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 →

The worrying backlash to the European Green Deal

Many of the European Union's heads of state and government leaders have called for a 'regulatory pause' on climate and environmental issues. They are concerned about the consequences of measures designed to lead the EU-27 to carbon neutrality. Many Le Monde correspondents (Virginie Malingre, Thomas Wieder, Allan Kaval, Anne-Françoise Hivert, Sandrine Morel, Cécile Ducourtieux, Hélène … Continue reading The worrying backlash to the European Green Deal →

New EEA briefing on why a thoughtful approach to participation is needed for sustainability transitions

What is the role of citizens in Europe’s shift to a sustainable future and how do we make it inclusive? Transitioning into sustainability will be challenging and calls for creativity and the full involvement of all sectors of society, including citizens, to make it a success, according to a European Environment Agency briefing published this … Continue reading New EEA briefing on why a thoughtful approach to participation is needed for sustainability transitions →

Energy in Demand News, October 1, 2023

It was encouraging that the heads of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) called on leaders from government, finance and industry across Europe to deliver a clean energy transition that is just, swift and maintains competitiveness. Ministers, ambassadors, business leaders, central bankers and other key … Continue reading Energy in Demand News, October 1, 2023 →

Romania takes steps to increase its efforts to deploy renewable energy

A new revised code of good practice for renewable energy is an important step to show the need to accelerate investment in the sector. A news item on the Energy Industry Review website explains latest developments. Mechthild Wörsdörfer, Deputy Director-General DG Energy at the European Commission stated: “Romania needs to set more ambitious national targets … Continue reading Romania takes steps to increase its efforts to deploy renewable energy →

Highways still favoured over rail networks in Europe

Research commissioned by the European Mobility4All campaign provides disappointing reading for those who thought that our governments had turned a corner and were giving more attention to our rail systems. Rail networks in most countries have been starved of funding while motorways lengthen, the study shows. Ajit Niranjan explains in an article on the Guardian … Continue reading Highways still favoured over rail networks in Europe →

What would it take to make aviation green in the EU?

The European Parliament gave the green light on September 13th to new rules that will increase the quantity of sustainable jet fuel in flights departing from EU airports, marking a major step towards reducing emissions from the notoriously carbon-intensive transport mode. At the behest of the Parliament, an EU label outlining the environmental performance of … Continue reading What would it take to make aviation green in the EU? →

The latest Eurobarometer shows that Europeans approve measures taken to tackle the energy crisis, to promote sustainability and to support Ukraine

The Flash Eurobarometer survey published this week shows an overwhelming support among Europeans for the measures taken over the last year to protect consumers and companies from volatility of energy prices, as well as action to foster energy security and the green transition. It also confirms a large consensus among EU citizens in favour of … Continue reading The latest Eurobarometer shows that Europeans approve measures taken to tackle the energy crisis, to promote sustainability and to support Ukraine →

New report on European innovation published

The annual European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) provides a comparative assessment of the research and innovation performance of EU Member States and selected third countries, and the relative strengths and weaknesses of their research and innovation systems. It helps countries assess areas in which they need to concentrate their efforts in order to boost their innovation … Continue reading New report on European innovation published →

Dedicated training programmes are needed throughout Europe to meet European Green Deal objectives

To meet clean-energy targets, Europe needs to train up a whole new workforce. Charlie Cooper discusses the job challenges in an article on the Politico website. In another article, Croatia, alone, will need about 30,000 employees per year with secondary school qualifications and university degrees to achieve its 2030 energy efficiency goals in the buildings … Continue reading Dedicated training programmes are needed throughout Europe to meet European Green Deal objectives →