean teach subsidies, in the form of a leaked draft law entitled the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), is deeply worrisome. Niclas Poitiers, André Sapir, Simone Tagliapietra, Reinhilde Veugelers and Jeromin Zettelmeyer explain their views in an article on the Breugel website. Bruegel is the European think tank that … Continue reading The EU Net Zero Industry Act must not be protectionist →

How are websites reducing their carbon footprint?

Sean McManus writes on the BBC News website about the carbon footprint of websites and what some organisations are doing to reduce it. What are your views?   How slimmed-down websites can cut their carbon emissions "I'm horrified," says Valentina Karellas. "I know grams because I work with them every day and I know how … Continue reading How are websites reducing their carbon footprint? →

The energy crisis has shone a harsh light on Germany’s Bundesliga’s large energy footprint

Only months ago, we had the Football World Cup in Qatar, and the sustainability and energy/climate footprint of that tournament was on everyone’s lips. Germany’s top football league has won plaudits for its sustainability efforts and so it is good to see this article by Nikolaus J. Kurmayer on the EURACTIV website look at the … Continue reading The energy crisis has shone a harsh light on Germany’s Bundesliga’s large energy footprint →

Report finds that supply chains for major industries in Australia, including iron and steel, could cut annual CO2 to 17m tonnes by 2050

Adam Morton writes on the Guardian website about a new report from the Australian Industry Energy Transition Initiative that found they could cut annual CO2 from 221m tonnes in 2020 to 17m tonnes by mid-century while steel and iron production rose by nearly 20% and aluminium production by more than 30%.   Australia’s big emitters … Continue reading Report finds that supply chains for major industries in Australia, including iron and steel, could cut annual CO2 to 17m tonnes by 2050 →

California’s new climate plan shows the way forward to achieving greater impact

Professor Daniel Sperling at the University of California, Davis writes on The Conversation website about how the experience and lessons learned in California will help show the way forward for the rest of the world to address the climate and energy challenges.   How California’s ambitious new climate plan could help speed energy transformation around … Continue reading California’s new climate plan shows the way forward to achieving greater impact →

New EEA briefing on urgency to decarbonise heating

About half of the EU’s final energy consumption goes to heating, making it a key focus area in Europe’s efforts to improve energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, analyses this energy segment, urging investment in building renovations and modern renewable energy solutions.   Renovations and … Continue reading New EEA briefing on urgency to decarbonise heating →

At Davos, UN Secretary General critical of fossil fuel industry of refusing to abandon a business model at odds with human survival

The Secretary General has really taken the lead to work at every angle to get climate change policies on track to meet our Paris climate agreement. At COP27, he was very vocal, thankfully. This week Mr. Guterres was at Davos, criticising big companies that, ‘like the tobacco industry’, ride roughshod over their own science. Larry … Continue reading At Davos, UN Secretary General critical of fossil fuel industry of refusing to abandon a business model at odds with human survival →

‘Make Europe the home of clean tech’: European Commission President calls for more subsidies to fund EU’s future

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a "Net Zero Industry Act" to boost clean tech. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, she also vowed to support Ukraine "as long as it takes." Deutsche Welle provides a news item on Mme von der Leyen’s announcement.   European Commission outlines plan for clean tech … Continue reading ‘Make Europe the home of clean tech’: European Commission President calls for more subsidies to fund EU’s future →