China is “badly off track” when it comes to controlling coal-fired capacity and also meeting energy intensity targets for 2025

A Reuters news agency article by David Stanway discusses a new report that China's renewable energy sector to meet climate goals is being undermined by continued coal capacity expansion and a rapid rise in energy consumption. China's progress on renewables to meet climate goals undermined by coal expansion-research Fast growth in China's renewable energy … Continue reading China is “badly off track” when it comes to controlling coal-fired capacity and also meeting energy intensity targets for 2025 →

New EEA briefing on climate’s impact on seas

Climate change’s triple impact on seas — warming waters, acidification and decreasing oxygen levels — are a major and increasing threat to Europe’s marine ecosystems. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, looks at main threats to Europe’s seas and points to key actions to improve the situation. Warming, acidification, dropping oxygen … Continue reading New EEA briefing on climate’s impact on seas →

New EEA report on European air quality health assessment

Air pollution in Europe remains well above recommended World Health Organization (WHO) levels, posing a significant threat to our health. According to the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) air quality health assessment published this week, 253,000 deaths could have been avoided in the EU if the fine particulate matter concentrations had met WHO recommendations. Exposure … Continue reading New EEA report on European air quality health assessment →

New EEA briefing on benefits of nature-based climate adaptation

Nature-based solutions, such as restoring wetlands in flood-prone areas or green infrastructure to reduce heat island effects in cities, need to be scaled up and expanded to help Europe better cope with the impacts of climate change. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, assesses the current state of such climate adaptation projects … Continue reading New EEA briefing on benefits of nature-based climate adaptation →

The benefits of cement co-processing in the carbon neutrality pathway

The European industry associations are working closely with their members. It is encouraging to see what is happening in the cement sector. From de-commissioned wind blades to end-of-life tyres and agricultural waste, co-processing offers a circular solution to Europe’s waste problem – whilst reducing the cement sector’s CO2 emissions. Its potential should be fully recognised … Continue reading The benefits of cement co-processing in the carbon neutrality pathway →

Motorists are increasingly opting for large electric SUVs but the environmental impact of these vehicles should not be underestimated

Laura Lander, Lecturer in Engineering, King's College London and Grazia Todeschini, Reader in Engineering also at King's College London, write on The Conversation website about the environmental impact of large electric vehicles. Why surging sales of large electric vehicles raises environmental red flags Electric cars are getting bigger and heavier. In 2019, 30% of … Continue reading Motorists are increasingly opting for large electric SUVs but the environmental impact of these vehicles should not be underestimated →

Energy in Demand News, October 22nd, 2023

We are now about two months away from COP28 in Dubai. All of us are anxious that real progress is made because the signs of climate crisis are growing and there definitely is a need to ramp up ambition and action. We were discouraged this week when EU member states this week adopted a common … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, October 22nd, 2023 →

Study shows that the carbon impact of the richest people’s driving habits have damaged the climate more than “those of the poorest”

The UK climate campaign group Possible calls for ‘polluter pays’ tax based on vehicle size as analysis shows that today’s SUVs often emit more carbon emissions than much older cars. Peter Walker discusses the research in an article on the Guardian website. SUVs emit more climate damaging gas than older cars do, study finds … Continue reading Study shows that the carbon impact of the richest people’s driving habits have damaged the climate more than “those of the poorest” →

Governments around the world will need to impose tighter regulations if the problems caused by air pollution are to be tackled

Although almost everyone in the world now breathes air that is polluted in some way, the unfolding story of air pollution is one of environmental inequality. In an article on the BBC News website, Kamala Thiagarajan discusses the issues and the possible solutions to the growing problem of air pollution globally. Why clean air … Continue reading Governments around the world will need to impose tighter regulations if the problems caused by air pollution are to be tackled →

Energy in Demand News, October 8, 2023

As we get closer to COP28 in Dubai, there are some disturbing signs. For example: the US and China failed to pledge to the UN Green Climate Fund (most countries, including Germany, Austria and France, increased their pledges, while Denmark, Ireland and Liechtenstein doubled theirs but total pledges still did not reach target); Russia says … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, October 8, 2023 →