Zimbabwe’s energy transition

The Zimbabwean government is racing against time to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7: affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030. However, the race towards green energy is top-down and mostly privatised. New technology is being introduced or sold to individuals or small families, but renewable energy is not being … Continue reading Zimbabwe’s energy transition →

Energy in Demand News, August 4, 2024

You may remember that in March 2023, the final instalment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) was published. This eight-year long undertaking from the world’s most authoritative scientific body on climate change detailed the devastating consequences of rising GHG emissions around the world — the destruction of homes, the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, August 4, 2024 →

US Congressional investigators concluded that major oil companies had not only misled the public on climate change for decades, but also were continuing to misinform them about the industry’s preferred climate “solutions”— particularly biofuels and carbon capture

Amy Westervelt writes on the Vox website about the results of a three-year investigation that showed how the fossil fuel industry has continued to manipulate fake climate solutions that are still being promoted as the way forward to address climate change. What are your views? Oil companies sold the public on a fake climate … Continue reading US Congressional investigators concluded that major oil companies had not only misled the public on climate change for decades, but also were continuing to misinform them about the industry’s preferred climate “solutions”— particularly biofuels and carbon capture →

Energy in Demand News, July 28, 2024

A task force convened by the UN secretary-general has criticised the use of carbon credits to offset emissions outside of state-regulated schemes. The Financial Times (behind a paywall) reports that the task force’s draft report opposes companies using credits “to cancel out their carbon dioxide footprint, putting it on a collision course with big oil … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 28, 2024 →

China is on the verge of bending its emissions curve from years of steep growth into a flat plateau

In an article on the New York Times website, Max Bearak discusses important developments in China. Analysts are seeing promising signs from the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. We can only hope this comes true. Why the Era of China’s Soaring Carbon Emissions Might Be Ending China, the world’s biggest source of planet-warming … Continue reading China is on the verge of bending its emissions curve from years of steep growth into a flat plateau →

Blueprints for a low energy economy

Is the new UK government prepared to rise to the challenge of investing in energy efficiency measures and reducing the country’s energy use? asks Andrew Warren, chair of the British Energy Efficiency Federation in an article in the July/August issue of Energy in Buildings & Industry. In recognition of the new Government's determination to deliver … Continue reading Blueprints for a low energy economy →

Energy in Demand News, July 21, 2024

The energy transition is proving to be quite a challenge. This week, the New York Times (behind a paywall) wondered why the oil industry is booming. High prices and growing demand have helped US oil producers take in record profits despite global efforts to spur greater use of renewable energy and electric cars. The article … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 21, 2024 →

Is there a future for hydrogen?

Matt Oliver writes on the Telegraph website that hopes of a seamless transition to green hydrogen are crashing into economic reality. What are your views? How the West’s ‘absurd’ bet on hydrogen imploded Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has been on something of a journey in recent years. The Australian billionaire, best known for making his … Continue reading Is there a future for hydrogen? →

Energy in Demand News, July 14, 2024

Despite growing at an unprecedented rate last year, renewable energy sources are still not being deployed quickly enough to put the world on track to meet an international goal of tripling renewables by 2030, new data shows. According to figures published on Thursday by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewables are the fastest-growing source … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, July 14, 2024 →

“I think the challenge for new nuclear is that it is just expensive”

The Chairman of the Energy Transitions Commission says hydrogen or gas power with carbon capture and storage could help to keep the lights on but nuclear is simply too expensive. Writing in the Times website, Emma Powell discusses the views of Lord Turner, chairman of the Energy Transitions Commission, on the priority now being given … Continue reading “I think the challenge for new nuclear is that it is just expensive” →