Energy in Demand News, March 24, 2024

"The state of the climate in 2023 gave ominous new significance to the phrase ‘off the charts.'" That quote introduced the World Meteorological Organization’s latest annual report. It confirms that 2023 was the hottest year on record by a clear margin. Records were broken for ocean heat, sea level rise, Antarctic sea ice loss and … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 24, 2024

Sufficiency concerns: Aussie homes are getting bigger, wiping out energy efficiency gains

Kate Wingrove, PhD Candidate at the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, University of Wollongong and Emma Heffernan, Associate Professor in Architecture, University of Sydney write on The Conversation website about the trend in Australia for ever bigger homes. This has to be a concern as the country addresses climate change. What is happening in your country? … Continue reading Sufficiency concerns: Aussie homes are getting bigger, wiping out energy efficiency gains

Energy in Demand News, March 17, 2024

Bain’s annual survey of 600-plus executives in oil and gas, utilities, chemicals, mining, and agribusiness, taken during COP28 and the weeks after is cause for concern. From that corporate perspective, the energy transition looks slower as it becomes even more difficult to ensure adequate investment returns, and progress diverges across a fragmenting world. About 62% … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 17, 2024

Rats leaving a sinking ship: how the European Energy Charter helped energy efficiency

In an article in the March issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry, Andrew Warren, Chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, looks at the evolution of the international Energy Charter Treaty and why the UK government has decided to withdraw from its obligations.   Is the Energy Charter Treaty a sinking ship? Later this … Continue reading Rats leaving a sinking ship: how the European Energy Charter helped energy efficiency

Energy in Demand News, March 10, 2024

The World Trade Organization's Thirteenth Ministerial Conference (MC13) recently took place in Abu Dhabi (February 26-March 2). In its energy update, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) wrote that “fossil fuel subsidy reform conversations have made marked progress at the WTO. Last week, the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform initiative—comprised of 48 members—delivered a new … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 10, 2024

Addressing consumer fatigue: with 70% of the expected benefits of the energy transition to be driven by changes in consumer consumption re-engaging households is key

Recent research by EY shows that there is a need to better connect with consumers in the energy transition. A collaborative, holistic approach to the energy transition, with consumers at the core, is how we will accelerate progress toward a fairer, greener, and better energy system that delivers more value for everyone. Beth Anton discusses … Continue reading Addressing consumer fatigue: with 70% of the expected benefits of the energy transition to be driven by changes in consumer consumption re-engaging households is key

China lagging behind goal to reduce energy intensity

Matteo Civillini writes on the Climate Home News website that the Chinese government aims to cut the amount of energy needed for its economic growth by 2.5% in 2024, putting it far off track for a key five-year climate target.   China steps away from 2025 energy efficiency goal China looks set to miss one … Continue reading China lagging behind goal to reduce energy intensity

Majority of UK businesses unaware of support available to improve energy performance

This is quite a worrying concern. A survey of 503 UK businesses shows that 62% are unaware of government energy efficiency supports, with 47% deterred by cost concerns from investing in green upgrades. Dimitris Mavrokefalidis discusses the survey in an article on the Energy Live News website. Have you found the same level of awareness … Continue reading Majority of UK businesses unaware of support available to improve energy performance

Energy in Demand News, March 3, 2024

The bad news from the IEA this week is that, globally, CO2 emissions increased by 410 million tonnes, or 1.1%, in 2023. The good news from the IEA is that global energy-related CO2 emissions rose less strongly in 2023 than the year before even as total energy demand growth accelerated.  IEA analysis shows that the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 3, 2024

Energy in Demand News, February 25, 2024

This weekend sees the first of three sessions of the European Citizens' Energy Efficiency Panel in Brussels with 150 European citizens discussing how energy may be used in the EU and how the energy system should change. Participants are focusing on different aspects of energy efficiency that consumers might encounter at home, in communities or … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 25, 2024