Energy in Demand News, May 17-18, 2026

The Financial Times reports that one of the largest US pension funds “is re-evaluating its stake in TotalEnergies following the French oil major’s decision to accept $1bn from Donald Trump’s administration to exit offshore wind power in the US. . . . The New York State Common Retirement Fund, which owns a $1.6mn stake in … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 17-18, 2026

NATO is openly backing renewables

Ben Makuch writes on the Politico website that NATO sees clean power as a logical replacement for fossil fuels. This position likely to deepen tensions with the United States.   NATO backs renewables as solution to energy security, despite US skepticism NATO is openly backing renewables and other non-fossil fuel sources of energy as key … Continue reading NATO is openly backing renewables

Five myths about renewable energy — and what the data really shows

Mitota P. Omelere writes on the Earth.org website about five myths about renewable energy. For much of the past decade, discourse around renewable energy has been shaped by persistent concerns over cost, reliability, and environmental trade-offs. While some of these critiques reflected genuine limitations during the early stages of deployment, the global energy landscape has … Continue reading Five myths about renewable energy — and what the data really shows

Blog by Jane Marsh – why insulation comes first: the Warm Homes Plan’s focus on fabric-first energy efficiency

Energy-efficient homes remain a central priority within the Warm Homes Plan. It supports broader national decarbonisation efforts by lowering residential energy demand before expanding low-carbon infrastructure. The strategy follows a fabric-first approach in housing policy and retrofit planning, emphasising building envelope improvements to reduce heat loss and improve long-term building performance. Rather than relying immediately … Continue reading Blog by Jane Marsh – why insulation comes first: the Warm Homes Plan’s focus on fabric-first energy efficiency

Why much of London’s office market could become unlettable

Large swathes of London’s office property risk becoming stranded assets as landlords run out of time to embark on major upgrades needed to meet new energy efficiency standards. Olivia Rudgard from Bloomberg News discusses latest developments in an article on the Financial Post website.   Thousands of London Offices 'Risk Obsolescence' Under New Energy Efficiency … Continue reading Why much of London’s office market could become unlettable

Energy in Demand News, May 10-11, 2026

It is encouraging that the OECD has published a Data Explainer that details the need for governments to step up policies promoting more efficient energy use. It focuses on 13 energy efficiency policies, including minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), public financing mechanisms for buildings and industry (e.g. green mortgages, vendor credits), fuel economy standards and … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 10-11, 2026

How renewables shielded Britain from soaring gas prices

In an article on the Carbon Brief website, Simon Evans and Ho Woo Nam explain how the UK has avoided the need for gas imports worth £1.7bn since the start of the Iran war, as a result of record electricity generation from wind and solar.   Analysis: Wind and solar have saved UK from gas … Continue reading How renewables shielded Britain from soaring gas prices

Beyond rhetoric: can Santa Marta advance the fossil fuel phase-down?

In an article on The Conversation website, Philippe Le Billon, Professor, Geography Department and School of Public Policy & Global Affairs, University of British Columbia and Pierre Wokuri, Junior Professor in Political Science, Sciences Po Rennes reflect on the recently held Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels and the need for binding commitments to … Continue reading Beyond rhetoric: can Santa Marta advance the fossil fuel phase-down?

New EEA briefings on how AI and digitalisation can support the green transition

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes Europe's economy, it will either accelerate our green ambitions or undermine them. Two new European Environment Agency (EEA) briefings explore how deliberate policy steering can ensure a double dividend and how the trade-offs in deploying these technologies can be navigated at a time when environmental pressures must fall.   Europe … Continue reading New EEA briefings on how AI and digitalisation can support the green transition

Reflections on the second general assembly of the European Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition

The European Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition, launched in 2024, recently held its second annual general assembly meeting. The  Coalition works to mobilise private financing for energy efficiency, improve access to finance for enterprises and citizens, de-risk projects and portfolios, and stimulate demand for energy efficiency solutions. Its membership includes financial institutions, industry stakeholders and Member States. It … Continue reading Reflections on the second general assembly of the European Energy Efficiency Financing Coalition