New EEA assessment that Europe is unprepared for rapidly growing climate risks

Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world, and climate risks are threatening its energy and food security, ecosystems, infrastructure, water resources, financial stability, and people’s health. According to the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) assessment, published this week, many of these risks have already reached critical levels and could become catastrophic without urgent and … Continue reading New EEA assessment that Europe is unprepared for rapidly growing climate risks →

New EEA briefing on environmental impact of textile consumption in Europe

Textile consumption in Europe causes significant pressures on the environment and climate. Part of these pressures comes from returned and unsold textiles that are destroyed and never used for their intended purpose. A new European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing looks at the issue and estimates the share of returned and unsold textiles that are destroyed … Continue reading New EEA briefing on environmental impact of textile consumption in Europe →

Energy in Demand News, March 3, 2024

The bad news from the IEA this week is that, globally, CO2 emissions increased by 410 million tonnes, or 1.1%, in 2023. The good news from the IEA is that global energy-related CO2 emissions rose less strongly in 2023 than the year before even as total energy demand growth accelerated. IEA analysis shows that the … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, March 3, 2024 →

Disproportionate focus of manufacturers on large SUVs and premium models means we have too few mass-market cars

New analysis by Transport & Environment shows how the car market is being distorted by large SUVs. The analysis is discussed in an article on the T&E website. Carmakers are failing to deliver affordable electric cars, holding back EV adoption – analysis Only 17% of electric cars sold are in the more affordable ‘B’ … Continue reading Disproportionate focus of manufacturers on large SUVs and premium models means we have too few mass-market cars →

New EEA briefing on the ‘just transition’ to sustainability

What do we mean by a ‘just transition’ to a sustainable future? A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, looks into how a shift to a greener, climate-neutral, circular economy will impact our society and describes how policies must be informed by concepts of justice and fairness if they are to succeed. … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the ‘just transition’ to sustainability →

Energy in Demand News, February 25, 2024

This weekend sees the first of three sessions of the European Citizens' Energy Efficiency Panel in Brussels with 150 European citizens discussing how energy may be used in the EU and how the energy system should change. Participants are focusing on different aspects of energy efficiency that consumers might encounter at home, in communities or … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, February 25, 2024 →

Meeting Hannah Ritchie: the ‘techno-realist’ discusses climate change

In an article on the CBC News website, Sheena Goodyear interviews Hannah Ritchie, a University of Oxford data and environmental scientist, who calls for ‘urgent optimism’ in her newly published book Not The End of the World. This scientist was paralyzed by the threat of climate change. How she found hope It's hard to … Continue reading Meeting Hannah Ritchie: the ‘techno-realist’ discusses climate change →

Research into the heat-mitigating effects of green spaces during heatwaves has found that botanical gardens are the most effective

In an article on the Guardian website, Damien Gayle explains that researchers hope the findings will inform policymakers planning cities for a warming world. Botanical gardens ‘most effective’ green space at cooling streets in heatwaves Few things are as soothing on a hot summer’s day as a walk through a beautiful botanical garden, but … Continue reading Research into the heat-mitigating effects of green spaces during heatwaves has found that botanical gardens are the most effective →

State-owned energy firms that search for, produce and refine fossil fuels are among the most polluting organisations in the world

In an article on The Conversation website, Anna Grosman, Reader in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Loughborough University; Aldo Musacchio, Professor of Management and Economics, Brandeis University; and Gerhard Schnyder, Professor of International Management & Political Economy, Loughborough University write about the poor environmental track record of state-owned energy companies. State-owned energy companies are among the … Continue reading State-owned energy firms that search for, produce and refine fossil fuels are among the most polluting organisations in the world →

NATO’s commitment to overcoming the challenges of energy efficiency and sustainability in military operations

Ivan Mactaggart writes on the Karve International website about the efforts of military to ensure its sustainability. Readers should note that there is also a good article on energy security from January on the NATO website. The Challenges of Energy Efficiency & Sustainability To Military Technology Military sectors of all major nations are significant … Continue reading NATO’s commitment to overcoming the challenges of energy efficiency and sustainability in military operations →