Energy in Demand News, December 3, 2023

This week’s quote below is indicative of how the oil and gas industry sees climate change – as conveyed by Darren Woods, CEO of Exxon Mobil, last week at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco. Then, in Dubai, attending his first global climate conference, Darren Woods  told the Financial Times (behind a … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, December 3, 2023

IEA’s new report on energy efficiency sends message on need to address energy demand

This year’s energy efficiency report by the IEA makes clear that a profound transformation is underway in energy efficiency and clean energy more broadly, with many governments introducing new, or strengthening existing, policies and energy-saving programmes. These policies are leading to faster deployment of efficient technologies and are contributing towards an expected peaking of fossil … Continue reading IEA’s new report on energy efficiency sends message on need to address energy demand

Is it realistic for Canada’s oil and gas industry to make carbon capture a key part of their GHG emissions reduction strategy?

In an article on the CBC News website, Benjamin Shingler takes a closer look at the technology and why researchers say it's not a realistic answer to the climate crisis   Canada's fossil fuel industry is banking on carbon capture to lower emissions. Is it a viable solution? Fossil fuel companies in Canada have made … Continue reading Is it realistic for Canada’s oil and gas industry to make carbon capture a key part of their GHG emissions reduction strategy?

Virgin Atlantic’s ‘Jet Zero’ fuel may not be travel’s green future – it is more “a smoke-and-mirrors exercise to convince governments that SAF will enable aviation to continue its relentless growth on a sustainable basis”

The first transatlantic flight powered only by sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) took off from Heathrow airport this week. Airlines are pinning their hopes on SAF to slash emissions as they try to decarbonise flying before new electric and hydrogen-powered options are developed. In an article on The Conversation website, Gareth Dale, Reader in Political Economy, … Continue reading Virgin Atlantic’s ‘Jet Zero’ fuel may not be travel’s green future – it is more “a smoke-and-mirrors exercise to convince governments that SAF will enable aviation to continue its relentless growth on a sustainable basis”

Air pollution particles from coal-fired power plants are more harmful to human health than many experts realised

In an article on The Conversation website, Lucas Henneman, Assistant Professor of Engineering at George Mason University discusses the results of a study he and colleagues undertook to better understand the health effects in the US.   Pollution from coal power plants contributes to far more deaths than scientists realized, study shows Air pollution particles … Continue reading Air pollution particles from coal-fired power plants are more harmful to human health than many experts realised

China is “badly off track” when it comes to controlling coal-fired capacity and also meeting energy intensity targets for 2025

A Reuters news agency article by David Stanway discusses a new report that China's renewable energy sector to meet climate goals is being undermined by continued coal capacity expansion and a rapid rise in energy consumption.   China's progress on renewables to meet climate goals undermined by coal expansion-research Fast growth in China's renewable energy … Continue reading China is “badly off track” when it comes to controlling coal-fired capacity and also meeting energy intensity targets for 2025

For countries to meet their goals to cut GHG emissions, stopping emissions from carbon-intensive industries like steel, cement and chemicals is imperative

Morgan Bazilian, Professor of Public Policy and Director, Payne Institute, Colorado School of Mines; Benjamin K. Sovacool, Professor of Energy Policy, University of Sussex; and Steven Griffiths, Senior Vice President for Research and Development, Professor of Practice in Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University write on The Conversation website about the importance of decarbonising industry if we … Continue reading For countries to meet their goals to cut GHG emissions, stopping emissions from carbon-intensive industries like steel, cement and chemicals is imperative

The richest 10% are responsible for half of all global emissions

Carbon emissions of richest 10% are up to 40 times bigger than poorest, and ignoring divide may make ending climate crisis impossible, experts say. Damian Carrington discusses recent analysis in an article on the Guardian website.   Revealed: the huge climate impact of the middle classes The richest 10% of people in many countries cause … Continue reading The richest 10% are responsible for half of all global emissions

France unveils 2030 energy targets

French Energy Transition Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher outlines in an interview the government's vision of the trajectory that would enable France to gradually reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Perrine Mouterde and Adrien Pécout undertake the interview in an article on the Le Monde website.   French energy minister: Necessary transition 'is on a scale comparable … Continue reading France unveils 2030 energy targets

‘Breakthrough battery’ from Sweden may cut dependency on China

Northvolt, Europe’s only large homegrown electric battery maker, has said it has made a lower cost, more sustainable battery designed to store electricity which does not use lithium, nickel, graphite and cobalt. Bernd Radowitz discusses this new development in an article on the Recharge News website.   Northvolt eyes global storage markets with 'cost-effective' sodium-ion … Continue reading ‘Breakthrough battery’ from Sweden may cut dependency on China