India sees the proposed EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism as discriminatory and a trade barrier

In a news item on the EURACTIV website, India is concerned about CBAM and will raise it at the World Trade Organization. What are your views?   India plans to challenge EU carbon tax at WTO Indian plans to file a complaint to the World Trade Organisation over the European Union’s proposal to impose 20% … Continue reading India sees the proposed EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism as discriminatory and a trade barrier

New report from Strategic Perspectives: “Turning the European Green Deal into Reality” will bring security and benefits for businesses and households

With most of the laws adopted to implement the 2030 climate target, Strategic Perspectives takes stock of the European Green Deal. What began as a vision to make Europe the first continent to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 has not only evolved into the world’s most comprehensive set of laws to decarbonise the economy. The … Continue reading New report from Strategic Perspectives: “Turning the European Green Deal into Reality” will bring security and benefits for businesses and households

Dutch government announces major funding for climate measures

A news item on the Dutch News website details the latest funding for climate measures in The Netherlands. The approach is to ensure climate policy ‘works for everyone, no matter where they live, their age or their income.’ Is it enough?   Cabinet allocates €28bn to slashing CO2 emissions The cabinet is to spend €28 … Continue reading Dutch government announces major funding for climate measures

Is hydrogen a realistic option for home heating?

Ran Boydell, Associate Professor in Sustainable Development at Heriot-Watt University, in an article on The Conversation website, argues against hydrogen being used for home heating. What are your views?   Replacing methane with hydrogen to heat homes is a bad idea – here’s why Hydrogen is an energy-rich gas, which releases no carbon emissions when … Continue reading Is hydrogen a realistic option for home heating?

European Commission presents new ecodesign rules for electrical appliances in “standby” mode

This week the European Commission adopted new EU rules to reduce the energy consumption of electrical appliances when they are in ‘standby’ mode. The revised rules introduce a number of amendments to the 2008 ecodesign regulation on standby, off mode and networked standby, last updated in 2013, following an extensive consultation exercise and scrutiny from … Continue reading European Commission presents new ecodesign rules for electrical appliances in “standby” mode

Report details mistakes and lessons to be learned from the past 30 years of France’s energy system

A recent Parliamentary report in France highlighted “the reasons for the loss of sovereignty and energy independence of France”. Le Monde introduced it as “the damning report on France's energy choices, and its loss of sovereignty: "A political rambling that has taken us away from the ecological transition."” Paul Messad discusses the report in an … Continue reading Report details mistakes and lessons to be learned from the past 30 years of France’s energy system

European aviation industry claims bill of €‎800bn to reach net zero emissions

European aviation faces more than €‎800bn in extra costs to reach net zero emissions by 2050 to limit climate change, according to industry estimates that highlight the challenge facing the sector as it decarbonises. In this new study, SEO Amsterdam Economics (SEO) and Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) calculate the expenditures necessary to achieve net … Continue reading European aviation industry claims bill of €‎800bn to reach net zero emissions

Blog from Jane Marsh: What Specialized Equipment Do We Need for a Renewable Energy Grid?

Grid modernization is one of the essential conversations in the environmentalist agenda worldwide. Renewable energy investments ramp up, and regulatory bodies have goals to meet, but there’s little publicly known explanation of the technologies required to make this dream practical. Power outages and extreme weather are becoming the norm, and the urgency to adapt the … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: What Specialized Equipment Do We Need for a Renewable Energy Grid?

One British radio programme highlights issues we face in our energy transition

The Archers is a British radio soap opera currently broadcast on BBC Radio 4, the corporation's main spoken-word channel. Broadcast since 1951. It was famously billed as "an everyday story of country folk" and is now promoted as "a contemporary drama in a rural setting." Ed Atkins and Ros Death from the University of Bristol … Continue reading One British radio programme highlights issues we face in our energy transition

The key challenges for Africa to transform its energy systems today

Sebastian Sterl, Assistant Professor, Energy Meteorology at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, in an article on The Conversation website, discusses the five challenges to develop sustainable energy systems for today’s world.   Africa’s energy sector will need to transform radically - these are the five biggest challenges The future of Africa’s energy sector is getting increasing … Continue reading The key challenges for Africa to transform its energy systems today