British PM and the net zero transition – lessons from history about flip-flopping on the environment

This has been a very interesting week in climate policy in Britain, with the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, defied official advice and rolled back on the net zero timetable. Marc Hudson, Visiting Fellow, Science Policy at the University of Sussex writes on The Conversation website giving us a history lesson on the experience of … Continue reading British PM and the net zero transition – lessons from history about flip-flopping on the environment

Energy in Demand News, September 17, 2023

The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) is undergoing some changes. SBTI show companies how much and how quickly businesses need to reduce their GHG emissions to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, leading them on a clear path towards decarbonisation. By guiding companies in science-based target setting, SBTi enables them to tackle climate change … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, September 17, 2023

Europe needs a green industrial policy

As the European elections draw near, Paris and Berlin should move towards a common European approach to industrial policy – with three key elements: vision, funding, and governance, argue Sabine Nallinger and Thomas Pellerin-Carlin in an article on the EURACTIV website. Sabine Nallinger is managing director of Stiftung KlimaWirtschaft, a German CEO alliance of more … Continue reading Europe needs a green industrial policy

The latest Eurobarometer shows that Europeans approve measures taken to tackle the energy crisis, to promote sustainability and to support Ukraine

The Flash Eurobarometer survey published this week shows an overwhelming support among Europeans for the measures taken over the last year to protect consumers and companies from volatility of energy prices, as well as action to foster energy security and the green transition. It also confirms a large consensus among EU citizens in favour of … Continue reading The latest Eurobarometer shows that Europeans approve measures taken to tackle the energy crisis, to promote sustainability and to support Ukraine

Large majority of EU member states will hit 2030 solar targets ahead of schedule

New data from the SolarPower Europe lobby group shows that a large majority of EU member states will hit their 2030 solar targets ahead of schedule. Victor Jack discusses the results in an article on the Politico website.   EU blindsided by ‘spectacular’ solar rollout Explosive growth in solar power means most EU countries will … Continue reading Large majority of EU member states will hit 2030 solar targets ahead of schedule

The sooner the oil industry starts facing up to the realities of climate change, the more chance it has to survive

Adi Imsirovic, Fellow at the University of Surrey writes on The Conversation website that we are in trouble since the oil and gas industry remains largely in climate denial. What are your views?   The oil industry has succumbed to a dangerous new climate denialism If we have not been warned of the dangers of … Continue reading The sooner the oil industry starts facing up to the realities of climate change, the more chance it has to survive

Britain’s energy and climate transition: is it on track?

The latest progress report from the Climate Change Committee makes grim reading on progress towards net zero. Government inertia and reliance on old ways of thinking are to blame. Andrew Warren, Chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation discusses the report in the July issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry.   Has the UK … Continue reading Britain’s energy and climate transition: is it on track?

July 16th EiD newsletter

This week, the New York Times had a news item (behind paywall) entitled: “Climate Disasters Daily? Welcome to the ‘New Normal.’” There were two especially worrying points. The first: “And yet even as storms, fires and floods become increasingly frequent, climate change lives on the periphery for most voters. In a nation focused on inflation, … Continue reading July 16th EiD newsletter

Access to financing and lack of regulatory certainty, including at the EU level, remain key concerns for French SMEs on their green transition path

Théo Bourgery-Gonse writes on the EURACTIV website about what small and medium-sized enterprises need in France to decarbonise. Is it any different in your country?   French SMEs asked to decarbonise, want regulatory certainty Access to financing and lack of regulatory certainty, including at the EU level, remain key concerns for French SMEs on their … Continue reading Access to financing and lack of regulatory certainty, including at the EU level, remain key concerns for French SMEs on their green transition path

An international first: Dutch wind turbines shut down to prevent migratory birds from flying into the wind turbine blades

NL Times reports that wind turbines were shut down for four hours last weekend to protect migratory birds. It is planned that wind turbines will be shut down more often from this autumn, so that migratory birds can safely travel.   Wind turbines at sea shut down for the first time to protect migratory birds … Continue reading An international first: Dutch wind turbines shut down to prevent migratory birds from flying into the wind turbine blades