New EEA briefing on impact of plastic packaging

Plastics are used across Europe in everything from construction materials to consumer products. Recent policy actions on plastic packaging at EU and national level have established collection schemes and introduced waste prevention measures. However, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing, published this week, a significant fraction of Europe’s total plastic consumption is outside … Continue reading New EEA briefing on impact of plastic packaging →

“…humanity needs to make peace with nature, because we are out of harmony with nature”

With those words, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres opened the UN Convention on Biological Diversity conference in Montreal this month. Alexandra Zimmermann, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford writes on the Conversation website asking what living in harmony with nature looks like. UN biodiversity conference: what does living in harmony with nature … Continue reading “…humanity needs to make peace with nature, because we are out of harmony with nature” →

“Why can’t we do what we need to do to stop destroying our planet while we still have the chance?”

That question animates Dr. Ann-Christine Duhaime’s new book, “Minding the Climate: How Neuroscience Can Help Solve Our Environmental Crisis,” published by Harvard University Press. A neurosurgeon explores how our tendency to prioritise short-term consumer pleasures spurs climate change, but also how the brain’s amazing capacity for flexibility can—and likely will—enable us to prioritise the long-term … Continue reading “Why can’t we do what we need to do to stop destroying our planet while we still have the chance?” →

Developing an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution

Michael Birnbaum writes on the Washington Post website about negotiations underway in Uruguay to have an international treaty to reduce plastic pollution. No one says it will be easy. For those wanting to follow latest developments, please go to the Energy Negotiations Bulletin website of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). Work is … Continue reading Developing an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution →

New EEA publication on Europe’s commitments for sustainability and energy system from the perspective multiple, interconnected crises

The European Environment Agency’s (EEA) assessments have shown that Europe and world face unprecedented environment and climate challenges that require ambitious policy responses, such as the European Green Deal. Published recently, EEA Signals 2022 looks at Europe’s commitments for sustainability and energy system from the perspective multiple, interconnected crises. Moving towards sustainability in times … Continue reading New EEA publication on Europe’s commitments for sustainability and energy system from the perspective multiple, interconnected crises →

Blog from Jane Marsh: The future of renewable energy in the home

Every expert in the energy sector understands renewable energy and how prevalent it’s becoming across all industries and the world. Governments and citizens are growing more concerned about the looming climate crisis, as the negative impacts of climate change are ever-present. In the coming years, an increasing number of residential properties will likely rely on … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: The future of renewable energy in the home →

India’s energy transition: there are now roughly 1.75 million e-rickshaws

The country’s electric push is fuelled by sales of two- and three-wheelers. Salimah Shivji discusses the trend to both e-rickshaws and electric vehicles in an article on the CBC News website. How India's electric rickshaw revolution is forging a low-carbon future A faded battery-powered rickshaw weaves in and out of traffic in New Delhi's … Continue reading India’s energy transition: there are now roughly 1.75 million e-rickshaws →

“Debt-for-climate swaps” to help low- and middle-income countries lower their vulnerability

With carefully designed debt-for-climate swaps and support from international institutions, developing countries could expand their finance for desperately needed climate mitigation and adaptation actions and remove some of their heavy debt burden. Soyoung Oh, Junior Research Fellow, The Fletcher School at Tufts University discusses her views in an article on The Conversation website. How … Continue reading “Debt-for-climate swaps” to help low- and middle-income countries lower their vulnerability →

EU planning major reform of its anti-pollution legislation

As part of a major reform of the EU’s anti-pollution legislation, the European Commission said it planned to tighten air quality standards, including on one of the most dangerous pollutants, fine particulate matter. Jennifer Rankin discusses latest developments in an article on The Guardian website. EU plans tighter controls on pollution as doctors call … Continue reading EU planning major reform of its anti-pollution legislation →

New EEA study on urban sustainability

There is a unique opportunity for European cities to better align their the post-COVID-19 recoveries with efforts to make them more sustainable and tackle the impacts of climate change all at the same time. A key legacy of the pandemic is that our cities are a lot more flexible and open to change when it … Continue reading New EEA study on urban sustainability →