Spanish city takes unusual approach to the energy crisis

Vigo, Spain – the city that introduced fines for swimmers urinating in the sea – will switch on huge festive illuminations this month, defying a national energy-saving drive. Graham Keeley discusses in an article on the inews website. Spain town bucks energy saving trend with Christmas lights display in August As Spain ordered its citizens … Continue reading Spanish city takes unusual approach to the energy crisis →

The US energy and climate transition: carbon capture to play a big role

In an article on The Conversation website, Wil Burns, Professor of Research in Environmental Policy at the American University School of International Service discusses what the US climate bill means for the energy transition. What are your views? The climate bill’s projected emissions cuts rely heavily on carbon capture – it would mean thousands … Continue reading The US energy and climate transition: carbon capture to play a big role →

“What will come after net-zero?”

In the long-term, the best target global temperature for the planet might be something akin to a pre-industrial climate, with the human effect on Earth’s climate receding. So argue Andrew King, Celia McMichael, Harry McClelland and Jacqueline Peel, all from The University of Melbourne in an article on The Conversation website. The authors review a … Continue reading “What will come after net-zero?” →

For Canada to secure its place in the future global hydrogen market, it is maintaining fossil fuels as the centrepiece of its strategy today

Canada’s strategy is to grow a hydrogen industry at home until there is global demand. At that point, it will want to crank up exports. However, there are two massive problems on this front. One is that while using natural gas is currently the cheapest way to produce hydrogen, the International Energy Agency expects the … Continue reading For Canada to secure its place in the future global hydrogen market, it is maintaining fossil fuels as the centrepiece of its strategy today →

How will the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) work and what will it achieve in terms of reining in global temperatures?

Matt McGrath writes on the BBC News website about what will be achieved by the landmark US climate bill both in the US and globally. US climate bill success masks scale of warming challenge Many are hailing a landmark US bill approved by the US Senate as a game changer for American and global … Continue reading How will the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) work and what will it achieve in terms of reining in global temperatures? →

Today the legend of autobahns is associated with Germany’s failure to meet its climate obligations

Germany's long love affair with its high-speed freeways could hit a dead end as calls grow to stop autobahn extensions to combat climate change. Stuart Braun discusses latest developments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Autobahns speed up climate crisis When German electronic band Kraftwerk released the iconic song "Autobahn" in 1975, … Continue reading Today the legend of autobahns is associated with Germany’s failure to meet its climate obligations →

Claims that using concrete will reduce the “whole life” carbon emissions from buildings are often exaggerated

The cement and concrete industry is encouraging the use of cement, by claiming that using concrete will reduce the “whole life” carbon emissions from buildings. Alice Moncaster, Senior Lecturer in Engineering at The Open University, in an article on The Conversation website, challenges those claims. Three reasons concrete doesn’t live up to its environmental … Continue reading Claims that using concrete will reduce the “whole life” carbon emissions from buildings are often exaggerated →

Australia and its climate and energy transition

Adam Morton writes on The Guardian website about what is known about the new climate legislation and what it means for climate action. Australia’s climate change targets will become law. What happens now? The Australian House of Representatives has passed the country’s first climate change legislation in more than a decade. The main part … Continue reading Australia and its climate and energy transition →

Coping with the crisis in Germany: “If the industry can no longer produce here, the demand doesn’t fade. What we produce here will simply be manufactured in other countries, under worse and less sustainable conditions.”

Not a week goes by without warnings of rising gas prices or renewed calls to save energy any way possible. But how are German companies that are highly dependent on the fossil fuel preparing for a looming shortage? Thomas Kohlmann provides some answers in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. How German industry … Continue reading Coping with the crisis in Germany: “If the industry can no longer produce here, the demand doesn’t fade. What we produce here will simply be manufactured in other countries, under worse and less sustainable conditions.” →

Australia’s new government needs to ensure its legislative foundation for climate follows best practice globally

Anita Foerster, Associate professor, Monash University; Alice Bleby, PhD Candidate, UNSW Sydney; and Anne Kallies, Senior Lecturer, RMIT University write on The Conversation website that Australia’s new Albanese government should be guided by lessons from the design and implementation of existing laws in other countries, to ensure it follows best practice. Failing to learn from … Continue reading Australia’s new government needs to ensure its legislative foundation for climate follows best practice globally →