An international agreement on limiting the supply of fossil fuels is needed

The latest science on climate change is unequivocal: the world must eliminate fossil fuel-based energy systems – and fast. Such a phase-out requires international cooperation to restrict the supply of fossil fuels, including coal, oil and gas. This won’t be easy, but it is possible. In an article on The Conversation website, Harro van Asselt, … Continue reading An international agreement on limiting the supply of fossil fuels is needed

SBTi stirs up controversy

A decade ago, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) was launched with the goal of mobilising the private sector for climate action. Today, it stands as the largest and most influential validator of corporate climate targets, having confirmed the 2030 goals of around 5,000 companies. But not all is going well. Employees at SBTi have … Continue reading SBTi stirs up controversy

Europe needs €800bn to meet 2030 climate targets, says industry

The Brussels-based European Round Table for Industry this week published two new reports by the Boston Consulting Group that lay out the state of play and articulate the challenges in Europe’s energy transition. As the countdown continues to the European elections and appointment of the next European Commission later this year, the European Round Table … Continue reading Europe needs €800bn to meet 2030 climate targets, says industry

Energy in Demand News, April 7, 2024

The Financial Times (behind a paywall) anticipates that the AI revolution will be a boon for natural gas, according to fossil fuel bosses. “AI’s soaring energy needs will rise well beyond what renewable energy and batteries can deliver, executives argue, making more planet-warming fossil fuel supplies crucial even as governments vow to slash their use.” … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, April 7, 2024

“If we are to have any chance of reaching the Paris Agreement goals, we will have to reward those who play the game and penalize those who do not”

In an article  on the Le Monde website, finance expert Laurent Babikian proposes rewarding companies who make efforts to decarbonise and penalizing those who don't. What are your views?   Climate: 'The most effective way of reaching the Paris Agreement would be variable price business models' To achieve the Paris Agreement, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) … Continue reading “If we are to have any chance of reaching the Paris Agreement goals, we will have to reward those who play the game and penalize those who do not”

How industry can address the challenges of the energy transition

By upgrading their energy strategies, industrials can reduce energy costs, accommodate market volatility, and achieve ambitious decarbonization targets. In an article on the McKinsey website Mauro Erriquez, Alvaro Gonzalez, Diego Hernandez Diaz, and Humayun Tai describe how.   Playing offense: Industrials staying ahead in the energy transition The recent market turmoil and ongoing challenges of … Continue reading How industry can address the challenges of the energy transition

“Ignore Energy Performance Certificate advice”: new Government policy?

The UK government has reversed its advice on improving the energy performance of buildings in order to increase the uptake of heat pumps. Andrew Warren writes on the Business Green website how the British Energy Efficiency Federation, of which he is Chairman, is questioning the analysis that led to the change in consumer advice. What … Continue reading “Ignore Energy Performance Certificate advice”: new Government policy?

Energy in Demand News, March 31, 2024

New oil and gasfields are expected to grow fourfold despite IEA warnings, the Financial Times (behind a paywall) reported this week in their energy newsletter.  At least 20 new oil and gasfields reached final investment decisions worldwide last year and “this figure to grow nearly fourfold by the end of the decade, with another 31bn … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 31, 2024

The Steam Age never really ended

Andreas Helwig, Associate Professor, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern Queensland writes a convincing article on The Conversation website that argues that we are still living in the steam age. What are your views?   Even as the fusion era dawns, we’re still in the Steam Age Steam locomotives clattering along railway tracks. Paddle steamers churning … Continue reading The Steam Age never really ended

“Romania’s justification for not implementing measures to reduce energy consumption in recent years, as other EU countries have done, is not convincing”

Catalina Mihai writes on the Euractiv website about reaction to Romania’s justification for not reducing natural gas use. And there are no plans to reduce its gas consumption in the future.   Romania’s pretext for not taking steps to reduce energy consumption slammed Romania’s justification for not implementing measures to reduce energy consumption in recent … Continue reading “Romania’s justification for not implementing measures to reduce energy consumption in recent years, as other EU countries have done, is not convincing”