Energy in Demand News, May 31-June 1, 2026

Sabine Mauderer, first deputy government of the Deutsche Bundesbank, argues in the Financial Times, that more clarity is needed on the energy transition. The recent disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, she says, highlights how dependence on fossil fuels remains a major economic and geopolitical vulnerability, reinforcing the need to accelerate the global energy transition. … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 31-June 1, 2026 →

In Barcelona, the reign of banana trees is coming to an end

The City Council confirms that it will halve the banana tree population over the next decade to combat allergies and improve urban biodiversity. David León Himelfarb discusses latest developments in an article on the Barcelona Secreta website. Farewell to Barcelona’s banana trees: the city will remove 24,000 trees over the next decade to combat … Continue reading In Barcelona, the reign of banana trees is coming to an end →

Energy in Demand News, May 24-25, 2026

This current energy crisis with the blockade of shipping from the Strait of Hormuz is getting more and more serious every day. The Guardian reports that Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, warned on Thursday that oil markets will enter the “red zone” by July and August as stocks dwindle before the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 24-25, 2026 →

Smarter lighting, healthier buildings, lower energy use

In an article on The Conversation website, Roberto Alonso González-Lezcano, Catedrático de Universidad en el área de Construcciones Arquitectónicas, Universidad CEU San Pablo writes about the benefits of smarter lighting. How switching to smarter lighting can cut energy bills and boost your health Lighting accounts for almost 8% of the world’s energy usage. It makes … Continue reading Smarter lighting, healthier buildings, lower energy use →

New EEA assessments on circularity

Stepping up a circular economy offers the European Union the potential for significant positive impacts on Europe’s environment and poses an untapped and strategic economic opportunity in terms of better access to materials and the creation of new businesses. Three new assessments on circularity, published this week by the European Environment Agency (EEA), also stress … Continue reading New EEA assessments on circularity →

Energy in Demand News, May 17-18, 2026

The Financial Times reports that one of the largest US pension funds “is re-evaluating its stake in TotalEnergies following the French oil major’s decision to accept $1bn from Donald Trump’s administration to exit offshore wind power in the US. . . . The New York State Common Retirement Fund, which owns a $1.6mn stake in … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 17-18, 2026 →

Why David Attenborough is so special: the importance of storytellilng

Sir David Attenborough, the English broadcaster, natural historian and writer, turned 100 last week. In an article on The Conversation website, Chloe Brimicombe, Postdoctoral Researcher, Climate Science, University of Oxford; Ben Garrod, Professor of Evolutionary Biology and Science Engagement, University of East Anglia; Jean-Baptiste Gouyon, Head of Department, Science and Technology Studies, UCL; and Saffron … Continue reading Why David Attenborough is so special: the importance of storytellilng →

Energy in Demand News, May 10-11, 2026

It is encouraging that the OECD has published a Data Explainer that details the need for governments to step up policies promoting more efficient energy use. It focuses on 13 energy efficiency policies, including minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), public financing mechanisms for buildings and industry (e.g. green mortgages, vendor credits), fuel economy standards and … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, May 10-11, 2026 →

European cities are starting to show what happens when streets are built for people

Zeeshan Tirmizi writes on the Deutsche Welle website about a citizen-led campaign in Berlin that is collecting signatures to create a car‑free centre in the German capital. Other European cities also show what happens when streets are built for people. Here's what happens when cities kick out cars Berliners lost 60 hours to traffic … Continue reading European cities are starting to show what happens when streets are built for people →

EEA’s latest official reported data on levels of key air pollutants in Europe

Most air quality monitoring stations in Europe achieve current EU legal standards for key air pollutants. However, the levels of key pollutants — like particulate matter, benzo(a)pyrene and especially ground-level ozone — remain a significant problem, according to the latest air quality assessments published this week by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Progress in … Continue reading EEA’s latest official reported data on levels of key air pollutants in Europe →