New EEA briefing — From data to decisions: material footprints in European policy making

What is the material footprint of key European consumption sectors? While the overall material footprint — or the amount of raw materials extracted from nature in and outside of the EU to deliver goods and services — remained stable over the past decade, more measures need to be taken to reduce resource consumption in the … Continue reading New EEA briefing — From data to decisions: material footprints in European policy making

Energy in Demand News, October 6, 2024

Congratulations to the UK to finally bid farewell to the power of King Coal with the closing of its last coal-fired power plant. Britain opened the world’s first coal-burning power plant in 1882 (built by Thomas Edison) and now has become the first major country to end coal-fired power. Renewables’ share of UK electricity jumped … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, October 6, 2024

World leaders at the next AI summit hosted by France will focus on the impact on the environment and jobs

Dan Milmo writes on the Guardian website about the upcoming AI summit next February that will push for greater transparency and aims to rank AI firms in terms of ability to meet climate goals.   French AI summit to focus on environmental impact of energy-hungry tech World leaders at the next AI summit will focus … Continue reading World leaders at the next AI summit hosted by France will focus on the impact on the environment and jobs

New EEA report on how but smart renovations that focus on efficient use of energy and resources can help Europe increase the sustainability of its housing sector

Construction, use and demolition of buildings causes major environment and climate pressures but smart renovations that focus on efficient use of energy and resources can help Europe increase the sustainability of its housing sector, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) report published this week.   Renovations, sustainable building materials can boost Europe’s green transition … Continue reading New EEA report on how but smart renovations that focus on efficient use of energy and resources can help Europe increase the sustainability of its housing sector

Reaction from the UN Summit of the Future

Last week, EiD previewed the UN Summit of the Future. The Summit that took place in New York over the weekend pitched strengthened diplomatic cooperation as the key to protecting the rights of present and future generations from environmental breakdown, amongst other issues. Pierre Cannet is global head of public affairs and policy at ClientEarth … Continue reading Reaction from the UN Summit of the Future

Understanding the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive

In an article on the Green Transition website from Canada, Will Dubitsky gives a good overview of the role and importance of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.   CSRD: EU revolutionizing corporate sustainability accountability and decisions Introduction The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), many years in the making, is revolutionary.  CSRD will replace … Continue reading Understanding the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive

Editorial from EEA Executive Director on reaching our desired destination: a sustainable, resilient Europe

The Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, Leena Ylä-Mononen, has published a very insightful and valuable editorial this week as the new policy cycle begins in the European Union.   Time to speed up towards a sustainable and resilient Europe Europe’s economy and wellbeing of its citizens depend crucially on a healthy and resilient … Continue reading Editorial from EEA Executive Director on reaching our desired destination: a sustainable, resilient Europe

Energy in Demand News, September 22, 2024

Global leaders will gather in New York next week for the UN Summit of the Future, the centrepiece of this year’s launch of the annual United Nations General Assembly. UN Secretary General, António Guterres, will try to persuade world leaders to extend their horizons beyond current wars by adopting a “Pact for the Future,” an … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, September 22, 2024

New EEA briefing on the use of “forever chemicals”

Reducing the use of PFAS —known as forever chemicals— in clothing, furniture and other textile products, is important to increase recyclability and the transition to a more circular economy according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week.   Safe and sustainable alternatives could reduce use of PFAS in textiles and enhance reuse … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the use of “forever chemicals”

Energy in Demand News, September 8, 2024

The new academic year is now upon us. The Financial Times (behind a paywall) discusses a new study that raises concerns about university ties to the fossil fuel sector. The study provides the first review of research looking at the sector’s extensive role in higher education. It draws from nearly three dozen reports on how … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, September 8, 2024